A/N: *insert Mushu rising from the dead gif* I LIVEEEEEEE!

I didn't die

My laptop broke

So I had to get a new one

And I still had to edit this chapter

Sorry about the unplanned hiatus

It'll take a bit longer for the next couple of chapters to be uploaded since I need to get back in the writing feel.

Also if you're wondering why I deleted some of my stuff, the main reason is that it was cringey and I couldn't read it without cringing, or I changed the storyline of whatever it was related to.

"The Ruins of Conflict?"

"Yeah, have you been?"

A screeching Wingull passed overhead as Hau bought yet another malasada from the stand on the beach. He was staring at Taiyo with wide eyes.

"It's supposedly the home of Tapu Koko, and it's super-spiritual. You basically have to be blessed by Arceus to train there without enraging him."

Taiyo raised an eyebrow, "If it was that spiritual, you'd think they'd block it off or something."

"True," Hau nodded through a mouthful of malasada, "Still don't know why they haven't."

"But yeah, I'm getting mentored by someone who I've admired for years, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it."

"That's cool, I'm gonna ask Gramps to help train me and Popplio, so we'll both get training from super strong trainers."

The bridge had already been repaired, surprising Taiyo. Then again, it was a simple rope bridge and the bridges in Sootopolis were concrete and steel. She took a cautious step, listening for a creak; when there wasn't one, Taiyo started walking along.

She gripped the ropes for stability, the braided cord digging into her palms. She sighed with relief when her feet touched the solid ground once again and continued along the path to the Ruins of Conflict.

Glowing leaves came flying out of the treetops, causing Taiyo to freeze.

"Bone Rush!"

A Lucario jumped out of the shadows, twirling a glowing blue bone-shaped staff and intercepting the attack.

"Nice intercept, Lucario," Ash said, walking into the clearing with a Sceptile following him.

Lucario gave a nod as the staff disappeared.

"You okay, Taiyo?"

She dusted off her shorts and nodded, "Just startled."

"Sorry about that, it was a stray attack from Sceptile."

The Forest Pokemon hung his head, at which Pikachu smirked.

"Can it Mega Evolve too?"

"Yeah, Steven gave me some Sceptilite before I came here."

"Steven as in Steven Stone?! The Champion of Hoenn?! Do you just know all the Champions?"

"Yes, and yes. I've met Lance a few times when he was doing G-Men stuff, I met Steven first in a cave, and then when he helped beat Team Flare in Kalos a couple of years ago, Cynthia helped me and my friends beat Team Galactic and I even stayed at her house in Unova too. I only met Alder a few times, but I've met him nonetheless. Diantha and I battled a few times and she was one of the people who battled Team Flare."

"Do you know, like, everyone?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

The three Pokemon nodded.

"Is Rowlet doing alright?"

Taiyo nodded and released the Grass Quill Pokemon. Rowlet happily trilled and flew around Taiyo's head before landing in her blonde hair.

"Good, I'm putting you up against one of my Pokemon that Rowlet has a type advantage against-" he paused- "Not Greninja, though, so don't worry. I'm putting you up against one of my Pokemon from Unova. Oshawott, I choose you!"

A bi-pedal Pokemon with a spherical white head and two triangular dark-blue ears appeared. It had blue fur covering its body that formed bubble shapes around its neck and had white, rounded arms and a pale yellow shell on its chest. It grabbed the shell and raised it above its head, striking a pose.

"Oshawott!" It cried.

Pikachu leaped off Ash's shoulder and greeted the Unovan Pokemon. RotomDex flew out of Taiyo's bag, startling the unfamiliar Pokemon and hovered in front of it.

"Zzzt. Oshawott, the Sea Otter Pokemon. Zzt. It fights using the scalchop on its stomach. In response to an attack, it retaliates immediately by slashing."

"An Oshawott? I know I've heard that name before."

"It's Unova's water-type starter."

Taiyo snapped her fingers, "Of course, I've seen it in Contests back...well I saw them in Contests in Hoenn."

"Say, Oshawott, you up for a battle?"

"Wott!"

"Rowlet, are you ready?"

Rowlet trilled and took off from Taiyo's head, floating just above Oshawott.

"Use Leafage!"

"Dodge it and use Razor Shell!"

Rowlet released a tornado of glowing green leaves that swirled in the air, each missing their target as Oshawott weaved through them in a dodge. Drawing his scalchop, a light blue aura surrounded it, forming into an energy blade of the top. Oshawott jumped into the air and slashed at the white feathers on the Alolan Starters' chest, causing Rowlet to fall back onto the ground.

"Rowlet!" Taiyo cried.

"Wott!" Oshawott announced, holding his scalchop in the air, striking a victory pose as Ash rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed in exasperation at the Sea Otter Pokemon.

Rowlet stood up, recovering from the fall, and shook slightly, "Let!" He cried, narrowing his eyes at Oshawott.

"Osha," the Unovan Starter mumbled, turning pale.

"Don't celebrate before you win, Oshawott. Use Aqua Jet!"

The Sea Otter Pokemon lowered his scalchop as a shadow darted out from the undergrowth, grabbing the pale yellow shell out of his paw. Oshawott stared at his empty palm, blinking a few times in disbelief before registering that his scalchop was missing.

The Unovan Starter ran frantically in circles, chittering as he put his hands to his head.

Ash scratched the back of his neck, "Sorry about this, Taiyo. Oshawott is very attached to his scalchop, he refuses to battle without it. So I'm going to have to find it with him before continuing the battle."

Taiyo frowned before an idea popped into her head, "It was a Pokemon that stole Oshawott's scalchop; Rowlet and I could battle the Pokemon that took it."

Ash smiled at the girl's enthusiasm, reminded of himself at her age, and nodded. "As long as it's not too strong."

"Yes!"

Pikachu calmed Oshawott down enough to walk slightly ahead of both Ash and Taiyo. Rowlet flew overhead, keeping an eye out for the scalchop thief from the air. Pikachu returned to Ash's shoulder, also searching from there.

The Mouse Pokemon's cheeks began to spark as he looked around curiously.

"Is there another Electric-type, bud?"

Taiyo raised an eyebrow at Ash as Pikachu jumped off his trainer's shoulder, "What?"

"I'll explain later, it's kinda complicated. What's there, Pikachu?"

Pikachu stood back on his haunches and sniffed the air as Rowlet and Oshawott watched. The bushes in front of both trainers and their Pokemon began to shake.

"Heliolisk!"

"Ack!" Taiyo yelped, stumbling back. The unfamiliar Pokemon stood in front of Pikachu, the orange spikes around his neck sparking with golden electricity. A consistent electrical current crackled between Pikachu's cheeks and the other Pokemon's spikes.

"Hey, Rotom-"

"Zzt. Heliolisk, the Generator Pokemon, and the evolved form of Helioptile. An Electric/Normal type. Zzzt. They flare their frills and generate energy. A single Heliolisk can generate sufficient electricity to power a skyscraper. Zzt."

"Professor Kukui was right, this is ridiculously intuitive," she mumbled. "Could Heliolisk be the scalchop thief?"

"I'd hope not. Because that'd mean he stole one of Alakazam's spoons."

"Wait, Lucas?"

Lucas moved out from the bushes with an Alakazam beside him. "Sorry about Heliolisk, I couldn't use him against Hala in my Grand Trial so he's been burning off energy during our cool down training," the Sinnohan Trainer explained, scratching the back of his neck, "Sorry for scaring you, Tai. Can I call you that?"

Taiyo shrugged, "Everyone does."

"You were saying something about one of your Alakazam's spoons getting stolen?" Ash questioned.

"Yeah, we were doing some cool-down training after we beat Hala; and then out of nowhere, this Pokemon snatched one of Alakazam's spoons right out of her hand. And we've been searching for the thief since."

"The same thing happened to Ash's Oshawott. He was battling Rowlet and was holding his scalchop when a Pokemon darted out of nowhere and stole it right out of his hand!"

"Did you happen to see what Pokemon was the thief?"

"Yeah, but I don't believe it."

"Why don't you believe it?"

"It's not even native to Alola, I'm still scratching my head about it."

"Well, what if it traveled from whatever region it's from," Taiyo offered.

"I highly doubt that."

"Why?" Ash interrogated.

"It was a Torchic."

"A Torchic?!" Taiyo cried.

Lucas raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ash, "Yeah."

"She's Hoennian."

The blonde trainer nodded, "Mhm. I'm from Sootopolis City, I moved to Hau'oli a week ago."

Lucas nodded and turned to Ash again, "I'm sure of it; I know what I saw."

"Never doubted you. Did you see which way it went?"

"Follow me," he said, waving for Ash and Taiyo to follow.

Rowlet was back on Taiyo's head, and asleep too; this behavior was becoming routine for the young trainer and the Grass Quill Pokemon. Oshawott had dozed off and Taiyo was holding him in her arms since Ash was already managing Pikachu.

Lucas had returned Heliolisk for everyone's sake, but Alakazam remained outside her Pokeball, searching with the rest of the group.

It was mid-afternoon when the three trainers and their Pokemon came into a clearing. Taiyo took in her surroundings and groaned, "We've been at this for hours and there's still no sign of Torchic."

Lucas sighed, "I doubt we'll find Torchic, it's a quick Pokemon and we saw it, as Taiyo said, hours ago."

Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and sniffed at the ground. He took a few steps before raising a paw and pointing at the undergrowth in front of them, "Pika pi!"

"Or we could've had Pikachu looking on the ground much sooner," Ash shrugged.

Pikachu continued into the bushes, followed closely by Taiyo as Lucas and Ash walked behind the younger trainer. Oshawott had woken up and was now walking beside Pikachu scanning the bushes for the scalchop thief.

In front of the group was a large tree and sitting on the roots, facing away from them, was the thieving Torchic.

"Oshawott!"

Torchic turned around and cocked its head at Oshawott, mockingly chirping, causing the Unovan Starter to turn crimson with fury. Hoping to avoid a situation where Oshawott seriously hurt himself or the others in the group, Ash drew out Oshawott's Pokeball and returned the Sea Otter Pokemon.

Taiyo put her hands on her hips, "Rowlet, you wanna battle?"

Rowlet gave a determined trill and flew in front of Torchic, narrowing his eyes at the Hoennian Starter.

"Rowlet, use Leafage!"

Rowlet released a tornado of leaves that went swirling towards Torchic, which the Chick Pokemon burned with small balls of flames, leaving little trails of smoke and a damp, smoky smell lingering in the air.

Taiyo scrunched her nose, and stared at the arrogantly chirping Torchic, "Tackle!"

Torchic leaped into the air, stretching its yellow claws and scratching at Rowlet's face. Rowlet cried out and continued crying out, causing Torchic to freeze in place and wince.

"What?"

"That was Astonish!" Lucas shouted.

"Alright," Taiyo pumped her fist, "new move!"

"Tor!" Torchic cried in defiance. The Chick Pokemon was surrounded by flames and charged forward.

"Rowlet, get out of there!"

"Let!" The Grass Quill Pokemon cried as Torchic slammed into him, bringing both avian Pokemon to the ground.

Lucas moved to unclip a Pokeball from his belt.

"Let her figure it out."

The Sinnohan Trainer raised an eyebrow, "She's just a kid."

"A kid who I'm training. This is her first opportunity to face a Pokemon she has a disadvantage against, I'm seeing how she reacts," Ash said.

"So I'm guessing you arranged this?"

"Nope, this was just a coincidence that allows me to see how she reacts to pressure."

Taiyo's eyes widened as she realized how badly that attack had injured Rowlet. The Alolan Starter's normally clean, beige feathers were charred to black. Rowlet attempted to flare out his wings to take flight once again but winced every time his wings twitched.

The young trainer bit her lip, "Astonish!"

Rowlet chittered and cried, causing Torchic to freeze in place for a second before shaking his head and began to glow. The Hoenn Starter's stubby wings grew into long arms with claws at the ends and its claws grew into legs.

"It evolved," Lucas gasped.

"Crap," Taiyo hissed under her breath.

"Zzt. Combusken, the Young Fowl Pokemon. A fire and fighting-type and the evolved form of Torchic. Zzzt. Combusken toughens up its legs and thighs by running through fields and mountains. This Pokémon's legs possess both speed and power, enabling it to dole out 10 kicks in one second. Zzt."

"Astonish, again!"

"She's gonna need help."

"She's doing fine, better than I did in my first battle with a Pokemon," Ash said.

Taiyo narrowed her eyes. Rowlet wasn't going to be able to fly because of his burns so that ruled out attacking from the air. Combusken could use a fire move to destroy any of Rowlet's grass attacks so using Astonish was her best bet.

Combusken itself in flames and charged again towards Rowlet.

"Astonish!"

Rowlet chittered and cried out again, causing Combusken to freeze in fear as the flames around it disappeared.

"Now Leafage!"

"Row!" Rowlet cried, summoning a leaf tornado that swirled around Combusken.

"Com!" The Young Fowl Pokemon cried in pain.

Taiyo smirked, unclipping an empty Pokeball from her belt. She pressed the white button to enlarge it and threw it towards Combusken. It made contact with Combusken's shoulder and sucked the fire/fighting type into it. She closed her eyes and crossed her fingers as the Pokeball shook three times before beeping.

"Alright! I just caught Combusken!" Taiyo cheered.

Ash smirked, "Told ya."

Lucas's Alakazam stepped towards the tree where Combusken had been hiding and lifted a silver spoon into her hand with her psychic powers. Oshawott released himself and dove towards the den.

"OSHAWOTT!" He cried, holding his scalchop proudly over his head before waddling back to Ash's side.

"I'm really proud of you, Rowlet," Taiyo began as she kneeled to the Grass Quill Pokemon's level, "Take a rest," and Rowlet was sucked into his Pokeball.

Lucas clapped his hands, "Well this was fun. I need to leave though, gotta catch the last ferry to Akala Island."

"Akala Island?"

"It's one of the other Islands here in Alola. My little brother Elio is taking on his trials there and I promised to watch his trial on Brooklet Hill."

"You have a little brother?"

"Yeah. After I started my journey in Sinnoh, my family moved to Alola so Elio is much more Alolan than I am. The Akala Island Grand Trial will be his second Grand Trial too if he can finish his trials in this century."

Ash smiled, "We'll see you around Lucas, and congratulations on beating Hala."

"Thanks, see you two around."

Taiyo turned to her mentor, "So can we finish that battle?"

"How about we make it a double battle since you have Combusken now too."

"Heck yeah!"

"Rowlet and Combusken are feeling much better now, we hope to see you again!" Nurse Joy chirped.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy!"

"Pika!" Pikachu cried, scampering across the linoleum floors, and jumped to sit on Taiyo's shoulder.

"You're one of the few trainers that Pikachu has never shocked, I'm impressed."

Taiyo raised an eyebrow as she scratched behind the Mouse Pokemon's ear, "Really now?"

"I still owe my friend Misty a bike that Pikachu destroyed 8 years ago," Ash chuckled.

She glanced at Pikachu, still on her shoulder, "Should I be scared?"

Pikachu shrugged.

"Anyway, I grabbed another one of my Pokemon to go up against Combusken as well."

Taiyo's face lit up, "Sweet! We just need a battlefield."

"There's one out back!" Nurse Joy called, prompting both trainers to turn around, "Wigglytuff, can you lead them out there?"

The Balloon Pokemon nodded and waved for Ash and Taiyo to follow behind her. Pikachu moved from Taiyo's shoulder back to Ash's and yawned, to which Ash rolled his eyes, "You've been sitting on my shoulder all day, don't act like you're tired."

The outdoor battlefield was bathed in the golden, late afternoon light, twilight was fast approaching.

"Let's show the world our Hoenn-Alola Harmony! Rowlet, Combusken, I choose you!"

"Did you come up with that on the spot during your battle with Hau?"

Taiyo scratched the back of her neck, "Yeah, kinda. It's pretty corny but I kinda like it."

Ash grinned, "Alright then, Oshawott, Bayleef, I choose you!"

Oshawott appeared beside another Pokemon. The other Pokemon was a quadruped, pale yellow, Pokemon that had a long neck and a leaf on the top of its round head along with a few, unblossomed flower buds around its neck.

"Bay!" The Pokemon cried, tackling Ash and affectionately nuzzling the Kantonian Trainer.

"Bayleef, I know it's been a while but can you get off me, please," Ash wheezed.

"Hey Ro-"

"Zzt. Bayleef, the Leaf Pokemon. Bayleef's neck is ringed by curled-up leaves. Inside each tubular leaf is a small shoot of a tree. The fragrance of this shoot makes people peppy. Zzzt."

"Dang, Rotom, you respond fast."

"Zzt. I was designed that way, Taiyo," Rotom responded.

"I'm really gonna have to thank Lillie and the Professor," Taiyo mumbled as Ash got to his feet.

"Sorry about that, it's one of Bayleef's habits from when she was a Chikorita," Ash apologized.

"No biggie, I'll start. Rowlet, Leafage on Oshawott, Combusken, Flame Charge on Bayleef!"

"Aqua Jet on Combusken, Razor Leaf on Rowlet," Ash countered. He may have been pulling his punches but he could still put up a good fight.

"Combusken, dodge and use Ember and Rowlet, get up into the air and use Astonish!"

Combusken slid out of the way of Oshawott and released a few balls of fire on Bayleef at close range, giving the Leaf Pokemon no chance to dodge. Rowlet twirled through Bayleef's Leaf Storm and chittered loudly once Oshawott began to look up at the Grass Quill Pokemon.

Oshawott paled and ran to cower behind Bayleef, to Ash's disappointment.

He sighed, "C'mon Oshawott, you're embarrassing me in front of my protege."

Taiyo snickered and called out another set of attacks.

Both trainers were so absorbed in the battle that they didn't realize the spectator sitting on the steps down to the battlefield, scratching Pikachu behind his ears.

"He really hasn't changed at all, right Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

"He's really only gotten taller since I last saw him."

"Rowlet, Leafage, Combusken, Double Kick!" Taiyo yelled.

Bayleef and Oshawott both toppled over with spirals in their eyes, and Taiyo grinned.

"I totally realize that you were going easy on me but THAT WAS AWESOME!" The young Trainer hollered, jumping up and down out of excitement.

"And I haven't seen Ash battle like that in forever," the spectator called. Both Taiyo and Ash turned to face them.

"S-Serena!?" Ash yelled in surprise.

"Long time, no see, Ash!" Serena beamed.

"Wait a second, you're the Absol trainer I ran into the other day," Taiyo said.

"It's Taiyo, right?"

The blonde trainer nodded, "Yep."

"So, uh, ahem, what are you doing? I-In Alola?" Ash asked, attempting to hide how red his face was.

"It's the Showcase off-season so I'm on vacation."

"Showcase?" Taiyo asked.

"They're these events in Kalos, basically like a girls-only version of the appeal round in a Contest."

Taiyo glanced between the older trainers and smirked, "I'm gonna try to find Lillie and Hau and show off Combusken to them, I'll see you two later."

As Taiyo ran off, Serena sighed, "Of course you end up mentoring an absolute carbon copy of yourself."

"I'm not that bad!"

"You jumped off Prism Tower!"

"One time!"

"And Dawn and May had no issue telling me all the reckless stuff you did while traveling with them," Serena said, crossing her arms, with Pikachu mirroring her.

"Does 8 years of training and friendship mean nothing to you?" Ash muttered, glaring at Pikachu.

"I've got Pokepuffs in my bag and he probably wants some of them."

Pikachu nodded.

"Traitor."

Serena snickered and handed a small, pink, frosted pastry to the Mouse Pokemon, who devoured it in seconds.

"You just have to have the right tools, Ash."

"Or have a more loyal partner."

Pikachu snickered.

"Shouldn't you get those two temporary teammates back to Kanto?"

Ash scratched the back of his neck, "Yeah, I should. I have a feeling Charizard and Garchomp are gonna be upset if I leave them there any longer."

The Alolan Moon was bright enough that many street lamps went unlit along the Hau'oli City Promenade as the two trainers walked. Despite being the largest urban area on Melemele Island, to both Ash and Serena, it seemed like a simple town.

"I haven't seen stars like this in years," Serena breathed.

"I thought Vaniville Town had a good view of the stars," Ash said.

"It's been undergoing a lot of development recently, and I don't live there anymore."

"You don't?"

Serena smiled, "My life basically got turned upside down when I beat Aria. One day I'm this small-town girl with a decent amount of fame, and the next I can't walk two steps outside my own house without being confronted with an army of drooling fanboys. And Mom was willing to move too; Vaniville Town is the new place to live in Kalos so everything is getting pretty crowded."

"I wouldn't be surprised if they just left your house vacant and turned it into a museum."

"I'm like seventy percent sure they did. Anyway, we moved to Coumarine City, which was a smart move since the first Showcase of the season is there, and it's mandatory for me to be there. And Ramos is still Gym Leader, and he allowed my mom to keep Rhyhorn on his ranch. So what have you been up to, it's been nearly three years since I saw you, and you've looked pretty busy."

Ash scratched the back of his neck, "Well, uh, I'm affectionately called the Champion's errand boy by Elite Four members and League Staff worldwide."

Serena snorted, "Wait, seriously?"

"One of the Kanto Elite Four/Interim Viridian Gym Leader, Agatha, coined the phrase. And then when Cynthia heard it, there was no escape. And I've tried to bribe my freedom from it but my attempts have failed."

"You're bribing Champions now?"

"Just Steven and Cynthia, when I can."

"How, exactly?"

"New rocks with Steven, and Cynthia has the worst sweet tooth."

Serena shook her head, "Only Ash Ketchum would bribe a Champion. What about Lance, Diantha, and Alder?"

"As far as I'm concerned, bribing Lance is impossible, I have no idea how to bribe Diantha, and Alder thinks my name is Ashton."

"Does he really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh my Arceus," Serena chuckled.

"So how are Bonnie and Clemont doing nowadays?" Ash asked.

"Clemont is one of the top contenders for an Elite Four position now that Wikstrom and Drasna are getting ready to retire."

"Seriously? Who's he up against?"

"Well, there's two spots and four top contenders. Wulfric, Olympia, Korrina, and Clemont are the four, though Olympia will probably turn her spot down because of everything going on with the Anistar Sundial, and Wulfric is older than Wikstrom and Drasna so he might only have a few years left."

"Would Bonnie take over the Lumiose Gym if Clemont got that position?"

"Maybe, but I doubt it. She's more focused on earning a Champion title; heck, she came fourth in the Hoenn League a month or so ago. I'm surprised you never heard."

"What kind of team does she have?"

"She switches it up every so often," Serena began, "kinda like you used to do. But when last I talked to her, she had Dedenne, a Noibat, a Lopunny, a Trevenant, a Feebas, and a Talonflame."

"A Talonflame and a Noibat, eh? What about Squishy?"

"Recent International League protocols don't allow Legendary or Mythical Pokemon to compete in official Gym Battles and League Matches. I'm told you know something about that."

"Are you accusing me, the literal Legendary and Mythical beacon and savior, of abusing that kind of power?" Ash jeered, playfully elbowing Serena.

"No, I'm just told you took down a trainer's Darkrai and Latios in the Lily of the Valley Conference when you were in Sinnoh."

Ash chuckled and scratched the back of his neck, "Yeah, that kinda happened. They banned Legendaries and Mythicals cause of that?"

"Yeah, you can still use them in the Battle Frontiers though."

"Makes sense, Brandon's team was just the Regi Trio."

"And you took him down when you were twelve."

"Sceptile was my strongest at the time."

Serena nodded, "May mentioned that," she mumbled.

"So how was Hoenn?"

"Oh, it was great. I got a lot of good experience too."

Ash scratched the back of his neck, "Any new relationships?"

"What, like am I dating anyone?"

"Yeah."

"That's an interesting ask from you."

Ash simply shrugged, "I haven't seen you in a couple of years, just curious."

"Well to answer your question, no. You?"

"The Champions are keeping me pretty busy so I don't normally have time for that kind of stuff."

"And here you are taking a vacation."

"It's not exactly a vacation."

"Let me guess, they have you doing something that you can't tell me about."

"Exactly. Cynthia would kill me if I let anything about it slip."

Serena and Ash leaned against the railing of the boardwalk, "So...do you miss anything about Kalos?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I miss traveling around with a group of friends, I'm kind of lonely."

Serena nodded, "Me too."

Both trainers stood in silence, and Ash rested her hand over hers, "And I miss hanging out with you, and Clemont and Bonnie."

Serena nodded, "Yeah, I miss being around you too."

Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and nuzzled Serena's leg as Ash turned to face her. "Alright, I've got something I need to ask."

"What's up?"

Ash took a breath. "So, about that thing, at the airport-" Serena turned red- "was I seriously that stupid to miss it."

Serena blinked a few times and cleared her throat, "Well, um...No offense, but uh...Yeah, you were."

"Sorry about that."

"It was kind of my fault for not building up the courage to just tell you from the beginning."

Ash shrugged, "Mainly mine though, I still groan whenever I remember how dense I was."

"You realize that I had to keep both Shauna and Bonnie from smacking you upside the head because of that, right?" Serena chuckled, still leaning against the railing of the boardwalk.

"Well, I still got smacked, just by some of my friends in Kanto instead. I really wish I could go back to talk to my past self, to get him to realize it sooner. I mean, I probably could, Celebi and Dialga owe me a couple favors."

Serena smiled and sighed, she wrapped her arms around him and stared directly into his warm hazel eyes. Ash wrapped one arm around her waist and had his other hand on the back of her head to bring her lips to his. Ash breathed in her scent; rose perfume, sugar, and the faint scent of strawberries in her hair.

They pulled apart when the need for air presented itself to both of them. Ash gently carded a hand through her hair as Serena rested her head against his shoulder. "Or we could just start right now," Serena mumbled.

"I think I'm okay with that."

"Taiyo!"

She whipped around, a small chunk of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail whacked her cheek, "Hau! I was looking for you."

"I was looking for you too!" He shouted, "I just got a new Pokemon and I wanna show you."

"Same here, I'll show you my new Pokemon if you show me yours?"

"Yup. Popplio, Pichu, come out!" He shouted. Popplio barked and clapped her flippers together when she saw Taiyo. Pichu, the small yellow electric-type Pokemon, jumped from side to side in excitement.

She bent down two Pichu, "Aww, you're adorable Pichu. Where'd you find him?"

"My Gramps gave him to me, actually. What about your new Pokemon?"

"I caught him myself!" Taiyo declared proudly, crossing her arms.

"So what is it?"

"I'll show you! Combusken, let's go!"

Combusken crossed his arms like Taiyo as he appeared, wearing a smug expression.

"I've never seen a Pokemon like that. Is it Alolan?"

"Nope. It's actually the second evolutionary stage of one of the Hoenn Starters."

Hau's eyes widened, "How'd you find it?"

"It's a long story," Taiyo sighed, yawning.

"Sure sounds like it. Want some malasadas?"

"Maybe, where's Lillie?"

Hau shrugged, "I don't know. Probably at the Professors'."

Taiyo nodded, "I'll see her tomorrow. I'm gonna head home, my mom will probably wanna see Combusken too."

"Yeah, sure. See ya!"

"So how's Alola treating you and Tai?"

"Taiyo's sure settled in. She's already started something called the 'Island Challenge'."

"I swear, she's just like you, Amaya."

Amaya rolled her eyes, "Alright Koko," she teased, "how's my team doing?"

"It's Kohana, Amaya," Kohana protested, "but they're doing well. Mawile is still training on her own, you sure had her trained."

"I didn't make the finals of the Hoenn League for nothing."

"Mom?" Taiyo called, "I'm back!"

Amaya nodded, "I'm in my office, sweetheart," she called back, "Aunt Koko wants to talk to you."

"Alright!"

Kohana grinned, "She seems pretty energetic. What time is it over there?"

"Eight," Taiyo said as she came into the room, dragging one of the chairs from the corner to sit beside her mom.

"Anything interesting in Alola?"

Taiyo glanced between her mom and aunt, "I caught a Combusken."

Kohana grinned as her mom turned to her, "Really?"

"Yup."

"That's impressive, honey. Your mom never had a Starter Pokemon. Just Mawile."

Amaya rolled her eyes, "She's got an Alolan Starter too."

"I'm collecting them," Taiyo joked.

"You should see who her mentor is."

Kohana raised an eyebrow, "Who?"

"Remember that kid that took down those Legendaries in the Lily of the Valley Conference I watched with you a couple of months after you moved to Sinnoh?"

"Oh yeah. Wasn't his name Ash or something?"

"That's who's mentoring your niece right now."

"You're joking! She's joking, right Tai?"

Taiyo shook her head, "Nah. He's training me. And I'm gonna show Combusken to Lillie tomorrow."

"Well maybe before you start planning tomorrow, you should get some rest."

She pouted, "It's not that late, mom."

"She's right. It's only 3 pm here in Sinnoh."

"See, Aunt Koko's on my side."

"3 pm tomorrow, Koko. Taiyo's had a long day, she needs her rest."

"Fine," Taiyo groaned, walking out of her mother's office and into the hall towards her bedroom.

Kohana smiled, "She's got your stubbornness."

"I know, I know."

"Well, I'll let you get to bed too. I'll talk to you later sis, see ya!"

"Night."

A/N: So a lot of things happened here. Taiyo and Ash had an attempted training session, until Torchic stole Oshawott's schalchop. Torchic then evolves into Combusken, which Taiyo then catches.

And then we have an actual training session, which Serena spectates, without either of them knowing. Ash and Serena reunite.

Hau is revealed to have his Pichu and we get a look into Taiyo's relationship with her aunt.

Again, sorry for dropping off the face of the planet for a couple weeks, again, my laptop broke so I had to wait until I got a new one, and I've got honors projects for both Science and English to worry about.

Onto the reviews:

Haxorus knight - Alright

ValorFennekin - I hope this chapter gave you your answer. Thanks for the compliment.