The gentle call of the sea filled the sun-kissed city. The ting of salt water clinging to the gentle breeze graced those enjoying the lovely weather with an everlasting calm. Hau'oli City, central point of Melemele Island, acted as the greeting grounds for those who came to visit the islands. And it was here that two friends sat across from one another once more.

"It's delicious!" the Champion of the Sinnoh region cheered as she chomped away at the Sweet Malasada.

Cladis's smile was once more filled with warmth. "I told you so. And this is only the first of three Malasada Shops in the region."

"Well, I don't intend to leave until I've tried all of the islands' treats," Cynthia proclaimed, causing the two of them to laugh. "It's been too long since we've had the chance to sit down and talk. The days have been good to you."

"Thank you." When Arceus purged the neurotoxin from his body, Cladis's hair had immediately changed to its original green sheen. The toxin had left an everlasting impression on him - while his left eye shifted back to its original dim green, his right eye remained teal. Even many moons later, his eye remained the same. But Cladis didn't mind. He only lightened his hair to a minty-green shade. "I must say the same to you, as well."

"Now, now. You wouldn't want Ira to get jealous," Cynthia teased as she took a sip of her iced tea.

Cladis chuckled. "Fine, fine. Though I do wish I knew where she was," he said, leaning back into his chair, "as soon as all of you came off the boat, Sally and Mother whisked her away. I barely even got the chance to greet her."

"Ahh don't worry 'bout it, Prof," Crest waved over from another table with his arm around Anabel, "she shouldn't be long now!"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Hm, what do I mean indeed!" Crest smirked and went back to chatting with his date.

Knuckles elbowed Cladis and grunted, smirking just the same.

"Anxious? Me? Don't be ridiculous!" The red filling his cheeks betrayed him.

"So tell me," Cynthia said with a chuckle, lifting another type of Malasada, "how have things fared since you left? I see your ability has improved."

Cladis turned to her and nodded. "Ah, yeah. It's taken some time, but I'm slowly starting to get it back. I still have a lot of work to do."

"That's fantastic news. And what of the others?" She took a bite of the Malasada and began to gush.

Cladis chuckled at her reaction before he began his tale. Vent was recovering well, though he still greatly missed his best friend. But he held no ill will to Cladis. Rather, he wanted to start a new friendship. Kyurem had decided to stay with Cladis, though it would occasionally take refuge on Mount Lanakila. The remnants of the Light and Dark Stones were laid to rest atop the mountain, and it is their resting site that Kyurem nests to charge through the little energy they radiate.

The members of Team Plasma that fought by their side were adapting well to their new lives. Rood and Corress - as the Colress of their world began to call himself - were helping them find places to settle within the islands. Many of them choose to work directly for the Aether Foundation at Cladis's suggestion, for they still held a deep love of caring for Pokemon in need. Though, he had to admit, it sometimes was a bit overbearing when some would insist on tending to him. "I'm just glad they're getting another chance to live peaceful lives. If we were a few minutes later…" He shook his head. "No, it's no good thinking about that."

"I'm sorry, did you say 'Corress'?"

"Yeah. As he put it, since he's the anomaly, and so he should change his name. He even dyed the blue strand in his hair red."

"That's an interesting way to address that problem. Well, I'm glad to hear everything has gone smoothly. And I have to tell you, the Council has been much more open lately regarding your foundation's help. They've made great strides in helping our own recovery efforts."

"Good. I'd expect no less from our representatives. How uh, how has Cyrus been?"

Cynthia leaded her cheek on her palm. "He's gone back into the Distortion World with Giratina. With the dimensional rifts fully sealed, he felt it was better that he return there. But I'm sure we'll meet again. There's always a way in, after all. But he does seem much more...relaxed now. Less serious, I suppose."

"I see. Well, I'm sure he has much to come to terms with." He reached for his own cup and lifted it to his lips.

Cynthia's eyes trailed down to the band on Cladis's wrist. "Oh! You fixed your Z-Power Ring."

"I didn't, but Tapu Koko was kind enough to fix it. I think he could sense everything that's happened to me through the Ring."

The red-and-silver gem fastened to it glistened in the light. "Did you manage to find out what happened to your Z-Crystal?"

Cladis paused and looked down at his wrist. "Oh yes," he said, setting down his drink. "Our studies show that Knuckles's Aura is resonating inside of it, mixing with raw Ultra-Energy. We haven't been able to replicate the phenomenon, however. There's still so much we don't understand. Why Ira's crystal was the one that fused with it…"

"That's the power of love, baby!" Crest cooed from his chair.

Cladis chuckled. "Maybe." He took the crystal out from his Z-Power Ring and held it up to the light. "Knuckles can't use Clangorous Soulblaze with this, which means there's no trace of it once being a Kommonium-Z. It's something new, and I'm excited to find out more about it."

"And I look forward to hearing about your progress." Cynthia wiped her mouth, having finished her fifth Malasada. "Speaking of progress." She smiled at Knuckles. "Lucario has been dying to train with you again."

Knuckles eyes lit up as he grunted.

"Oh is that right?"

Knuckles nodded.

Cladis laughed and shook his head. "Knuckles said an opening in his schedule appeared. The entire day, to be more specific."

Cynthia joined him. "How splendid!"

Cladis looked over at Crest. "And what about you?"

"Me? Well, Ira'll tell ya the deets. But let's just say, you're gonna be seeing a lot more of me!"

"I better see you a lot more," Anabel chimed in.

"Oh, ya know it sweetums!" he laughed, then buried his face into her neck, causing her to laugh..

Cladis smiled and returned to converse more with Cynthia, when a shadow pulled over him. "Hey - err...Alola."

He turned his head and couldn't believe his eyes. Dressed in a gorgeous sundress and adorn with a wreath of Melemele Meadow flowers, Ira stood staring down at him. His eyes went wide, a deep blush forming in his cheeks. "I-Ira…?" he managed to say. "You look...wow…"

And then, she smiled. "Thanks."

Cladis slowly pulled himself from his chair, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. "I missed you so much…"

"Yeah...me, too," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him.

"Hey," Professor Burnet cooed from behind them, holding Vaporeon in her clutches. "Sally and I are gonna take everyone for a tour around town. Don't get into too much trouble!" she said with a wink, leading the pack away.

Cynthia waved good-bye, and Crest smirked, shooting them a thumbs up as they followed.

The sounds of the city seemed to stop - for only the gentle breeze graced their ears. They stared into one another's eyes, hands-in-hands. "Well? Say something," Ira ordered, turning red herself.

"I just...I'm just so happy to see you again. You look beautiful, really."

"Yeah, don't I?" She struck a pose and winked.

Cladis beamed with glee. "And such confidence!"

"Suits me, doesn't it?"

"Incredibly so," he cooed, planting a gentle kiss on her nose.

She blushed. "So corny...come on! D-do it right…"

Cladis smiled gently as he wrapped his arms around her waist, gently pulling them together as their lips locked. They held together for countless moments before they reluctantly parted. "Better?"

"Better. So...this is where you're from, huh?"

"That's right. I even live on this island. My parents have a beach house not far from here, and further north on that beach is the one we just finished building for me."

"Is that right? Well...show me."

Atop the roof of his home, the couple laid back and gazed up at the stars amidst the shining light of the moon. "You were right - it's so clear here."

Cladis smiled, running his thumb over the back of her hand. "Sometimes I even fall asleep up here just watching them."

"Really? That sounds...peaceful."

"Yeah, it is. Just letting your worries fly away." He took a deep breath and sighed.

"Fly away, huh?" She mimicked his breathing. "Yeah...I can feel that. Hey," she reached into her pocket, "I wanted to show you something."

When he turned to her, Ira dangled an amulet in front of his eyes. Yellow, red, pink, and purple. "What? Ira...this is…"

"It is."

"But...how?"

"Well, at first I was thinking of resigning, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. But I wanted so desperately to come here - to stay here. Shelly saw that and spoke to Archie, and he decided to give me a promotion. Well, me and Crest." She shot him a smile and scooted closer. "We're the acting Aqua representatives for this region. Officially, we're here to make sure the waters stay clean and safe for Pokemon. Unofficially," she rested her head on his shoulder, "I...wanted to see what life was like here. While Sally was finishing up this dress, your mother suggested that I take the Island Challenge to really get a feel for life here."

Cladis wrapped his arm around her. "So that's what you were up to," he teased, planting a kiss on her cheek. "You'll have a wonderful experience, I assure you."

"Yeah...but I could use a traveling companion."

"Is that right? I might know a guy you might like."

"Just like?"

He smiled down at her. "You tell me." He planted another kiss on her lips.

"You already know that answer. But," she lifted her lips to his ear to whisper, then stopped herself. Instead, she rolled on top of him. "I love you."

Although briefly surprised, Cladis smiled and held her tightly. "I love you, too." He planted another kiss on her lips, then returned to gazing up at the stars. "Hey, look at that."

"What?" Ira turned around just in time to see one slingshot across the sky. "Whoa…"

"Better hurry and make a wish," he cooed into her ear and shut his eyes.

"A wish?" She thought for a moment, then closed her eyes as well.

Cladis chuckled. "Well? What did you wish for?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," she teased, laying back.

"I would."

"Well, that's too bad. You'll find out when the time is right."

Cladis smiled as their fingers interlocked. "When the time is right."