I could get used to this heat on my skin.
I've never visited Alola before, my first impression of it was the warm glow radiating from the sun. I breathed in the salt air and hugged Arrow. "Return!" He wanes into the light and absorbs into his pokèball.
My black hair whipped around my face as the ocean wind kicked up. I needed a place to stay. Pulling my wallet out I remember that I had drained my bank account and stocked up on cash.
The confrontation with Giovanni was still fresh in my mind, I push it away for now. I could dwell on those events once I had a place to stay in. I tighten my brown boots and trudge towards town.
"Welcome to Akala island! Would you like a buy a malasada?" A small girl quips as I enter town.
"I would love to!" My stomach growled and I handed over some money in exchange for the sweet confection. "Mmmm," I chew and notice the red top of a Pokémon Center. Score. I head that way, licking cinnamon from my fingers as I go.
Nurse Joy greets me with a smile, "welcome to the Pokémon center! Would you like to rest your Pokémon?"
"Yes," I reply, pulling out 4 pokèballs and setting them on the tray Nurse Joy has extended towards me. "Thank you. May I search for a rental here?"
"Of course." She beckons to a row of P.C's along the wall. "The beige ones are specifically for rentals. Feel free to scroll through and when you've made your choice I process your payment and provide the keys."
The simplicity was boggling and relieving. "Great, I'll do that while you refresh my partners."
Click. Scroll. Click click. Scroll. I need something that's away from town, almost hidden. Eventually I found a grassy hut, at the edge of the Lush Jungle. It seemed well off the beaten path, it was cheap enough and had a large bath inside.
"Your Pokémon are ready, miss!" Nurse Joy called out.
"Perfect timing, here's the rental I would like." I handed over a small disk, which she pops into her computer. She smiles and hands me the keys.
"Can I pay the first 4 months up front?" I inquire.
"Of course! Most trainers do advanced payments. It's easy to lose track of time when you're training. Are you here to complete the island challenge?"
I pause, I hadn't decided on a cover story… what an idiot. "Maybe. I'm just looking for the healing power of the ocean air for now. I just turned 18, I'm still figuring out what I want in life. As well as what I want as a Pokémon trainer."
Nurse Joy smiles, "whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll be successful. Something about the way you carry yourself tells me that."
I carry myself as if I've had the shit beat out of me all my life and I have a bone to pick because of it. I'm sure she doesn't realize that's what it is, though.
"Thank you!" I wave as I walk out of the doors.
The hut certainly was grassy; the roof literally being made from large tree leaves, the sides of the hut were large hunks of bark, littered with moss. My new home. It was more inviting than the Team Rocket base I had grown up in.
When I was born Giovanni waited until I could walk, talk and somewhat take care of myself. Then he took me from my mother.
In the Pokémon world there is no "child support" or visitation rights. In this world the strong survive. My father mortally wounded my mother's main partner Pokémon and took his leave, my screaming body in tow.
These memories are blurred, as I was so young when it happened. My father refused to speak of my mother, referring to her as a, "weak woman." My vague memories of her are comforting. She always smelled spicy, like Chople berries.
I clutch the necklace that she gave me. Well, more like she placed it over my neck before her and my father started their battle. I've had it with me ever since. Shaped like a diamond, lodged inside of a disk that resembles a TM, on a silver chain. The only item I had brought with me, other than my pokèballs.
I take a deep breath and unlock the hut, stepping inside I smile at my surroundings. Comfy wooden furniture lines one wall, a small TV is tucked into the corner, kitchen table and a single bedroom.
The bathroom connects to the bedroom, with a large tub but no shower. It's quaint and perfect.
"Everyone come out!" I toss my 4 pokèballs into the air and my team emerges. Aerodactyl, Kangaskhan, Nidoking and Ninetails. All of my friends, and the Pokémon from my mother.
When Giovanni took me from my mother all that I had was the necklace and a small drawstring bag. Where these 4 pokèballs were tucked away. Nidoking and Ninetails were first evolutions at the time. I trained hard to get as powerful as I am. I trained so that one day I could defeat my father.
Why only 4 Pokémon? Because I hadn't bonded with any others. Any Pokémon offered to me by Team Rocket had been acquired through nefarious means. I decided to only train the Pokémon from my mother until I had the chance to catch my own.
I had spent the last 14 years honing my skills as a Pokémon trainer. Battling Team Rocket grunts tirelessly each day. I didn't go to school and instead I was tutored until I was 10 years old. I didn't get to join or play with other children.
I have essentially spent my life alone. I could continue the trend here, in Alola. I would continue to become more powerful, catch the two final Pokémon for my team and then go back to challenge Giovanni.
Which brings me to another issue. My name. Vanni. An obvious narcissistic flex from my father. My nickname is Jun. My new alias would be Jun. I'd be surprised if Giovanni even knew that, since my mother blessed me with that name.
"You guys can sleep here in the living area. Protect the hut please. I've got to get some rest." With that I collapse into a mattress that smells of wind and leaves. Tomorrow the real training begins.