"Okay, now we'll be starting our survey of the Maricopia Islands. A vast archipelago of islands. We'll start off on Blushing Beach, the most beautiful beach in all of the islands." Mirror said.
"Nice. So...who wants to join me?" Mahiru asked.
"Ooh, I'll go!" Leilani said with star shaped eyes.
"Had a feeling you might wanna join in. Hop on in." Mahiru said as Leilani ran right in as the NEO-ONE teleported to the beach.
When they arrived, they saw the beach lived up to being the most beautiful beach in the region. From the moment they touched down, they saw sparkling, crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and plenty of tropical vibes as they looked around as the Wingull were flying all about.
"Wow, this is so cool!" Leilani said.
"I'll say." Mahiru said. She immediately spotted something to take a picture off right away, a Crabrawler scuttling across the sands nearby.
"Oooh, a crab!" Leilani said. "Those make for some great meals!"
"Careful, Leilani. That's a Crabrawler. Get too close to it and it'll punch you right in the face." Hope said.
"Is that why its pincers look like boxing gloves?" Leilani asked.
"Cause they punch. Oh look!" Mahiru said as they saw two Crabrawlers throwing their punches. "A Crabrawler boxing match!"
At this, Himiko couldn't help but ring a bell in the background.
Mahiru got plenty of shots of this before one of them knocked out the other as it skittered away.
"Nice…" Mahiru said leaning back as she hit a button as music played. "What the? Guess he added a new...whoa!" she said as they saw five Bellossom emerge from the bushes as they danced to the music.
"Wow, that's amazing!" Leilani said. "They're like hula dancers."
"Well, the Bellossom tend to dance whenever they're put in a happy mood." Mahiru said, snapping pictures of their dancing.
They then continued towards the cove as they spotted a small black cucumber-like creature.
"A Pyukumuku!" Mahiru said, making a peace sign towards it as Pyukumuku ejected a white hand, mimicking her sign.
"Wow, I've never seen that before." Leilani said, doing a peace sign as well.
The NEO-ONE combed the beach before it hovered over the water's surface. It was here they got to see Pokémon under the water and even interact on the bluffs.
"Oh! Mahiru, look!" Leilani directed attention to a Machamp standing on a small island. "It's a Machamp! But what is it doing here on the beach?"
"It's pretty unusual to see one in a location like this. Maybe it's here to train?" Mahiru asked.
"That's pretty weird though." Leilani said.
"Speak for yourself. Anywhere is a great training place if you put your all to it." Goku said.
"Can't argue with that logic." Alphamon said.
"Oddly enough that's a good point from Goku." Saki said.
"Yeah, that's Goku for ya." Eddy said. "Genius in combat… and a moron when it comes to book smarts."
"Can't argue with that." Goku replied.
"Hmm...wonder why it's training here? Guess it'll be a mystery." Mahiru said as they approached another section of the beach where an Alolan Raichu was surfing the sands.
"Wow, it's sand surfing." Leilani said.
"The psychic abilities of Alolan Raichu are really something to see." Mahiru said, snapping some pictures of it.
"Y'know, I've always wondered… why do Alolan Raichu have psychic abilities?" ZS asked.
"Perhaps it might be the change of environment in Alola that altered its genetic makeup." Leopardmon said.
"Another theory is something to do with the Alolan Raichu's diet. But...these are mysteries that can never be solved." Twilight said.
"Yeah…" Mahiru said before they saw a Pikachu running on top of a Stunfisk and surfing the waves. "Now that is photo worthy." she said getting a photo before they jumped a wave.
They soon reached the end as they returned to the lab.
"Okay...that was amazing. We are so going back tonight." Mahiru said.
"Yeah, it was really fun!" Leilani said with starry eyes.
They waited a little later before night had fallen.
"Okay...going back there now. Who wants in this time?" Mahiru asked.
"No one's had a chance from Mark's Group. You wanna go for a ride, Lapis?" Hope asked.
"...Sure, why not?" Lapis responded, getting into the NEO-ONE.
"And off we go." Mahiru said as they arrived on the beach at night. "Hmm...kinda looks the same but...whoa." she said seeing some squid-like creatures swimming around. "Some Inkay."
"Aren't they a different type from Water entirely? Why are they in the water?" Lapis asked.
"Well, even though they are Psychic and Dark type, I guess they still have some natural attraction to water." Mahiru said. "Still nice to see them…" she said before hearing some clashing. "Whoa!" she said, looking down the beach to see a Zangoose fighting against Seviper.
"Zangoose and Seviper. Of course. Those two Pokémon hate each other with a passion." Sugarcoat said.
"As do the animals based on them." Zebei said.
"Though this fight is a good photo op." Mahiru said, getting a picture of it.
Lapis stared out at the ocean at night, thinking to herself as Mahiru snapped a couple more photos.
"You alright back there, Lapis? You've been pretty quiet since we started the route." Mahiru mentioned.
"Oh…. yeah, I'm alright. I'm… still thinking about… you know." Lapis said.
"Oh, right. You still haven't gotten over all of that stuff?" Mahiru asked.
"Honestly, I don't think I ever will." Lapis said. "I can be around water, but places like this just make me feel uneasy."
"We are always here if you wish to talk." Thorani said.
"I know you guys are. I guess I'm just… afraid of what might be coming, I guess." Lapis said. "I know that Hope and Mark were able to keep the Diamonds away from our Earth, but… sooner or later, they're going to notice us. I don't… I can't face them."
"Well that's understandable, most Gems are taught to fear them." Mark said. "But come on, Lapis, we've dealt with worse. When the Diamonds come knocking, we'll stand against them together. You don't really think we can lose, do you?"
"...You really think you can fight them?" Lapis asked.
"Hey, none of us are exactly the same people we were before we joined this alliance." Mark said. "We've seen things, fought things that most people wouldn't believe."
"And even cheated death more times than can be counted with one hand." Sectonia said. "Well… Most of us, anyway."
"We'll be right by your side every step of the way, we're friends after all." Ace said.
"For now though, we came here to relax and enjoy what this region has to offer." Hope said. "Perk your head up and see how amazing this beach is. Don't think about what happened when you were fused with Jasper, or anything else. Just take in everything around you, and clear your mind."
Lapis then looked up to see everything going on around her as the NEO-ONE combed the beach between the rocks and water, as well as the sand. She saw Finneon swimming under the sea, their fluorescent bodies lighting up the water. She saw Bellossom dancing on the sandy shores as Sandygast watched them. She could see Marine pattern Vivillon flying through the night sky as a Magikarp jumped around to try and reach them.
Lapis took in all the sights and smiled a bit. "Guess being on some beaches isn't so bad. Thanks guys, I feel a lot better."
"Any time, Lapis Lazuli. Any time." Mark said, smiling.
"Hmm...we're getting close to the end. Looks like we'll be heading back." Mahiru said.
"Cool." Lapis said.
The two were then teleported back as Mahiru filed in her shots to Professor Mirror.
"Excellent work tonight, Mahiru." Mirror said. "Tomorrow, you'll be exploring more of the Maricopa island area. We want to get further out. So you'll be exploring a massive reef."
"Oh...thought it would be underwater...but a reef is just as good." Mahiru said.
"Unfortunately the NEO-ONE isn't fitted for underwater use...yet." Mirror said. "I can make it do that but it'll take some time."
"Understood. But a reef is still just as good. Lots of water Pokémon that can be photographed there." Mahiru said. "It'll be a fun day."