Author's Note: This chapter is short!

4: Hunting Metal

Melemele Island - Hau'oli City

"I told you that I'm taking her shopping first!" Ash growled for what seemed like the hundredth time since arriving in Alola, "One day, Tracey, just give me one day to take Serena out to see this city!" He said as the Pokemon Watcher followed him out of the hotel with Riolu nipping at their heels looking as disgruntled as his trainer.

Upon arriving in Alola the evening before, and finding their hotel, Tracey set about making plans to travel to Poni Island, supposedly where the Pokemon Ash was to capture was located, giving Ash and Serena little to no time to plan their short vacation/date.

The beachfront of Hau'oli City seemed like the best place to start out, too. The sands were white, and the water was a clear blue, and not too densely populated either.

"I'm sorry, Ash, but this is really important to the professor," Tracey pleaded, "And I'm sorry this is cutting into your time with her, but it won't be long until the World Coronation tournament starts, and then you'll be off to Galar for the opening ceremony, and you'll be getting challenges let and right! You won't have time for much else, let alone for capturing Pokemon!"

Ash groaned, and looked at his old friend, "All the more reason to enjoy this while I can," he told him, "Just one day, Tracey. Then we can go find this Meltan you've told me so much about."

Tracey sighed, "Alright, I get it," he sighed, "I'm gonna go down to Hau'oli Outskirts, and visit Professor Kukui. He might know a little more about the Pokemon we're looking for, you guys enjoy yourselves."

Ash waved to him as he left him alone, and smiled down at Riolu, "Looks like we're off the hook for a while, huh, little guy?"

Riolu wordlessly scampered up to sit on his uninjured shoulder, and Ash chuckled before rotating the injured one, "Besides, I need to be careful not to rip out these stitches."

"Please do," Serena said as she came up to him from behind, "I don't wanna see you hurt again any time soon." She looped her left arm through his right. "So, what did Tracey say?"

Ash shrugged slightly, wincing as he did, "I convinced him to give us at least a day before we went out after the Pokemon Professor Oak wants me to catch." He said as Riolu moved to her shoulders, and hugged her, "So? Where would you like to go first?"

The day then began to progress just the way Ash and Serena had hoped. They caught a Tauros Taxi to the local mall where Serena bounced in between racks of dresses and other clothes, even picking a few things out for Ash in the process. Ash ended up buying one of her suggestions in the form of a blue motorcycle jacket the resembled the shirt he wore throughout Kalos, which was now getting threadbare in places.

"I'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has," Serena commented on the shirt as she waited for Ash to exit the dressing room, "Not only do you physically spar with your Pokemon, and you jumped into a live volcano!"

She heard Ash chuckle from inside, "I'll admit, I put my clothes through a lot, but the volcano wasn't exactly planned," he said before shoving the curtain aside. "Well, what do you think?"

Serena had had her back to him when he came out, but when she turned she couldn't help but stare. [Oh, my...] she almost swore that she felt herself drool. Thankfully that wasn't the case. The jacket fit Ash quite well, and easily showed off just how sculpted his muscles were underneath his white T-shirt. A red and black Pokemon League cap sat on his head, and wore a pair of hiking boots instead of sneakers.

"You look...really handsome...blue's definitely your color," she said, falling into a blushing mess once more around her boyfriend.

The jacket even had a place he could clip his Poke Balls to, keeping Kurt's artisan Poke Balls on full display for anyone looking. And with someone like Ash in front of them, people were bound to look.

Riolu's Friend Ball was at the top on his right side, and below it were a Fast Ball, and Level Ball. On the left side of his chest from top to bottom were a Heavy Ball, Lure Ball, and a Moon Ball. On his belt was one more; a G.S. Ball. All in all, Ash looked every bit the veteran trainer that he was.

"And you look beautiful," Ash smiled at her, his girlfriend having already bought her own set of clothes. She wore a pink sleeveless dress and a pair of white low-heels. Then he glanced at her wrist, "But something's missing."

"What?" Serena asked, confused, "I'm sure that I - " He stepped forward and took hold of her right wrist where a blue satin ribbon was tied, "Ash?"

"Remember when I gave this to you?" Ash asked as he untied it from her wrist, "The look on your face?"

Serena blushed as he lifted up to her hair, and began tying it in a bow as a hair band, "I always thought it would look better this way."

The girl smiled and leaned forward against his chest, "Thank you."

Unfortunately, their tender moment was interrupted by a loud grumbling noise; Ash's stomach, and his ever-present appetite. The sound forced a giggle to bubble up in her chest as she shook her head, "Some thing's never change." She giggled and grabbed his hand, "Come on, I saw this really cute pancake shop nearby!"

ガラル

Melemele Island - Hau'oli Outskirts - Professor Kukui's lab

Tracey was in heaven as he sketched the numerous Pokemon living at Professor Kukui's lab, "All of these Pokemon are incredibly healthy," he commented as he sketched one Pokemon in particular, "I've never even seen this type before."

The Pokemon in question was a small canine-like Pokemon that looked like a puppy.

The professor chuckled, "That little guy is called Rockruff," he said smiling widely, "He's pretty friendly compared to some of the other wild ones around here."

Tracey looked up from his sketch, "This is a wild Rockruff?"

"Sure is," Kukui smiled, "I found him injured, and alone, so I took him in, and nursed him back to health." He smiled as Rockruff bounded over to him as he knelt to pet him, "We've been pals ever since."

Tracey chuckled, "Sounds a lot like Ash and his Pikachu," he smiled, "So, about the Meltan we came to look for?"

Kukui nodded, "Right, well, I think you and your friends might be in for a fight with that little group over on Poni Island," he sighed, "Professor Willow stopped by here before he moved on to Galar, and gave me a rundown on what happened after he caught his own." He frowned, "Naturally, I got curious, and went looking for the evolved form for documentation, and I nearly got my head taken off."

"It's aggressive?" Tracey frowned, "This could be a problem for Ash. He's injured, after all, and he only has one young Pokemon with him at the moment."

Kukui shook his head, "Then it'd be better if he called for a stronger Pokemon," he said, "The evolved Melmetal protecting the group is highly aggressive towards outsiders, and won't hesitate to attack if it notices you."

"What about the Meltan themselves?"

At that, Kukui smiled, "They're actually pretty friendly." He grinned, "While I was there, I actually got one to come right to me with a piece of tin."

Tracey smiled right along with him, "Ash's specialty is making friends with Pokemon above catching them, so maybe a battle won't be necessary."

ガラル

Melemele Island - Hau'oli City - Beachfront

Serena leaned happily against Ash's right shoulder as they both admired the ocean sun set in front of them. "This was a perfect day," the girl said softly as she snuggled against him, "I couldn't ask for anything better for a first date."

Ash chuckled, "Well, we could've done better than a pancake parlor for a romantic dinner."

"Ash Ketchum, trying to be romantic," she giggled, "Will little wonders never cease?"

He grinned down at her and placed his arm around her shoulders, "Well, Tracey was right," he said, confusing her, "When the tournament starts, we won't have a lot of time for dates or stuff like that," he frowned and gave her a tight squeeze, "So I wanted to do the best I could to give you the best date ever, so you'd have something to look back on."

Serena smiled, and closed her eyes, "Well, I'd definitely say that this'll be something to brag about," she said, "How many girls get treated to a mini-vacation as a first date, after all?"

"Glad I could - "

"Would you shut up already?!" A familiar voice shouted angrily. "If there are any Meltan around here, then you've probably scared them all away!"

"Get real," shouted another familiar voice, "If anything, they got scared off by you and your salty-ass attitude!"

"The only reason I have this attitude is because I've got a lame excuse for an idiot following me everywhere I go!"

"There you go again with that negativity again! First chance I get I'm buying you a lifetime supply of anti-depressants!"

Serena and Ash sat up as the two arguing voice drew closer. "Wow, talk about nasty." Serena frowned.

Ash groaned. He recognized both voices. "Oh, no...there goes the date..." He palmed his face just as two young men rounded the bend of the beach.

"I'm not depressed, I'm pissed!" Paul shouted at the blond behind him. "Now be quiet so I can..." Ash could almost hear the gears in the Sinnoh trainer's head grinding to a halt as he caught sight of him and Serena. "Ash?"

Ash raised a hand in a mock greeting. "Yo."

"So you can ash?" Barry asked as he nearly blundered right into him, "Hey! Don't just stop right in front of me! I'll fine you for tha-ack!" Paul grabbed his face and turned it toward Ash and his girlfriend. "Oh...that Ash..."

Ash stood up and dusted the sand from his jeans before he helped Serena to her feet, "I could hear you two coming from a hundred miles away," he half-joked, "What are you guys doing out this way?"

Paul frowned and jerked his thumb at the obnoxiously loud blond, "I don't know about this hair-brain, but I'm looking for powerful Pokemon, like always."

"Who're you calling a hair-brain!?" Barry shouted, "And for your information, I'm hunting Meltan! A Mythical Pokemon that was recently discovered!" Then he shook himself, and flung an accusatory finger at Ash, "Wait a minute, what're you doing here?! And with this hot chick!?"

Paul gave the blond one of those are you an idiot looks of his, "Isn't it obvious?" He asked, "I'm not much of a socialite, but even I can recognize a date when I see one."

"And her name is Serena," Ash glared at Barry, "Not 'hot chick'." If looks could kill, Barry would've been incinerated on the spot, but he wisely backed down, and said nothing else toward Serena's looks. Better not to kick a Beedrill nest if he could avoid it. "Anyway, you guys are looking for a Meltan, too?"

Paul nodded, "I was," he said, jerking his thumb at Barry again, "And then I ran into this bozo. He hasn't stopped following me since I told him what I was doing, and he had to annoy that out of me."

"You get annoyed way too easily," Barry snarked with a grin on his face, "But yeah, now we're both looking for Meltans." He pointed at Ash, "And you, too, Ash?"

Ash nodded, "We were going to set out to Poni Island tomorrow to see we could find one."

Paul and Barry shared a look, "Poni Island?"

"That's right," Serena said from his side, "This is Melemele Island, Poni Island is Southwest of here."

"And that's where we were told to find Meltan," Ash finished.

Paul groaned, "I knew this place didn't look right." He frowned, "Dawn just wanted to come shopping, I'll bet."

"So we were on the wrong island the entire time?!" Barry yelled angrily.

But Ash was more focused on what Paul had said, "Wait, Dawn's here, too?"

Serena pinched his arm, "Who's Dawn?" She said with an angry little pout on her face.

Ash chuckled nervously, "W-w-well, you see she's - "

"So it is a girl," Serena huffed and let go of him, "Huh, and here I thought I was special!" She crossed her arms and turned away from him on her heels.

Ash paled, "You are special! Honest!" He shouted as she began to walk away, "Wait a minute! Serena, come back!"

Barry looked at Paul as the couple left, "Now see what you did?"

Paul's brow twitched, "What I did? You're the loud mouth that practically chased me over here!"

"Now don't try to pin the blame on me!"

"There's no try about it, you moron, because this is all your fault!"

"Serena, come on! It's not like - " Ash shouted as chased after his girlfriend, before she spun around and stuck her tongue out at him. "Huh?"

"I got you again, didn't I?" She giggled.

Ash face planted in the sand. "Gah, could please not do that to me?!" Ash pleaded, "You're gonna give a coronary!"

Serena burst into a fit of giggles as Ash picked himself up from the ground and dusted himself off. "I'm sorry, but that was just too easy," she smiled as she wiped a stray tear from her eye, "But you know I love you, right?"

He looked at her sharply, his face reddening, "Y-you love me?"

It was then that Serena realized that she'd actually never said so out loud, and that made her face turn scarlet, "Er-I-yeah...yes, I do..." She suddenly became the shy little mess he remembered a year ago. "Is...is that okay - Eep!"

He rushed forward and crushed her in a hug, "Better than 'okay', Serena." He whispered as she responded by bringing her arms up around his back, "I love you, too."

Serena trembled happily in his arms, "Oh, Ash..."

"Oh, gross." Paul's voice drifted to them. "You guys are gonna make me a diabetic at this rate."

"At least you don't have to worry about Ash stealing Dawn from you, right?" Barry grinned behind them as Ash glared over his shoulder.

Paul grabbed the blond, and lifted him off the ground by his shirt, "How many times do I have to tell you; Dawn is not my girlfriend!"

Barry just grinned, "You keep telling yourself that, buddy-boy."

"And I'm not your buddy!"

Ash groaned while Serena just giggled into his shoulder. "Let's just go back to the hotel."

"Good idea," Barry chimed in.

Ash frowned, "I wasn't talking to you!"

ガラル

Poni Island - Vast Poni Canyon

Dawn Berlitz was quite possibly one of the prettiest girls Serena had met, and she had met one of the best Pokemon Showcase trainers around. Still, Serena didn't feel all that threatened by the bubbly girl as she chatted happily with Ash, Barry and Paul on the boat ride over to Poni Island. Even Tracey was getting along with her well, and she seemed nice to her.

Still, the way she sometimes caught her looking at Ash had the blonde girl believe that there had been...something there for her at one point in time.

Now, as she and Ash were walking in the midst of the group, she could tell that the girl was looking enviously at her. [At least she's not mean,] the girl thought to herself, wondering how she would handle it if things came to a head. Somehow, though, she figured that there wouldn't be any trouble. Dawn was also paying close attention to Paul.

"We're gonna need to be careful while we look," Tracey told the group as they came to the canyons, "Professor Kukui said that the Melmetal leading the group is aggressive towards people, and will attack. The Melmetal are friendly enough though, so maybe we can coax a few to us with the right bait."

The bait being empty soda cans.

"We'll also need to watch out for other Pokemon," the Pokemon Watcher said, "Kukui said that there are some pretty powerful Dragon-type Pokemon called Kommo-o living here."

Paul smirked, "Sounds like just what I'm looking for."

Tracey nodded, "It's a Dragon/Fighting-type, so be prepared for that," he told him, "And don't try to take on the Melmetal, it's way too strong from what Kukui told me."

Ash shrugged, "Professor Oak wanted me to catch a Meltan, and that's what I'll do," he said, "Besides, I'd rather raise a Pokemon to evolution than just take the short cut and capture a fully evolved Pokemon. More fun that way." He unlsung his backpack and started rummaging through it, "Here." He tossed two G.S. Balls to Paul and Barry, "These should help if you need a quick catch."

Paul was examining the strange Poke Ball, noticing that Ash had many odd-looking Poke Balls on his jacket, "Where did you get these, anyway?"

"Hoenn," Ash grinned, "A man named Kurt, and his family, are Poke Ball artisans. And they're among the best out there."

Barry grinned and placed the Ball in his pocket, "Cool. I'll be sure to catch something good in this."

"Just promise me that you'll be careful," Serena pleaded with Ash, "You're shoulder's still on the mend, remember?"

Ash gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, "I'll be quick as a Buneary."

"And we'll be working in pairs," Tracey told her, "So don't worry about - "

"I'm going with Ash," Paul volunteered, "Barry, you go with Tracey."

Barry gaped at him, "What?! Why?!"

"I prefer working with someone that knows what the hell they're doing, that's why." Paul smirked before walking off toward the canyons, "Come on, Ketchum, we've got work to do."

Ash chuckled and followed him with Barry and Tracey close behind.

Dawn gave them a wave, "Be safe, you guys!" She yelled, before looking at Serena, "So...girl talk?"

Serena gave her a small smile, "Girl talk."

ガラル

Author's Note: Decided to stop it at the interesting bit to keep ya'll guessing.

Ya'll know the drill. Adios Amigos!