Chapter 26: A Battle of Ice and Fire
It was mid-afternoon when Harper and Brandon arrived in Alola. Harper knew they were close to land when she stared out of the window and noticed Wingulls and Pelippers flying outside. She remembered how Brandon explained to her how these bird Pokémon were mainly found near coastlines. Wingulls were known to scavenge about for food and were commonly seen outside fish ’n’ chip stores. Although owners of these stores found them annoying, patrons would throw a chip or two at the birds, with which the Wingulls would gobble up the meal greedily. Brandon explained all of this while they looked out over the harbour in Castelia City.
She was starting to miss Unova. Although not her place of birth, she was beginning to grow attached to the region. Harper enjoyed the few months she spent in Unova and hoped to return one day. But she knew she had a task to do; given to her by Professor Oak. She had to investigate these wormholes.
During the plane ride, Harper asked her friend Brandon what he knew about wormholes. He was the best person to ask; he usually knew random information like that. Harper always questioned how he could remember so much.
“I thought wormholes form only in space,” Brandon confessed. “I remember reading an online encyclopaedia on it once. You can travel from one space to another – millions of light years apart. But how it works, and why it’s occurring in Alola, I can’t answer that.”
“Thanks for explaining wormholes for me, though,” Harper said. “That stuff is too complicated for me. Why the professor entrusted us with this task, I don’t know.”
“We’re good at investigating things,” Brandon laughed. “Plus, I’m sure there will be some scientist in Alola that can help us with this stuff. I heard there’s a research facility. It’s built on an artificial man-made island. I read it’s a haven for Pokémon, and alike.”
“Perhaps that’s the place we should start,” Harper suggested.
“Maybe we should talk to the professor first,” Brandon replied. “I heard the guy is rather good-looking. I wish I looked like that.”
Harper had seen a photograph of the professor. She was surprised when she found he never wears a t-shirt and instead goes around bare-chested. Something like that would be scandalised back in Unova. Everyone back in Unova preferred business coats. Alola was far more relaxed. That was kind of expected for a region in the middle of the ocean.
Before boarding the plane, Harper read up about Alola. According to the article she read, the Alola region was made up of four main islands, with hundreds of smaller islands scattered nearby. The Island they were going to first was Melemele Island, which was the island the professor lived on. Melemele Island only had two major settlements - Iki Town and Hau'oli City. Although about the same size as Castelia City, Hau'oli City was less densely populated. Harper read how the city was famous for its cuisine, including Masalas. She looked forward to eating some of the food. They sounded very tasty.
The plane began to descend, and everyone felt a thump when the plane landed. Alola didn’t have a major airport like other regions, so they landed in a field nearby Iki Town. Harper and Brandon hopped off the plane. Harper could feel the heat blaring down at her. It was far warmer than she was expecting. She had packed a jumper, just in case it was cold. But now she was feeling foolish for even packing that.
The paddock next to the field was full of Miltanks. The pink cow-like Pokémon would eat the grass. Once a day they were milked by the farmers, using their four nipples. In the other paddock had Wooloos, sheep-like Pokémon native to the Galar region – Harper hoped to go there one day.
Waiting on the field was a bare-chested man wearing a lab coat. Harper recognised this was the professor of the region. Next to him was a girl about the same age as Harper and Brandon. She was wearing a light pink dress and a large, brimmed hat. She was holding tight to a bag that was shaped like a Pokéball.
“Welcome, welcome,” said the professor as he approached to greet them. “Alola, as we say in this region. Hello.”
“You’re the professor?” Brandon asked bluntly.
“I sure am,” the man laughed. “I’m Professor Kukui, and this is my apprentice, Lillie. She been helping out and about for me.”
“Hi,” Lillie said, somewhat timidly.
“So, you’re Harper and Brandon,” Professor Kukui asked. “Professor Oak told me a lot about you two. You’re originally from Kanto?”
“We were born there,” Harper explained. “But we were brought up there. I’m from Kansas originally, and Brandon is from Canada.”
“Good to have some American blood here,” the professor laughed. “How about I get you all set up. I’m sure you’re eager to get your new Pokémon. I’m sorry you couldn’t bring your old Pokémon, but the rules are the rules. I sadly don’t make them.”
Professor Kukai took the two kids to the local village, Iki Town. The village had several traditional-looking huts made of wood. There was one building that was bigger than the rest, although built in the same style. The Professor said this is where the local chef lived, known locally as the Kahuna. Outside the massive building was a raised wooden platform which was used for official events and the occasional Pokémon battle.
“First we must introduce you to your new Pokémon,” Professor Kukui explained. “I’ve done a bit of research into both of you and have decided on the best Pokémon based on your personality types. These are native to the region.”
Professor Kukui took out of his lab coat a yellow and black Pokéball. He threw it onto the platform. Out of the ball came a cat-like Pokémon. The Pokémon was cute, especially with its fluffy fur. It had red and black stripes. The Pokémon’s yellow stared at Harper.
“This is a Litten,” the professor explained. “She’s a real feisty thing. Not only is she a fire-type, but she also pulls a few punches. Harper, I know you already miss your old Tepig, so I thought you should have another fire-type Pokémon.”
“Wow, she’s mine?” Harper asked. “She’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”
The cat-like Pokémon rushed towards Harper and pushed her head against her new trainer. The Litten took an immediate liking to Harper. As she patted the Litten, the cat-like Pokemon chirped happily.
“As for Brandon,” the professor continued to explain, “Professor Oak informed me that you use to have a Sandshrew.”
“Correct,” Brandon replied.
“Sadly, we’re not allowed Sandshrews from Kanto. However, we do have a variant,” Professor Kukui said as he took out another Pokéball from his coat. “Here in Alola Sandshrews are different.”
He threw the ball out, and from it came an icy blue Pangolin. Harper recognised the pattern – the Pokémon looked like an igloo – which made up most of its body. She was unaware these types of Pokémon came in that colour.
“Is that a shiny Sandshrew?” Harper asked, sounding somewhat jealous.
“Most outsiders mistake them for shinnies,” the professor said, “but they are quite common in this region. Because of Alola’s unique climate, the familiar Pokémon you get elsewhere look different here. Sandshrews here ice and steel type.”
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“While I’m still angry my old Sandshrew was stolen,” Brandon remarked, “this Sandshrew look pretty cool.”
“How about a battle?” Harper suggested. “Test out our new Pokémon.”
“You bet!” Brandon replied.
The professor nodded, signifying this might be a good idea. So, Harper and Brandon stood on either side of the raised wooden platform. Harper leant down to give her Litten another scratch around the ear. The Pokémon liked this, meowing happily.
“Let’s see what you can do,” Harper said to her Pokémon.
The Litten charged out onto the Battlefield, growling at the opposing Alolan Sandshrew. Harper was aware of Brandon’s usual tactics, so she ordered her Litten to stand her ground. As predicted, the Sandshrew crawled up into the ball and began rolling around the battlefield circling the Litten.
“Stay in place!” Harper yelled. “He’s trying to get you to full into his trap! Stand your ground!”
The Litten did as instructed. As the Sandshrew rolled towards the Litten to strike, the Litten leapt out of the way. The Sandshrew left a path of water vapour whenever it went. The Litten had to be careful since it was weak against water-type attacks. Harper was unsure what moves Brandon’s Sandshrew had learned yet.
“Use Ember!” Harper yelled.
The Litten crouched, readying herself. Out of its mouth came a fireball. Although it was directed at the Sandshrew, the opposing Pokémon was too fast and rolled away before the attack could strike him.
“Fire Fang!” Harper instructed. It was a risky move since it involved her Litten getting close to her opponent.
As the Sandshrew rolled past, the Litten leapt at the Pokémon and took an almighty bite at the Sandshrew’s feet. While this only slowed the Pokémon down, it gave the Litten the chance to do another fireball, this time knocking the Sandshrew out.
“Harper wins the battle!” Professor Kukui said as he approached her to congratulate her.
“That was a good battle,” Brandon said. “I very much enjoyed it. You’ve gotten better at Pokémon battles.”
“I learn from the best,” Harper said. All those evenings with Gary back in Pallet Town paid off. “But you were good too.”
“Thanks,” Brandon replied.
After shaking hands, the two followed the professor back to his laboratory – which was an old shack near the beach – where he prepared them a meal. Harper was excited to explore the rest of the island. However, she would have to wait till tomorrow.
The next day, Harper woke early. After having a short breakfast – consisting of oaks with syrup on top – she eagerly went to the beach. It’s been a while since she had seen a beach, and the last time she experience sand was during a sandstorm. So, Harper got a pleasant feeling when she placed her barefoot onto the warm sand. She walked up to the shoreline. The water was calm, and the occasional wave came crashing to Harper’s feet – but not tall enough to get her soaking wet.
In the distance, she noticed a strange creature. It was some purple thing, with ten chunky tentacles coming out of its head. It quickly dawned on Harper what she was looking at. It was a Mareanie. The Pokémon was stalking its prey, a Corsola paddling out in the ocean. Harper thought about catching the Mareanie but decided against it for now. At that moment, she only had a fire-type Pokemon, which was ineffective against a water-type like Mareanie. Harper decided she would have to find a Pokémon that is strong against water types first.
Since she was eager to catch more Pokémon, Harper made her way back to Ike Town. The day earlier she noticed there was a patch of grass near the town. The locals mentioned how bug-type Pokémon could be found in the grass, feeding off berries. That was the place Harper was going to look.
When she arrived, there were no Pokémon in sight. An elderly lady suggested Harper leave a few berries, which would attract Pokémon. So, Harper did as she was advised. Soon a small bug-like Pokémon popped out of the grass. Harper had seen pictures of them before, a Grubbin, which had a circler body like an American Football and short stubby legs. The Pokémon had two mandibles that it could use for attacking. Unlike the usual Grubbin, which had a yellow body, this one was red. It was a shiny Pokémon. Harper knew she had to catch this one.
She threw out a Pokéball, and from the ball came her Litten. The Pokémon meowed as she leapt from the ball. Harper knew fire-types were effective against bug-types. She knew fire-type moves would easily knock the Grubbin out, so the Litten was going to have to use less powerful attacks.
“Wear it down for a bit,” Harper suggested.
She knew no matter what the Grubbin threw at the Litten, it wasn’t going to affect her Pokémon. The Grubbin shotted out some spray stuff, which blinded the Litten. But this didn’t bother Harper’s Pokémon, since the Litten didn’t need to rely on accuracy in this battle.
“I think you’ve worn it down enough,” Harper instructed. “Give it a good swipe.”
The Litten did as told, swiping at the Grubbin with her claws. This knocked the Grubbin back, giving Harper the chance to catch the Pokémon. There was a local PokéMart where Harper brought some new Pokéballs. Getting one out of her bag, she aimed the Pokéball at the Grubbin. She quickly threw the ball at the Pokémon, hitting it. The Pokémon immediately was absorbed by the Pokéball. The ball nudged a bit, before glowing, signifying the Pokémon had been caught.
Harper ran up and picked up the Pokéball. She could believe how easy it was, and that she had caught a shiny. She could wait to tell everyone back at the professor’s lab what she had just achieved.
Meanwhile, Brandon was down the streets of Hau'oli City. The place wasn’t as hectic as Castelia City, which Brandon was glad about. There weren’t too many people, and the people who were there weren’t in a rush to get anywhere fast. Brandon noticed the city had a local bookstore. While Brandon usually bought his books online using his digital e-book (although he owned a massive backpack, he could store too many books in there or else it would get too heavy), he would occasionally go into a bookstore to see what the newest releases are.
On one of the stands was a book. It was a new released. Brandon quickly looked at the back cover. It was written by a kid named Jayden, who was supposably a local to the place. The kid had written about his adventures and published it as a memoir. Brandon flicked through the book and was horrified to see large passages of the book were plagiarized. The kid had plagiarized Brandon directly. Occasionally the author would stop mid-narrative and include complete encyclopaedia entries. Brandon was aware these were encyclopaedia entries since he helped write them (he would occasionally write entries for Poképedia). This kid had plagiarized Brandon’s work!
Brandon quickly discovered the author was on a book tour and would do a signing in the bookstore later that evening – which is why the book was on display. Brandon knew he would have to confront this guy. So, he waited around the bookstore for a few hours, when Jayden eventually turned up.
The kid was signing books when Brandon approached him. Jayden looked at Brandon weirdly, since Brandon didn’t have a book to give him.
“You stole my work,” Brandon said bitterly.
“I stole what?” the kid seemed confused.
“My Poképedia entries,” Brandon stated. “The ones on Bulbasaur and Sandshrew. I wrote those entries. And you included them in your book without my permission.”
“Yeah… right… that’s stuff is in the public domain,” Jayden tried to explain. “I’m free allowed to use that stuff anyway.”
“Yeah… it’s in the public domain. Now more along!” said another kid – he was a blond kid named Lincoln. Brandon would eventually find out this kid would hang on to every word Jayden said. It was like the boy was jinxed or hypnotised.
“No!” Brandon said forcefully. “That does give you the excuse to steal other people’s work.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Jayden laughed. “Sue me? I doubt you have the money for lawyers. You’re just some backpacker nobody.”
“I can at least challenge you to a Pokémon battle,” Brandon said. “If I win, you remove all that stolen stuff from your book.”
“Fine,” Jayden said. “But if I win, I’ll make you clean my bathroom… with your very own toothbrush.”
“You’re on,” Brandon exclaimed.
Because the bookstore didn’t want them to cause any messes, Brandon and Jayden took the battle outside, using the high street as the battlefield. Because the city wasn’t too busy, they didn’t have to worry about oncoming cars, since they rarely ever went down the main street.
“Let’s teach this kid a lesson or two,” Jayden said, as he rubbed his balls for good luck. Out of the ball came a Kantonian Sandshrew, like the one Brandon use to own.
Brandon threw out his Pokéball, with his Alolan Sandshrew leaping out.
“I thought you couldn’t bring those Pokémon here?” Brandon asked.
“I’m famous!” Jayden sneered. “I can get away with whatever I want.”
Brandon ordered his Alolan Sanshrew to crawl up into a ball to roll around the opposing Sandshrew to dodge its attack. While this plan sounded good on paper, Jayden’s Sandshrew did the same thing. The two were circling each other, neither Pokémon getting close to attacking the other.
“Hey, Sandshrew,” Brandon yelled, “go for a strike. I think I see an opening.”
His Sandshrew approached the opposing Pokémon and was about to leap on it for a strike when the Kantonian Sandshrew leapt at Brandon’s Pokémon. Out of the opposing Pokémon’s mouth came a fireball. Like with his battle with Harper, his new Sandshrew was weak against fire-type moves. This knocked his Pokémon out.
“That’s unfair!” Brandon yelled. “That’s an illegal move! You can’t teach your Pokémon that!”
“It’s only cheating if your get caught,” Lincoln said, jumping up and down in excitement.
Jayden smugly walked up to Brandon.
“Kaboom!” he said jeeringly. “10 am tomorrow, on the clock. I’m expecting you to clean my toilet. No excuses.”
And with that, the two walk off. Because the kid didn’t tell Brandon where he lived, he knew he didn’t have to live up to his promise. Plus, Brandon didn’t want to degrade himself like that. Hopefully, he wouldn’t come across Jayden again.