The four islands that make up the Alola may seem like a flawless paradise to visit, in which is backed up by many visitors and tourists alike. The beaches, the landscapes, food, and several rare Pokémon variations can only be found here are a few of the main reasons people love to visit the tropical region. However, as bright as the sun may shine over a beautiful and aesthetic place like this, the pitch black shadows that the light produces are only darker than they appear to be.  

Po Town, the small urban city that brings the locals to a shivered state, refusing to touch the gate itself with a two-mile long pole. Home of Team Skull, a whole organization made up of lowly thugs and those who have no where else to turn to, rejected by the rest of civilization and even the world. The leader of this delinquent clan  is lead by a man whose heart was as black as coal and infested with dozens of Joltiks named Guzma. He was a man who was beloved and respected among the grunts he ruled and controlled over to the point where they nearly worshiped him as a king. His authorities and orders were taken seriously and no one in his ranks dared denied or even questioned his motives or actions, all but one who believed otherwise. The Runaway, Gladion. Upon meeting for the very first time, Guzma didn't have much of an opinion on the boy and looked down on him like a confused kid who lost at the grocery store. It wasn't long until he was exposed to Gladion's sharp-tongued attitude and how he would downright refuse a majority of his orders, in which he wasn't used to hearing. These disputes were extinguished by Guzma's second-hand woman, and Gladion's only friend, Plumeria, she was the only one who was able to calm both the man and the boy from throwing any hands out to push or even hit one another. Unfortunately, the one day she stepped out with some other grunts, leaving both Gladion and the boss alone only asked for boiling trouble. 

Upon one particular night, in the middle of heavy rain in the dead of night, Guzma held an "exhibition match" at the head mansion of the town, his opponent being none other than Gladion. The reason why he chose to schedule a battle with the kid is because he's been lacking on his recent missions with Plumeia, only to return back in his mighty presence empty handed. Both the kid's constant attitude and audacity was enough, which is why Guzma declared a Pokémon battle against the kid. Gladion immediately refused, failing to see why it would be necessary to do so, but that's when he was being insulted by all of the other Team Skull grunts surrounding both him and the boss of Po Town. 

"Aye, boss! Ya hear how this kid be kicking your shins? Cuttin' you down like he runs the shit now? You ain't taking that crap from the clown of the town, are we?" 

One grunt from the crowd yelled towards Guzma, the rest seem to pester and shun Gladion for turning down the match. 

"What'ya mean you turn down OUR leader?!  Cut the shit and show the boss-man some respect!" 

"Why are yas being such a big pussy? I knew letting some kid in the gang was a bad idea right from the start! You hear me?? You don't belong here!" 

"What a deadbeat punk the newbie really is, he may have the look, but the kids scared because he knows he stands no chance against the big bad Guzma!" 

They were everywhere and all at once, the boy couldn't hear every single word when so many grunts looking down on him. He wanted to scream as loud as he could, so brash and wrenching enough to put all of their words down without a second thought. Gladion seriously considered it, but what was the point to break lose now? Could he break the barrier of the grunts looking down at him like a defenseless kid with personal problems, or would they just use that to push his jammed buttons further until he really lost it? 

"I said I'm not interested." 

He huffed, calmly saying towards the unfazed. He didn't even say anything back because he knew he didn't have to when he had a swarm of loyal grunts at his side. Gladion attempted to push his way out of the crowd, but he was outnumbered, through strength and voices, he was all that oppose the match, while Guzma had all he needed at his call. He shook his head with a nasty smug look on his face, the boy finally turned his back to face him, his emerald eye matched the crooked stare of the mans bagged eyes.  

"Is that so? Funny, cause I don't never recalling dismissin' you," Guzma dug into his pocket and grabbed a Pokéball covered in visible scratch marks on it. "I couldn't hear yas over there with my crew demandin' a battle. Unlike you, I'll be dishin' out whats exactly wanted." 

He flicked his hand up, sending out the very Pokémon that ruled Po Town alongside the man, a large Bug-Type plated in silver armor. One chilling roar sent the grunts into a massive cheer to see Guzma's ace Golisipod come out after a long period of time. Despite the height of the Pokémon, it didn't shake Gladion at all. He let out a stretched groan out before pulling up his own Pokéball, given into the grunt's demand by accepting the battle. 

"Fine, if it'll make you and your stupid pawns to leave me alone, lets just get this over with." 

Gladion chose his Lycanroc, being both a clever and a risky choice for a Rock-Type to battle against a Pokémon with the duel-typing of Bug and Water. He didn't really consider a proper strategy as he just wanted to finish the match as quickly as he could, but Guzma was prepared to cope with the likes of his opponent's Pokémon. The battle could go either way with the type match up favoring both trainers. 

*** 

Arriving at the gate of Po Town under such unpleasant weather conditions was definitely not Plumeria's  ideas to end the day. She regretted leaving for the store later than usual, but she believed the rain would pass by if she just wait it out for a few hours. However, there was no signs of the dark clouds rolling over, so she had to take an umbrella and hope that she wouldn't be soaked by the time she made the trip and back. She was tired and cold from the freezing temperature, but she was glad she arrived back where she called home. 

"Finally, after giving Guzma his stuff, I'm going to take a long warm shower and a nap." 

She said to herself, approaching the mansion where the boss likes to hang out, but stopped her tracks when she came across a group of grunts cheering about something as if they were watching a sports game from he outside. 

"What in the fuck?" 

She thought to herself, stepping in for a closer look, but was immediately welcomed by the grunts who were so focused on whatever was happening inside the mansion. 

"Ohh! Plumeria-sis! Yer just in time yo! Guzma is kickin' the SHIT out of the blonde newbie in a battle!" 

The second the grunt finished his sentence, the woman had a sick feeling deep down in her stomach. 

"Guzma's what?!" 

She demanded an answer, knowing Gladion could really let if the man had his way with him without her to keep him on good terms. Another grunt spoke up, answering just in case if Plumeria didn't hear what was going on. 

"The boss is wipin' the floor with the blonde brat faster than my mama on cleanin' duty, big-sis!" 

Without missing a beat, she dropped her bags of groceries and headed towards the door. Entering inside the mansion was like walking into two kids in middle school having a legit fight. She could see Gladion tightening his grip on his own hand, trying to maintain his composure, but proved difficult with his Lycanroc in a bad state. While Guzma on the other side stood tall with his arms crossed with Golisipod taking minor damaged. All she could hear were the never ending uproar of grunts that rivaled a group Loudred being themselves. 

"Looks like I was right all along, kid. You've been sittin' on yo ass all this time, making little to no progress without my consent. You couldn't even think of a plan to bypass Golisopod. Ya think you could win by throwing nonstop Stone Edges at me and call it a day? Ya'll are stupid if you think I wouldn't see it comin'. Defense is just as important as offense, ya know? If only you considered that yourself." 

It didn't take long for Plumeria to figure out that Guzma set up Iron Defense for Golisopod to withstand a strong move that it was weak against, which explains why his Pokémon stood like it was only hit once. She quickly turn to Gladion, looking like he was going to rip his hand off just by squeezing it hard enough to remove it. He didn't respond towards the man's constant taunting, only to announce his next move, but he was out of breathe so much that he sounded like he was muttering. 

"... L-Lycanroc, S-Stone E-e-edge..!" 

Once again, Lycanroc summoned a pillar of stone to strike the large insect, but its defense was high enough to tank another hit. The crowed cheered for Golisopod and Guzma, while the rest of the grunts were booing Gladion and teasing him. Plumeria tried her best to call off the battle, but the grunts were too hyped up to immediately calm down, but she really didn't need to because the match was just about over. 

"Alright, alright! Golisopod, Razor Shell." 

Creating an extended blade of water from its arm, the beast slashed the Pokémon on the other side, creating a massive impact for the super effective attack, knocking out Lycanroc for good. Guzma raised his fists in the air and bathed in the glory of his win, his grunts showering him with the praise he wanted and expected, while Gladion returned his Pokémon back into its Pokéball without saying a word. 

"... ... ..." 

The match was over, so why did he feel such flowing anger from his brain? His fists tightened, his teeth clenched, his eye focused on the ground, refusing to look at Guzma after such a humiliating defeat, but unfortunately for him, he didn't have any other choice because he was approached by the man himself. He had a smug so wide he could just start laughing, digging Gladion's heels further to the ground, but he chose to save it after he was finished with him. He piped down the chattering of grunts until he was the only one talking. 

"Arceus that's better. Now then. I hope you learned somethin' from this battle of ours. When I tell you not to get on my nerves and do what your told from someone you shouldn't be pickin' a bone with, I suggest you fucken listen. You understand-?" 

Guzma was cut off from finishing his advice when Plumeria pushed herself forward until she was in front of the two, trying to maintain the situation before anything that was deemed regretful ensued. 

"Alright, Guzma. Cool it. You won and made a point, just let him be. He had enough for one day." 

 Unfortunately, the boss was in no mood to hear anyone out, even if it was coming from his one and only admin. He shook his head while having his hand as if he was going to wrap it up quickly. 

"Nah, nah, nah! I'm almost done, Plumeria." 

He turned back to Gladion, who remained still, refusing to look directly at him, a few grunts and Plumeria noticed that he seemed too quiet. Thinking he might talk back or make an attempt to leave like usual, but he just stood there without a single word to be heard. 

"Well? Don't leave me hangin'. You understand where I'm going with this? Don't ever piss me off again, or else." 

After Guzma was finished, there was a full minute of silence, no one moved a muscle until Gladion finally responded. 

"Or else what?" 

He said finally making eye contact time, his response caused Guzma's smirk fade into a frown. He demanded Gladion to repeat himself, in which he did.

"Or else what? What will I regret if I don't follow the orders of a living piece of shit?" 

The boy said, a mixture of looks darted among the grunts watching, which they were about to defend Guzma like they always did, but Gladion knew it was coming, and frankly, he didn't care anymore. 

"Tell me, what would happen if I pissed you off? You'll kick me out of this Rattata infested place you call home? You make your fucken cronies talk crap to me every single fucken day? You'll spread rumors about me or make my life a living hell?? Well guess what, asshole. I already am living in a hellhole every single day! Never once I had a good day here! Only one person treated me like a fucken human being! Go ahead, I don't care anymore. Kick me out, I wasn't ever treated this bad when I was out on my own. If you think I'm going to stand here and one more god damn day with all these low-life pieces of shit! YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND, YOU MOTHER FUCKER!" 

That's when Gladion launched a fist right into the gut of the man, he fell to the ground after the sucker punch from the boy. When he stood back up, his cocky and laid back posture was gone. Now he truly had a bone to pick. Without any delay he slugged Gladion right in his eye, knocking him down just like the man. 

"I'm out of my god damn mind?! You outta YOUR mind to be pickin' a fist fight you can't win! You aren't the only the one who can pull out a sneaky fist without even knowin' it!" 

Before anyone could speak up, Guzma delivered a kick right on Gladion's left shin, in which he shrieked upon the strike. Before could the man could down right stomp right on the kid's chest, he was immediately pulled away from him by Plumeria, Gladion tried to stand back up, but the kick to his shin weighed him down. Bad words and death threats flung  back and forth towards each other. They wanted nothing more than to be released and to beat the shit out of them, but Plumeria finally shut down the fight getting everyone's attention to a stop. 

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" 

No grunt dared to question or disobey their "big sister", so the air was quiet but stuffy in such an unpleasant state. It was probably the loudest shes ever been, also the angriest she could ever recall, so Guzma stopped his own tracks to hear her out. 

"Guzma, you won, no denying it, but drilling rules and shit into Gladion's mind by force isn't going to cut it." She took a deep breath, regaining her cool posture before letting go of the boy, who at this point could topple over at any moment. "I understand startin' a fist fight is more than a stupid idea, but contributing yourself is worse. We aren't getting anywhere through force-." 

She spoke, also being cut off when Guzma managed to release himself from the grip of his grunts, this time not controlling his pounding urge to resume his beating. 

"The hell we aren't! I gave him a roof over his head, and he can't do nothin' in return for me." 

He turns to Gladion, who grew stiff, his reflexes triggered to prepare himself in case the boss decided to throw another fist or foot. What he did in the end wasn't all that bad at this point, but a few grunts in the audience winced through the boy's execution.

"You think I need a brat among my gang? Fuck you, get the fuck out of here! You have an hour to grab whatever shit that belongs to you and FUCK OFF! If you aren't done by then, I'll finish where I left off!" 

Guzma stormed off, pushing any grunts dense enough not to move out of the way, which caused the group to wither away. Plumeria groaned before helping Gladion towards the room he stayed in and plopped on his bed. There was nothing he felt like he could say to turn himself around. He felt like he lost everything, a small hole inside of him slowly consumed him, almost to the point where he felt like he could cry, no way was it to leave the hellhole that made his life a living hell, but what could it be? Was it the throbbing pain in his eye and shin? Could it even be due to him losing his cool? Was embarrassing the only person that treated him decently in Po Town by acting like a wild Pokémon be why he felt so upset?

"Here," The woman pulled out an ice pack from the refrigerator that belonged to a grunt. "It'll ease the swelling." 

"... Thanks."

Gladion weakly responded, placing it right on the spot in which he felt the most pain. He for some reason expecting Plumeria to nag at him saying things like, "what the hell is wrong with you?" or "are you out of your mind?" even "I told you so," even if there wasn't any points to be made. What he heard surprised him, caught a little off guard if he was honest. 

"Huh, that's funny. It's the first time you ever thanked me for anything." 

Plumeria wanted to chuckle, but really didn't have it in her for anything too charismatic after witnessing near bloody violence. It didn't sound right to Gladion, feeling that there was an actual time he thanked her for something else before, but thinking it through, he really couldn't think of any other examples. 

"... I guess?" 

It was all that he could mutter, feeling just as down as the gloomy weather made up of gray clouds and pouring rain. He placed the ice pack on his shin, so that could cool off as well, which felt pleasant with a slight chill. He looked up to the woman, who appeared to be back to her cool demeanor. It was convincing, to the point Galdion questioned if she was trying to play off the last hour, or if she really was over it. His injuries seem to ease for the meantime, but he still felt pretty down in the inside, frustrated more than ever after his ticking point, and slight sorrow for Plumeria. 

"... Sorry. For convincing the asshole that I could fit into this group of clowns from the very beginning." 

Plumeria shrugged, taking it easy on him after Guzma testing his patience. 

"Nah, we're really are nothing more than a group of full grown idiots, but that's why I like my brothers and sisters. They're all idiots, but my idiots." 

She said, even apologizing to Gladion which he also wasn't expecting to hear. 

"I'm sorry if I lost my cool, Guzma's the type of guy to put matters into his own hand, and he wouldn't let up until he got his way." 

Plumeria sighed, standing up while grabbing a few other items from the fridge, which Gladion legit didn't noticed. He stared into the ice pack, trying to figure out where he was going to next. Time was running out, and his choices where he could turn two were running thin, as if he had actual options to begin with. 

"Any ideas in that blond brain of yours?"

Gladion shook his head to the question, he didn't have a clue where he cloud turn at this point, but the suggestion given made him stop cold, just like his ice pack. 

"How bout some place in Melemele? My brothers and sisters are always complaining how happy the kids around your height are, but its only a suggestion." 

That island in particular was the one he purposely tried to avoid, considering that the ones who tried hunting down Null had their organization close to that island. He wanted to stay in Ula'Ula, the farthest island from the organization as possible, but it wasn't the only reason why he didn't want to go to Melemele. 

"I-I can't. I just can't." 

Plumeria shot a guess in the dark, but landed right in the center of Gladion's concern. 

"That's not where your family is by any chance, is it? The one with your sister?"

Gladion nodded, having no room to play dumb or use any bullshit to avoid Plumeria to convince him to return home. 

"... Yes, it is. Look, I know what you're going to say, I should return home, but I won't. I can't." 

It was true that she was going to suggest going to Melemele, but she wasn't that predictable. She chuckled, thinking Gladion really was that gullible to believe that was an idea. 

"I didn't say that. Yes, for whatever reason, you don't want to return back home in particular, but just stay somewhere in Hau'Oli City. You remember those white-dressed dwarves were after you even all the way here. You could try throwing him in for a loop by staying in the big city, could prove a challenge if you blend in." 

It wasn't the worst idea out there, but he still wasn't convinced to go. He was paranoid about running into his sister. He left her behind without properly saying goodbye to her, he couldn't face her after such a long gap. 

"... I just can't imagine what I could do or say if I run into my sister by mistake. I can't face her for leaving her behind all this time. Like, how could I?" 

Right about now, Gladion was expecting some counter to his issue, but the woman didn't speak up right away with an answer that could magically convince him otherwise. What she did say on the other hand really didn't come as a surprise. 

"Well, that ones on you, Gladion. I can't sit here and provide answers to each and everyone of your problems all day long. You were considering saving cute little Nully after whatever it was that was keeping it imprisoned. You better come up with a solution whenever it may be when you run into her by chance, or else you'll look really pathetic by continuing to run away from your problems." 

The boy groaned by how accurate the outcome sounded. He hates to admit it, but deep down, she had a point. He knows that he has to make up with his sister at SOME POINT in time. Now was just not the case, not when the likes of Faba continue to track him down to take Null away from him. He knows he can't keep on hiding at this rate, so he really does need to think of something, at least when the hunt for Null dims out at least. 

"I will, soon enough." 

The boy stood up, taking one last glance of the room he stayed in ever since he was let in Po Town, which is when Plumeria offered some food in a used grocery bag and the umbrella she used for her trip.

"Here, a little something for the road. It ain't much, but better than nothing." 

Gladion hesitated grabbing Plumeria's offerings for himself, but he didn't have much pocket money on him, barely enough to get him a ride towards Melemele Island and dinner at a fast food place for the next two days, so he took them without looking at her in the eye. 

"What's wrong?"

Plumeria asked, the boy refusing to look back up to the woman. Her spike in generosity brought him back to when he first met her, how she gave him a place to stay at the hotel, than in Po Town, and now with supply for his travel. 

"Nothing. I... still can't put together why you're still so kind to me. Especially when I never did anything for you in return. You still help me whenever I need it the most. Why?" 

Plumeria scoffed in a playful manner, recalling the time Gladion asked the same question to when they first met, so she reminded him of what she said a while back. 

"We're friends, and that's all there is to it." 

Speaking of habits that never change between "friends", Pumeria raised her hand with her pinky finger sticking out, in which raised a very faint grin on her face. 

"Pinky promise you won't forget your friend now, Gladion." 

Gladion shook his head back to the thought a grown woman who was part of a shady gang would return to such childish antics. Normally, he would simply walk out the door with nothing more than a "goodbye" but gave into the promise after looking down at the food offered to him, so he went through with only one more time. 

"Okay then... Maybe one day we'll meet outside of this damn hole." 

"Maybe. We'll see. Keep that cutie Nully safe for me too."

Gladion turned away and exited out the door. Leaving the grounds in such bad weather wasn't fun, but a few grunts gave him a rude farewell by saying all sort of mean things to him and a few others laughed at him. He ignored their laughing chatter, leaving no regrets of the place or people he left behind. The sound all he could hear that eventually drowned out the grunts were the splashing raindrops on the ground, which already was music to his ears. 

***

Ever since the day Gladion had his big fight with Guzma, he's been doing much better for himself leaving Po Town behind. The heavy rain began to clear up moving towards the northwest island of the region. The blue sky above was a nice change of pace compared to the gray and black clouds to where he was originally staying. However, his mini break had just ended once arriving onto Melemele. Out of his bubbling ideas, he was considering getting a job to support himself, but thought otherwise. It just seemed out of question, believing there wasn't any positions that he could be qualified for. That was his initial belief until he passed by a hotel with a sign up front that said they were hiring and provided benefits such as "training" and "free meals". It sounded convincing enough, but thought it was too good to be true, until he met the very owner out on the entrance with Herdier. 

"Alola, young man. You interested?" 

Before the startled boy could respond, he was interrupted by the man's Pokémon, who rushed up and sniffed his muddy shoes. It had a good whiff of the boys scent until it was immediately pulled away from the boy by its owner. 

"Aheheh... Sorry about that, Tyrone doesn't know when to stop bugging people like a little knucklehead. But he's my knucklehead. Anyways, you're looking at the owner of the hotel right here, boy. If you'd like, I could give you an interview if you'd like." 

Normally, Gladion wouldn't choose to find himself working in such a sophisticated place because it wasn't in his personal nature. Then again, the benefits and being paid were a good place to convince him otherwise. So he accepted his offer in the end, also taking the advantage of Ernesto's short-staff issue. 

"Welcome to the team! You start tomorrow, bro!" 

The man chuckled, raising his fist in the air for a fist pump, but Gladui didn't immediately respond to Ernesto's action. It was extremely lame thing to do to the boy, more or less worse than a pinky promise back with Plumeria. The man was being a bit childish for someone his age, but was polite and treated him like a human being. So in return, he accepted the bump without saying a word. Gladion's jaw nearly dropped when Ernesto showed him a dorm where he could even stay for the meantime. It was a bonus that the hiring posture didn't list, so it was news to him. Out of all the benefits, this was certainly his favorite.

"This... might not be has bad as I thought it was." 

He thought to himself. No Team Skull grunts to pester him, no needlessly loud rap music, no gloomy weather, no thieving missions, and no Guzma to deal with was just what he needed to move on from the stressful life and to start a new leaf. He ended up dozing off early that night, so he could catch up on his sleep now under more comfortable conditions. 

Several days passed after his basic training has ended, and he has been busy ever sense. Not that it was a concern or inconvenient of him since he doesn't choose to leave the hotel much otherwise, so he's been working good hours. He was currently delivering food to a guest ordering room service. He gently knocked on the door, being granted entrance and walked into a boy's room watching an anime about cheerleading. 

 "Oh, you must be the new guy my cousin mentioned to me yesterday. You can set the pizza on the table please, the tips on the table." 

Gladion felt a bit flustered to be delivering food to Bob, someone more or less his age. He took a deep breath when he slipped the five dollar bill in his dress pants. 

"Th-thank you. Is that all?" 

"Yup. I'm good. Nice to meet you." 

"... You too." 

Gladion said quietly almost to the point where Bob may or may not have heard, but ended up leaving properly so he may resume his job.