6: Curse you Nanu!

(Tobio's Base Camp, Viridian Forest, Kanto)

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(Tobio POV)

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Acerola was humming a happy tune as he read Nanu's Letter.

''That Bastard.'' Says Tobio as he scrunched up the letter. Nanu had sold him out to Acerola. And of Course Acerola had used Greedy Rapooh to track him down. The big question was why?

The Letter hinted at something related to the Pokémon League, but there wasn't an Alolan League just yet. Granted Tobio had done his best to get it going early, but he was forced to flee Alola before anything could come to fruition.

''What are you really doing here Acerola? Nanu lies, but never when your involved. So speaking honestly whh are you here?'' Asks Tobio.

Acerola stops abruptly and turns to face him.

''You were right about everything. The Aether Foundation, Madam Lusamine, The Wormholes, all of it. The Island Kahuna's gathered and named you Grand Kahuna of Alola. I've been sent to retrieve you.'' Says Acerola.

''You better than anyone else should know an Exile can't become an Island Kahuna, even less the Grand Kahuna.'' Says Tobio.

''Your Exile was overturned when Gladion and Lillie came forward at your Trial. You would have been allowed to stay had you not fled.'' Acerola says.

''Don't lie to me Acerola. That's not the entire truth and you know it.'' Says Tobio.

''Lillie and Gladion named you sole Heir to Aether. But there is another matter, the UPLAO won't move forward with the First Alola League unless Professor Kukui signs off on it, and he won't sign off on it without the Kahuna's who...''

''Who won't Sign off on it without me as the Grand Kahuna. Better question is why me? Why not give it to Hala? As the eldest Kahuna he is best suited to the Role.'' Says Tobio.

''Uncle Nanu declared he'd only support someone who was not an active Kahuna. You specifically.'' Acerola replied.

''Curse You Nanu!'' Tobio mutters lowly, so Acerola doesn't hear it.

''I heard that you know.'' Acerola says frowning.

''Why did Nanu pick me? Ever since our date he was never my biggest fan.'' Tobio asks.

''Thank Rocker and EZ for bothering Nanu enough that he had to. After you left, Rocker convinced EZ and the Meowth to launch an inter-island protest not just against Nanu but all the Kahuna's.'' Says Acerola.

''Lemme guess, you helped them with the picketing?'' Tobio guesses.

''Not just me, Tapu Bulu helped too!'' Acerola says cheerily.

''Your kidding me right? That lazy lummox helped the meowth picket against Nanu?'' Tobio deadpans.

''Hehe, nope. Tapu Bulu endorsed you for the Grand Kahuna too.'' Says Acerola.

''Acerola....cut the bullshit. What the hell is going on?'' Tobio begs.

''Alola is under siege. The Tapu's and the Kahuna's need a Leader. Nanu chose you because you were the first Trainer to earn a Tapunium Z from Tapu Bulu.'' Says Acerola.

''I left that Crystal with Nanu for safekeeping. I don't even have my Z-Ring anymore.'' Says Tobio.

''Here you go, Tapunium Z and Your Z-Ring.'' Says Acerola.

''I'm not coming back Acerola. You can consider yourself Grand Kahuna. I can't go back...not yet at least. Plan to win each Pokémon League before returning to Alola.'' Says Tobio.

''They thought you'd say that. Which is why I'm going to accompany you until your ready to return.''

''Fine by me, but don't think that I am gonna let you join me without a condition. Your gonna join the Indigo Conference with me. And if you win it I have to go with you to Alola at your call. But if I win I can go back at my own leisure.'' Says Tobio, invoking his own inner Nanu.

''You've got yourself a deal.'' Acerola says happily.

''Now then, anything else I need to hear?'' Asks Tobio.

''Just one more thing. Because they lead the protest, Nanu has insisted that Rocker and EZ join you. So come on out you two'' Acerola says tossing two Pokéballs in the air as a Rockruff and Jangmo-o appear.

''Jang!/Ruff!'' The two happily speak as they leap at Tobio, with Rockruff on his shoulders, and Jangmo-o in his arms.

Tobio quickly began a light Scratching on Rocker's neck, before EZ licked him just behind his ears and proceeded to nuzzle against him for attention.

''Hey you two.'' Tobio greets the Two Pokémon that kept him company in Alola the most outside of Mags.

''Well, what now?'' Acerola asks.

''I had planned, on venturing out into the forest in search of more Pokémon, but Rocker and EZ pretty much fill the current gaps. At least for the first Gym or two. I'll have to rotate everyone every so often, but first two Gyms should be pretty good. And it won't be an easy Gym Battle by any means, and given Pewter City Gym's Typing speciality I'll need to start off with Boba and Waylon to soften the Gym Leader's Pokémon up a bit, but any one after them should prove to be enough.'' Tobio says thoughtfully.

''So back to Viridian City or stick around here some more?'' Asks Acerola.

''Let's head back to Viridian City for now. I should have enough for the Pewter Gym Leader and there's a high chance of encountering more Pokémon along the way to Pewter City.'' Says Tobio as he begins to pack up his base camp....

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(POV Change: Nanu)

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Nanu was lounging around the Police Station lazily, enjoying the company of The Alolan Meowth, and dining on a malasada.

After He sent Acerola to fetch Tobio, the Meowth ceased their protests. Honestly qs ridiculous as the sight was, it only served to reinforce Tapu Bulu's endorsement of the Kid for Grand Kahuna. Nanu had never particularly liked the kid, especially after his onetime date with Acerola, but that was more due to the fact that every look at the Kids face reminded Nau of happier and better times from before Giovanni went bad.

Giovanni, Nanu, and Asia.

Kanto's biggest Troublemakers, and the Founding Three of the First Team Rocket Squad after Giovanni was set to take over from his late mother. Every time he looks Tobio in the eyes he's haunted by what happened to Asia and Giovanni.

What happened to Tobio's mother had happened on his watch. But he saw the same thing in Tobio's Eyes that he did in Tobio's father before Giovanni got rid of him....a hunger for recognition, strength, and wealth.

That was why he hadn't been fond of the kind for the most part. But it was because of Acerola that he had endorsed Tapu Bulu's choice for the Grand Kahuna. She loved him, even of she wouldn't admit it...just as Nanu still loved Tobio's comatose Mother, Asia.....