As soon as I leave to go see my mother, a trainer runs out of nowhere to battle me. This is Hau, the rival punching bag friend of the game.
For some reason, he chose the starter that mine is strong against. I don't think you know how this rival business works, Hau.
Also, it turns out that Hau is Hala's grandson. Neat.
Anyway, it's time for battle.
Hau's Litten uses Ember and takes off 3 HP from Popplio, who responds in kind with Water Gun.
This goes about as well as you might expect.
"Hoo-ee! That gave me chicken skin!" says Hau, proving to everyone that he browses /vp/.
Anyway, the stone Luna got from Lillie starts glowing and Hala decides to hold onto it for now since it's some kind of Tapu Koko blessing or some nonsense.
After some silliness with Nebby, Luna returns home to show Mom her Pokemon. She asks why we chose it and I say it's "because it's cool". After that, Meowth proceeds to tell Soprano some bawdy jokes, which restores his HP and PP for some reason.
The next day!
The doorbell, rings and Luna goes to answer it. But before she can, Kukui breaks in again.
What the fuck, man? This is not cool.
Kukui tries to distract Luna from this by inviting her to a festival, but I'm not so easily misled. Mom seems to be fine with it, though. Sigh...
Kukui then gives the Pokemon catching tutorial that I've seen ten million times at this point, giving Luna some Pokeballs and Potions afterwards.
After a bit of capturing...
Team: Soprano/Popplio (M), Sam
/Pikipek (F), Yooge/Yungoos (M), Francis/Ledyba (M), Margarine/Metapod (M)
AND ALL OF THEIR NATURES SUCK AND REDUCE THEIR MAIN ATTACK STAT (aside from Margarine)
Pokemon, I wish I knew how to quit you.
After making a Preschooler cry (hahaha), Luna heads up to Iki Town, where everyone wants to offer up a ceremonial Pokemon Battle to Tapu Koko.
I mean... didn't I just do that three times on the way here?
Anyway, Hau challenges Luna again, this time adding a Pichu. Oh no, a baby Pokemon. I'm sure that will even the odds. It didn't.
After the battle, Hala gives me a Z-Ring and Tapu Koko is all "Cool battle, bro." Then Luna goes home and sleeps after Lillie mugs the camera for screentime some more.
I get it, you're an important character.
The next day, the doorbell rings.
"If it's Kukui, he'll probably let himself in without even waiting for us to open the door!"
Okay, I'm glad that someone notices this. Now, a bit more concern, and this might actually be a normal reaction.
Upon heading to the door, nobody breaks in, so I guess it's either Hau or
Oh hi, Lillie. She's here to take Luna to Kukui's lab, but first Mom gives Luna some allowance, telling her not to spend it on anything dumb.
Which reminds me that I should import my earnings from the demo.
Anyway, upon heading over to the location from the demo (Hauoli City, I think?), Luna is immediately accosted by a Tauros. I guess that's the wrong way!
Lillie also finally tells us Nebby's real name, Cosmog.
Upon heading to the next area, a Youngster named Kevin threatens to break Luna's kneecaps. Hardcore.
After the battle with his Grubbin, he mentions that he was actually talking about how great Pokemon kneecaps are.
I... don't think Grubbin has kneecaps, you strange child.
Anyway, battling through the route, Luna catches a Slowpoke (F) and nicknames her Delaney.
Luna then finds Lillie outside of Kukui's lab where he loudly announces that his body is ready to his Rockruff.
I suddenly feel uncomfortable about entering...
Anyway, after intruding on Kukui's activities, we get a Rotom Pokedex... that doesn't actually record Rotom into it. ...What?
Anyway, Hau and Lillie also say some stuff, but it's the typical "WOO, WE'RE YOUR FRIENDS, LET'S GO HAVE A MAGICAL POKEMON JOURNEYYYYY" kind of stuff, so I mostly tuned them out. I got some Trialgoer Amulet in the process from Kukui, though.
Heading downstairs, a Poliwhirl says "Goosh!" at me, reminding me of a disturbing YouTube video. Thanks, buddy.
After that, I headed up to Lillie's room and laid in her bed to establish my role as the alpha main character.
That'll teach you to steal my screentime...
