"Guzma, did you break another appliance-again?" Plumeria asked in a firm tone as she banged on his door.

The door opened to reveal a white-haired man with yellow rimmed sunglasses atop his head and a gold chain with the symbol for Team Skull attached to it. His attire was consistant of a black open top with similiar designs to what Plumeria wore. A white t-shirt was underneath. His forearm also had a tattoo on it, only his was purple.

"Eh? No, I was trying to fix it. I guess I hit it a little too hard," Guzma snickered, causing Plumeria to roll her eyes. "So what's up big sis?"

Plumeria sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Just got word from the fam that Kukui has some new blood undergoing the trials. There wasn't much more to be said, but it sounds like we could get some form of amusement out of this," Plumeria added.

Guzma gave a wicked grin as she mentioned the new trial-goers.

"Well, we don't wanna be rude. How 'bout we send some of the fam to 'greet' them. Show them how it is here in paradise!"

Pokémon

Moon's Rising

'Umikūmākahi

"So...am I able to battle with you or-"

"BZZZT! It's possible, though I'm only here for navigational purposes and to help you on your journey!"

"Wait, it's possible? That's interesting," Tanyu replied, watching as his Rotomdex floated around his head. "Can you still...you know, possess appliances and stuff?" Tanyu inquired, "or are you mainly confined to be my dex?"

"I'm still a Rotom, therefore I can do everything I normally would do to change my look," the Rotomdex responded.

"I guess I can technically consider you as my third teammate then?" Tanyu proposed.

"BZZZZZZT! I would be delighted!" Rotomdex exclaimed, whizzing around happily.

This is so weird, Tanyu thought, his mind trailing back to the conversation he had with Kukui about Rotom.

"There's a what in my dex?" Tanyu inquired, getting a laugh out of Kukui.

"A Rotom cuz! Try look," Kukui urged, motioning for Tanyu to take a look at his device.

Tanyu glanced down at the oddly shaped electronic device only to watch as what seemed to be arm-like appendages and feet suddenly extend from the device itself. It then began to float.

"BZZZZZT! Systems online!" It exclaimed, large blue eyes opening to view the world around it. A broad smile spread over the touch pad. "Ah! Professor, good to see you!"

"Howzit Rotom! Cozy?" Kukui inquired, getting an affirmative buzzing noise from the Rotomdex.

"I sure am!" Rotomdex said enthusiastically, turning to Tanyu with a curious expression. "This must be the new guy! Tanyu right?"

"How does it-"

"I have all your data installed in my systems! So don't lose me!" Rotomdex informed, hovering closer to Tanyu to inspect his new partner.

"This is new," Tanyu mumbled, watching as the Rotom hovered around him.

"I think it's rather cute," Lillie giggled, getting an amused look from Tanyu.

"Right...cute. Sure, we'll go with that," Tanyu replied.

Lillie stuck her tongue out and rolled her eyes. Tanyu ignored the gesture and looked back at Kukui.

"You mentioned Rotom here has a built in navigational system. How does that work?" Tanyu asked, his answer coming to him almost immediately in the form of a few beeps from Rotom.

"BZZZZT! Navigational systems online!"

Tanyu glanced up at the floating Rotomdex which hovered in front of his face, a GPS screen now showing where its mouth was previously. It had his current location along with the surrounding area.

"Huh, so like a GPS only I can actually talk to it, neat," Tanyu mused.

"Exactly! With Rotom, no more worries about getting lost cuz. Just stay on the path you set and getting lost won't be a problem," Kukui added.

"Good to know," Tanyu replied, looking at the Rotomdex as its mouth came back. "I'm gonna need all the help I can get around here. Speaking of which, professor, where's my first trial?"

"You gonna need to go to Hao'oli City first. It's along the way to it, and the trial captain usually hangs around there. That's all I can tell you for now cuz," Kukui explained.

"That's all I need to know for now I suppose," Tanyu sighed.

Hao'oli City, being the largest city in all the Alolan Islands, it had a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. With towering structures and a shopping district frequented by tourists, as well as a beach, it was easy to see why it was the most visited city. Just on the outskirts of the city sat a school district where many children were out and about playing with their friends. Standing among them was a woman with short black hair with black eyes and glasses. She was dressed in a white button-up top and brown capris. As the woman watched the kids play, a ringing sound caught her attention.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her phone and looked to see who it was that was calling. With a bright smile, she quickly answered the call.

"Alola Professor!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"Howzit Emily!" Kukui answered in his usual cheerful tone.

"I'm good cuz! Busy, but good!" Emily replied, keeping her eyes on the littler kids as they raced across the playground.

"Yeah! Well, I've got some news for you sistah. Hau has started his island challenge today!" Kukui informed her.

"Is that so? The boy's finally able to do it eh? He's been excited about that for so long, that's good to hear. But that can't be the only reason why you're calling brah," Emily deduced, getting a laugh out of Kukui.

"Chee! Sharp as eva Emily. Remember Lydia, our old friend from our first challenge?" Kukui grinned.

"Shootz! She's been a busy bee around here. I heard she had to leave for Unova. I didn't get all the details. How is she?" Emily inquired.

"That's the thing, she's just fine. In fact, her son is here with her and is taking the challenge too!" Kukui revealed.

"Really!?" Emily gasped. "That's amazing. I thought she-wow...this is-"

"Awesome? Shootz sistah. And guess what, he battles just like her too. On top of that, he looks like her,"Kukui added.

"This I will have to see with my own eyes. If he's anything like her, maybe he'll be just as tough as she is too," Emily grinned.

"Sounds like you wanna battle him, yeah! That's a great idea," Kukui smirked. "He's actually heading into Hao'oli City now."

Emily stroked her chin as she listened to Kukui's information. It sounded rather promising.

"That's just what I'll do then. I miss battling Lydia. She hasn't done it much since her first challenge. I'd like to be able to face her again one of these days," Emily frowned.

"I'm sure she'll battle again real soon. Maybe once she gets vacation time from work," Kukui added. "We could all meet up for a good battle like the old days," Kukui beamed.

"Optimistic as always cuz," Emily laughed. "K den, I've got to get back to watching the keikis. They're getting a little crazy over here. I no can have them being rough with each other," Emily chuckled.

"Shootz Emily. We'll talk story another time," Kukui replied. "Alola," Kukui added before quickly ending the call.

"Alola," Emily stated, sliding her phone back into her pocket.

"Hao'oli City is just ahead! Would you like an update on the important places there?" Rotom inquired.

"Sure, why not? I could use a little more knowledge on the place," Tanyu added, watching as Rotom ran through all the data that it had on the upcoming city.

"Hao'oli City has a large shopping district complete with a salon, a mall and a malasada shop. There's also a place where new trainers can test their skills in all out battles, I believe it's called the Battle Buffet!"

"A Battle Buffet huh? Sounds like a fun place to go. What else do they have?" Tanyu asked curiously.

"Scanning...aha! There's a beach too! Fun in the sun as you humans say."

Tanyu dawned a quizzical expression. Shaking his head he kept his pace towards the upcoming city.

This feels so surreal. I can't believe I'm actually doing this, Tanyu thought, reaching down to run his fingers across the smooth, cool metal of the crimson and white spheres attached to his belt. Seems like this was all but a dream before. Never in a million years did I think it would become a reality...is this what all trainers feel like? Tanyu mused inwardly, taking a deep breath before looking up at the sky as he walked. If so...I like it...

"You have reached your destination!" Rotom exclaimed, getting a confused expression from Tanyu.

"We've only been walking for two hours. How the hell did we get here that quick?" Tanyu blinked.

"This island is only one-hundred and thirty miles all around. Circumnavigating it on foot without stopping would take but seven to eight days if you walked all along the coastline," Rotom explained. "On Tauros back it could take a few less days, and by car, seven hours."

"Wow...this island isn't that big is it?" Tanyu replied.

"What it lacks in size, it makes up for in everything else! Welcome to Hao'oli City!"

Tanyu looked up at the structures that towered above him. He could hear the sound of the ocean from where he stood, and he could see a multitude of people walking the streets in mostly beachwear or light clothing. Very few were dressed in business attire and even that was somewhat lax. Tanyu glanced to his right, taking note of what appeared to be a schoolyard. Several young ones were running about with their companions at their side. Tanyu watched with wide eyes as a young girl and what appeared to be an Alolan variant of a Vulpix, played together in the schoolyard.

A young, three year old Tanyu sat outside the door of his Castelia City home. He had a Castelia Cone in his hand, and was thoroughly enjoying it. Beside him sat his mother, Lydia, who was eating a cone with Tanyu. As the two ate, a rustling sound caught her attention. Looking up, Tanyu shifted his attention towards the brush that was making the noise. Lydia, taking note of the curiosity in her son's eyes, stood up to investigate the sound. As she neared, a small, fox-like creature slipped out from under the bushes. She had a beautiful red-brown fur with six orange tails that curled at the tips. Two brown, pupil-less eyes stared in Tanyu's direction as she slowly made her way towards him.

Tanyu's eyes widened in wonder as the creature approached. Vulpix tilted her head as she stopped in front of Tanyu, her eyes fixed on the cone he was carrying. Tanyu, noticing where she was looking, held onto the cone in a protective manner. As he did, he heard the stomach of the Vulpix let out a faint growl. Hearing this, he hesitated a moment before approaching closer, holding out the cone to the small Fire-type. Sniffing the cone, Vulpix took a lick, letting out a yip of approval before taking a chomp out of the cone. Tanyu smiled and let her have the rest of his cone.

Lydia watched with a smile on her face. This would be a moment she would always remember. She giggled as she watched the Vulpix proceed to lick Tanyu's cheek, getting a laugh out of him.

Tanyu didn't know how long he'd been staring at the girl and her Vulpix. The more he looked, the more the memory caused him to begin to tear up. A smile formed on his face as the happy memory ran through his mind. Wiping his face, Tanyu turned away, only to be met with a pair of black eyes and glasses that seemed to be staring him down.

"Uh...can I help you?" Tanyu inquired, getting a raised brow from the woman before him.

"That depends," the woman stated, her eyes drinking in the amethyst gems that were staring back at her. "Is your mother's name Lydia?"

A little flashback for old times sake! Tanyu has a soft spot for Vulpix as you can tell. Also, I decided to make it so that Rotom actually can battle with him. I found it disappointing that we couldn't in Sun And Moon. Besides, it would make for some fun antics to see his dex battling. Anyway, I hope everyone's enjoying this so far! Let me know what you all think. I'll see you all in the next chapter tomorrow! Ciao for now!