Mizuki's eyes shot wide open as her alarm clock's incessant ringing jolted her awake. Groaning, she slammed a fist over the noisy device, wondering why—after months of peaceful waking—that she'd decided to set it again. Then she remembered.

Tearing her blankets off her body, the black-haired girl sprung up and immediately charged for her desk. She'd made the decision to call her parents before seeing Professor Kukui that afternoon, just in case they actually listened to her. However, she knew that the chances of that happening were slim, but then again, what were the odds that an island deity appeared before ordinary kids? She had to at least try.

Mizuki took a deep breath as she her hand hovered over the phone, yet before she could touch it, the unused PC box from the corner of her eye caught her attention. With it, she'd be able to speak to both of her parents at the same time, and forcing herself to look both of them head-on would make things easier in the long run.

Switching her plan, the black-haired girl quickly changed out of her Togedemaru-patterned pajamas, slipping into her regular outfit.

She loaded up the PC box as she ran a brush through her hair before putting them back in their normal, slightly messy braids.

As the screen loaded, Mizuki took a seat at her desk, her coal-gray eyes anxiously flickering to the calendar. This was it. Her final day. Her hands gripped the flowery hem of her bright orange top. She had to convince them, she just had to!

"Hello?"

Mizuki felt her grip tighten as both her parents appeared on the screen. They seemed to be in their formal, uptight demeanor—which was only slightly more welcoming than their angry sides. She also noticed just how uncomfortable they seemed being seated so closely together.

Mizuki gulped, deciding to start off with a casual greeting and maybe a bit of small talk. "Hi," she said, struggling to keep her voice still and her face straight.

Her mother, the powerhouse of the couple, was the first to respond. "Today is your last day," she replied, a smile spreading across her faded red lips. "I can't wait for your Contest training." She said the last two words with edge, obviously aware of her husband's close eye on her.

"I'm sure she'll enjoy Gym battles much more," Mizuki's father countered, his tone sharpening as he glanced—almost glared—at his wife.

Mizuki felt a gnawing anxiety prickling across her skin as she watched her parents' composed expressions slowly crumble—a sight she dreaded seeing most of all. She cleared her throat, redirecting both her parent's attention on her.

Nervous, the young girl glanced down at her shorts. "Um, well, there's something I'd like to ask, actually."

"What is it?" her mother asked.

Mizuki tensed, bracing herself. She brought her gaze back up to the computer screen, staring both her parents in the eyes. At first she hesitated, but she pushed herself to speak.

"I want to stay in Alola." She was surprised that the words came out crisp and smoothly, but her parents' reactions were not the same.

Mizuki's mother stared at her, her eyebrows creased in utter shock, while Mizuki's father narrowed his eyes as if he expected his daughter to be joking.

"Please?"

"Absolutely not!"

Dread began worming its way into Mizuki's skin as both her parents—for once agreeing on something—rejected her offer. She cast a disheartened look at her calendar, but upon glancing at it, something fiery awoke within her. All those days, all those memories—she simply could not let them all go to waste!

She shot up, her chair falling behind her. Mizuki's parents both flinched at their daughter's sudden reaction, but she didn't give them time to speak.

"Please!" she repeated, her hands slamming down on the desk. "I've learned so many amazing things just by living here, and I can even compete in the Island Challenge!"

At her parents' shared quizzical look, she added, "I don't want to do Contests and I don't want to do the Sinnoh League! I don't want my parents to constantly fight about my future—I want to choose my future!"

Mizuki took a several breaths, her heart pounding furiously as if trying to escape the frantic cage of her chest. Neither of her parents responded, their faces both seeming to be deep in thought—or offense.

The black-haired girl picked up her chair and retook her seat as well as her composure, forcing down the fire in her throat that made her want to scream. "And a Legendary Pokémon chose me." It was her last resort and all she had left—it had to work. It had to.

At the mention of a Legendary Pokémon, both her parents' eyes lit up in shock.

"L-legendary?" Her father brought his head closer to the screen as if he hadn't quite heard her correctly.

Mizuki's mother pushed him back. "A real Legendary Pokémon?"

Mizuki slowly nodded, although she wondered if Tapu Koko was actually classified as a Legendary. She didn't change her wording, though—Legendary Pokémon or not, Tapu Koko was one of the most important Pokémon in Alola.

"It gave me a sparkling stone, something its said to only give to people it chooses. That's another reason why I want to participate in the Island Challenge! Please?"

Underneath the desk, Mizuki's hands were wrapped tightly together in a joint fist, the anticipation of her parents' ultimate decision making them moist with sweat. She was holding her breath for what felt like the longest time, and she felt as though she'd faint until her parents finally responded.

"Fine," her mother sighed, her husband sharing the same defeated look. More quietly she added, "Home's probably not the best of environments for you, anyway."

Mizuki's father didn't reply, but she saw the man slowly nod in agreement.

Mizuki couldn't believe her ears. She sprang up once again, but this time she was careful enough to keep her chair standing still. "Y-you mean it?"

"Yes, we mean it." Her father's confirmation resounded all throughout the young girl's head, and soon her body felt as though it had been whisked away by a Drifloon.

"We'll send you some money and some clothes," her mother added, her gaze stern. "And we'll be talking a bit more about this matter later."

Mizuki nodded vigorously, falling back in her chair as the screen went dark. She had done it.

I did it.

✽✽✽

"Thank you!" Mizuki gaped at her new Z-Ring, the pretty accessory gleaming in the late afternoon light. She was with Professor Kukui on the beach, and he had just handed her the item.

"I'm happy for ya, cousin," he smiled. Then he nodded up at the sky, a warm, orange pool dappled with milky white clouds. "The sun's setting. How about we get you your new starter Pokémon?"

Starter Pokémon? "Oh, right!"

Professor Kukui held open the door for the preteen. "Any idea on who you want?"

Mizuki gave him a smile. She had an idea, all right, in the form of a particular red and black Pokémon…

✽✽✽

As she exited the lab, Mizuki gave the Professor one last smile, and saying goodbye to him was probably the only last bit of regret she felt, but that sadness was just a tiny drop of darkness in the immense light that was her newly lit-up world.

The Professor saw her off with a nod, his friendly grin etching itself into the young girl's memory. "Yo said he was heading along to Route 2. Knowing his speed, you can probably catch up to him in time."

"Right!"

Mizuki tugged on her bag as she hurried out of the lab and up the beach, her shoes making satisfying swish noises as they splashed along the sand.

The early evening breeze tugging at her entire body, she put aside her rule of acting mature and ran like a Wingull in full flight, both her arms spread out to catch as much wind as they could. She was coming up on Hau'oli city, and in a flash she was on the city's outskirts, her feet reaching the grassy, leaf-strewn path that marked it. Route 2.

Mizuki smiled the biggest smile she'd smiled all week as she glanced down at her new Pokémon, who for once seemed to do just the same. "Let's go, Litten!"

The Fire Cat Pokémon bounced alongside her. "Mrrow!"

The new trainer hurried along the route, her legs at the speed of a Rapidash as they were charged with a seemingly endless energy—the energy of a new future.

Her heart dipped and tangoed and swayed like the colorful forms of an Oricorio as she ran. Every last bit of her surroundings seemed new and re-colored as if someone had cleansed her eyes with vigorous life.

In the distant sea to her left, she saw beautiful Lapras gliding through the water, and flying above were all kinds of amazing bird Pokémon—some she didn't even recognize.

There's still so much I have yet to see of this region. She had made her decision—she'd see as much as she could!

Then, after a few moments, she finally saw him, taking his grand old time in happily walking with his Popplio.

Mizuki picked up her pace as she hurried on towards her friend, and for a second her gaze flickered to the colorful, darkening sky, bestowing one last glance of appreciation and admiration to the ever bright sun of…

"Alola!"