The salty ocean breeze hit Kai's face the moment he stepped on the ship's deck. There was blue all around them; The vast, blue sea, surrounding them entirely, without a hint of land in sight, and the clear sky that stretched above them. Kai had never traveled by a ship for this long before. The Alolan Islands, where he was originally from, were indeed separated, but the farthest islands weren't even twelve hours away. This trip, however? Kai was probably traveling for a day already. As much as he loved the sea, he was starting to get seasick, which was why he went outside in the first place. The rooms on the ship were... too small. He needed fresh air. The tranquility the ocean was capable of creating calmed Kai down. The nervousness of first adventures and yet-unexplored places he was feeling was exciting, but tiring as well. A voice broke through the silence.
"There you are! I was looking everywhere for you!" Professor Kukui, the Alolan region's expert, stepped out of the cabins. Kai turned around and smiled. "I have a gift for you," the Professor continued. The young boy was confused, but after getting a better look of Kukui, who was walking towards him, he noticed a PokeBall in his hand. Of course, he thought. To start an adventure, you need a partner Pokemon to travel with you, so Kai was expecting this sooner or later. Still, the excitement and curiousity (What might that Pokemon be?) couldn't be contaminated, and the boy grinned.
"Remember that survey I gave you just before we set out on this trip?" Professor Kukui asked.
A survey? It took a moment for Kai to recall it. "Yeah, of course," he nodded. He was supposed to answer some questions that were about the things he enjoys doing, his favourite places, and the like. There were no end results – Kukui just took it after Kai had finished. No wonder he nearly forgot about it. "It was more of a personality test, to be honest." Kukui laughed at that, and Kai let out a chuckle, too.
The Professor finally handed Kai the PokeBall. "Well," he started. "I was supposed to send it to Professor Maple of the Fuokulu region, so she could determine which starter Pokemon she would assign you to." Kai nodded again. It was a neat system, he had to admit. Matching the personalities of the rookie trainer and the young Pokemon, so they could connect better. "You do the honours." Professor Kukui winked. Kai took the PokeBall from the Professor, and hesitated for a second, before pressing the button in the center.
A red light appeared, coming right out of the PokeBall, and slowly started to form a shape of the Pokemon. It took a second or so before Kai saw the Pokemon he was given. "A Chimchar?" Kai asked, wondering if he guessed its name correctly. Once Kukui nodded, Kai turned back to the little Chimchar. A small, fire type Pokemon, looking around itself curiously. "Did you really think it was a good idea to give me a fire type in the middle of the ocean?" Kai asked, and Kukui laughed again.
"Oh, Kai, you're hilarious," the Professor said, though Kai didn't intend to make a joke. "How about you decide on her nickname? It brings a trainer and a Pokemon closer together." So the Chimchar was a female. It was good to know. Kai kneeled down, extending his arm towards the Pokemon. She took her time, examining Kai from every angle possible, before finally approaching his hand. "Look at that! She chose you right back!" Kukui enthusiastically noted, and Kai broke into another grin. He was happy about that.
After petting his new Pokemon for a moment, both of them getting used to each other, Kai decided on a nickname. "How about Kiran?" he asked aloud, and the Chimchar seemed content with it. "You like that?" he asked, this time his Pokemon specifically. After the Chimchar didn't show any sort of negative emotion, Kai was sure. "Alright. Kiran it is."
———
They arrived at the port after a few hours. It was late afternoon, and the sun was boiling hot. Kai was used to that, being from Alola, and Kiran had no trouble adjusting either. She was on Kai's shoulder, and the boy was relieved how light his Pokemon was. "Here we are, Kai!" Kukui exclaimed, putting his hands on his hips, breathing in the Fuokulu air. "Smells like adventure!"
Kai had to laugh at how silly his Professor was, but he was right. There was something exciting about the air here. Kiran sensed it as well.
———
The trio jumped into a taxi cab short after, as the first thing Kai had to do was meet the region's Professor. Professor Maple. He heard she had a son about his age, so he hoped he could make some acquaintance the first day. "You ready, Kai?" Kukui asked, and Kai nodded. "Alright then!"
As they exited the cab, Kukui paying for the ride, Kai looked at how grand the laboratory was compared to Kukui's and stood in awe for a moment. I wonder how many new books there are in there. After Kukui joined him, they made their way towards the entrance, and came inside.
