They of the Sun
Chapter Two: Val Hala

     My insides lurched as the direction shifted.

     And I peeked an eye open to find myself flying back towards the ground, being set down gently.

     There it was... What I could've only assumed to be a Tapu. It's thin black body- the lower half being orange with leg-like tendrils coming down and it's face adorned with white and yellow markings; an orange and yellow plume rose from its head- was protected by two halves a yellow shell decorated with black diamond outlines with white and orange diamonds inside, and white triangles where the edges connected were attached to its arms, acting as shields. The creature backed away from me with a cry, its eyes meeting mine, "Koko!"

     Lightning surrounded its body and it vanished in a streak across the sky. The blonde's gasp of relief pulled me out of my awe,"You're okay!"

     I was aware of the cosmic dust bunny on my lap and I pushed it off, sending it rushing towards her and into her bag. Her voice became stern, "Nebby! You need to be more careful. You almost got her killed."

     I wish. I stood, dusting myself off and took my bag from her. She began to speak quickly, "I... um... thank you so much. There's no way I could ever repay you. And I just... um..."

     I stared at her blankly, placing my bag over my shoulder again and turning on my toes to walk away. "W-wait!"- I paused for her to speak- "I know I'm asking a lot and it's out of line... but I'm scared of being attacked again, could you walk back with me?"

     I closed my eyes, trying to calm my anger. She nearly got me killed and now she wanted me to walk her on a particularly harmless path? I don't know what fantasy world she lived in where she thought I'd suddenly treat her like we were best of buds; nonetheless, I didn't want to be a part of it. I looked over my shoulder with a particularly cold smirk, shattering her hopeful look.

     "Fuck off."

     And she stayed there, making the walk back particularly peaceful... almost like the little incident hadn't happened. And to no one but she and I, it hadn't. My mind wandered to the Pokémon who's aura was charged with electricity; had that really been a Tapu?I scoffed, as if a fickle Guardian would come to my aid. Maybe for the smaller Pokémon... but why?

     The thoughts cleared my mind once I entered back into the town, a crowd of people starting to build. "Cyra, hey!What happened to you?!"

     I wish I could see myself in the window of a nearby house. But I couldn't so I glanced down at myself. My arms had scratches from the Spearow talons and my hand still had that small chunk of skin gone. There were small rips in my clothing. I looked emo as hell and I internally groaned. I wanted to just go home. I would even rather be at school.

     "I found a medical kit in the Kahuna's house, I'm sure he won't mind."

     Sen gestures for me to follow to a large hut-house. Outside were tiki torches in a small path. He held the door open for me and I looked around at all the tribal tapestry and tropical feeling furniture. It was open and airy and relaxing.

     Before I knew it, Sen was holding my arms to disinfect and bandage. "They're just scratches..."

     "Yes,"Sin said, "But they're bleeding, cousin... a virus could get into your bloodstream or it can easily get infected!"

He had gotten to my hand, where there were teeth marks and a little bit of flesh gone. Sen's hands were pretty rough for how scrawny he was. It was almost like he spent all his time climbing trees with Aipom.

     "Hey, gramps! Let's get this started!"

     I turned my head to face the tan boy with dark, dark, dark green hair tied up in a messy ponytail. His clothing was equally as sloppy. He gave us a confused look. "Senay... who is she?"

     "Hau!"Sen smiled brightly, "Kahuna isn't here... This is Cyra! From school."

     "Oooh! The girl who got pulled into the principal's office..." Hau stated, making an itchy irritation pop up. How fucking pleasant. But it clicked then, who they were. The dynamic duo that always thought it was funny to prank the teachers senselessly. Lovely.

     "Are you here for the celebration?" Hau asked me, a big smile forming on his face. One that I didn't return.

     "Sure," I said coldly, turning my attention away as the girl, who clearly had been crying, entered behind Hau. She remained calm and collected.. now. She was Lillie.

     "Hey, do you know Cyra?!" Hau was pointing at me then and I could've bit his hand, just how Yungoos had bitten mine.

     "We don't," I snapped just as Lillie said, "She saved Nebby."

     He looked between us. "She saved Nebby? Is that why she's all scratched up?"

     Lillie nodded before her green eyes met mine and she held her hand out, in it was a sparkling      stone. There was dirt all over it but it still shone brightly. "I think this was left for you."

     I just stared at it then I looked at her with a raised brow. A pink formed around her cheeks as she took a few steps towards me and dropped it on my lap. I didn't care for a stone that was just found on the ground, but I took it anyway in hopes I could just be left alone. I grabbed it as I stood to walk around them, making my way outside.

     I couldn't wait to leave.

     I could hear Hau speak, but it was muddled by the walls between me and them. "She's kinda grumpy, huh?"

     I didn't wait to hear Lillie's response. I bet they would be grumpy if they were just plucked from their home and sent somewhere far away. I bet they would be grumpy if their whole world was turned upside down by someone's obsession with something that wasn't ever meant to exist. I. Just. Bet.

     At the entryway of the town was a small crowd gathering to see something. Maybe some crazy accident had happened. I snorted at the irony. I pushed my way through the crowd, but when I got to the front I saw a big, beefy man heading up the steps. His wooden sandals made a loud clomp each time he took a step. He had a yellow vest he wore (which reminded me of Hau's ugly shorts), a blue shirt under, and white shorts held up by a white belt over his shirt. There was a red and white fold-up fan stuck in the belt. And the closer I looked at the man, I realized there was more of him that reminded me of Hau. This had to be Hau's grandpa. Before I knew it, the man was looming over me squinting down from beneath bushy eyebrows. "Young lady... What's that you got there."

     I furrowed my brows, my hand tightening around the stone, imagining that's what he was talking about. "None of your business."

     The crowd went silent like I had done the most forbidden thing on the planet.

     I expected the old man to get mad and punch me all the way to Kanto. But instead he busted out into a roar of laughter. The crowd around me was just as unsure as I was on how to respond. Once his laughter settled he set a big meaty hand on my shoulder.

     "I knew I had heard Tapu Koko's cry," the man said with a smile, "and I can see why. May I see the stone?"

     I didn't think twice before handing it to him. I made no expression as I watched him pocket my item. It wasn't mine to keep. He gestured for me to follow him back to the pedestal, the crowd dispersing. "Don't worry you'll get your stone back. But first-"

     "Gramps!" Hau yelled, bounding toward us and waving wildly. Sen and Lillie were following him. Lillie watched me with a tentative green gaze. Good. Hau acknowledged me with a smile, "Hey, Cyra."

     Hau's grandpa raised a brow, looking between the two of us. "You two know each other?"

     "Hardly," I scoffed.

     "She saved Nebby out by the Ruins," Sen started with pure excitement. "According to Lillie. The Tapu saved her from falling off the bridge."

     Everyone was eyeing me with interest. All I wanted was to escape. I did my good deed for the next ten years. Couldn't I just catch a break? The answer seemed unlikely as Hau's grandpa spoke. "It seems the Tapus have something in mind for you."

     "The Tapus have nothing in mind for me," I said, raising my chin as I went on my merry way home.They had nothing in store for me because this was one big, huge mistake. A mighty force grabbed the collar of my shirt as I was dragged back.

     "Well, you're in luck. The Kahuna's are the ones whom beginning Trial-Goers get their Pokémon from. And I just so happen to be the Kahuna of Melemele, Hala."

     I got why everyone was so uptight about how I'd spoken to Hala. He was the Kahuna. He was basically godly: The big guy. Big deal. Val Hala. I rolled my eyes, catching sight of the people that were beginning to gather around the platform in the distance. Hala nodded, seeming to decide on something without the consent of anyone else.

"LET'S GET STARTED."