I stared at the text messages that constantly popped up on my phone screen and scrubbed the tears from my eyes. Other than the response to Kukui earlier this morning, I hadn’t been able to respond to any of the other text messages. I sighed, about to slam the phone onto my bare mattress when it chimed at me again.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwXNTl1VX5
So they’ve got you too. You want a way out? I can help you. I want out as much as you do.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15RkGG8uRQ
Who are you?copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvoLrRPDSu
A friend.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9YI3byJox
A meow pulled me from my texting. Silas had pushed his head into the room. He peered up at me with grey eyes wide. “Kukui wants to speak with you. Diplomatically if possible.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJBhIw2a3n
I sighed and quickly changed into the floral print shirt and shorts I found in the wardrobe. I looked at the funny red beanie on the dresser, but then decided to keep the PokeSpe Ruby’s hat. It looked better anyway. Shouldering the bag on the end of the bed and stuffing Abernos the Zygarde core in it, I followed Silas into the living room again, careful to tread softly past my mum’s room. Reaching the front door, I stopped and turned to face Silas, rubbing the top of his head affectionately.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡD73SPNPAcu
“Thank you Silas. Would you like to come with me?” I corrected myself hastily, remembering Abernos. “Us, sorry.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX3W6MXDbS
The meowth purred and pawed my leg. “I’d love to Naerie. Someone has to keep you safe from Kukui’s antics one way or another.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXRDAhtqrF
I glanced at the door to my mother’s room. Well, my in game mother. “You sure she won’t mind us going missing?” I asked, not too keen to meet the woman.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn8gLFeLzB
The Kantonian Meowth’s mouth pulled into a tight line. “Once you’ve started the island challenge, she won’t be able to stop you from going. That’s if you’re sure you want to do the challenge.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtXpbTgEQe
“How hard could it be?” I muttered, pushing the door open, allowing the cream coloured feline to perch on my bag. “surely it can’t be that difficult. I mean, Alola doesn’t have gyms.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh6DdxzPQo
“Naerie.” The meowth said simply. “I thought you knew. Many trainers don’t survive the challenge. I’m scared it will be a repeat of last time.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6COAHsI8Ph
Something pushed its way up my throat and I gulped involuntarily. “Last time?” I asked hesitantly.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZeZ9rR9vi
Silas rubbed his cheek against my ribs from where he perched on my bag. “You really don’t remember do you?” He paused for a moment as I made my way down the stairs quietly as the sun peeked over the horizon. “Thank Arceus you don’t.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡhes1OZfKDc
Kukui stood a good distance away from the house, a small dog looking Pokémon by his feet. The puppy appeared to have a really fluffy neck with pointed stones poking out from the fur. A rockruff, I could remember seeing it on one of the Sun and Moon trailers, only solidifying the fact that I was well and truly stuck in the game.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuTgxT1xzY
I sighed and approached Kukui, clutching to the strap of my bag tightly. He glanced up from his screen and flashed me a smile.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5DmBX0bYd
“Naerie! I was almost worried that you wouldn’t come!” He dropped the tablet-like device that he was holding and it floated in the air, a smile appearing on the screen. It was one of the rotom devices one of my friends had been trying to explain to me about a week ago. Seems pretty cute really. “I thought you’d jumped straight back on the first ship to Kanto.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK6eWmKSSA
I wanna be first on the ship out of loserville, but it looks like I don’t have a choice. I wanted to retort haughtily, but then I bit my tongue, stopping myself from hurting the man’s feelings further. Merely shrugging at the man, I gently placed Silas on the ground.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t29hOe99z
“I had a change of heart. Maybe I can do things better this time around.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡd750CmF24Z
There was no hiding the relief on the Professor’s face when I said those words. Thank Arceus, I must had have said something right for once.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhfX6I4pYm
He gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “Nae, I have been wanting to hear those words from you for a very long time. Thank you. If everyone deserves a second chance, no matter what.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSXO079Jkg
I smiled, recalling that Kukui had spent some time in Kanto as a young trainer. Funny how memories that weren’t mine were flooding to mind. Whose life had I stolen? “You got that from Lance now didn’t you?” I asked.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJemgzTstD
“Got me there.” Kukui laughed as he began walking down one of the routes leading away from my house. “I learnt a lot in Kanto.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x6Hbry2Jg
Unless you’re a screw up like me that doesn’t deserve a second chance. The memories hit me hard, leaving me gasping for breath. Kukui and the Pokémon glanced back at me, but I waved them off, breathing deeply to force my legs to move.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx2da8JY8t
“Where are we going?” I enquired as politely as possible as we passed a young boy and his rockruff by a Pokémon centre. I cast the boy a help me, the strange man wants to hurt me look, but the boy seemed to pay no heed. Huh, maybe non-important plot characters just remained the same.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuvrbZInVm
The Professor hadn’t noticed my plea for help to the NPC, not that I could really call them that, because things weren’t quite happening like the game. He called over his shoulder, his rockruff pawing at his feet as he walked. “Iki Town.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGLZDx4KIU
Wow, that name sounded lame as. “The one with the sumo house?”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8OFaPMu7F
“Yep, Kahuna Hala wants to meet with you.” The Professor responded, leading me up a flight of wooden stairs to the centre of a small town. Kukui smiled at me, gently shoving his rockruff off his foot. “Explore for now, I’ll find Hala for you.”copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ20oQbh5CW
I nodded. “Thanks.” And headed off towards the back of the town towards the ruins with Silas at me heels, because why not just get this whole ordeal over and done with already? I pulled out my phone, hoping to Google a walkthrough of the game, but alas and of course, there was no reception. I’d have to try and work things out on my own. Sighing, I began to trudge up the path to the ruins, just passing the line of trees by the edge of town, when something caught my eye. Turning to look, I stopped dead in my tracks. No. Not him. Not yet. That’s impossible.copyright protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhALvzznos
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