They of the Sun
Chapter One: Mahalo Trail Bridge Is Falling Down, Falling Down

     Here it was: the dreaded day.

     I placed my cap on my head as I shoved my feet into my shoes. Meowth's paw darted out one of the boxes left over from when we had been unpacking. It was trying to go for my shoelace. A small, genuine smile fell on my lips as I pushed the Pokémon away.

     There was a knock at my door. "Cyra? Are you ready? You remember where Iki Town is, right? Meowth is coming with me. Poor thing needed some fresh air. Have fun!"

     I didn't get a chance to answer my mom before she was out the front door and gone, in a hurry to go do her hula dancing with the ladies from the salon in Hau'oli City. I squatted down by the box, lifting the flap up to peer at the feline creature, "You heard the lady... Ya better hurry."

     Meowth skittered out of the box to catch up to my mom. I searched around for my bag as an excuse to not be anywhere near my mom. The celebration was in an hour and I was almost late. I hopped down the steps, taking the way I would to get to school, but this time I veered off to the right to head north.

     I walked past the occasional traveling trainer but anytime they made eye contact with me I could only wave them off, leaving them confused. And probably let down. But who cared? It was nice and every time I took a deep breath I could smell the ocean; it wasn't too far away...

     Maybe, I could jump in and never be seen again, like a Kyogre. Hah. Kidding. I hated swimming, but I mused the idea in my head the entire time, unaware of the rustling in a nearby bush. There was a sudden cry as a Pokémon flung itself out at me, skidding to a stop in front of me. I probably should've convinced mom to let me take Meowth with me?

     The Pokémon was small, with brown fur and a yellow stripe going from its head to the tip of its tail. Its sharp teeth were bared in what looked like a menacing grin as it stared at me. An angered growl escaped its mouth and I held my breath. I wasn't sure of what to do. I couldn't run since it was right in the way I was needing to go; avoiding the grass that went up to my chest.

     I didn't get a chance to think further as I felt my body take a fighting stance, the small Pokémon launching itself in my direction, ready to bite my head off. The world slowed as I went to take a sideswipe to knock it away, but it's head turned, allowing its teeth to graze into the flesh of my hand. I didn't bring my hand back; even as pain seared through it. I could hear a yell from behind me then a rush of air by my head causing my dark hair to fan into my face, obscuring my vision. I swiped my hair away, scowling down at the four-legged, brown fluff. It's blue eyes were locked in a staring match with the other Pokémon and the rocks jutting from its mane seemed to quiver from its low growl.

     "Lycanroc! Headbutt!" Someone called out, the brown creature let out a bark before lowering its head to ram into the other Pokémon that immediately bounced away and scurried off into the bushes. The Lycanroc turned around with a sense of pride in it's blue eyes, it's tail wagging. "Good job, you!"

     I whipped around as a beam of red light engulfed the floof of a Pokemon, letting my hand drop. I winced slightly as the raw skin burned when it rubbed against the rough denim of my shorts. The boy in a striped shirt was tucking his Poké Ball back into his bag. He was smiling widely at me like he's always known me but he only seemed vaguely familiar. His ocean eyes were concerned. I blankly stared at him as he approached. "Are you alright? That's wild how you just started fighting a Yungoos!"

     I raised an eyebrow at him, taking a few steps away. A noodle of a boy or not, he was still a stranger.. "I'm trying to get to Iki Town."

     "Oh, are you going to the Trial Celebration?" A silence quickly settled between us as I wasn't much for talking... or getting to know anyone in general. I just wanted to get through with my schooling and find my own thing to do. I didn't want to be here in Alola, but even more I didn't want to go back to Sinnoh. "Your hand! We should get you bandages"

     I glanced down at my hand, the scratch hanging out against my shorts and leaving a small stain of blood. Great. I lifted my hand up, examining the damage. He gestured for me to follow him after adjusting his hat, talking in an overly-friendly manner. "So, are you new to these parts?"

     "Sinnoh." I said, keeping my sentences clipped and short. Arceus, I fucking hate having injuries. "A month ago."

     He nodded his head, "Ah, gotcha. I figured you were new... Did Rowan not give you a Pokémon?"

     I shook my head no. He had been too into his work with a Professor from a different region that also studied evolution... some odd kind of Evolution that was only recently being spread across the battlefields. But what about before that? I inhaled at the thought, shrugging.

     "Well, maybe today will be your lucky day!" His smile was as bright as the sun, as he pointed up at the arch that led into the town. "The Kahuna of Melemele gives Trial-Goers their first partners. And the Professor will be there, too... but he hasn't given out any Dexes recently."

     I highly doubt it. I kept my mouth shut, knowing there was no way I'd be found worthy or noticed. No one ever noticed a thing, really.

     "I almost forgot to ask! What's your name?"

     "Cyra." I said, absently, as we walked through the town to a wooden pedestal painted with tribal markings around the edges. I ran my fingers across the pattern, mesmerized. In Alolan History we learned that tribal markings had a meaning and I found myself wishing I knew what they meant.

     "Cyra," he repeated, pulling his arms behind his head. "Oh! I think I know you! I'm Senay. Or simply Sen."

     I shrugged, absolutely uncertain of who he was... he said something about finding "Lillie", but I was too focused on the markings... and drowning out his presence now that I wasn't under a Pokemon attack... A movement of white caught my attention from the other side of the wooden stage. And there she was.

     The pretty girl that had delivered the invitations was standing at the start of a path, thickly surrounded by jungle. Her head was turned, looking at the dirt beside her. But her lips were moving as if she were talking to someone. She looked forward but my eyes caught on her duffel bag again as it seemed to breathe. I found myself following her, sticking near the shadows of the trees.

     The pathway was logs encrusted into the dirt like steps. Every now and then there was a strange statue with tribal markings and an open mouth that I believed was a Guardian Deity. The air was humid and there were small bug Pokémon flying around, watching me closely. "Nebby! You know you can't get out of your bag."

     I tried to not make any sound as I approached, holding my already labored breath; the stinging in my hand had subsided. Ahead of me was a small ravine with a rickety bridge to cross over, ready to fall apart. On the bridge was a cloud of stars and purple dust, cheerfully floating and looking back at the girl. "Come back!"

     A "caw" came from the sky, followed by more and more. And a flock of Spearow were flocking around the bridge and she cried out to Nebby, then looked around with panic. She spun fully around and her eyes locked with mine. Today is not my day.

     "Help," her eyes pleaded. And I grit my teeth together in irritation. She could do this on her fucking own. It was her rampant dust bunny being attacked, not mine. But the way her eyes bore into me made mine drift down to look at the trembling Pokémon. Stars escaped its eyes and I rolled the entirety of my head with annoyance. Arceus Almighty, people are helpless. I moved towards the bridge, ripping off my hat and stuffing it into my bag to shove it into her hands.

     I really really hated water.

     I felt my legs tremble as I took a step onto the sketchy slabs of wood thrown together. My hand gripped the rails of the bridge, splintering rope digging into my raw skin.

     Breathe. I told myself as I inhaled deeply, straightening my spine like this wasn't the most terrifying moment of my life. Gusts of wind from the wings of the Spearow shook the bridge, the rush from the nearby waterfall didn't help much either. I raised my arms, gritting my teeth each time a talon skimmed my skin. My hair was tangled all over my face as I lowered myself over the small creature, trembling. If I could just lift it up without being defenseless...

     The world seemed to brighten then, like the sun had lowered itself closer to the earth... and then turned green, almost grainy. A force emanated around my body causing the bridge to creak and then... crack. Mahalo Trail Bridge was falling down. I felt the air rush up to my ears and the roaring of static thunder. I curled my body closer to the Pokémon, instinctively protecting it. The girl was shouting far above us. And then the falling stopped but the water never came. Did I die?

      I could only hope.