It might make sense if I explain what I did the last few days, huh?
You see, I had to catch up on the newest movie of Brycen-Man, I could not, never, ever, miss that movie, you know? I needed to. So my first three weeks were spent writing fic, watching and re-watching the Brycen-Man movie so I could perfect my characterization of him.
But, it all comes down to this. I came to Alola with one simple purpose: write the newest novel of my series: Shadows of Unova. It is an urban fantasy novel where Pokemon and humans can communicate with each other, and there's a deadly plague called Nuzlocke that makes it so that a fainted Pokemon dies. It is still, to this day, in the very early stages of plotting. But in Hoenn, where I was residing before taking this three-month long vacation (or as I'd call it, free writing time!) I could not focus. At all. Part of the life of a writer is having to deal with writer's block, but I can't. Get. Through. This. Novel. It's a paralysis, like the ones I had when I was a rookie, a fifteen year old kid with a high and mighty dream, way above my league.
So, I'm in Alola. Staying at an inn in Iki Town is the choice I made. With its very calm daily life, I can feel rested without having to write as much. No, sir. I'm not writing anything that has to do with Shadows of Unova. I took that choice a few days ago, as I barely finished writing the last chapter of that Brycen-Man novella, where Brycen-Man and Riolu Boy are body-swapped (why wouldn't they? With the type of chemistry they have? It's perfect, honestly). It goes as well as you'd expect, to be fair. Though, to my surprise, it's as relaxing as I thought it'd be.
Still, I'm speaking too much about my reasonings, and I'm still not even close to explaining what made me write this log, besides the block, of course.
So. I have to begin with Professor Kukui's request. Since the Kahuna's grandson, Hau, wants to do the Island Challenge, and he can't really do it alone (with how many people there are in Alola, and how dangerous it is with the Totems, no wonder Kukui is worried). As such, the Kahuna and Kukui asked me, of all people. They argued that I was still young and needed some time away from my computer, as well as having time to think about the eight (and final, thank Arceus) novel of Shadows of Unova.
Kukui gave me a Popplio for my troubles, but I already decided on taking something else, something that's way more useful than a Popplio could ever be (it's sad for the poor seal-dog thingy, I actually thought of giving him away to one of the town's children as soon as I catch what I want).
But first, I had to battle Hau. Thrice. With only my Popplio.
Let that sink in.
But it's alright, Hau doesn't seem to take the losses badly, and he doesn't throw a tantrum either, so it's not as much trouble as I thought it'd be. Then, after getting my amulet, I was told I had to go to the Trainer's School (mandatory learning experience). Since I finished high school (and by extension, grade school, as I assume Hau has the age to barely graduate the latter), I'd only have to battle.
There's also something else in it for me, Kukui told me. You see, I mentioned my interest in Alolan forms. Particularly, the one Grimer has. Its green, almost radioactive color made me interested in it. And Kukui, being a kinder man than what I'd give him credit for, allowed me to exchange my Popplio (and let the seal-dog have a better Trainer than me, a novelist) for an Alolan Grimer.
And so, I took the plunge.
I battled a few Trainers before getting into the grass, though, so no one else could interrupt me. I went through a few encounters fighting against Magnemites, which were close calls to a full wipe, and I finally found it.
A female, Sassy, Alolan Grimer. It'd have to be shiny for me to consider it absolutely perfect, but hey. It's. Alolan. Grimer. My dude, this Pokemon is adorable in the weird way (maybe that's why Shauntal gets called weird for her tastes, but I'm honestly on her wavelength, ever since the last time we talked to each other during the Galariancon).
I named her Janna (a habit I got from writing the series I want to avoid naming so I don't feel guilty of not working on), and she proceeded to beat the living snot out of the other trainers (not that literal, mind you). Surprisingly, in here, Poison Touch works even if Janna touches them. Which gives me a few ideas on how to approach battles.
We actually managed to beat the principal, right before Hau had his turn to battle her, too. Nice.
BATTLE: VS. Principal Asuka
vs.
She led with her Magnemite, and I used Janna, who I knew would do justice for me and my pride. I know her look, that look of "are-you-really-doing-this?", but I don't care. I have Janna, and she has me, so I can trust her abilities in combat. Janna used Bite several times, hopefully getting Magnemite poisoned (but it didn't, because I remember, just right now, that Magnemite is a Steel type). However, two Bites were all I needed to defeat it.
Next up, her Meowth. This one, too, had an Alolan form. With purple, almost lavender fur color, and a dainty, royal look in its eyes, we found out we were against...
Well, an arrogant Dark type. We stalled using Poison Gas and healing Janna up when her HP got too low. At the end, we were victorious since we're the better trainers. And as such, the principal let us go. Not after asking her about this new TM I got from one of her students, TM 01, Work Up.
She told me it raised a Pokemon's Attack and Special Attack by one stage. I tried to teach it to my Janna. Needless to say, Grimer can't learn Work Up, so now I'm a bit mad about it.
At that time, her student, Ilima, came to us with Kukui, wanting to supervise Hau's combat prowess, so the principal gave me the OK to scram and go to the Pokemon Center, not before hearing Ilima insult me (indirectly) by saying I should catch mode Pokemon. I'm sorry, but Janna is a perfectly good Pokemon, she doesn't need no partner except me.
But that's another thing. I may try out the trial that Ilima mentioned, as well as work on a traveling guide for Alola, but it comes for later, as I have this rich chocolate tea biscuit with Pinap Juice, so I'll write more later.
Pine ♂, Modest nature, Lvl. 25
Mint ♂, Mild nature, Lvl. 24
Lavender ♀, Mild nature, Lvl. 25
