From The Ground Up (A Heart Of A Champion Prequel)

Chapter 4- Island Challenger

I was breathing heavily from all the other running we did and sweat was dripping from my forehead as I entered the Professors' house. I greeted them both and they offered me a seat which I took. I looked to Kukui and asked him, "So now that we've got the stadium ready to get built, what's next." Kukui started, "Oh, we should- WAIT WHAT!?" I reeled and then facepalmed myself, "Ah! I'm so sorry Kukui I forgot to tell you, I'm not quite all there as you know. Yeah, I brokered a deal and construction on the stadium starts tomorrow, Manalo Stadium on Poni island." I was going to continue but Kukui ran over me and hoisted me in to the air, "I can't believe it!! Thank you so much Sun!!" I chuckled and replied, "Er- yeah it's fine." He put me down while Burnet happily laughed behind her hand. Kukui then tilted his head, "Wait, how'd you get the deal done?" I shrugged, "I'm paying for half. Means my whole salary will be going to it for a year." Kukui reeled, "EH!? But what if you lose! What if..." I put my hand up, "You want a Champion respected the world over? Trust me then. If I lose within a year nobody will think I'm good enough to be on the world stage. I got this." Burnet stood up, "I believe in you Sun. He can do it honey." Kukui looked to his wife, "A-alright. I trust you too Sun." I nodded, "Ok then. Here's my plan, I'm going on an island tour, every island in Alola, I want the highest ranked contender from each and I wanna battle them in their backyard." Kukui put his hand on his head, "I thought you didn't want to lose your title! That's crazy!" I shrugged, "It's only crazy if it doesn't work, if it does it's genius. I'll get fans from all over Alola, they'll want to pack the stadium, it'll give them hope that they have a true Champion they can follow. A Champion they can be proud of. Whether you're with me or not I'm gonna do it. So I'll ask now. Are you in?" I extended my fist for a fist bump. Kukui smiled and accepted, "All in. Let's get to work."

The stadium would be finished in a year and a half from now. I stopped by from time to time to watch the groundwork when I would train on Poni island sometimes. I was getting in to really good shape and so was my team. There were times when I was even able to forget that Lillie wasn't here. I'm not 100% but little by little I'm getting there, and I'm proud of myself. Just today Alolan News Network announced my Island Tour, A battle on Melemele vs Kahuna Hala, a battle on Ula'Ula' Island with Acerola, one with Lana on Akala Island, and lastly Hapu had agreed to a showdown on Poni. Sure I've beaten them all at one time or another, but that was at my peak, where I am now I'll be ready to prove myself again. My first match was with Hala, it will be on Hau'Oli City's beach. I went there today to train with my team. We put in a good amount of work, And for the first time in weeks I felt confident. I'm gonna do this. I have to.

I arrived back home and my Mom greeted me, "Welcome back Sun. I have some excellent news for you." I smiled, "Yeah?" She smiled, "I got a letter today... from Lillie!" I smiled really widely and hugged my Mom, "That's amazing! Ah! I'm so glad!" She handed it to me and I took it to my room after thanking her. I sat down at the desk I had in the corner of my room and opened the letter carefully. I pulled out the sheet of computer paper that had Lillie's writing on it.

Dear Sun

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving, I just didn't want you to be sad for my sake when you saw me go. Yet you saw it anyway, and I felt, well I really still feel horrible. I'm staying at the hospital here with Mother, it will be months, maybe even years before the procedure will get done, and that's when I'll finally be able to return. I know I probably hurt you, and I'm so sorry, I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. You've always been there for me for as long as I've known you and I want to be there for you too. I can't though. I'm counting down the days until I can come back, not that you care, if this is the last you want to hear from me, then just know... thank you. Thank you for helping me to be confident, for helping me to be a better person, and for being my friend when I so desperately needed one.

Thank you.
Lillie

I frowned, sounds like she took it really hard as well. She won't be able to come back for a long time... I feel bad that she thinks I hate her for what she did, like I wouldn't do the exact same thing if my Mom was in trouble. I'm really glad that she still wants to keep in touch though! I decided to write my own letter back, I was in a sort of free-flowing state of mind and I was able to write the whole thing in one sitting.

Dear Lillie,

First off, thanks for keeping in touch, it means a lot. Second off, don't feel sorry alright? I know you had to do it for your Mom's health and I probably would've done the same thing. To tell you the truth though, I've missed, or I guess I should say we all have missed you very much. I've been really sad here without you, my best friend, to talk to all the time, that being said I'm trying to do my best to keep doing good. I'm helping Kukui get a stadium built on Poni Island, it's gonna be really cool! I can't wait for it to finish. For now though I'm gonna keep winning and be the best Champion I can be. Hopefully you'll be able to come back soon and enjoy all this stuff with me. Thanks for sticking with me.

Your Friend
-Sun

I sealed it up and set it back in the mailbox to send it out soon. My Mom looked at me questioningly, "Was it a bad letter? Why'd you put it back?" I was confused for a second but then caught on, "Uh- Oh no, it was really nice, I just wrote one back." Mom chuckled, "Wow. I didn't know you were such a writer." I shrugged, "Heh. I'm not. I appreciate it though." Mom smirked and then went off to go do something. I slid in to my bed once again and mindlessly scrolled on my phone, honestly, Lillie's letter made my day, maybe even my week, I feel a little more motivation, I can do this. She used to say that all the time, heh. I went to sleep going over the strategy for tomorrow over and over again in my head. I've placed a big bet on myself, and if I can make it out on top then I'll be in supreme position.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Today's spectacle will be an Alolan title match between our island's Kahuna, Kahuna Hala, and our Champion Sun! Calling to the stage first, Kahuna Hala!" The crowd at the beach erupted for the home town Kahuna, who waved back at them and smiled. "And now, introducing, the reigning, the defending, undefeated Champion of Alola! Iki Town's very own! Sun!" I ran out to the battlefield and was met with very loud cheers. I went over and shook Hala's hand, then seconds later, the battle was on.

I wasn't necessarily battling to win big, nobody wants to see me absolutely destroy somebody, not that I actually could right now, but nonetheless I wasn't battling at my best. I was battling with all the flair I could muster. Like those contest battles they do in other regions, I'm not in it for points, I'm in it for S T Y L E points. Which, up to this deciding fight between Incineroar and Crabominable, I've been doing alright at, got a few wows from the crowd. I've got a plan for the big finish though. "Crabominable! Use hammer arm!" bingo. "Incineroar! You know the drill! Use the Brick Break we practiced!" Incineroar huffed proudly and smirked. Then ran straight for the Ice crab, jumped on top of the hammer arm, landed a brick break after doing a backflip then hit a flamethrower that put it away as he was jumping away. I jumped up and ran over to the crowd, "YES!" The commentator had his hands on his head as he yelled, "That is unbelievable!!! Champion Sun with the electrifying 6-5 victory!" I threw my fist in the air 3 times as the crowd went absolutely crazy. Many people from all over the city had gathered to watch and not a soul was disappointed. The commentator brought me the microphone, "People of Melemele Island! Thanks a lot for coming out, seriously, all of you. I uh, if you liked what you saw, we're gonna be opening a stadium on Poni Island next year, and we need as many people to come and support the matches as possible, for two reasons. One because I seriously love having all of you cheering me on, it's the best feeling in the world. Secondly because if we get big enough, and show we are passionate, and on my end, good enough, then we may be able to compete in THE World Championship!" The crowd roared with delight at that last part. I smiled and nodded, "So yeah, thanks for the good match Hala, and uh, I'll be around here for a while if any of you guys want something from me. Thank you all." The crowd clapped as I handed the mic back and stood by a booth where people could talk to me, take pictures, or get stuff signed. A lot of people came by and I think everyone had a pretty good time. I'd call this first event a success.

Author's Note

Sun is back and no pokemon trainer in the world is safe! The recovery process is almost completely finished for him. Less depresso is on the way!