Kauai Island, Next Day

The sun was climbing steadily into the sky, casting golden light over Kauai Island. The waves rolled lazily onto the shore, filling the air with the soothing sound of the ocean. On the side of his house, Koa Kai worked diligently, his hands busy as he sanded a sleek wooden boat frame he was building. The faint smell of sawdust mingled with the salty sea breeze, and the rhythmic rasp of the sandpaper was the only sound accompanying him—until he hit play on his small portable speaker.

"Welcome back to 'Legends of the Deep'," the podcaster said,"where we explore the myths, mysteries, and monsters that haunt the oceans. Today, we've got a wild one, folks—a firsthand account from survivors of a pirate attack gone horribly wrong."

Koa paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly at the mention of the pirates. He was sure the Guardian, the name given to him, had taken care of them all. His movements slowed, but he kept sanding the boat, his expression calm yet focused as the podcast continued the report.

"Now, you might be asking: what could possibly go wrong for pirates," the podcaster asked sarcastically,"aren't they the scary ones? Well, according to reports, a cargo ship bound for Menagerie was ambushed by a fleet of submarines. The pirates intended to steal supplies meant for the Faunus community—but instead, something stole them. Or, more accurately, tore them apart."

A small smirk tugged at Koa's lips, but he kept his head down, pretending to focus on his work. He looked to the side as Sparky perched on a branch chewed on a watermelon, his ears focused on the podcast heavily.

"The survivors, or what was left of them, described it as a massive creature," the podcaster said,"they claim it was bigger than any whale they'd ever seen, with claws like scythes and a roar that could shake the ocean itself. One even called it 'a demon of the deep.'"

Koa wiped his brow with the back of his hand, his smirk growing as the host's tone became more dramatic with each word he spoke.

"Eyewitness accounts vary, but the common thread is clear: this wasn't any ordinary sea creature," the podcaster said,"could it be a previously undiscovered predator lurking in the depths? Or perhaps something...unnatural? A legend come to life? Whatever it was, it left behind nothing but wreckage and terror."

The host let out a theatrical sigh, clearly enjoying the suspense he was giving out. He may not fully believe in the stories, but he certainly enjoyed speaking on them, cause each gave way to new stories and hopefully new subscribers to his podcast

"Of course, skeptics say it could've been a freak underwater explosion or mechanical failure," he continued,"but I ask you, dear listeners: how often does an explosion have glowing eyes and claws that shred steel?"

Koa let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he examined the boat frame. Sparky, still perched on a nearby branch, perked up at the sound of his laugh.

"Eh! Funny? Big monster story," Sparky asked

"Just some people trying to make sense of what they don't understand," Koa said as he glanced over, wiping his hands on a rag,"you know how it goes buddy."

Sparky soon leapt down from the tree, landing neatly beside Koa and moved to the radio. He tilted his head, his ears twitching as the podcast continued with the story. He knew it was about Koa, so he wanted to hear what people were talking about him, and Koa meant a lot to Sparky.

"Whatever this thing is, it's not the first time people have reported strange activity in these waters," the podcaster said,"tales of glowing creatures and shadowy giants go back centuries, but this latest encounter has sparked a frenzy. Locals are calling it 'The Guardian of the Seas,' while others are dubbing it something more ominous: 'The Leviathan.'"

Koa froze for a fraction of a second, his hand tightening around the edge of the boat. His smirk faded slightly as he stared out toward the ocean, the word hanging in the air like a bad omen. Leviathan, it was a word Alterra labeled him and the residents of 4546B, he didn't mind it but it brought bad memories he rather forget

"So, what do you think," the podcaster asked the audience,"is there a monster out there protecting Menagerie's waters? Or are these just the tall tales of frightened pirates looking to save face? Either way, the mystery deepens. Stay tuned for more updates as we uncover the truth...or at least try to!"

The podcast faded into an ad break, leaving the sounds of the ocean to fill the silence. Sparky tugged at Koa's shirt, his bioluminescent tail flickering slightly.

"Leviathan," Sparky asked confused,"they talk about you?"

Koa shrugged, setting the sandpaper down as he leaned against the boat, sweat building on his forehead.

"Maybe, maybe not," Koa said,"eople love their stories. They don't always need to know the truth."

Sparky tilted his head, his curiosity obvious.

"Why hide? Big, strong," Sparky said, buzzing up to Koa,"make bad guys scared!"

Koa smiled faintly, reaching down to ruffle Sparky's fur with his hand.

"Because scaring bad guys isn't the same as protecting the ones who matter," Koa explained,"sometimes, staying in the shadows is the best way to keep everyone safe, to do what's necessary to protect the people you care about."

Sparky considered this for a moment, then nodded in his usual excitable way.

"Okay," he said with a huge smile,"but if they come back, you smash again, right?"

Koa chuckled, picking up the sandpaper once more.

"Only if they deserve it, Sparky," Koa said as he went to work,"only if they deserve it."

The two fell into a companionable silence, the sounds of the ocean and the faint buzz of electricity from Sparky filling the air. For now, the peace held, but Koa knew the stories wouldn't stay stories forever. Eventually, someone would come looking for the Leviathan. And when they did, Koa would be ready.

But that was the future, right now in the present Koa was still working on his boat, smoothing out the edges with careful precision, when the familiar sound of hurried footsteps and chaotic giggling reached his ears. He didn't even have to look up to know who was coming, it was Lilo and Stitch.

"Koa! Koa! You'll never believe it," Lilo said with a smile,"there's this weird alien guy looking for you!"

"Ih! Big fish man," Stitch,"it make strange noises!"

Koa raised an eyebrow but didn't stop working on the boat with the sandpaper. Soon he stopped as he leaned against the boat frame, wiping his hands on a rag as Lilo skidded to a halt in front of him, her face a mix of excitement and confusion.

"A weird alien guy, huh," Koa asked with a chuckle,"and you're sure he's looking for me?"

"Totally," he exclaimed,"he's by the docks, asking everyone if they've seen someone tall, mysterious, and...I don't know, 'ocean-y.'"

Stitch scrambled up onto a nearby workbench, mimicking exaggerated swimming motions.

"Blub blub! Flipper arms! He looks like a walrus," Sttich said,"or maybe a seal! Big, goofy grin too! Bluuuuub!"

Koa struggled to keep a straight face, biting the inside of his cheek as Stitch added to the chaos by flopping dramatically onto his back, wiggling his arms like fins. He knew who they were talking about, but he wanted to enjoy the show more.

"And he's wearing this ridiculous outfitike," Lilo said,"it's all white and blue, but not in a cool way—more like, 'I'm trying too hard to look ocean-y.' Oh, and he makes this noise, huh what was it, Stitch?"

Stitch sat up, puffed out his chest, and let out a loud, exaggerated bark that sounded halfway between a seal's call and someone trying to clear their throat.

"ARRR-OOGH," Sttich yelled out,"like that!"

Koa couldn't help it, he cracked right there with Stitches exaggerated bark. A chuckle escaped, low and quiet, as he shook his head until it turned into laughter. He crossed his arms, leaning casually against the boat as he finally calmed down

"Alright alright you two," Koa said,"let me guess...he's got a hero emblem that looks like an anchor and probably calls himself something like, I don't know, 'Selkie'?"

Lilo blinked, surprised as she had a shocked and confused face.

"Wait, how'd you know," she asked loudly,"did you already meet him?"

"A few times for work, Selkie's a Pro Hero," Koa explained,"he specializes in aquatic rescues. He's probably here for something important, especially if it's in the ocean."

"Well, he's definitely looking for you," Lilo said,"and he's scaring the tourists with that noise and his creepy smile. You should probably do something before Stitch starts teaching him how to actually act like a seal."

Koa laughed, ruffling Lilo's hair.

"Alright alright, give me a second," Koa said,"I'll go see what he wants. Sparky, hold down the fort."

"IH! Me protect home," Sparky said with a salute

He stood up and walked to the side, grabbing a nearby towel to wipe off his hands, and gestured for the two to follow. As they made their way toward the docks, Koa couldn't help but grin at the mental image of Selkie trying to make his seal noises more convincing under Stitch's guidance. And that smile, he thinks its cute but its really isn't, like a wolf to worm its way into a teen girl pants

The trio walked along the beach, with Lilo recounting Selkie's antics and Stitch continuing to impersonate the hero's exaggerated movements. Koa stayed quiet, amused by their storytelling but already bracing himself for whatever this visit might bring. Koa worked for a few Heros when it came to the ocean, there he felt more at home then most

Timeskip

As Koa, Lilo, and Stitch approached the docks, the faint sound of excited chatter and occasional shrieks reached their ears. The source of the commotion became clear as they rounded a corner where Selkie, the aquatic Pro Hero, was in the middle of entertaining, or trying to entertain, a group of local kids. They were all around him as he got ready

Selkie stood proudly on the pier, his wide grin showing off his sharp teeth as he struck dramatic poses. His arms flapped slightly in imitation of a seal, and he let out an enthusiastic bark.

"ARRR-OOGH," he barked out,"who's ready for some hero fun from the deep blue sea?!"

The children, however, were anything but amused, more like terrified to the extreme. Instead of laughing, most were backing away, their wide eyes full of terror. One boy screamed and bolted, dragging his friend with him.

"It's a monster," the boy yelled and the others joined them

Selkie blinked, clearly confused by their reaction, and tried again.

"Wait, come back," Selkie yelled,"this is supposed to be fun!"

Lilo burst out laughing, clutching her stomach, while Stitch pointed at Selkie, mimicking his bark again.

"ARRR-OOGH! Big scary fish man," Stitch said with a laugh

Koa, who laughed a bit, walked up and approached with a bemused expression, shaking his head as he crossed his arms. Selkie pouted but soon stopped as Koa approached him, trying to act professional after his little side show

"Selkie, long time no see," Koa said

"Ah Koa, perfect timing," Selkie said,"I was about to start to go out looking for you."

Selkie marched over, extending a hand, which Koa shook firmly. Lilo and Stitch hung back, still giggling and whispering to each other. The two sat down as Koa ordered some tropical drinks for them and some food

"So what brings you to my neck of the woods," Koa asked

"Okay here's the deal, we've got a mission that needs someone with your skills," Selkie said,"there's an area deep in the ocean, farther than any of our current equipment can safely explore. Strange activity has been reported down there, some sonar readings, underwater tremors, you name it. We need someone who can go deeper than any human could and investigate."

Koa raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor unshaken.

"And who recommended me for this," Koa said,"I haven't exactly been advertising my profession."

Selkie scratched the back of his head, having a confused look as Koa raised his eyebrow higher.

"Really, well I saw an ad in the local newspaper," Selkie said,"or something like, 'Ocean expert available for unique jobs—no task too deep!' It had your address listed, so I figured it was worth checking out since we've worked together."

Koa's brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. He doesn't even know how to work a phone properly, he just knows how to call and text, maybe some PowerTube videos but thats it. He doesn't know how technology works, unless it was connected to ocean research technology and learning more everyday on it.

"An ad," he asked,"I never put out an ad, hell I have no idea what the hell Riotbook is. The only ones I know who can do that is..."

He turned, his gaze slowly landing on Lilo and Stitch, who froze in place when making a sandman. The two exchanged panicked glances before attempting their best, and utterly unconvincing, looks of innocence. Stitch puts his hands behind his back, letting the head fall down

"It...wasn't us," Lilo said

"Ih! Nope! Not us! Totally not us," Stitch said

Koa crossed his arms, his lips twitching as he fought back a smile, he couldn't hold it against them. They were just looking out for him, helping him get work when the tour guides didn't bring the necessary funds. He tilted his head slightly, fixing them with a knowing look as he played with them for a laugh.

"You two wouldn't happen to know anything about this," Koa asked with smile,"now would you?"

Lilo and Stitch shuffled nervously, their eyes darting everywhere but at Koa.

"Well... I mean... it's not like we—," Lilo said

"It was her idea," Stitch yelled as he pointed all four hands at her

"Hey! You helped," Lilo said, gasping in shock,"you even wrote the part about 'no task too deep!'"

Koa sighed, running a hand through his hair as he shook his head.

"Of course you did," Koa said with a chuckle,"and here I thought I could have one quiet week without you two pulling something."

Lilo and Stitch both gave him sheepish grins, clearly unrepentant.

"Well, I've gotta admit, the ad worked," Selkie said,"I hear a bunch of Pros are looking forward to hiring you. So, what do you say, you in for the mission?"

Koa looked at Selkie, then back at Lilo and Stitch. Despite their antics, he couldn't be mad at them, they were just trying to help him. They'd probably meant well—if not entirely thought things through like always as they . He sighed again, this time with a hint of amusement, and nodded.

"Alright then, I'll take a look since I'm free," Koa said,"but as for you two..."

He pointed at Lilo and Stitch, his tone light but firm. The two froze as they were worried for a harsh talking, but Koa smiled, making them take a breath.

"We're having a long talk later about what counts as a good idea," he said

"Totally worth it," Lilo said, as the two high-fived

"Ih! Big adventure," Stitch yelled

"Your not going," Koa said

"AGWBABA!"

Koa rolled his eyes as Stitch's curse word didn't bother him, then motioned for Selkie to lead the way. As the group headed toward the water, Koa couldn't help but chuckle under his breath, life on Kauai was never boring, not with those two around.

A few minutes later, Koa stood in his small workshop near the beach, gathering the gear he needed for the mission. While he relied on his Leviathan form for deep-sea ventures, there were always moments when human ingenuity came in handy. He carefully packed tools, diving equipment, and a small waterproof satchel for anything unusual he might need to bring back.

Sparky perched on the edge of the workbench, his two antennas flicking back and forth. He watched with curious eyes, letting out a soft spark of electricity every now and then.

"Ih! Big job? Big danger," Sparky asked

Koa chuckled, slinging a lightweight pack over his shoulder.

"Nothing I can't handle, Sparky you know that," Koa said,"but don't worry, you're coming with me buddy. Can't have you causing chaos here while I'm gone now can I?"

Sparky let out a playful zap, leaping down to Koa's side and giving an excited chirp.

"Always with Koa! Always," Sparky said as he hugged Koas head

Koa laughed as he hugged back, he loved this little guy. Soon they stepped outside of the house, Selkie was waiting by the docks, still in full Pro Hero mode, arms crossed and a grin plastered on his face like always. He smiled as he saw Spakry, they've known each other since Koa worked with Selkie for the first time.

"Bringing the little guy," Selkie asked,"not sure how much help he'll be out there this time."

Koa smirked, glancing at Sparky, who was now sparking excitedly around his feet.

"Sparky goes wherever I go," Koa said as he rubbed Sparkys head,"besides, you'd be surprised how useful he can be."

Sparky puffed out his chest proudly, letting out a small bolt of electricity that fizzled harmlessly in the sand. Selkie laughed, clapping Koa on the back as they walked to the ship.

"Fair enough, little extra firepower never hurts," Selkie said

As Koa and Sparky headed toward Selkie's boat, Lilo came running down the beach, holding something wrapped in colorful paper. Her face was determined, but there was a glimmer of worry in her eyes. Koa stopped, turning toward her as she skidded to a halt in front of him, slightly out of breath. He gestured to Selkie to go on, he'll be there soon

"Koa! Wait, wait," she yelled,"I have something for you!"

"Okay first off, calm down and take a breather," Koa said as she did so"so now, a gift? What's this for, kiddo?"

Lilo held out the package, her expression serious.

"I just...I know you're super strong and all, but I still get worried when you go on these missions," she said as she twirled her foot on the floor,"so...me and Stitch made you something, to keep you safe."

Koa knelt down, taking the package from her with a soft smile. It was small, in a small square box wrapped with a makeshift wrapper, which was newspapers. He carefully unwrapped it, revealing a small charm bracelet made of seashells and colorful beads, clearly handmade.

"It's a good luck charm," Lilo said with a smile,"Stitch helped me find the shells, and I added the beads. You know, for extra good luck when you go out."

Koa stared at the bracelet for a moment, his expression softening. He slipped it onto his wrist, holding it up to show her, it fit his wirst perfectly.

"It fits perfect," Koa said,"thanks Lilo, this is the best gift I've gotten."

She smiled, though her eyes still betrayed her worry. Koa could see that, after years of living on the island and with her and Nani, he has gotten to know them pretty well. So that face she has tells him shes worried about him, he always took care of himself but she always did.

"Whats wrong Little Star," he asked her

"You promise you'll come back," Lilo asked,"you know, in one piece?"

Koa flinched a bit but he just gave a genuine smile as he reached out and ruffled her hair gently. She flinched but blushed as she looked down, making Koa chuckle as stopped and put his pinkie finger out. Lilo smiled as she wrapped her pinkie around him, both smiling

"I pinkie promise I will be back," Koa said,"and once I get back, we'll pack a picnic and spend the whole day on the beach. Deal?"

Lilo's face lit up, her worry melting away as she wrapped him in a hug.

"Deal," she said

Sparky hopped onto Koa's shoulder, giving Lilo an approving chirp.

"Koa always come back," Sparky said,"always!"

Koa gave her a reassuring smile before turning back toward the dock as Lilo watched from the back, frowning as she clasped her hands together. As he climbed aboard Selkie's boat, he glanced back one last time, seeing Lilo and Stitch, who just showed up, waving enthusiastically from the shore. He held up his hand, the charm bracelet glinting in the sunlight.

"She cares about you a lot," Selkie said,"that's good, keeps you grounded and focused."

"Hey, shes my sister, shes my Ohana," Koa said

Selkie smiled as he turned around and signaled for the engines to be started the engine, and the boat hummed to life. As they pulled away from the shore, Koa rested his hand on Sparkys head, glancing out at the endless expanse of ocean ahead.

"I'll be back. I always am."

The boat sped off, leaving the island behind as they headed toward the unknown depths. The ocean stretched before them, vast and mysterious, but Koa felt a quiet confidence. Whatever awaited them out there, he was ready.