Her plan was put into motion late one night. Honestly, what had she been thinking? There was no way she could have taken care of this child and she knew it. She had been too naive, too trusting in the man who fathered her child. He said he was going to become a great trainer and send money to provide for their child when it was born. That was 9 months ago, right after they found out she was expecting.
At the beginning, there had been the odd amount of money. A few hundred pokedollars here and there. She was already low on money with her poor salary just keeping a roof over her head. The money slowed down though, from that couple of hundred a week, to two weeks, to a month, and by her 5th month of pregnancy there was no money at all.
It had seemed bleak at first, but then her baby came into the world. A beautiful baby girl. Suddenly, it all felt like it would be ok.
It wasn't ok though. She had to quit her job because she couldn't afford a babysitter. Eventually she had to sell her beautiful home just so she could keep her baby girl fed and happy. In a foreign region with no friends or family, she didn't know who to turn to. Moon, her darling baby was named after the one constant in her life. The moon didn't turn anyone away from its pale light. She hoped her daughter would grow to be just like her namesake, always welcoming and loving.
As much as she could deal with living rough, it was not the life she wanted for her daughter. Now 6 months old and already curious about her surroundings. The streets were not for babies and she knew it. It took months of internally debating before deciding on the right thing to do. That was to give up her child.
Having spent some time in Alola, she knew some of their beliefs and customs. The locals believed that their island deity's, known as the Tapu's, were the protectors of Alola's islands. The Tapu of the island she was currently on, Melemele Island, was Tapu Koko. She didn't know much about the individual Tapu's, but she had heard that they helped people in need. Her last hope was taking her child to their shrine and hope that they could find her a home. Anywhere was better than the streets.
That is what led to her current situation. The moon was high in the sky and the sound of Rattata could be heard in the grass nearby. She went through the village and towards the shrine. Her little Moon was fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the life changing event that was about to occur in her life. She walked up the makeshift wooden steps, slipping on the worn wood once or twice. She had to sit down for a breather once she reached the top. She wasn't as healthy as she used to be thanks to the scarce amount of food she allowed herself to eat.
Rest over, she continued towards the bridge that led to the shrine. The locals had called it the Ruins of Conflict. People were said to go there if they had a difficult choice in their life. They didn't mention how dangerous the bridge was. It was old and rickety, looking as if it would collapse at any moment.
She held onto the rope railing beside her and slowly placed a foot on the bridge. It groaned, but held steady. One foot after the other, she slowly made her way across, her baby clutched to her chest to make sure she didn't lose her.
Once her feet touched solid ground on the other end, she let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. A quick glance down let her know Moon was still fast asleep. She stroked her blonde tuft of hair and continued towards the shrine.
Inside the Ruins of Conflict was much different than what she imagined. The chamber she was in didn't look man-made, but more like it was created by the earth itself. Tree trunks looked like columns that ran through the smooth stone walls. A pathway made of polished stone led to another room which was most likely where the shrine was held. Her feet made a soft noise with each step she took, amplified by the carnivorous space she was in.
The other room in comparison was much smaller. The walls and height were the same but it didn't have the length like the room before it. Stairs led up to a statue surrounded by decorative plants. She walked up the stairs to the alter and kneeled before it. She was not a native, neither was she familiar with the practices but that didn't mean she had to be disrespectful.
"Tapu Koko," she whispered to the statue and looked up at it. "I don't know if you are listening but I hope you are. I don't have the means to look after my baby girl any more. The streets are no place for a child, especially one so young. I beg of you to look after my little girl. My little Moon. Please give her a proper home, one where she will be looked after." She had to stop to wipe away some tears. She always was so emotional.
Moon shifted in her arms and she gently placed her on the ground, tucking a small note in her baby blanket. She also placed a hat on her head to keep away some of the chill. It was bright red and looked like a flower at the top. It was too big for the child right now but one day she would grow into it.
"Goodbye my little Moonbeam. Mama will always love you, even if she never sees you again. Grow strong and be happy." She kissed her baby on the forehead and stood up, placing a hand on the guardian statue. "I leave her in your care, Tapu Koko."
And with that, she left. Hoping the guardian of Melemele island had heard her prayer. She walked out and didn't look back in fear of losing her resolve. Jeanine James left the Ruins of Conflict, never to be seen again. She hadn't been alone however.
While Jeanine was praying to Tapu Koko, said deity was at the entrance of the shrine. He often found humans visiting his home, sometimes to pray, sometimes to leave gifts. To be here so late though was unheard of.
He could sympathise with this woman. She wanted to keep her little one safe but she could not raise the small human any more. He listened silently, trying to come up with a plan for what to do with the small human. There hadn't been any one around praying for one of their offspring. Maybe one of the other Tapu's had a place he could give the small human to.
He was brought out of his musings when the woman stood up. He hid before she could see him, making sure the woman was gone before he left his hiding spot. Tapu Koko moved towards the small bundle and leant down to get a closer look.
The small human inside was tiny, not even a summer old. It was asleep, clutching the fabric it was wrapped in with it's tiny paws. His chosen human, Hala, had a grandson as they called them about this age. He had seen his human taking care of the little one and teaching it. What he had noted was that human offspring, unlike Pokemon, could not fend for themselves soon after they were born. They had to be taken care of by another.
The small bundle shifted as the little human woke up. It's eyes scrunching up before looking at him. Instead of reacting with fear, like he would expect (he was not this little one's neema after all), the small human smiled and reached for his plumage. Koko held out one of his appendages to the little one and it latched on with a surprisingly strong grip. The feeling he got from that touch was instantaneous. This little one was destined for great things. Dark days were coming. They all could feel it, but this small human may be their salvation.
It was then that Tapu Koko made up his mind. This small human (the human's neema had called her Moon) would be raised by him. In his care he could teach them all they needed to know for their battle in the far future.
He managed to somehow hold the small bundle much like it's neema did and took it to his nest. Tapu Koko was nothing if not stubborn about his choices and saw them to the end, no matter the battle. Those who knew him personally could confirm that. This was one decision he could not be swayed in.
"It's nice to meet you Moon."