Only an hour or so later the ship made it to the landing dock and I eagerly awaited the long stairs to be positioned so that I could leave the ship and begin my journey. A familiar purple color registered in my peripheral vision but I frowned and turned away from the direction I had seen it, not at all in the mood to argue with a narrow-minded prideful jerk.

I was practically skipping as I left the boat and took in all of the vibrant colors around me. Not only the tropical palm trees and flowering trees but also the people! Everyone's clothes were bright, many with the classic Alolan flower design, and as I breathed in deeply I could smell salt mixed in with the intoxicating smell of berries and fruit.

Thanks for the suggestion, Serena, I thought silently as I made my way towards Hau'oli city. The first thing to do on any journey was to buy new travel clothes and stock up on travel provisions, so I walked along the streets while gazing out over the beach and all of the people simply enjoying their day. Surprisingly I found the clothes store before the PokeCenter, so I walked in and was once again captured by all of the vibrant colors that adorned the many mannequins throughout the store.

It only took me a few minutes of browsing to find something I liked. Leaving Piplup to talk to a funny-looking blob of a pokemon who was wandering around the store I ducked into an open changing room and tried on my selections. Looking into the floor length mirror I smiled at my choice. I was wearing a white halter top shirt with a faux V-Neck, a black swatch of fabric covering the deep V up to my collar bone, with a pair of dark jean shorts that were a handspan above my knee. I situated the small white headband with three offset stars on my head and brushed my bangs to the side slightly. To complete my new look I fastened a chunky pink belt at an angle across my hips and slipped into the pink sandals I had found with an ankle strap to keep them securely on my feet.

Nodding in satisfaction at my new look I exited the dressing room and went up to the counter, paying for my clothes and calling for Piplup to come with me. Piplup waved to its new friend and waddled quickly after me as we rejoined the crowd of tourists and locals.

"Well, that is a rare pokemon if I've ever seen one, oh yeah!" A deep, happy voice said from behind me. 

I turned to see a dark-skinned man with black hair pulled into a man bun at the nape of his neck. To my surprise, he was wearing a professor's lab coat, but it was left open, exposing his bare chest and six-pack. I blinked, trying to get past my shock at the young professor's appearance as he knelt down and inspected my Piplup, who puffed out his chest and turned up his beak in a picture of pride.

"He's a Piplup," I said cautiously as the man bobbed this way and that as if trying to memorize all of the angles of Piplup's little body.

"I've heard of Piplup. They're the Sinnoh regions starter pokemon, right? Does that mean you're from Sinnoh, cousin?" the professor asked, looking up at me with a disarming grin which I couldn't help but return.

"Yes, I am," I replied with a smile, holding back my chuckle as Piplup strutted over to me with his head held high.

"Well, what brings you to our happy island? My name is Kukui, by the way. I'm a professor who studies pokemon moves," he said, reaching out a hand to me and I took it in my own smaller hand to shake.

"I'm Dawn, and I actually came because I heard about the Luau Showdowns from my friend Serena. I thought I would see what they were about," I explained with a smile and Kukui laughed robustly.

"Hoowee! That's what I like to hear! I want everyone in the world to see the beauty of Alola and our pokemon, so I was all for the Luau idea! If you go to the Pokemon Center up the road they can get you registered and give you a schedule of where all the showdowns will be held at what times," Kukui said with a happy grin and I beamed.

"Thank you! That is really helpful," I said gratefully and Kukui nodded at me.

"In fact, as long as you are here to compete in the Showdowns, you should try out the Island Challenge too!" Kukui said energetically and I felt my eyebrows raise up in surprise.

"The Island Challenge?" I asked, glancing down at Piplup who raised his flippers up in a confused gesture.

"Sure, cousin! If you go on the island challenge and beat the different Island Captain's trials and take on the Kahuna's then different parts of the island will be unlocked so you can catch special pokemon that are either too strong or too rare to let anyone wander through willy-nilly," Kukui explained. 

I felt my eyes scrunch up as I tried to decipher what he was saying. Captains? Trials? Kahuna? But then the last part of his explanation clicked into my mind and I blinked in surprise.

"Wait, so there are some areas of the islands that are off-limits if you aren't doing the island challenge?" I asked to clarify and Kukui beamed.

"Exactly, cousin! So, you want in?" he asked with an excited smile. 

I twirled a piece of my hair through my fingers as I considered. My purpose in coming to Alola had been to participate in the Luau Showdowns, not get caught up in an 'island challenge'; but I didn't like the idea of being limited in the places that I could go to search for new pokemon.

"How would I start the challenge?" I wondered aloud and Kukui clapped his hands together enthusiastically, startling me out of my musings.

"It's easy! Once you've registered for the Luau Showdowns just go on up to Iki town and introduce yourself to the Kahuna. He'll get you started on your journey and tell you where to find the first trial on Melemele," Kukui said, clapping a friendly hand onto my shoulder. "I've gotta go now, Dawn, but I'll see you around. Good luck!"

I waved to him as he turned and began walking confidently away from the city center. He had definitely given me a lot to think about. For now, I turned and headed in the direction he told me the pokemon center would be, eager to get registered and learn the rules for Luau Showdowns.

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"You're all set, Dawn! Good luck with your Showdown Debut," Nurse Joy said with a happy smile while handing me back my Pokedex and showdown pass.

"Thank you very much, Nurse Joy," I said with a slight bow.

"And this is the schedule for all of the Showdowns around the various islands. You'll need to win four luau showdowns and present your winning pins if you wish to take part in the Luau Tournament," Nurse Joy explained kindly, reaching under the counter and pulling out two little cases, one a black case and the other gold. "Which case would you like to keep your pins in?"

"Could I have the gold one?" I asked and she gestured for me to take it with her signature smile.

A feeling of excitement bubbled up in me as I took the gold case and opened it reverently, taking in the black foam where I could stick the pins that I would hopefully win. Piplup, who was standing on the counter, came over to examine the case with an excited trill.

"You got here just in time! The first Luau Showdown is scheduled to take place in Iki Town in just a few days, do you think you'll enter it?" Nurse Joy asked kindly and I shook my head.

"I don't really understand the rules yet, so I will probably just watch this first one to get an idea of what I can do with my pokemon," I explained and Nurse Joy nodded happily.

"Well, I wish you luck," she said kindly. 

Just then a trainer came in, calling for help, and Nurse Joy excused herself. I slipped the case into my white backpack along with my change of clothes and pajamas and settled it once more against my shoulders.

"Let's go, Piplup. We've still got shopping to do."

Piplup and I spent the rest of the morning stocking up on potions, berries, and food, and I even bought a tent. Recently the company that created pokeballs had created new capsules that could store travel supplies, so after I purchased my things I simply tapped them against the specified capsule I brought with me and they all disappeared neatly without any added weight. I had no idea how the technology worked, but I was grateful that I wouldn't have to carry the heavy tent around on my back.

At one of the stores I was able to download a map of the four Alolan islands onto my PokeGear and I studied it with interest. To my surprise, it even included the areas that were only accessible for island challengers. When I saw that the entire back half of Melemele island was normally blocked off I made up my mind to enter. I had challenged a few gyms during my travels and I always did well in the battle round of contests, so I didn't think it would be overly difficult.

"Well, let's head up to Iki town," I said aloud to Piplup, who began waddling out of the PokeMart happily. 

I followed my little friend, only stopping to buy a late lunch before leaving the large Hau'oli city behind us. Piplup and I took our time, wandering down the large city roads until they turned to dirt surrounded by quaint homes on either side. Consulting my PokeGear map regularly I followed the path until it took a sharp turn left and up, surrounded by fields of tall grass that waved in the slight breeze like the ocean.

As the path went higher and higher Piplup began to lag behind, panting lightly but stubbornly not wanting to be picked up. I smiled as I watched the little pokemon struggle up the steep incline. It didn't make sense to me why he insisted on walking by himself when it was hard for him, but other times he was happy to let me carry him when there was seemingly no need.

"Should we rest for a little while?" I asked him gently. 

He peeped tiredly and slumped down to the ground, rolling off the dirt path and onto the shorter grass surrounding the path. Chuckling quietly to myself I followed, sitting next to him as he lay sprawled on his back and looked off to the left where the beginnings of a tropical forest were evident.

"I wonder what kind of pokemon live in there, Piplup," I commented with excitement.

"Lup," Piplup responded tiredly, raising one of his flippers and waving it back and forth in a show of unenthusiastic agreement. 

I waited for a couple of minutes before scooping Piplup into my arms and continuing on our way up the path. Now that he was rested Piplup kept up a constant chatter, pointing here and there as wild pokemon I had never seen before poked out of the grass to hiss at Piplup and then run back in to hide. I left my Pokedex in my pocket though, choosing to just enjoy the day and observe as I trudged up the steep hill. As a wingull flew overhead a feeling of anticipation welled up in me and I wondered what would be the first Alolan pokemon I would catch.

As I finally crested the neverending hill I stopped and blinked in surprise. The trees had steadily grown closer the farther I climbed and now that the ground was leveled off the path was leading me directly into a thick stretch of the tropical forest. I could hear calls from several pokemon and I swiftly checked my PokeGear to make sure that I was on the right path. After assuring myself that I was indeed going in the right direction I wrapped both hands around Piplup's stomach and forged forward.

Piplup and I traveled for several hours through the forest, taking in all of the berry trees that grew interspersed with the other foliage. As I watched Piplup struggle to reach an oran berry that was just barely out of the range of his stubby flipper I made a mental note not to bother buying berries in the future since they were here for the taking. 

Suddenly a loud squawking sound echoed through the forest and I froze, looking all around me. The sound came once again from the right and I glanced down at Piplup who had gone silent as well.

"Do you think we should go check it out?" I asked nervously, looking into the thick forest and wondering what we'd find if we went in there. 

The sound echoed towards me once again and the fear in the sound made up my mind for me. Without a second thought, I left the path and began carefully walking through the bushes and trees towards the sound. As I followed the fearful cries, Piplup right at my heels, the trees began to thin slightly. I soon found myself at the edge of the forest that dropped off suddenly onto a cliff that overlooked the ocean. The view was breathtaking, but the scared squawk from earlier demanded my attention. Looking to the left I saw a gathering of small pokemon all looking over the edge of the cliff. I didn't recognize the pokemon, but they reminded me of zizagoon with smoother fur.

Piplup popped out of the foliage behind me and immediately made his way towards the gathering of pokemon. They began conversing while running around Piplup in circles and acting worried. As I walked closer several of the little pokemon hissed at me but Piplup scolded them and they didn't attack as I came over to the group and peered over the edge of the cliff. 

Looking down the sheer drop made me a little dizzy for a moment but I shook my head and focused my attention on the cliff wall where there were several natural ridges. The distressed squawk sounded again and my eyes finally found the pokemon who was making them. It looked like a flying type. It had dark brown, stubby wings with what looked like a cracked eggshell around its bottom with its feet ending in claws that jutted out of the eggshell.

"Are you alright?" I called down to the little pokemon who appeared to be trapped on a ledge about a ten-foot drop from where I was. The little thing looked up at me and raised its trembling wings up towards me, squawking even louder. "Can you fly?" I called down to it, flapping my arms to try and get it to understand. 

The little thing copied me but I could immediately see that its wings were much too small to get its disproportionate body off the ground.

"Piplup, can you and your friends find a vine or something that we can use to get me down there?" I asked while scanning the trees behind me. 

Piplup chirped at the little pokemon around us then they all ran into the forest, leaving me by the edge of the cliff. Another fearful squawk floated up from the pokemon on the ledge and I laid down on my stomach with my shoulders and head hanging off the cliff so I could look at the poor thing better.

"Everything's going to be okay, little one. Just stay still okay?" I called down as I opened up my Pokedex and scanned the pokemon. After searching for a moment the Pokedex spoke, identifying the pokemon as a Vullaby and confirming my suspicions that it was a flying type that couldn't fly in this form. 

I wonder how it got down there, I thought to myself as I continued to speak in a soothing tone to the terrified Vullaby.

Only a few minutes later I heard Piplup's call and he came out of the forest dragging a long vine with the other pokemon who went with him. I scooted away from the edge and helped them pull it out the rest of the way, taking a length of it between my hands and pulling to test the strength. It seemed sturdy, so I quickly tied it off on the tree closest to the cliff's edge and pulled it as hard as I could, satisfying myself that it would not break. Taking a deep breath I looped the vine around my stomach, fastening it tightly, and took the excess between me and the tree in my arms before cautiously approaching the edge of the cliff.

Vullaby looked up at me with a weak squawk of fright as it pressed itself against the cliff face and I tried to smile confidently at the little thing. Taking a calming breath, I tossed the vine down the cliff, happy to see that it reached down and a little bit past the Vullaby's ledge even with the other end tied to me.

"Piplup pip," Piplup said, patting my legs and giving me a concerned look.

"No need to worry, Piplup! I'll be back up in a jiffy," I told him optimistically.

Not wanting to give me time to talk myself out of this, I got down on my hands and knees and gingerly lowered myself down, feeling around with my foot for something to support my weight while keeping my stomach firmly on the ground and gripping the vine with one hand. I eventually found a foothold and after forcing a carefree smile at Piplup I leaned back, shifting my weight, and began my descent. Carefully and slowly I made my way down towards the Vullaby who had gone silent as it watched me climb down to it.

After several excruciating minutes, I could finally see the ledge just a foot underneath me, but there were no more footholds big enough to accommodate my feet. Taking a deep breath I gripped the vine with both hands and leaned back slightly, gathering my courage before bouncing lightly and dropping a few inches down the cliff, letting the vine slip between my fingers. I tightened my grip on the vine as my feet rested against the cliff face, making sure that I was still lined up with Vullaby's ledge, and then once again pushed gently off from the cliff wall and fell down a little more, repeating the process until I landed on the small ledge.

"Vuuuullabeeeee," Vullaby cried loudly, rushing to me and slamming into my legs, nearly knocking me off balance. I desperately gripped onto the cliff face as my heart pounded.

"Shhh, it's okay. It's alright," I said, slowly leaning down and patting Vullaby on its head which I hadn't realized was devoid of feathers except for three prominent ones sticking up like a ponytail. 

Vullaby continued to hold onto my leg with its scratchy wings and after making sure that I had gotten my balance back I squatted down and looked into its terrified eyes.

"I'm going to get you out of here, okay? But I need my hands, so I'm going to have you sit in my backpack and hold onto my neck, alright?" I asked, hoping that it would understand. 

The vullaby was much smaller than the picture had looked in the Pokedex and I wondered if it had just recently hatched. Deliberately, I reached back and removed my backpack, opening it and shifting the capsules to go underneath my clothes so that it would be a little more comfortable for Vullaby. Gently I picked Vullaby up and placed it as well as I could into my backpack and zipped it up as far around its eggshell encased stomach as I could.

"Alright, I am going to lift you onto my back. You ready?" I asked gently. 

A little tear slipped out of Vullaby's eye but it nodded bravely. With a steadying breath, I lifted up my backpack with Vullably in it, surprised at how heavy it seemed. I tightened the shoulder straps as far as they could go and wasn't surprised when I felt Vullaby tuck its beak against the back of my neck and hold onto my shoulders with shaking wings.

"No need to worry," I called back to my passenger before taking the vine back into my hands and looking up at Piplup and the other pokemon who were watching me from above. 

Grimacing at the distance that seemed longer now that I had to go up instead of down, I swallowed and pulled myself hand over hand up the vine towards the last place that I used as a foothold. Climbing up was much harder than climbing down, but I made steady, careful progress as Vullaby shivered against my neck.

Just as I had stopped to rest for a second Piplup suddenly began shrieking, jumping up and down around the vine. Soon the other pokemon were joining him, yelling and shrieking in their distinct pokemon calls. I was about to ask them what was wrong when I felt the vine shudder under my hands. 

Oh no, I thought, instantly freezing. 

The vine shuddered once more and I quickly began to shimmy down. Before I could return to the ledge I heard a loud SNAP and I instantly started sliding as the vine that had been holding me up began snaking down towards me. Desperately I clutched against the wall of the cliff and braced myself, bending my knees to absorb the shock as I landed on the ledge that Vullaby had gotten stuck on. I could hear Piplup yelling down at me but I stayed where I was, shivering from fright and not trusting my legs to not collapse under me if I moved from plastering my face against the cliff.

"Vullaby be," Vullaby cried from behind me, squawking loudly. 

After a second I released my grip from the cliff and reached a hand back to stroke Vullaby's head soothingly.

"There there, Vullaby. We're okay," I soothed softly and the little pokemon slowly calmed down, hiccuping slightly. 

Very slowly I slid my foot back and winced as open air hit the cuts and scrapes that littered my arms and legs from clinging to the cliff as we fell. I shook my trembling hands and looked up at Piplup who was still shrieking down at me for all he was worth. I lifted my arm to wave at him, showing that I was okay.

"Piplup, can you go get me another vine?" I shouted up to him, untying the useless one from my stomach and letting it drop after the rest of the broken piece down the cliff. 

The brief glance at how far down the drop was made me feel ill so I turned away and stubbornly looked up towards Piplup who was looking behind him and calling out, but he didn't seem to be moving.

"What is it, Piplup?" I called up to him. 

Piplup looked down at me and held up both flippers as if to say, "wait" before dashing away from the edge of the cliff and out of my view. Vullaby started sniffling again and I reached back and continued to stroke its little bald head, telling it that Piplup would save us for sure and trying to desperately convince myself that that was true.

A/N Honestly I think the hardest part of writing this story is coming up with the chapter titles :P I hope you're enjoying the story!