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Kahili was seven when they first met.
"Golf? You actually like golf?" He asked.
"Yeah. My Dad plays it a lot. I wanna be better than he is when I get older. It looks fun." She answered.
"Hah! As if you would! You look like you couldn't hold a broom!"
"Yes I can!"
"No you can't!"
"Yes I can!"
"No you can't!"
"CAN!"
"CAN'T!"
"Oh, yeah?! How about I show you then?!" She fumed and yanked one of her Dad's clubs out from its bag!
"Woah hey, hey! I was kidding!" The boy exclaimed while holding his arms up defensively as soon as he saw her brandish the nine iron.
"Kid this then!" She shouted angrily.
"KAHILI! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" She felt her father's hand grab the club and yank it from her grasp before she could swing it, "WERE YOU GOING TO HURT THAT BOY?! THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE!"
"But… But he started it!" She protested.
"That's no excuse! Go back inside!" Her father yelled, "I'm going to have a talk with you later, young lady!"
"But-"
"No buts! Go back inside now!"
"...Okay." She murmured before glumly walking towards the Hano Grand Resort. Her eyes caught his smug expression, leading to a few mutterings about how stupid boys were under her breath. The boy's father had a word with his son; and just before she went into the building, she did catch him saying one thing.
"Guzma, what is wrong with you?!"
—
Kahili was eleven when she first started the island challenge.
Akala's previous Kahuna had sadly passed away the week before. Beforehand, Kahili had come of age and he had seen the potential in her during a chance encounter when she caught her first partner Pikipek. She was supposed to receive her Z-Ring, but the Kahuna's funeral delayed that notion for a bit. The island's guardian Tapu Lele had appointed a primed successor almost immediately. Kahili couldn't believe what she heard when she met them…
"Kahuna?! You?! At your age?!" She gawked at Olivia.
"Yup! The Tapu's made their decision. I'm Akala Island's new Kahuna. Small world, isn't it?" The dark-skinned girl nodded as the girls chatted away over some Z-sets Olivia had ordered for them in Konikoni City's most popular restaurant, "My predecessor managed to complete your Z-Ring just in time. I'd have gotten it to you sooner, but… You know…"
"...Yeah, I get it. That's not a problem." Kahili nodded sympathetically, "Still, being appointed Kahuna before finishing middle school? That's gotta be a record… What are the odds of someone younger than you getting picked as one in the future?"
"Please. The odds of that happening is like seeing the sky fall. A toddler would have to be picked if that's the case." Olivia snarked with a smile and shook her head, "But I'll cut to the chase."
Olivia fished into her pocket and pulled out a small box. She set it down on the table for Kahili to open. Inside was a pristine white Z-Ring, the accessory's polished appearance shining as bright as the Sun in the clearest of days and the shining stars during the night. Kahili's eyes widened as she cautiously picked it up like she was handling something fragile. Her gaze glanced over to Olivia, the young Kahuna smiling and nodding to urge her to put it on.
"I know this isn't the most ceremonious time or place to give out something so important…" She said while gesturing to the bustling restaurant and the food in front of them, "But put it on."
Kahili nodded as she cautiously opened up her Z-Ring and clamped it around her right arm's wrist. As she did, the girl felt a rush of energy coursing through her body! It was as if the light of Alola itself had opted to crawl into every vein and artery in her system! Olivia watched with amusement as she saw Kahili try to not collapse from her seat, removing her visor to wipe a bead of sweat from her head.
"Phew! Is this what it feels like to wear one of these things? I feel like I've just been set on fire right now!" She exclaimed.
"Heh. You're being pretty overdramatic." Olivia teased, "But with the Z-Ring and that amulet you have on you, you're all set to take on the island challenge!"
Kahili glanced down at her Z-Ring as it felt like she just strapped a ten ton weight onto her hand. Failing the island challenge is not an option to her. If she can't do this, then she can forget her dreams of becoming the world's greatest golfer! She nodded with determination in her eyes.
"I'll use my new Kahuna privileges to let the Heahea Ferry Terminal take you to Melemele Island since it's where everyone's gotta start. Say hi to Kukui and Guzma for me if you see them! Tell them who just outranked them in our little friend group, because I can't wait to see the look on their faces!" Olivia snickered.
"Bleh. I'll pass the news to Dumb and Dumber if I see them." Kahili muttered, "But I'll have you know that I'm gonna be avoiding them like the plague until circumstance says otherwise."
"That's just like you, Kahili. Just like you, indeed." Olivia rolled her eyes, "Anyways, let's eat! Consider this a little celebratory meal to start your island challenge!"
Kahili shrugged casually before scooping up a bite from her Z-set and plopping it in her mouth. The flavor was interesting, but not bad… Wait a second. What's this feeling on her tongue? It almost feels like…
Olivia watched with a playfully cheeky grin as Kahili's face turned red before she instantly collapsed onto the floor from the sheer amount of spice that she consumed!
"I take back what I said! I'd rather be set on fire!" Kahili screamed. The young Kahuna couldn't help but burst into laughter as her friend made a mad sprint towards the counter to get herself a large glass of Moomoo Milk.
- - - - - -
"Alright, Pikipek. Melemele Island." Kahili commented as she stepped into the Melemele Ferry Terminal, the Woodpecker Pokémon perched on her shoulder and glanced around, eagerly taking in the scenery as he and his Trainer made landfall in Hau'oli City, "You wanna go find the Trial Captain to start our island challenge or do you wanna do some sightseeing?"
"...Piki! Pikipek pek!" Pikipek chirped back, but what he said confused Kahili.
"What do you mean I should look to my left?" She asked and glanced at where the avian was pointing its wing. Kahili's head followed. Curled up on one of the seats facing away from the two was a young boy with unkempt white hair in a black hoodie and pants. Kahili frowned. Was that…? Making up her mind, she silently approached the boy…
"Guzma? Guzma?" Kahili asked while trying to get the kid's attention, but no response, "Guzma? …Guzma, what is wrong with you?"
Guzma, what is wrong with you?!
The boy suddenly gasped and looked around only to have his shady eyes meet Kahili's pale blue ones.
"Oh great. The queen of the girl scouts is on my island." Guzma muttered dryly upon registering who called out to him.
"Ugh, why do I even bother?" Kahili sneered before asking, "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Uhh… Err… I was just… takin' a nap. Old man Hala ain't done with my and Kukui's Z-Rings just yet, so I took a snooze." He said.
"...You decided to take a nap here instead of going back home or staying in Iki Town?" Kahili asked flatly, "Why in the Tapu's name would you do that?"
"No reason! I just like sleepin' here! You got a problem with that, birdbrain?!" Guzma snapped angrily. Kahili scowled as she glanced at Guzma's disheveled look before her eyes caught some sort of dark marking on the side of his head… Was that a bruise she saw?
"Hey, are you hurt? You got something on your head." She pointed out. When she did, Kahili saw Guzma's pupils shrink as he instinctively put his hood on.
"I-It's nothin'. I just tried to run after some Pokémon, tripped, and hit my head." He muttered.
"What? Did you fall down repeatedly or something?"
"Yeah, I did. Stop askin'." Guzma said.
"...Do you need to go see a doctor?" Kahili asked again.
"I said stop asking! Just leave me alone!" Guzma shouted.
"...Fine. Keep your secrets. I'm leaving. Come on, Pikipek." She said and turned towards the terminal exit, her partner Pokémon taking to the air to fly next to its Trainer, "I'll just tell Kukui that Olivia's Akala's new Kahuna, then."
"Wait what?! Olivia is what now?!" Guzma exclaimed, his anger dissipating after hearing Kahili nonchalantly drop one hell of a bombshell.
"Nope. You've had your chance. I'm going now." Kahili replied without facing the boy as she opened the door to walk into Hau'oli City with Pikipek.
"Kahili?! Kahili, you can't just leave me with that kinda info and not explain it to me! Kahili!" Guzma yelled as he got up and ran after the girl.
Unbeknownst to her at the time, the young Kahili never knew how Guzma actually got that bruise.
—
Kahili was 16 when the fallout happened…
"YOU'RE LEAVING?! JUST LIKE THAT?! YOU'RE JUST GONNA THROW ALL THAT WE'VE DONE HERE AWAY?!"
"Guzma, it ain't like that." Kukui tried to explain while shaking his head, "I'll just be outta region for a bit."
"You call four to six years 'a bit'?!" Guzma snarled, breath heavy.
"I gotta get my degree in Kanto, cousin. My family saved up for a scholarship at a Saffron university." His friend said.
"Oh, so you're choosing some fancy paper over becoming a Trial Captain?!" Guzma pounded his fist on the table before him, "You think that's all you need to be special?!"
Kahili watched on with a scowl as she and her friends were all seated at their personal hangout spot: An old seaside house on the Hau'oli Outskirts. They had all pitched together and managed to turn the dusty old building into something worth sitting around in and used it as a place to just enjoy themselves. Today was not one of those occasions. Molayne stood between both Kukui and Guzma to act as a mediator. The blonde young man nervously glanced between the pair, having a bit of trouble on what to say.
"Guzma, please calm down for a second." Molayne tried to explain to his white-haired friend, "Kukui just has other things besides-"
"Zip it, Mo! You're already a Trial Captain! This ain't involving you!" Guzma cut him off before returning his glare to Kukui, "We could make some changes by being Captains too, Kukui! There's still time! We can turn everything around in Alola! No social stigma from failing the island challenge! No treating people like that as lesser than dirt!"
"And I'm saying I'm not interested in that. Even if I was, four years ain't a lotta time to change that much like what you're thinking. Trial Captains got shelf lives." Kukui replied, "I have my own dreams to think of beyond that. My own future."
Guzma swore he felt something in him snap. He banged his fists on the table hard enough to cause the wooden top to splinter.
"FUCK YOUR DREAM!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"..."
"...?!"
"...!"
The silence that came afterwards felt like it lasted for an eternity. Molayne looked at Guzma with shock. Kukui's impassive gaze met the white-haired young man's as he was basically unfazed by the outburst. Kahili's scowl scrunched as she felt her fingers digging into her shoulders. Guzma glared back with anger in his eyes. He looked like a snarling Houndoom with how he was breathing and snarling.
"...Leave, Guzma." Kahili finally decided to speak up. The white-haired young man snapped his attention to the girl on the couch.
"You got something to add, Ms. Island Challenge Champion?" He asked in a low voice.
"Yeah. What is wrong with you?" Kahili growled back as she stood up from her seat. She saw him bristle when she asked him that, "Why does Kukui have to follow what you want?! Let him live the way that makes him happy!"
"Your input ain't wanted either Not everyone here got to clear the final trial on top of Mount Lanakila with cheers and fireworks!" Guzma snarled.
"I've had to hear you shout your lungs out for the past ten minutes! My input sure as hell is warranted!" Kahili spat harshly while jabbing a finger into Guzma's chest, "All of this crap I've heard spew from your mouth is all about what you want from Kukui, what you want from the people around you, and what you want from Alola! Well you want to know what my opinion is, Guzma? You just want everything to go down to your level! Everything you want to do all comes from the fact that you failed your island challenge! It chewed you up and spat you out; and how did you respond?! By running away! Because you couldn't handle how brutal it was!"
"You chewin' only me out for failing, birdbrain? Got nothing to say to our pal Kukui here?" Guzma sneered.
"He at least had the decency to explain himself to the Kahunas! What's your excuse?!" Kahili shouted back, "You don't have one, Guzma! All you do is run when the going gets tough; and when that happens, you try to drag everyone down with you!"
"Kahili, you're not helping!" Molayne exclaimed, "Guzma's just letting out his frustration, that's all!"
"Did you not just hear what he said, Molayne?!" Kahili shot back.
"I know, I know!" The blonde man said and turned to his friend, "Look, Guzma. We get you're angry, but-"
"Zip it! Just... zip it." Guzma cut off Molayne again, "I'm starting to get sick of the sight of you lot… You want me to leave? Fine."
He turned towards the door and wrenched it open.
"Go. Chase your stupid dream, Kukui… When you come back, I'll be here to beat it down and beat it down and never let up…" Guzma said coldly before exiting the beach house, slamming the door with a loud bang. Kukui, Kahili, and Molayne all stared at the door even after Guzma had long been gone.
"You didn't have to get involved, Kahili." Molayne frowned and shook his head, "I'll go get him."
"Nah, Mo. Let him go." Kukui said, "He needs some time to himself."
"You sure?" His friend asked.
"Positive." Kukui nodded and turned to Kahili, "You didn't mention you were also leaving, Kahili."
"You too, Kahili?" Molayne blinked. The golfer nodded.
"That much is obvious and he knew it the instant I cleared the island challenge." She answered, "I've got my own goals to pursue; and I won't realize them just staying in Alola."
"Heh. I hope to see you make it to the golfing international scene, then." Kukui grinned, "The same with Mo's PC system idea here. Guzma… The guy will figure something out. It's the least we can give him before going our separate ways."
Molayne sighed, "I suppose that's for the best. He'll be fine, I hope…"
Kahili frowned and shook her head, "That reckless idiot..."
This would have been the last time she would see Guzma for the next ten years.
—
Kahili was 22 when she felt like she performed her first true action as an adult…
"FOOOOOOOORE!"
Kahili swung her club against the tee, sending her golf ball far into the air and watched it hit the ground next to the hole. Eyes squinted as she squatted to get a better look as to where she needed to go.
"And a guaranteed birdie with a simple putt." She commented to herself and reached to grab her bag of clubs. It's been six years since Kahili had left Alola for bigger and better golf courses. Galar, Johto, Hoenn, Kalos, even Unova. She swung her club and broke record after record after record. Her practice had paid off. Twelve hours of golfing and Pokémon battling every day and she's become the youngest golfing world champion at the age of 19. At the rate she's going, Kahili would be able to retire as a golfing legend before she turned thirty!
A few weeks back, she had gotten word that Kukui had gotten married! Well color Kahili surprised. She didn't think she had it in him! He got hitched to some lady named Burnet while studying abroad in Kanto. Turns out she was an exchange student from Alola, too! By what Kukui said, she sounded like a sweet woman; and she was when Kahili talked to her in their group chat. After a year of dating, Kukui offered the ring to Burnet. They were getting married this week. Naturally as one of his closest friends, Kahili was invited to the ceremony. Who was she to say no to something like this? The golfer made time from her busy schedule to come back home to Alola for two weeks of catching up. It's been a while since she saw Kukui, Molayne, Olivia… Guzma. Kahili wondered how much they changed. But for now, it was routine as usual for her.
Chugging down some electrolytes from her shaker, Kahili grabbed her golf clubs to continue her game when something from the corner of her eye caught her attention. She wasn't alone on the Hano Grand Resort's golf course as another individual was going a few rounds as well: A middle-aged man in a pink polo shirt, white slacks, and loafers. It had been a decade and a half since Kahili last saw him, but her eyes did not deceive her. It was him alright.
Kahili didn't know why, but she felt her grip on her golf club bag's strap tighten.
"..." Silently, she stared between the man swinging his wedge and her own golf ball next to the hole. Pale blue eyes darted between both options before she made up her mind. Kahili pulled out a pack of golf gum, took out a few pieces, popped them into her mouth, and walked towards the man with her clubs. For once, practice can wait.
"Hey. Do you need someone to play against?" She called out to the man, who perked up after making his shot.
"I'm sorry, I'd rather…" The man's reply stopped as soon as he laid eyes on golf's current world champion coming up to make conversation with him, "K-Kahili?!"
"Yup, that's my name. You remember me? I'm your son's friend." She replied before cutting to the chase in her mind, "Actually, how's he doing these days? I haven't seen him for a bit."
She can see that mention of his child brought a flash of anger in the man's eye.
"That good-for-nothing punk ran off years ago." He growled and harshly gripped his club, "Stupid brat. I raised him good for nearly 20 years and how does he repay me?! By stealing money from me and his mother and leaving! Lousy kid. He amounted to nothing in his life! Nothing! Did you know he failed the island challenge?! It was embarrassing to hear the news from Kahuna Hala! I'd have half the mind to-"
Kahili's brain had tuned the man off as she was less focused on his ranting and more interested in his golf clubs. A good majority of them were bent and damaged in ways that didn't look like they ended up like that from misuse.
Her mind briefly flashed back to the time she caught Guzma at the Melemele Ferry Terminal with that bruise across his head. It was only now as an adult does she now put two and two together. Kahili felt her eyes narrow and the grip on her golf club carrier tighten into a fist as she stared back at the man. Oh, this son of a-
"-I hope he's starving in a gutter somewhere, wishing to come back home and say that he was wrong to run away!" The man kept on raving, "And if he does, I'll-"
"Say... I'm pretty free for the next few hours." Kahili interrupted his ranting with the boldest lie she's ever told, "Do you want to play a few holes with me? Just some casual fun."
"Ahh, me? Against the Golf World Cup's current champion? I don't think I'll stand a chance!" The man said. Kahili put on a smile. The kind of smile a Seviper has when pouncing upon a hapless Swablu.
"It's not a problem. I'll go easy on you; and hey, maybe I'll give you some pointers." She said, "Who knows? Maybe you're actually a better golfer than me!"
The man hummed at the prospect. One upping Kahili even casually? That would make headlines! The opportunity was honestly too good to pass.
"...Alright. You're on, missy. But I have to warn you: I'm not like those other saps you've beat." He said.
"Oh, I know..." Kahili replied slowly, "I know…"
- - - - - -
The first course was simple. Rolling hills that consisted of mostly bentgrass with fescue grass growing around the hole. Kahili set down the golf ball on the tee and turned to the man.
"This hole's four for par to start us off. Wanna go first? I might learn something from you." She offered. Her smile still hasn't left her face.
"Well, if you insist…"
She stepped aside to let him take his swing; and when she did, Kahili dropped her smiling expression as soon as she felt he'd be too focused on his putt to notice. Clenching her jaw down on the wad of gum she was chewing on, she moved behind him to put away her beloved Toucannon-themed hybrid and reached out for one of the steel nine irons in her bag.
"Let's see here. I just gotta move like this at that angle. Now I just gotta line up my shot…" The man muttered to himself, unaware of Kahili approaching him from behind brandishing the nine iron, both hands tightly clenching the handle and her normal stoic frown replaced with a rage-filled scowl and glare that has never been as similar to her Toucannon's usual expression more than it ever has until now. The man pulled back and swung, hitting the golf ball and sending it flying across the course before landing in the fescue grass circle near the hole. His face lit up seeing that he made a pretty good shot. As he pulled back, Kahili raised her golf club…
"Hah! See that? Now that's a swing!" Guzma's father exclaimed and turned around to address Kahili, "Let's see how-"
As the youngest Golf World Cup champion in history, Kahili had always prided herself on how hard and effective she can swing her clubs. However, every swing she'd done before and every one she'll do afterwards will never even come close to how hard she swung at this very moment…
- - - - - -
Molayne nearly dropped his glass in shock from what he just heard, "...So he's-"
"In the hospital. He won't be leaving for a while" Kahili nodded to her old friend during the afterparty of Kukui's wedding as she reached for an empty champagne flute with the most satisfied smile to ever grace her face, "I'm gonna remember that stroke for the rest of my life."
"And you're not concerned at all about the repercussions of this?" He asked.
"Nope. Kukui's got me covered. I owe him a huge favor for this, he said. No one alive is going to believe that heartless son of a bitch." Kahili said as she poured some of the bubbly drink into her flute.
"You know I don't condone this sort of action, Kahili; but considering the implications of what he did to Guzma… I say it's well deserved." Molayne concluded. It only made Kahili's smile widen.
"I appreciate the logical conclusion you came up with, Mo. Cheers?" She said and held up her glass.
"Cheers." Her friend nodded and shared a toast before the two of them sipped their champagne.
'You owe me one hell of a thank you gift, you idiot. Wherever you are…' Kahili thought while downing her drink as she watched her close friend celebrate with his happily wedded wife.
—
Kahili was 26 when she saw him again…
She had gotten word that he'd been spotted in Po Town. No wonder he couldn't be found for a long while. The abandoned Thrifty Megamart she went into for her Ghost-type Trial had more life in it then that dump. Old Nanu had given her access to the Po Town gate. Inside, the place was crawling with these Team Skull jerks. Kahili's heard the stories, both of the old gang that incurred the Tapu's wrath and the new iteration making a mess around Alola. It was an annoyance getting to that rundown manor in the back of the area. It was an even bigger headache to traverse through the damn building itself. Seriously, the least they could do is clean up a bit. But it wouldn't be long before she met him face to face…
BANG!
Kahili's foot met the door to kick it open as she waltzed inside. Pale blue eyes assessed the room interior and the man himself slouched upon his makeshift throne. The place was not as bad as the rest of this shady house if she'd ignored the splotches of graffiti staining the walls, carpet, and that painting behind him. Two safes propped up a shelf containing multiple bottles and some antiques on top, but the contents appeared to be completely untouched. Good, she never took him for a drinker. To her right was an expensive vase, a fancy globe, and… Hold up, was that chest full of Buginium Z Z-Crystals she saw? Did he seriously have his goon squad nab every last shard of Buginium Z in the region just so no one else could have it? Unbelievable. There was being petty; and then there's this.
Her gaze drifted over to Guzma himself. He was still the same informal shady kid as he was back then. His hair's still a mess and eyes still radiated with that shifty expression. His attire also didn't change much: Black hoodie over a white shirt and baggy pants with some white sneakers. The only thing he added was the ridiculous-looking sunglasses and medallion and a watch on his left wrist that looked too expensive for what he's worth. Must've nicked it off some rich folk, Kahili presumed. Oh; and he's got tattoos… Yeah, they were the temporary kinds. He ain't crap. Just an angry child who's pretending to look harder than he actually is.
Guzma flashed a sharp grin as he stood up from his chair, "The hated boss who beats you down, and beats you down, and never lets up… Yeah. Welcome to big bad Guzma's personal palace of pain!"
"Spare me the introductions, you big oaf." Kahili spat, "Is this it? This is what you've been doing for the past ten years? Bumming out with a troupe of losers in the Alolan boonies?"
The mention of her calling his grunts losers made Guzma's expression drop into a second of anger before the smile returned, though with a hint of strain in them.
"Leave 'em outta this. It's just you and me right now. So then, come crawlin' back home have you, birdbrain? Wastin' time to visit the commoners, ehh? Here to flex that golfing cash on us poor folk?" He replied with a growl, though his smirk remained, "Seems like you're still that spoiled daddy's girl from all those years ago."
"The only time I've wasted is spent getting here just to see your pompous ass acting like you're king of the world." She shot back, "And honestly? I'd rather try to get that time back by going outside and catching a cold from the pouring rain outside right now.
Guzma grunted as the distant boom of thunder from the bad weather sliced between their conversation, "Tch… What are you doing back in Alola, Kahili?"
"Kukui's making a new Pokémon League here in Alola. I owed him something from a while back, so here I am." She answered. Kahili didn't say the favor was for covering the fact she sent Guzma's father to the ICU with a broken skull. He doesn't deserve to hear that kind of good news with how she's seeing him right now.
"A Pokémon League?" Guzma asked slowly, processing what he was just told. Then, a smirk graced his lips, followed by a snort of amusement, "...Pfft. GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!"
Kahili glared at Guzma as he continued his laughing fit like he'd heard one hell of a joke.
"Oh, that's rich! A fancy, schmancy Pokémon League like all them other regions have!" Guzma exclaimed, "We ain't got no need for that crap! Alola's strongest Trainer's standin' right here!"
After his laughing fit, he slumped back onto his chair with a grin.
"That is unless you're here to say he's giving lil ol' me the top spot, yeah? If so, I'm flattered. A Pokémon League with the baddest man in Alola as its head. Champion Guzma… Got a nice ring to it, I gotta admit. Don't you think so, former island challenge champ?" He asked with a cocky grin, "Boy, it'd be great to boss you around if that fool called you back here just to be part of an Elite Four!"
"You think you're Champion worthy? Please. You wouldn't even cut it as a Gym Trainer." Kahili retorted, "You call all of this something a Champion would do? You're just another lowlife thug!"
Guzma sneered and stood back up, "I'm fighting against the traditions this region's got us all ensnared in! We're not all like you or Molayne or that hack Kukui! See the fellas I got here in Team Skull? All of us are rejects! Just folks who were cast out because of some stupid old rules set by folks who ain't here no more! You sayin' we aren't allowed to let our voices mean something?! You, who breezed through the island challenge just like that?! You couldn't imagine the pain and stress me and Team Skull went through when our folks and the locals found out! It's like night and day! Pass and you're treated like the Tapu's chosen! Fail? You're seen as not even worth the dirt you stand on!"
"If you don't like what Alola's done to you, then get on a boat or plane and leave, Guzma!" Kahili shouted back. Her reply only made Team Skull's boss' sneer turn into a rage-filled glare, "Nothing's stopping you from going to another region, improving yourself and your Pokémon, and coming back as something else! Or, if Alola's pissed you off that much, then just never come back!"
"You saying I should just abandon Alola?! Just give up on making changes around here?!" He yelled angrily, "I ain't like any of you fools! I know who I am and I know what I want!"
"Well look at Kukui! He left for Kanto not too long ago; and when he came back, he was happier than ever! Did you know he has a wife now? He's living the good life!"
"Oh, has he?! Well congrats! Lemme give a round of applause for Kukui! I sure wouldn't want to be the broad that's stuck with him!" Guzma said while clapping his hands sarcastically. Kahili's jaw clenched as she resisted the urge to clock him in his mouth.
"It's not that hard to piece together, you idiot! You can fail the island challenge and still be respected! You just don't have to make a fuss and be a dick about it!" She growled and balled her fists.
"I'm startin' a revolution here, Kahili! You got your head too far up into the clouds to see what I'm trying to do here!" Guzma yelled back.
"...You think you're some inspirational force for change? Don't make me laugh... You're a coward, Guzma. Always been one, always will be." Kahili stated coldly, "You're afraid of change. You had a chance to prove your worth by seeing the world and what it has to offer; and what do you do? You've stayed here and did nothing for ten years. You're scared that everyone's moving on with their lives, moving onto bigger and better things… Moving on from you."
"..." Guzma's rage simmered down into an uncharacteristically quiet fury. He glared daggers into Kahili as she continued.
"And everyone will move on from you; because deep down, you've amounted to nothing and you know it! This?! This wannabe excuse for a criminal gang? This is all you have! A two-bit imitation of actual crime that couldn't even hold a candle to even Team Rocket's most incompetent member! You think you're some big bad hot shot monster fit for the International Police's most wanted list like Giovanni?! You're just some kid lashing out at his failures!" The golfer shouted angrily, "You said to me and the others before that Golisopod was your favorite Pokémon. Well, I can see the resemblance now more than ever! A cowardly weakling that grew up to be all big and strong, but is the same coward that it always was deep down!"
Guzma reached for one of his Pokéballs…
"All this time, Guzma! You had all this time on your hands and you still haven't figured out what the fuck is wrong with you!"
Kahili closed her eyes as there was a flash of light from a Pokéball opening up!
"Gyshaaaaaaaaah!" Kahili opened her eyes to see the aforementioned Golisopod appear between her and Guzma.
"I'm going to have my boy here rip out your throat." Guzma growled in a calm tone of voice, but his eyes betrayed the sound with a feeling of unparalleled rage in them.
"...Oh my apologies, Golisopod. I didn't mean to offend you with that comparison." Kahili said to the massive armored Bug-type before making direct eye contact with its Trainer, "Because a Golisopod actually had to get better to make it to where it is now!"
Guzma bristled and grit his teeth, "First Impression!"
Kahili reacted as fast as Golisopod vanished! She tossed her Pokéball forward, calling out her Toucannon just before Golispod reappeared, its massive claw thrusted forward to almost strike her neck! Toucannon blocked the attack by clamping down with its now glowing beak!
"Golisshhhh!" Golisopod snarled as it pulled its arm back and staggered from making contact with Toucannon with its limb on fire, having been burned by touching its beak!
"What?!"
"Toucannon, Beak Blast!" Kahili ordered as she grabbed the avian by its feet like a makeshift rocket launcher! With the size of both Golispod and how small the room was around them, there was no way this was gonna miss!
"Toucatoucatoucatoucatoucatoucatoucatoucatoucatoucatoucatouca-SHIIIIIIIIYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Toucannon opened its red hot beak and fired a searing orange laser directly into the stunned Golisopod's torso! Kahili watched as Guzma's ace was blown into the walls before a red light instantly consumed the Pokémon after the attack, withdrawing it back into its Pokéball! She scowled and glared at Guzma, Team Skull's leader glaring back at her.
"That one attack was enough to knock out your favorite Pokémon? Or did Emergency Exit activate?" Kahili asked in a low voice as she recalled Toucannon, "Or did you recall it yourself?"
"...Get out. Get out and never come back." Guzma snarled and pointed to the door, "I don't want to see your face around here ever again."
"...Likewise." Kahili spat back as she turned on her heel, slamming the door on her way out. Guzma slumped back into his chair with pursed lips.
"Pokémon League... Feh. Next time I see Kukui on Ula'ula, I'll smash his dream right into the dirt!" He said to himself.
Kahili stormed out of the Shady House into the streets of Po Town. She couldn't care less about the pouring rain further ruining her hair or her outfit or the stares she was getting from Guzma's cronies. He wants her gone? Alright, she'll be gone then. Hopping over the barricades and reaching the entrance to Po Town, Kahili turned to give the Shady House one last look before turning and taking her leave.
She kept to his word and never came back.
—
One week later…
Lumiose City's Sushi High Roller was Kahili's guilty pleasure and the only weakness she genuinely could say she has. When she dined at that restaurant and tasted what they had on their menu, she couldn't stop shoveling sushi roll after sushi roll into her open maw. Forget her diet or exercising for a day! A girl is allowed to treat herself after years of hard work! So when she finally caught wind that the restaurant's owner Mr. Kazu was expanding his business and opened a Sushi High Roller in Malie City, she didn't even bother with the boat or her Pager and just flew there atop Toucannon! The girl made sure she didn't consume anything the night before so she could binge her guts out! She entered that Sushi High Roller like she was personally being granted an audience with one of the Tapu; and from there, Kahili went to town on their Alolan exclusive Z-kaiseki sets. Between the three her stomach could handle, she had to give the win to the Geishi Set. Paper thin sliced meats that melted in her mouth with a light airy Berry foam paired with a rich soup filled with herbs, mashed fish, and spiced vegetables. Absolutely delicious!
"Haaaaaaaaaaaah, I'm never going to be eating like that again for another three or four months." Kahili said to herself with a satisfied groan as she slumped into her seat near Malie Garden's ice cream stand, "But it was worth it. Totally worth it."
"...Toucannon." Toucannon shook his head disapprovingly with a flat stare as he could see his Trainer slump deeper into her seat amidst his large Castelia sundae, a bowl of frozen custard, and Alolan shaved ice. Kahili had taken him here to compensate for her eating like a maniac at the Sushi High Roller. Three different kinds of frozen treats in exchange for three Z-kaiseki sets. It was only fair.
"Just let me have this one, Toucannon. Just let me have this" Kahili said as she held up a hand before yawning, placing her arms behind her head, and closing her eyes, "Wake me up in like half an hour. I'm taking a nap."
"Y'know, when you kicked open our doors at Po Town, I expected you to act more refined when out in the general public." And never mind. Naptime ruined. An annoyed expression gracing her, Kahili opened an eye to see Plumeria, Team Skull's number two, walk up to her and Toucannon's table with a frown on her face.
"Oh, great. Guzma's little side chick." She muttered, "I've left him alone like he wants, so can you politely go piss off?"
"...He's gone. Thought you'd wanna know that since you're a close friend of that idiot." Plumeria said.
"Oh, he actually left Alola? Good for him." Kahili replied as she waved off while closing her eyes again, "Maybe now he can go and do something productive with his life."
Plumeria shook her, "No, he's gone. As in, he just straight up vanished."
Kahili's eyes snapped open as she gave Team Skull's Admin her full attention.
"Vanished? What the hell do you mean by Guzma's vanished? You sure he didn't just take a boat and didn't leave a note or whatever behind?" She said. Plumeria shook her head.
"The boys he brought with him to Aether Paradise said he went into President Lusamine's place and didn't come back out." She answered, "We've been looking for him since."
"Ugh, don't tell me it's got something to do with those portals I've been seeing pop up all over Alola." Kahili groaned and slumped further into her seat, "One popped up during my last hole this week and some bug-like thing popped out of it. Ended up bashing it over the head with a driver into next Saturday when it smashed my golf ball mid-swing… Guh, why is it whenever I take my eyes off Guzma for a bit, he always ends up doing something stupid?"
"Because he is stupid." Plumeria replied.
"You're the smartest person in Team Skull for saying that."
"Look, your yelling was loud enough for me to overhear from my room. You may not look like it, but you care about him; and don't give me that mug. You can't hide it from me." Team Skull's Admin replied.
"Tch, what are you? A therapist or something?" Kahili muttered dryly.
"I have a degree in psychology." Plumeria replied back, the answer nearly causing the golfer to fall from her seat and glance at her with confusion, "Ugh, don't look at me like that. I failed the island challenge, but I sure as heck wasn't going to fail university before hooking up with Team Skull. Social stigma's not gonna stop me from finishing my four years."
"I thought you clowns were incompetent at everything…" Kahili commented.
"Team Skull's not the best at Pokémon battling or crime or… most things, to be honest, but they still have their talents. They're just misplaced." Plumeria replied, "Now if you wanna help, check out Melemele or Akala for me. I'm gonna find them for their assistance."
"Them? You mean that Lillie girl and her friend?" She asked.
"Who else? They were there at Aether Paradise with Guzma." Plumeria said, "I'm off to Poni Island. If you find that idiot, give him a smack for worrying me and his crew."
Kahili watched her exit Malie Garden to head for the Ula'Ula Ferry Terminal. When Plumeria had gone, the young woman let out a sigh.
"Idiot is right. Arceus damn it, Guzma. Every time with you…" She whispered to herself and stood up from her seat, "C'mon, Toucannon. Let's go check out Melemele Island. Ten Carat Hill's always got this weird feeling in the air whenever we practice there. That'd be a good start."
"...Toucannon." Her partner cawed and gestured to his desserts.
"...Okay, we'll go when you're done." She replied and sat back down, "Just let me get that nap in."
"Toucannon!" The avian nodded and went happily back to enjoying its treats.
—
Kahili just turned 27 when she chose to settle things…
It was over. At long last. Kahili only got a generalized summary, but from the sounds of it: Guzma and the Aether Foundation President had been taken out of those Ultra Wormhole things. She didn't get the memo of what happened afterwards, but all she knows is that Selene girl packed a punch. When she came into the League, Kahili did not expect to be fighting like her life depended on it! She might even say the girl had an easier time disposing of her and the others faster than when she completed the final part of her own island challenge!
Well that's that. With the title of Champion, every Trainer in Alola's going to be gunning for that kid's seat. Kahili may prefer staying where she is in the Elite Four, but she'd be lying to herself if the thought of her being the one to claim that title wasn't tantalizing. For now though, it was back to her usual routine since that historic moment. Her birthday was today, and Kukui insisted they had a party at his place. The gesture was nice, but she will have to remind herself to get some extra workout time done to burn off all the excess calories. It was a small affair. Just Kukui, Professor Burnet, Olivia, Molayne, her father, and most of the now adult folks she met while on her island challenge. The event had ended a little over an hour ago, but there was still time in the day before her 27th birthday came to an end.
Stopping by the Route 2 Pokémon Center during her walk, she had planned to grab something from the café for a quick snack. However, as she did, well… There he was sitting at one of the stools.
"Old man, I'll have a Tapu Cocoa. Throw in some whipped cream and a wafer in it." Guzma told the elderly gentleman running the café, "And I'll also take a Rage Candy Bar with it."
Right. Guzma lives on Route 2. Kahili passed by his place to reach the Center. Did he move back in? Why'd he do that after what she figured out? Yeah it's better than nothing, but was it worth seeing his father again? There was a part of her that wanted to go in and beat his face in with a nine iron again, but… Nah, it's not worth it. Kukui won't be able to bail her out of breaking and entering and assault charges. Hopefully Guzma's got his daddy issues sorted by now. Pursing her lips, Kahili walked over to the café and sat next to the former Team Skull leader.
"I'll have what he's having, but give me a Lumiose Galette instead." She requested. Hearing her voice caused Guzma to tense up as he looked to his right. Kahili spared him a glance, "Welcome back from your transdimensional trip, 'big bad Guzma'."
"What are you doing here, birdbrain?" Guzma asked in a low voice, "I thought I told you I didn't want to see you again!"
"You told me that you, and I quote, 'never want to see my face around here again'." Kahili answered with one hand doing air quotes, "Well we're nowhere near Po Town at the moment now, are we? Oh, and by the way…"
She promptly smacked Guzma upside the head!
"Gah! What was that for?!"
"That Plumeria girl told me to give you a smack for worrying her and your goons if I found you. Well, I did and I'm just getting that done for her." Kahili answered.
"Why am I not surprised Plumeria would ask you to do something like that... Gah, whatever." Guzma muttered as he turned his head, "So what? Here to say something to me?"
"I was at a party at Kukui's for my birthday. Seeing you here's just a coincidence." She replied.
"Well whoop-de-doo. There's your celebration from me." Guzma said, twirling a finger for sarcastic emphasis.
Kahili sighed, "What are you doing these days, Guzma? Still mucking about with Team Skull?"
"Nah, I disbanded Team Skull. Some of 'em still wear the uniform, but that's by choice." He shook his head, "Old Hala's been pestering me lately. Says he'll be able to help me out again like when I was a kid. Bah! I can handle myself just fine!"
"Mmm-hmm. Sure you can." Kahili nodded dryly, "Take him up on his offer. Hala's Alola's longest serving Kahuna for a reason. Maybe he'll also help get your life back on track."
"...Meh. I'll think about it." Guzma muttered as the café worker set down their drinks and biscuits.
"Seriously, Guzma. Now that you've disbanded Team Skull, what are you going to do?" Kahili asked, "Do you still plan to stay around in Alola? There's not much to offer you at your age and you don't have the money to leave the region. Hala's your best bet right now. Take up his offer."
"And like I said, I'll think about it." Guzma replied before sipping his Tapu Cocoa. Kahili pursed her lips and tugged her mug a little closer.
"So you went back home, huh? Has anything happened between you and your parents?" She asked.
"Heh. My old man tried to set me straight as soon as I plopped myself onto the sofa, but this time? I made sure he got beat down and beat down and never let up." Guzma smirked.
Kahili tried her best to hide her own smirk at that image. Good. That bastard deserved the beatdown.
"Did he try using the golf clubs on you?" She asked.
"Nope. Never saw 'em. He must've gotten rid of them." Guzma answered before blinking at what Kahili just said, "Hey, how do you know my dad used-"
"If he got rid of them, then you're welcome. I met him during my usual 12 hour practice a few years back and sent him to the emergency room." She beamed, "The experience must have traumatized him to never see anything golf-related ever again."
"Y-You're kiddin' me! You actually did that?!" Guzma asked in shock.
"Heh. Have a look. Just keep this quiet and to yourself." Kahili whispered with a playful grin as she whipped out her phone under the counter for only him to see. Scrolling through her photos, she showed off a picture she took of his father unconscious on a golf course with the markings of a nine iron striking him across the forehead. Guzma's face lit up with an excited grin, "One swing floored him. Out like a light and admitted into the infirmary for months, I heard."
"I'll be damned! You aren't half-bad after all, birdbrain!" He said.
"Hey, if he acts up again and you can't be bothered to deal with him, give me a call. I'll refresh his memory for you." She replied and slipped him her number.
"Gahahahahah! Oh, I'll take you up on that offer! I can't wait to see the look on his face when you're at the door! You should visit me every day, then!" Guzma laughed and picked up his cup of Tapu Cocoa, "You know what? I'll drink to that, Kahili!"
"As will I, Guzma. As will I…" Kahili smiled and clinked her mug against his for a toast.
- - - - - -
Kahili went to bed with some musing thoughts that night. Everything that had transpired in her life whenever she was involved with Guzma and whatever nonsense he was up to. He was… infectiously charming, she had to admit. No wonder so many outcasts drifted over to him and Team Skull. She'd be willing to join him had she failed the island challenge... Huh. A figure for the hopeless to rally around… He managed to do something with his life, after all.
"...You're a stupid idiot, Guzma; but you're my stupid idiot." The golfer smirked before going to sleep. Guzma always felt like there was something wrong with him; and you know what? Kahili wouldn't have him any other way.