A Chance to Be New

Chapter 1: What happens now?

Guzma gave a deep, long sigh as he downed yet another bottle of beer before chucking it in the garbage can, groaning after he did. He was fucked up, but not just from in a literal sense from the alcohol. It was only a few weeks ago…

"Boss? Waddya mean you're disbandin' Team Skull, yo?"

"I told ya grunts… I'm more than done with all 'a this. All the fucked up shit we did just to get on the Alola region's nerves… Everybody hates us now. I kinda liked that at first, but I'm ruining any chance you fellas got at a decent, honest livin'! I realise that now. I used ya more than that bitch Lusamine used me. Now, outta my sight. Team Skull's done."

Guzma turned his back to his grunts, Plumeria giving a shrug. She knew this decision was final, and she could understand why. Guzma had told her the same things a few times over, and she knew how guilty he felt of "ruining" these young kids… To her, it didn't feel like that at all… She remembered the grunts dressing out of their Skull Uniforms only to come back dressed like Punk Guys/Girls, as that was the only way they could dress considering their clothing options and hair colors. They all did the Skull Grunt pose one final time before exiting the Shady House and eventually, Po Town. Guzma remembered turning to her and going:

"Good luck, Plums. I'm outta here… I need to think for a long, long time." He walked out fast.

Guzma groaned yet again… He felt like he was setting a new record for irritated groans. Why was he so insistent on making these shitty decisions? He needed to get out of here. His mom still loved him, sure… But living in his parents' house could only last so long before his dad would snap at him. Guzma huffed. Why he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and destroy anything or anyone he didn't like at first was also a question that ran through his head.

"I'm such a fucking hypocrite…" He thought to himself. He lazily checked his golden watch.

"4 AM… What a surprise, I can't sleep." He whispered sarcastically, closing his eyes and trying to at least rest a little. He tried to think of some pleasant thoughts. He smiled a little as he remembered one of his most treasured times in life. It happened when he was still on good terms with Kukui, when they both were 8 years old…

"Welcome to route 8, kids! This will be our final stop of our Akala island tour, so if you want to catch a Pokémon here, do it quickly!" The teacher reminded the children. The school trip to Akala had left Guzma unimpressed, personally. The kid had trouble deciding what would be his first Pokémon, everybody had a favorite type. Water, Grass, Fire and even Ghost were all types everybody liked. Guzma wanted something more unique, though. He heard a bark behind him as his good friend Kukui's Rockruff ran up to him, licking his hand.

"Guzma, why don't you just catch a Rockruff too? It's super easy to train!" Kukui ran up to him, grinning. Guzma rolled his eyes.

"Kukui, don't get me wrong: Rockruff's cute and all, but I want something a little more unique, you know? A Pokémon hardly anybody knows… Maybe it's weak, but it's got great potential probably!" Guzma exclaimed.

"Hmm, I see your point. Maybe the coast?" Kukui suggested, looking over.

"Nah, nothing there. And I don't wanna fish up a Wishiwashi by accident, I'd fall in." Guzma grinned before looking at another part of the coast and almost screaming.

"Kukui, look! Over there!"

"Hmm?" The two boys overlooked the part of the coast. There, a tiny looking, isopod-like Pokémon sat… The poor thing looked weak, it was sadly chowing down on what seemed to be a rotten carcass of a Bruxish.

"I've never seen that Pokémon before… Do you want it?" Kukui asked.

"Yeah, dude! Look, it's so cute!" Guzma exclaimed.

"Well, throw your Quick Ball, dude!" Kukui encouraged his friend before noticing Guzma walk closer to the coast.

"What are you doing?"

"Kukui… I kinda wanna ask that little guy if he wants to be on my team before I try 'n catch him."

"Are you crazy! He might attack you or flee…"

Guzma didn't listen and carefully approached the tiny Pokémon, it looked up. It met a surprisingly gentle pair of grey eyes.

"Hey, little guy… I'm not gonna hurt ya…. What's your name?" Guzma asked softly.

"Wimpod!" The insect replied.

"Aww… That's a cute name. Wimpod, I think you're very special. I wanna find out your hidden potential… Like a Trial Captain! Wanna join my team?" Wimpod made a cat-like purring noise, nodding eagerly. Guzma caught Wimpod easily before letting it sit on his shoulder, playing and cuddling with it all day before they returned to Melemele Island.

Guzma's smile widened. No matter how many times he replayed that memory in his head, it would never get old. He got off of the bed, walking outside of his parents' house and letting out his first partner. Or, as he would've said it a few weeks back: "The OG, the homie" or whatever term he liked to say. Golisopod greeted Guzma with a low growl, pulling his trainer close with his 6 arms.

"Whoa, buddy." Guzma chuckled and hugged him back.

"There, there. Ya big softie." He said and tickled Golisopod's little mustache. Golisopod let go of him and tilted his head, looking at his Trainer's face.

"Golisopod, remember when you just turned into what you are now and we took that opportunity to flee? I think it's time I started to change my life around, buddy."

Guzma watched as the enormous bug didn't seem to fully understand what he was saying, scratching his forehead.

"What I'm sayin' is that I need to seek out some help to get me on the right path… No doubt everybody on Team Skull is doing that as well. I gotta do something memorable, and I won't just be known as a guy with a gang."

Guzma declared. Golisopod grumbled something in response.

"Yeah, I know I'd normally do it myself, and I think I could… But I just need a little help in how I should do it, you get me?"

"Golisopod." The bug nodded. Guzma thought for a few seconds. He needed to carefully consider his options: after all, last time he had trusted someone to be his superior, he ended up being used and persuaded by false flattery… Oh well. At least she wasn't fully insane and apologized for it. He was honestly surprised at himself for helping out those little brats save Lusamine.

"Golisopod?" His favorite Pokémon grumbled.

"Hala? What, you think that old man doesn't hate my guts at this point, buddy?" Guzma raised his eyebrow. Golisopod eagerly nodded at that question.

"Hmm… I guess it's not a bad theory… Yeah, know what? First thing tomorrow, I'll head over to Iki and see if he's willing to help your boy out. I'll head back to bed… If I can't sleep, I need to try and rest anyways." Guzma returned his Pokémon, quietly returning to his bed, setting an alarm and hoping for the best…