Hau had arrived in Wai'oli Town the night before, tired to the max. He'd barely greeted the Professor, Kahili, and Lillie, before eating a huge heaping of food and then collapsing into bed. Travelling to Verdant Cavern on Tauros-back, defeating the Totem Pokemon to complete his Trial, and then pushing on to the town in the north had run the boy dry, and he slept so soundly that night he completely missed all the excitement of the following morning.

Instead Hau had taken it easy, training with his Pokemon as he awaited Moon's arrival. She'd have completed her Trial by now, Hau was sure of it, and he couldn't wait to share stories of their Totem battles. Then have their first Pokemon Battle since the night of the festival. Though he might not have his Z-Ring yet, Hau was still ready to go all-out no matter what. He was positive Moon would feel the same.

He was really looking forward to it.

Instead to his surprise that afternoon, waiting by the western entrance of Wai'oli, Hau did not see Moon approach from the west but from above, she and Lillie both flown into town atop the back of a huge dragon Pokemon. The shock lasted only a few moments before Hau raced off, arriving at the landing place of the pair, along with Kukui and Kahili on their own flying Pokemon, just after the Dragon Tamer Ryuki took his leave.

Hau immediately raced into the middle of the group.

"Hey! Hey! Moon! Lillie! What was with the big dragon? Where were you? Moon how'd your Trial go? Wait how come you're both so dirty, what happened?" The rapid-fire questions, in his usual Hau volume, only slowed down when Hau noticed how Moon was standing close enough for Lillie to lean upon her. His tone found concern. "Are you okay?"

"I'd like to know that myself," Kukui shook his head, "but first how about we get you two somewhere you can clean up. And Moon, we should check those scratches, since you've got dirt on them as well."

Moon nodded to this, Hau's peppering of questions answered by her and Lillie as Kukui led them all to the inn they would be staying at. Listening in as they escorted the three children – although Kukui spent a moment sending Ilima a message that Lillie had been found and all was well – Kukui and Kahili quickly picked up on the basics: that Cosmog had disappeared into the caves and Lillie had chased after it, which Kukui would have to do his extreme best to stress how dangerous a decision that had been; and how Moon had fallen into a hole in Melemele Meadow and gone into those caves as well.

The fissures leading into the cave systems of Melemele's north were usually off the beaten path – having one appear inside Melemele Meadow was extremely concerning to Kukui. He'd have to contact the Pokemon Rangers' Association to notify them of that before the day was out.

From there the girls' stories were the same: they'd wandered the tunnels and heard a song echoing through it, following it all the way to Kala'e Bay itself. Hau made noises about how lucky it was they'd found their way, while Kukui and Kahili, who understood the dangers of the underground far better, struggled to keep their hearts beating against the possibilities. Those girls would run them ragged.

The afternoon continued on quietly. Once Moon and Lillie were able to clean themselves up and change into clothing that wasn't dirt-covered, Kukui ordered quite sternly no more adventures for the day. Yes, Hau, that included Pokemon Battles, Moon needs to rest. She wasn't the type to show it, but Moon not complaining about the command said it more than clearly enough. They were all to take it easy. Professor's orders. So the three sat together and talked and let their Pokemon run about and that was enough. Kukui didn't miss the new members of Moon's team.

Ilima arrived in town shortly after.

Overseeing the trio of children kept Kukui, Kahili, and the Captain busy enough, spending what time they could discussing the dangers of the underground now that it was breaching in more travelled locations. As Captain of Melemele Ilima felt a measure of responsibility to this, though Kukui and Kahili both insisted managing such a thing wasn't possible for anyone. Still, it was difficult for his mood to lift as the three of them remained all too keenly aware how close today had come to disaster.

Had it not been for Dragon Tamer Ryuki, well... none of them felt like saying it.

Evening came and Moon and Lillie went to bed early. Hau stayed up longer with his Pokemon, but didn't need the supervision. Left room for Ilima, Kahili, and Kukui to settle in a room outside of earshot. To set up a screen and dial the Kahuna into the conversation.

To go over the events of the day.

"Tapu Koko challenged Moon."

Ilima, saying it in plain words, brought silence immediately following the first round of greetings. Kahili, staring with wide eyes, and Hala, face visible through the screen he was on, both looked from Ilima to Kukui. Kukui shrugged.

"I wasn't there, but Captain Ilima and Moon both confirmed it. Tapu Koko chased off the Totem Pokemon and gave Moon the Normalium-Z so it could fight her."

"Wait-" Kahili, fast of thought, immediately realised what was wrong here. "Are you saying that Moon used a Z-Move during her Trial?"

"Yes," Ilima's nod drove the chill in the air deeper, "I witnessed it myself. She copied the pose I used when showing her a Z-Move in Hau'oli City, and performed a fully-powered attack against Tapu Koko. It was brushed aside easily, but nonetheless it was her first Z-Move. This morning. Before everything else."

Kahili shook her head. Then shook it again. Held a hand to her forehead and scrunched her eyes shut. Even when Kukui had explained to her Moon had six Pokemon, insisted it was real, still the trainer had difficulty parsing it. That was one of the troubles of being at the peak, surrounded by the best of the best. You came to believe in the normal operation of limits.

The impossibilities at the edges always blindsided you.

"So you're. Telling me." Kahili was slow to say it, but the others gave her the room to speak, to work through her thoughts. "That this girl, this Moon, has six Pokemon, has been directly approached by Tapu Koko twice, performed her first Z-Move this morning in a battle against Tapu Koko, and then went on to spend the rest of the day wandering tunnels and catching a Dragon, a Dragon-type Pokemon, Kukui, and still stayed awake until night fell. That's what you're saying? That's what we're looking at?"

When she looked up at the group she really seemed like she wanted someone to tell her everything she'd seen that day had been her imagination. Kukui sighed and shook his head.

"That's the truth, Kahili."

Defeated she sunk into her seat.

Silence held a little longer.

"You had a Dragon young too, didn't you, Kukui?" Hala's voice, coming from the screen set up for him to join the conversation, drew a nod from the Professor.

"Yeah," Kukui smiled at the memory, "I had a Jangmo-o in the middle of my teens. Rowdy girl. When she evolved I couldn't keep up with her anymore, had to pass her on to one of the Dragon Tamers on Ula'ula."

"How does having a Bagon at eleven compare?" Ilima had the least experience of the four in the conversation, having never caught a Dragon-type Pokemon himself. He knew they were considered legendarily difficult to raise, but without experiencing it himself couldn't truly understand the demand Moon should feel. Kukui turned to him.

"I mean, she's been a trainer for two weeks," Kukui shrugged, "at this point is it even a surprise?"

"Yes!" Kahili, recovered enough, returned herself to the conversation. "Yes it is! You can't just say 'well this is happening' to all of this, this is so out of the ordinary that we have to question all of it! Why is she able to maintain six Bonds? Why is she able to keep a Dragon, who take significant power all on their own? Why can she perform a Z-Move and keep going like it was nothing? None of that is natural, Kukui, we can't hand-wave that away by grouping it all together and saying 'oh well that's just Moon'. We can't!"

Her outburst did push Kukui back, who seemed embarrassed at being scolded so. Hala shook his head.

"It is our responsibility to care for the Trainers of Alola, Moon included. It may be that we do not truly understand how to properly care for her, given her... situation... but nonetheless we must try. We should not treat her in a fearful manner, but neither should we ignore her clear abilities. Either extreme would be irresponsible of us."

Hala calling Kukui irresponsible for just accepting Moon as she was, combined with Kahili's words prior, kept him quiet, but Kahili herself felt momentary shame. Hala had described treating Moon in a fearful manner. Was that what she had been doing? Probably. It was scary. Kahili shook her head. She'd be better.

She'd returned to Alola to make things better for its Trainers, after all.

"The Grand Trial is next," Hala spoke again after a moment of silence, contemplation rife among the group as to the best way to move forward. "Both my grandson Hau and young Moon will be determined to battle me and move on to Akala's Trials, no doubt as soon as possible. I've spoken to Akala's Kahuna already, but I suppose a follow-up call given this new information is required. Ahh, these young children, keeping me ever busy. I'll never grow old as long as I live like this, isn't that right Kukui?"

Hala's boisterous laugh at the statement did bring smiles back to the group, who all agreed that even if Hala did grow old he'd never be old. He scolded the younglings for talking to him like that.

All smiles.

The night passed on to another day.

"Alright!" After an eventful breakfast – not only Moon and Hau's Pokemon eating along with Nebby, but also Ilima, Kukui and Kahili's – Hau announced himself, stood up and stretched. "Moon!" Immediately Moon looked at Hau ready, knowing what was on his mind. The same was on hers. "Let's have a Pokemon Battle!"

So the group found themselves outside, claiming a battling field in Wai'oli. Kukui took referee, while Kahili and Ilima oversaw, the second slightly disappointed it was not him battling Moon. He'd still not had the opportunity.

But soon, right?

"Alright!" Kukui raised his arms, Hau and Moon standing in position, "Are there any requests for rules for this match?"

"None!" Hau spoke quickly, cutting off anything Moon might have been about to say. "All-out free-for-all last-one-standing-wins!" Kukui looked at Hau with a smile at that, well enthused by his declaration, and repeated as such. There would be no limits on Pokemon used in this battle.

"And... begin!"

Moon led with her Meowth, facing off against Hau's Pichu. Ilima whispered to Kahili about its quick growth.

Baby Pokemon were like that – drawing more energy through their Bonds than usual for a Pokemon of their strength. In return, however, they evolved quickly, provided they were properly cared for. The stronger form would then draw less energy, making such Pokemon ideal firsts for new Trainers, providing they could take the initial demand.

Hau had kept the Pichu for ten days so far, which of course was still a small amount of time – at least two months the average for a baby Pokemon's evolution under the care of a Trainer. But it was obvious the energy he put out was far above that average, and those watching wondered if it would even be a month before the Pokemon evolved. Moon may be impossible, but Hau was something else too. They were both incredible young Trainers.

Moon's Meowth was headstrong when it came to following orders, but powerful all on its own. Moon directed it well, though still had to correct for times when the Pokemon did not follow her command. But against Hau those little moments added up, and the electricity in his Tiny Mouse Pokemon continued to sap away at the Scratch Cat.

In the end it was Meowth to fall first, the constant electrical bursts whittling down its stamina. Hau shouted encouragement to his Pokemon, which perked up at the sound, as Moon prepared her second. In a burst of red energy Rowlet manifested, fluttering above the field. The second battle.

It did not last long. Exhausted by its previous battle, Pichu proved unable to match Rowlet's significant speed, an advantage Moon's Pokemon had maintained in almost every battle so far. A jolt of electricity did hit the Grass Quill Pokemon, seeming to stun it for a moment, but it wasn't enough to stop Rowlet bowling over the electric mouse with a single direct hit. Hau grinned at Moon, retrieving one Pokemon and unleashing the next.

Popplio barked with enthusiasm as the two starters clashed again.

To different results.

Rowlet's strongest advantage was its speed, a factor Hau and Popplio had trained to overcome. Combined with the lingering effects of the electricity it had been touched by before, the jets of water Popplio used to manoeuvre proved too fast for the Grass Quill Pokemon to match. It was a battle of attrition, Popplio evading and weakening Rowlet through constant tackles thanks to its new speed. Moon varied her tactics in an attempt to recover, found an advantage through Rowlet's flight, however the elemental match-up failed to outweigh the now superior speed of the Sea Lion Pokemon.

One final strong hit laid Rowlet on the ground, unable to rise again.

This defeat marked for Moon a very clear sign she had a world of improvement to go. Hau had outpaced her, and she smiled at him, raising a hand to Kukui. A good match. Hau interrupted.

"Hey Moon!" She looked at him in surprise, his tone clearly displeased. "We're not done!"

They should be. In a match of two Pokemon – and Moon knew Hau had only two – he had won. The battle should be over.

Lillie, watching the match, the conflict stressful but her determination to oversee Hau and Moon more powerful, felt herself shocked. She'd never seen Hau look mad before.

"It's an all-out free-for-all last-one-standing-wins battle!" Seeing Hau's expression, Moon felt pained. She didn't like seeing him upset. "That means we keep battling with our Pokemon until one of us has none left! That's the rules!"

But Hau had won in a fair fight, he beat her two with his, it shouldn't be more than-

"Fair is going all out!" His yell actually made Moon take a step back, seeing Hau staring her down. "If you're going to hold back then there's no point in us battling! Come on, Moon! If you don't do your best then... doesn't that mean you don't respect me?"

Kukui had heard these arguments before. Trainers who grew up as friends, who found different limits, clashing about how to interpret those limits and compare themselves. Sometimes friendships even fell apart due to the limitations some people discovered. He knew that as well as any other. He said nothing.

Moon stared. She'd fought so many battles on the road to Verdant Cavern with two Pokemon alone. Accepted victories and defeats alike. Because that, she believed, was fair.

But was it? Was it fair to them? Was it fair to her?

If being fair was not holding back then...

Hau grinned, seeing Moon raising her next Pokeball. Good. That conversation last night – the sound of his grandfather's voice in the distance drawing him to overhear – had left Hau with far more to think about than he liked. His head was still heavy with rocks to figure out. But this, this was good.

Going all out was good.

Moon's third Pokemon was a Pikipek – a Pokemon Kahili could tell was approaching its evolution already. She was a Flying-type expert, and knew how to read those Pokemon well, so with absolute confidence she noted that down. That was not the norm. Of course it wasn't.

She really needed to think over how she was going to approach this.

Moon moved her arms. Ilima, responsible for teaching her the pose, held back his breath, watching as the Z-Aura burst into life around her. It was always beautiful to see, that power, but somehow around Moon it was different. Like for a moment what he saw within the light wasn't Moon. Wasn't anything he could understand. A gaze into something else.

Something other.

Then the aura flowed and the Pikipek shone brilliantly, a phoenix wreathed in power far more than the bird it had been before. Hau ordered Popplio to maintain its speed, to dodge the attack, but a Z-Move, especially for young Trainers, was often how battles came to an end. So it was true for this fight – despite Popplio's speed it did not dodge the blow, the full-force tackle from Pikipek ramming into it and sending it flying.

Hau jumped, intercepted the Pokemon, and landed on his feet, the power behind it far less than what Tapu Koko had used to throw Rowlet back the day before.

Moon lowered her arms as Hau returned his Popplio to its ball. Kukui raised a hand.

"The winner is: Moon!"

For as much as they were friends, and it was quite clear they were, Moon and Hau's argument wasn't settled by that at all.

It was strange, to hear Trainers so young go over the discussion usually reserved for one's late teens, or even beyond. Moon continued to insist, not wavering for a second, that Hau besting two of her Pokemon – including her strongest – with his two made him the better Trainer. Hau retorted that Moon beating him meant she was. Neither seemed willing to budge, and Lillie proved unable to convince either to give ground, unsure herself on what position she would take.

Kahili shook her head. "If they grow that fast they really will make it to the opening of the League."

"That's the plan," Kukui smiled, earning a beleaguered stare from the Trainer. "What? Do you really think they won't?"

"I don't know how I feel about the potential of battling them there."

"Maybe they'll beat you."

Kahili paused in silence after Kukui's jape. Maybe they would...

"I imagine Moon would put up a notable battle to even my less beginner-friendly Pokemon," Ilima chimed in, still with the group. He'd return with them via Iki Town, and make sure he heard the Kahuna's plans for the Grand Trials to come. He absolutely had to watch over those, after all. "Alas every time I've caught her she's been preoccupied. I've yet to get the chance to battle her myself."

Kukui laughed at that, Ilima's intense desire to battle every strong Trainer he could well known. "Maybe you'll be stuck waiting until the Pokemon League," he grinned. Ilima looked at him with an almost pained expression.

"Please do not joke about such things."

Lunch eaten, in the time after the battle, gave Kahili room to study. Moon's Pikipek was close to its evolution, but her other Flying-types were to be noted as well. Rowlet was far closer than it should be. Despite Hau's starter proving stronger, Moon's was the one already showing the initial signs of evolution – fluffed feathers, a more vigorous appetite, and slightly deeper coos. Evolution was a natural feature of Pokemon, accelerated by Trainer's Bonds providing those Pokemon with an extra source of energy. It seemed Moon was able to make a significant – even for an adult – amount of energy available for her Pokemon.

That wasn't right.

That wasn't even the only part of this that was shocking. Moon had a Butterfree – and Kahili had confirmed with the Rotom-dex Moon carried that it was evolved from a Caterpie. Bug Pokemon evolved quickly, making them another favoured starter for new Trainers, but this was still far too fast. It wasn't even the question of how Moon had given it enough experience – it was of how she had given it enough power. Trainer's Bonds were demanding. Kahili knew that as well as anyone possibly could.

And then there was the Bagon. Kahili had raised Dragon-types before, though found that maintaining them significantly lowered the number of Pokemon she could keep. They were a type that took an almost obscene amount of power, even for the smallest. Of course those demands scaled by their evolution, but a newly forged Trainer shouldn't be able to tolerate even a young dragon.

Forget struggling, Moon should be catatonic.

Yet she sat there with the others, talking about her journey, scolding the stubborn dragon for pushing others out of the way of their food, without any sign of tiredness. She'd used a Z-Move too. For a moment Kahili had almost forgotten that.

Did... did she truly have no limits?

"Well!" When lunch completed Kukui took the lead once more, drawing the attention of all present. "I think it's time we moved on to Iki Town. Kahili and I have done well with Wai'oli, and I'd like to oversee your Grand Trials as much as anyone." Moon and Hau stood together, their argument mostly over, though neither had agreed to the other's position. "How about we rent some Ride Pokemon and follow the eastern trail? It'll take a little longer, but be easier for us all than using our flying Pokemon, yeah!"

Mostly Kukui just really didn't want to go back in the air with anyone else after Moon had almost fallen the day before. He could feel his heartbeat accelerating just remembering that.

Luckily everyone was agreeable, and a collection of Tauros were available to take upon the trail. Lillie rode with Kahili, Kukui and Ilima on their own, with Moon and Hau leading ahead, mostly racing one another. Those two were competitive, always pushing the other further, Kukui observed. That was good. They'd do one another good.

Given Moon, given Hau, they were probably the only two in the world best suited to helping one another grow. It was truly good.

So the afternoon wore on, the ride from Wai'oli Town to Iki proving as beautiful as ever, the orange light of Alola stretching over the mountains and ocean below. There was peace in this moment, travelling together, and each of those upon the trip savoured it. Kept the memory in their hearts.

A Ride-Pokemon Station near to the end of the trail from Wai'oli to Iki accepted the five Tauros, thanked the group for their patronage and wished them well – if they ever wanted to ride around Melemele again, be sure to seek them out! From there it was only a short walk further, mostly down-hill, before the gates of Iki Town were in view once more.

Hau raced towards them.

"Ho there!" The voice of Kahuna Hala reached the group before the sight of him did, the man as ever robed in his yellow coat. With a cheerful stride he emerged from the gates, swinging an arm around to collect Hau and hold him tight as greeting. Hau struggled, but it was playful, used to the interaction. Hala chuckled as the others approached.

"Welcome back to Iki Town, young Moon," he addressed Moon specifically, before letting his grandson go. Hau bounded back to stand by Moon. "And my congratulations to the both of you for passing your first Trial. At this point, prior to my Grand Trial, I would present each challenger with a Z-Ring, and advise them to prepare a Z-Move to display in battle. However, given you already have one..."

The wave of Hala's arm turned Hau's attention, along with everyone else's, to Moon just long enough for the Kahuna to fetch a white ring from his sleeve, "I need only give one to my grandson!"

Hau jumped in surprise, caught off-guard by the theatrics, before his face widened into a classic Hau grin. Hala smiled as he pushed the ring into his grandson's hands, watching as Hau quickly fastened it to his wrist.

This was a sight that would make the boy's parents proud, for sure.

"Now then," Hala continued on, his voice ever the mix of joviality and gravel, "the Grand Trial of Melemele Island is a battle against me, Kahuna Hala, to ensure you two Trainers are ready to continue on. I will not go easy on either of you, so I advise the two of you to train yourselves and prepare. You may battle me when you are ready, but I will not accept a challenge for at least three days. I hope you understand."

Moon and Hau nodded, before the second turned to the first with a grin.

"So Moon," he held up a hand, fist closed, "want to figure out which of us gets to go first?"

Having lost the last match Moon very much did, and raised her hand again. She was sure this time she'd get him. After all, he'd never see it coming.

So did her paper fall to Hau's scissors once again, Moon continuing to be shocked by the boy's talent for the art. Hala laughed at the pair, the others gathered behind them smiling too.

"In that case," Ilima waved goodbye, "I will return to Hau'oli and be here in three days time to see your Grand Trial. Hau, if you wish to train, you need only seek me out. I will always be ready to help the Trainers of Alola improve."

"Got it!" Hau nodded, "I'll do my best!"

With that the Captain departed, leaving six behind. Hau turned to Moon.

"Hey Moon, let's hang out more tomorrow to train! I'm gonna head back home now though, have a good night!"

Hala turned, just so, as Hau walked to his side. The young boy had only been out on his Pokemon Journey for a short while, but already he seemed a little matured. Hah, this old man was getting emotional. He looked back to Moon. "Your Grand Trial may begin any day after Hau's, please notify me when you are ready." Moon nodded. Good. That was good. Bidding the group goodnight, Hala followed after Hau into Iki.

He'd need to prepare his darnedest to give these two the best Grand Trial he could.

"Looks like we're heading back," Kukui grinned at Moon, who nodded up at him. She and Lillie walked together along the way back, Kukui and Kahili discussing flying across Melemele over the next few days to cover any last questions from the townships before the Grand Trials. They'd be moving to Akala along with Hau and Moon, Kukui insisted. Kahili nodded to that.

"Moon, I-" Moon turned to Lillie when she spoke, the two side-by-side behind the adults. Much like the last time they had walked home from Iki together. It already felt so long ago. "Thank you. For everything. These two weeks have been... happy. Thank you."

Moon smiled at Lillie. She smiled back.

"When you complete your Grand Trial, when you go to the next Island, I'll go too. Not just to help Professor Kukui and Ms. Kahili, but also... for Nebby." Moon's eyes lowered to the bag Lillie always carried. It shook slightly. "Nebby... comes from far away... and I want to help it get home. It saved me, once. I want to save it too."

Moon nodded. Placed a hand against the bag and felt the form in it lean into her touch. Lillie saw that too. Perhaps Moon would be a far better carer for Nebby. Moon could do anything. She could support Nebby in ways Lillie never could. Maybe.

But something deep inside of her fought back against the thought at letting Nebby go to anyone. Even to Moon. The intensity of that emotion surprised Lillie. She found herself shocked by it.

She and Moon would be walking similar paths. They would be by one another's side. Maybe that was enough.

Maybe it would be.

The group ended at Moon's house – Moon heading up to her door with a wave to them all, Kahili returning to Hau'oli for the night, and Kukui leading Lillie back down to the lab. Moon's return – unannounced how could you! – thrilled Jewellery, who swept up her daughter in a hug that lifted Moon from the ground. She'd only been away for so little a time, but Jewellery had felt it intensely, knowing soon Moon would leave for far longer. These reunions, they were cause enough to celebrate.

Seeing her mother's happiness, Moon promised to stay close to home until her Grand Trial was done.

Oh how wonderful indeed.

Her Pokemon – new, old, and evolved! – were greeted with love by Jewellery and curiosity by her Meowth, the night passing on. The next day would begin Moon's training, as she prepared herself for what needed to be done.

Despite the numbers she possessed, still she felt like she had fallen behind Hau, bested as she had been in their battle before. She needed to be better.

To go any less than all-out would be rude, after all.