Tanyu couldn't even bring himself to speak at this point. After all this time, he finally had some answers from his mother. He finally knew why she had left. She was forced to leave. However, that still didn't excuse her from what she had done to his father and to him. He may have cheated on her, but she too had been unfaithful. This brought on even more questions than he had before.

"So...if that's all true. Answer me this then. Why here? Why so darn far away?" Tanyu demanded. "You couldn't have picked Sinnoh or northern Unova. You had to pick this island of all places. Why?" Tanyu probed.

Lydia's lips twitched into a smile at the question he'd asked.

"Because my dear Tanyu, this place was what healed me from how broken I felt. I arrived a broken woman. Before that photo was taken, I was a mess. When I came here, it was out of desperation. I chose here because I'd read somewhere that there was a way to be 'reborn' as it were. A way to become a new person. I had to chance it. So that's what I did. About that time, I'd heard about the Island Challenge. And oddly enough, it was from the very man who gave you your Rowlet," Lydia smiled. "Because of that challenge, I was able to reshape who I was."

Tanyu shifted his gaze to the photograph. The smile he saw on her face was just as he'd remembered. There was joy in her expression. Life in her eyes like none he'd ever seen. Tanyu wanted that feeling. No, he needed that feeling of joy more than anything. Turning to his mother, he fixed her with a serious stare.

"I want to take the Island Challenge..."

Pokémon

Moon's Rising

'Ehiku

A loud silence took over the room as Tanyu and his mother stared at one another. The words that Tanyu had spoken still echoed in Lydia's thoughts. A smile curved onto her face. It was exactly what she wanted and needed to hear at that moment. She was going to have him do it one way or another, but to have him willingly want to take it on his own was a sign of progress.

"But I want to do it on my terms," Tanyu stated, his tone growing more serious as he spoke. "As you said, you promised me the chance to go on my own adventure, and that's what it's going to be," Tanyu finished, crossing his arms, pinning his mother with a stare.

"Fair enough," Lydia sighed. "I did say I'd do what I could to make it up to you, and that's what I plan on doing," Lydia added.

Tanyu drew in a deep breath and exhaled, dropping his arms and stepping towards Lydia. "This is all so confusing," Tanyu muttered, not entirely sure of what to make of his current situation.

"I can't say I disagree with you. Having my son back after ten years, while being a good thing, feels weird. And finding out he'd been involved with criminal activity was even more strange," Lydia frowned.

Tanyu narrowed his eyes at the mention of his past dealings with Team Plasma. He opened his mouth to retort, only to stop when the expression on Lydia's face softened.

"But, I guess I can't blame you completely for that now can I?" Lydia continued. "After all, your father and I didn't exactly help your case now did we?" Lydia admitted. "While I am very disappointed in you, I'm more disappointed in myself for everything that happened that lead up to that decision. I should have been there for you," she said sharply.

Tanyu couldn't wrap his mind around what his mother was saying. She was obviously pissed about him joining Team Plasma, but at the same time she was so willing to forgive him. After a few moments, the reason for why she was letting bygones be bygones, came to light. It was because she had also committed some atrocitites of her own, and she knew that. She had no right to judge him after what had transpired.

"However, there were certain terms I had forgotten to mention to you before giving you that passport. You've already met a few of them, leaving one major term to discuss. You are not, under any circumstances, to engage in anymore of what you did back in Unova. That means no thievery, are we clear?" Lydia stated with a firm tone.

"Mom..." Tanyu started, fixing his mother with a serious look. "I've got my own companion now. And besides, do you honestly think I would blow this by reverting back to the practices of Team Plasma?" Tanyu retorted. "Have a little faith would you?"

"I'll have more faith, once I see more proof that you've turned yourself around," Lydia fired back.

Tanyu clenched his fists. Arceus she frustrated him! Then again, he couldn't blame her for being this way. Stealing wasn't the only thing he was in there for. The Shadow Triad weren't just thieves, they were assassins. While he'd never killed anyone, he did end up sending a few targets to the ER. Taking a deep breath, Tanyu relaxed his shoulders and released a heavy sigh.

"Yes mom," Tanyu said finally, causing Lydia to blink slightly.

He'd said it so calmly it was difficult for her to process. As of late, his tone had been harsh and sarcastic. Now he was a bit more calm? Lydia couldn't help but be wary of her son at this point. However, it was a nice change from the hostile tones. With a soft smile, Lydia crossed her arms and looked back at the photograph.

"You know...I do have one request while you're out on your adventure. Aside from the others that is," Lydia said with a smile.

"And that is...?"

"To have a picture of you and all your Pokémon, by your side. And I want it right next to mine," Lydia added, pointing to an empty frame next to her own photo.

Tanyu raised a brow at this remark. "You've really thought this out haven't you?"

"Son, you have no idea," Lydia grinned. "Now, don't you have a ceremony to prepare for? It's in five hours and you need to have another friend by then or it's going to be a hardfought battle for you," Lydia smirked.

A smirk graced Tanyu's features at the comment his mother had made. The two were as a mirror to one another.

"Don't you worry about that. I've already got an idea of what I want to capture. I'll be ready for the match against Hau," Tanyu stated, remembering their meeting from the previous night.

Tanyu and his mother stood outside of the Melemele Buffet with Kukui and Hala, who had a young boy around three years younger than Tanyu by his side. The boy had gray eyes, light brown hair and wore a black t-shirt with a yellow-orange pair of swim shorts with slippahs, as they were called, to match. His hair definitely resembled that of the Kahuna. Amethyst clashed with gray as their eyes met.

"Tanyu, I'd like you to meet my grandson, Hau. Hau, this is Tanyu Sugimoto. He'll be your opponent tomorrow night at the ceremony," Hala added, causing a broad smile to curve onto the face of the youth.

"Nice to meet'cha Tanyu! I'm gettin' chicken skin just thinkin' about our battle!" Hau exclaimed.

"Er...chicken skin?" Tanyu blinked, still trying to get used to the dialect that he was hearing.

"Yeah! It's that feeling you get when you're really excited, you know?" Hau grinned happily.

This guy's like Kukui, Tanyu thought, sweat-dropping at the amount of energy Hau seemed to exhibit. Happy-go-lucky and positive about everything I'd wager. Sheesh, what is it with this island? And what did it do to my mother? She's just like them! Tanyu thought, remembering the slang she'd been using and the amount of times she'd smiled.

"R-Right. Excitement. Got it," Tanyu said with an affirmative nod.

"Hau, the grandson of the Kahuna. I wonder what type of battler he'll be," Tanyu mused aloud, getting a nod from his mother.

"He probably learned a few tricks from Hala himself. The boy's been fixed on becoming as strong as his grandfather ever since he became of age to undergo his trials," Lydia added.

"So he's got a drive to be strong huh? I like the guy already," Tanyu smirked.

"Yes, but...he's also a bit laid back. If anything, Hau is the most chill person on this island next to Kukui," Lydia giggled, causing Tanyu to blink slightly.

"Okay, seriously...who are you?" Tanyu uttered. "I can't remember the last time you laughed this much," Tanyu frowned.

Lydia smiled faintly and shook her head.

"I'm still the same as ever, I'm just a hell of a lot happier. So what if I laugh more? It actually does wonders for your health. I've heard of cases where laughter has saved someone's life while in critical condition," Lydia said with a nod.

"You mean they just...laughed themselves back to health?" Tanyu questioned, getting a grin from his mother.

"Yep! It was all over the news too. So much research is going into the benefits of laughter," Lydia smiled. "And it will definitely help you too with that snarky sense of humor of yours," Lydia quipped.

Tanyu furrowed his brows at this remark. "I wonder who I got that from?" Tanyu grinned.

A brief silence entered the room, lingering for but a moment before the two suddenly burst out laughing. Deep down, they knew the truth. They were more alike than they were willing to admit. Tanyu took more after his mother than anyone else in his family.

"Alright you. Time's a wasting. You need to have a new companion before tonight, so let's move it mister," Lydia ordered playfully.

Tanyu rolled his eyes and turned to head towards the door. "Alright, keep your shirt on mom. I'll have a new friend by the time this whole thing goes down," Tanyu replied with a smirk.

"You'd better, or it'll be embarrassing for you," Lydia replied with a snicker.

Tanyu shrugged. "We'll see about that. Anyway, see you in a bit," Tanyu responded, opening the door and closing it behind him as he stepped out.

With excitement brewing inside, Tanyu reached for Rowlet's ball and launched it high, watching as the spherical owl exploded from the ball with a hoot. The grass owl remained airborne, only to hoot in delight as he saw his trainer. Tanyu smiled as his friend latched onto his shoulder.

"Hey Rowlet," Tanyu said with a soft laugh. "Ready to have some fun?" Tanyu inquired, getting a coo of approval from the classy little owl. "Good, because we're going hunting," Tanyu grinned.

"Tonight is going to be so fun!" Hau exclaimed, looking up at the mid-afternoon sky with Popplio and a Pichu by his side. "Just by looking at Tanyu, I could tell he was going to be tough. This is gonna be awesome!"

"Excited are we?" Hala stated, causing Hau to look up to see his grandfather standing over him.

"Shootz!" Hau grinned, "I'm all hyped just thinking about it!"

"That's wonderful Hau! Accepting a challenge is what being a kahuna is all about. I imagine you'll make a fine one soon enough," Hala grinned.

Time was of the essence for Tanyu. Having Rowlet scout around for new Pokémon, while it made things easier, certainly wasn't getting him anywhere fast. He had a few hours left, and he'd been wandering around for quite a while. A sigh escaped his lips as he looked up at the circling Rowlet. About to resign his efforts in the current area, he proceeded to recall Rowlet, only to be stopped short as he noticed the sudden focus in the owl's eyes.

His senses went on alert as he too felt something in the area. Just then, a loud hissing sound could be heard from the brush, attracting Tanyu's attention to it. As he turned to face the noise, he saw a pair of black beady eyes staring at him. Rowlet hovered above and watched as a Meowth stepped out from the brush, her eyes fixed upon the trainer. Tanyu fixed his eyes on the feline, noting the coloration of her fur was the same as the one he'd seen in action.

A smirk crossed Tanyu's face at the sight of the Scratch-Cat. Curiosity lingered in the little feline's eyes as she took note of the expression on Tanyu's face. Her eyes shifted to Rowlet, the situation she found herself in immeditately clicking. Glancing back at Tanyu, Meowth extended her claws, prepared to defend herself.

"Well now...looks like she knows the drill," Tanyu smirked, beckoning Rowlet to battle. "Let's do this Rowlet!"

Here we go! Tanyu's found his first new potential companion! Now, some of you may not like the Alolan Meowth/Persian, but I personally loved it! With the new Fur Coat ability it has, it makes it a tanky threat. Also, it's no slouch with technician either. Worry not, as I plan to do something to differentiate between a male and female as there will be more noticeable features and differences. Hope you enjoyed! As usual, remember to vote and comment/give constructive criticism!

Ciao for now!