[center][color=turquoise][h2]Mililani Kekoa[/h2][h3]March 1st, London, England[/h3][/color][/center]

The first two months had been a nightmare for Mililani. The worst part hadn't been recovering from the concussion, which had thankfully only been mild, or the gruellingly intensive English lessons. It had been the separation from her only friends, caged "for their own good and for the safety of the public" or so she'd been told. Despite the officials' reassurance that they were alive and uninjured thanks to their timely intervention, and to Naia and Auoli managing to restrain a frantic Keahi, her nagging worry grew each day.

Finally, though, she was to see them again. She held on to the thought as she sat through Professor Sycamore's speech, hands clenching into fists in her lap.

Preserve the ecosystem? Act in the best interest of Pokemon? Oh, for sure. Like she hadn't heard all that before. How had these professors managed to learn English so quickly anyway? Smart as they were, wouldn't learning a language take more than a few days? Mililani's scowl deepened as she thought over two possibilities. One, Aether Foundation had royally screwed up and let this Ultra Wormhole thing get out of hand. Two, there was something the professors weren't letting on. Something they wanted to drag her and many other trainers into.

She sighed as she stood up once the speech finished. Technically, she didn't have to go along with this, but it would feel irresponsible not to. She'd need to think this over.

The only thing that lifted her mood was receiving the six capsules and the credit card on the way out. She hurried after a man who showed her into a large room, a rarely-seen grin lighting up her face at the sight of her companions, released from their cages one by one.

Naia squealed, wrapping her flippers around her trainer. Palila danced over with joy, pom-poms waving, and not even Ohanna could contain her excitement as she nuzzled Mililani. Auoli drifted towards her, the worry etched into his face giving way to serenity, and Keahi ran up to her with a cry of relief. Giving a little squeak, Liko rested on her shoulder.

[color=turquoise]"Hey, everyone."[/color] Mililani's voice trembled, tears forming in her eyes. [color=turquoise]"It's been so long!"[/color] She hugged Naia back, letting the other Pokemon gather round, not caring that Liko had started braiding flowers into her hair. Whatever happened, she and her Pokemon would make sure to stick together.

[center][color=turquoise][h3]March 2nd, London, England[/h3][/color][/center]

Leaning against the headboard in a spacious room, Mililani frowned at the TV. She wasn't normally one for luxury, something that reminded her of her father's hotel, and the airs and graces he put on. She'd needed to check in to a larger room to accommodate the considerable size of the Drampa currently curled around the bed, though. No way was she keeping her team stuck in Pokeballs for longer than she had to, after their recent experience.

[color=turquoise]"Damn you, Lusamine,"[/color] she spat, thumping her fist down on the duvet as scene after scene of chaos played across the screen. Rampages, destroyed towns, injured humans and Pokemon alike. Aether Foundation had to be behind this, she was almost sure. A different report started, showing a bunch of aspiring trainers bubbling with enthusiasm as they left a testing centre, reminding her of her other theory. She shuddered at the thought of all those people getting screwed over.

As Naia cuddled up next to her, she petted the Brionne on the head while staring into space, mulling over what to do. Grimacing at footage of a canine creature - a dog, as the locals called them - attacking a Skitty, she knew she only had one option. She'd once dedicated her life to protecting Pokemon and their ecosystems, and she couldn't exactly give up on that, especially not now. With a sigh, she picked up her phone, entering the contact number she'd been given.

Admitting her acceptance of the duty through gritted teeth, she resolved to remain on her guard the entire time.

[center][color=turquoise][h3]May 4th, Norilsk, Russia[/h3][/color][/center]

She couldn't believe she'd gone and signed up for this, Mililani thought, sipping her coffee as she sat at a distance from the other trainers. She cast her gaze to the window every so often, tense from a mix of apprehension and the sub-zero temperature she'd had to endure. The weather in London had been bad enough, but it was nothing compared to the stinging cold of Russia.

Palila displayed the opposite attitude about having arrived here, dancing to try and cheer up her trainer as well as Naia, who gave the other people wary glances while curled up under the table. Since her devolution, all progress the Water type had made with her confidence seemed to have been undone.

[color=turquoise]"It'll be alright, Naia,"[/color] Mililani reassured the Brionne, leaning down and tickling her behind the ears. [color=turquoise]"I'll make sure it'll be alright."[/color] Even to the trainer, her own tone lacked certainty, and she hoped she'd be able to keep her promise.

Looking up at the sound of footsteps, she found herself face to face with Professor Rowan, who announced that their travelling partners to be had just arrived. She rolled her eyes as she stood up, letting out a groan. [color=turquoise]"Come on,"[/color] she called to her Pokemon. [color=turquoise]"Let's get the meetings and greetings over with."[/color] In a flash of red light, she let out Ohanna, who took in her surroundings.

[color=turquoise]"Well, seeing as our newest adventure's officially started,"[/color] she grumbled, [color=turquoise]"could you keep a look out for anything suspicious?"[/color] The Lucario nodded, sticking by her side along with the other two Pokemon as Mililani zipped up her new winter coat and stormed out.

Icy wind whipped at the trainer's face, making her shiver despite the many layers she'd wrapped herself up in. If she ever got home, she'd never complain about the heat of Alolan summers again. Sweeping her hair out of her eyes, she slowed her trudge through the snow at the sight of the gathering.

With an excited squawk, Palila darted towards the group, wildly shaking her pom-poms as she gestured for her trainer to come over. Mililani huffed through clenched teeth, arms folded as she drew closer. Now she really did have no choice but to introduce herself.

[hr]
[center][color=forestgreen][h2]Ryan Harrell[/h2][h3]March 2nd, London, England[/h3][/color][/center]

This was going to be absolute cakewalk for him, Ryan thought, exhilaration flooding him as he sprinted through the field. He clambered over walls and under bars just as he'd done many times before, but this was different. This would allow him to live a dream he'd only thought possible in games.

A confident smile crossed his face as he pulled a rope into a clove hitch knot around a post before any of the nine others in his group could. [color=forestgreen]"Take note,"[/color] he said, tugging at the end. [color=forestgreen]"This is how you do it."[/color] Two of his fellow trainers in the making scowled. Why did they have to look so unimpressed? He was just helping, getting them to take his example.

By the time the end was in sight, his confidence was soaring. Running ahead of the group, he gripped a rope hanging above a muddy pool, preparing to push off. Just as he did, the most magnificent sight he'd seen yet caught his eye. In the distance, a dinosaur-like creature rose and glided above the trees on leafy wings. A Tropius. He'd seen a Tropius with his own eyes...

His foot slipped. Clinging to the rope like a cat that had climbed a curtain and didn't know how to get down, he wobbled across the pool before coming to a stop halfway. A second later, he dropped, finding himself up to his waist in thick squelchy mud.

Trying to ignore his teammates roaring with laughter, he crawled out, dripping everywhere as he staggered the last few paces to the end. Even the examiner seemed to struggle not to chuckle. It was in a much more deflated tone that Ryan listed the names of the plants he'd seen. The things he'd been taught by his mother about wildlife from childhood would redeem the situation... wouldn't they?

At lunch break, he quickly washed and changed into the spare set of clothes he'd brought along. He'd expected mud, just not quite this amount. Hopefully the earlier written test would make up for that little mishap. The examiners would surely be impressed at the way he'd matched up Pokedex entries to some of the most overlooked Pokemon.

Once again presentable or close to it, he strode into the interview room to be greeted with a warm smile by a man who introduced himself as Eugene. As he answered the man's questions, Ryan's self-assurance started to recover. He'd been expecting a formal interview by a stuffy schoolteacher-like person, so a relaxed chat was a welcome surprise.

Despite Eugene's warning that some videos may be disturbing, Ryan leaned in, eager to watch the scenes that played across the screen the interviewer presented. His eyes widened at the first - a flock of Fletchlings perched on a branch, their songs a melodious chorus. [color=forestgreen]"That's going to add a whole new dimension to birdwatching,"[/color] he commented, before wincing at the next two videos. A Liepard devouring a lump of bloodstained feathers that was probably once a pigeon, and a team of firefighters as well as a group wielding tranquiliser guns dealing with the aftermath of a Ponyta herd's rampage through a grassy field.

[color=forestgreen]"Wow, brutal,"[/color] he said. [color=forestgreen]"But I guess that's why trainers are needed. And I know this isn't going to be an easy road, but trust me, I can handle it."[/color]

Eugene nodded, turning his kindly eyes from the screen to the aspiring trainer. "Now, before you go, there's just one more thing..." As a red light flared, Ryan turned. To his side, on the floor, stood a Cherrim, petals folded.

[color=forestgreen]"Hey, little one..."[/color] Ryan stood up, speaking softly as he crouched. In this form, Cherrim tended to be quiet and timid. He held out his hand, waiting for the flower Pokemon to edge forward, before gently petting its sepal. The Grass type squeaked, rubbing its head against his fingers.

The time he got to spend with the Cherrim didn't seem long enough before Eugene announced he was afraid he'd have to recall it, but thanked him and wished him luck on his results. Soon enough, Ryan reminded himself as he left the building with his head held high, he'd have Pokemon of his own. The bag of filthy clothes weighed on him, though, and his brother's words from a few days ago came back to him. This wouldn't be as easy as the games.

[center][color=forestgreen][h3]April 7th, Lyndhurst, England[/h3][/color][/center]

As he scrolled through his mother's blog, marvelling at all the Pokemon she'd managed to get snapshots of, Ryan's stomach tightened with anticipation and worry. Why hadn't he heard back yet? Surely, aside from the mud puddle incident, he'd done pretty well? They wouldn't deny him this opportunity, would they?

The ringtone of his phone snapped his attention from the laptop screen. As he answered, the caller's announcement flooded him with relief. He'd passed. As if there had been any doubt he would in the first place.

It wasn't long afterwards that the email arrived in his inbox. His high spirits dampened slightly as he took in the message - sure, he'd done pretty well, above average even, but why hadn't he been in the top few? Oh well. He was going to become a Pokemon trainer, and that was what mattered.

He grabbed his phone again, eager to tell his friends and family the good news.

[center][color=forestgreen][h3]May 4th, Norilsk, Russia[/h3][/color][/center]

Even with the lingering effects of jet lag, Ryan was buzzing as he hauled his suitcase off the minibus. The cold didn't bother him; in fact, the crisp air of a new place fuelled his excitement. He took his place in the line, listening intently as the dour-faced instructor barked announcements.

The corners of Ryan's mouth lifted a little. Running twice a day? No problem. He wouldn't even have minded tents, though admittedly, he wasn't going to complain about the more comfortable lodgings. The seargent could treat the group like weaklings all he wanted. He'd prove that musclehead wrong.

Just a few seconds after the seargent marched away, a group of trainers arrived on the scene, three of whom stood out. A girl whose vibrant pink hair and alternative style clothing seemed to tell the world not to mess with her, a white-haired guy with a sword strapped to his waist, and a dark-skinned girl who glared out from under a mop of pink and blue tresses as she hung back from the others. All around them, a myriad of creatures the trainer-to-be had never seen in the flesh until now followed. Two Lucarios, a Monferno, a Brionne, and an Oricorio who zipped right over, chirping in delight as it waved its pom-poms in a frenzy.

[color=forestgreen]"Hey,"[/color] Ryan said, strolling over to the newcomers. [color=forestgreen]"To think I'm actually getting to meet Pokemon trainers."[/color]