The Guardian of Alola

Chapter 8: To The Eve of the Eighth

Hau was tingling with energy. The last time he felt like this was exactly five years ago during the second Alolan League Championship. He could still vividly remember the evening of the conference: the torches lighting up the center battlefield of the stadium, the numerous long tables filled with different Alolan cuisines from all four islands, and the League participants gathered together in a night of celebration. The Elite Four stood on the stage and on the middle was none other the Champion.

Now, standing on the same stage overlooking the celebration, the memories came rushing back to him like a dream. The Elite Four was standing evenly behind him – all proud and powerful. At his left, Molayne smiled at Sophocles who was waving from the crowd while Olivia nodded pleasantly at her trial captains waiting by their table. Opposite to the two, Acerola was rocking on her heels with an excited grin on her face while Kahili kept a stern face as she surveyed each Trainer before them.

Hau could see Lillie and Gladion with Silvally which is already munching happily on one of its favorite foods on the table. Plumeria and Guzma were also there, catching up with the future Aether president. Ilima was chatting with the former Fairy-type trial captain and the kahuna of Poni Island. Professor Kukui was standing by the side of the stage, talking to Hala and Nanu who both will preside over the battles of the week-long championship together with Hapu and Olivia.

A stage member approached Olivia and handed her a microphone. The crowd turned their attention to the Rock-type Elite Four member as she walked forward on the stage. "Alola ahiahi, future champions! It's the eve of the eighth Alolan League Championship and we pay tribute to the bounty of the region and the strength of its warriors. Eat up, have fun, and tomorrow we shall take the stage and show the world the power of Alola!"

The crowd cheered wildly. Olivia nodded to the Champion and the rest of the Elite Four and they dispersed to the crowd. Hau jumped on the chance to join Gladion, Lillie, Plumeria, and Guzma on their table. He grabbed a plate of assorted malasadas with one hand while bringing out his Pokéballs with another to call out his Pokémon and let them have some fun.

"Lillie!" Hau waved as he approached them, almost bumping against an Espeon that brushed past him. He gave his girlfriend a one-arm hug. "Congrats for making in the League. I'm so proud of you!"

Lillie smiled giddily. "Thank you, Hau! We will do our best, isn't that right, Shiron?"

"Kyuu!"

Gladion regarded Hau with an appraising look. "Seems the conference started right."

"Yeah!" He happily stuffed his mouth with a malasada. "'Ish too good to be true!"

A smile quirked at the edge of Plumeria's lips. "It seems our Champion is in high spirits tonight. I wonder if that's a bad omen for us challengers."

"Heh. If it is, big bad Guzma doesn't mind a challenge."

Hau swallowed his food and turned to the former Team Skull leader. "I'm surprised you're here, Guzma-san. It's been a while since you stepped on the League."

Guzma scratched the back of his head bashfully. "A lil' proddin' here and there is what I need. Plums here helped a lot."

Plumeria shook her head. A mischievous smile on her lips. "You mean how I got the grunts to help me get through that thick skull of yours?" She turned to the two younger men as she jabbed a thumb at Guzma. "My little bros and sis won't stop getting in his hair until he agrees to join the League. You should have seen his face when they flocked over him like Pikipek in a feeding spree when I told them about the open League."

"They're a bunch of rowdy kids." Guzma huffed as he tucked his hands inside his pockets. "They're in fer a good ol' scoldin' if they make a mess during the League."