Alola readers!
Yes this is a day late.
So before you go and snap at me for it being overdue, I was in the process of finalizing edits. This entire past weekend I had spent comprising this chapter since even though I had a plan down, doing the execution part had a few setbacks. Add that to having to stay extended work hours from the early morning and not being able to come back home until the sun went back down is extremely exhausting. I had maybe about 8 total hours of sleep over Saturday and Sunday morning. Not 8 each...8 total...it is very unusual for me.
Thank goodness for coffee though. That is the true fuel that powers the airline industry XD
Come Monday when it was time to upload and I was literally knocked out at my desk in the middle of edits. It was only when my dad woke me up at ten in the evening last night when I realized I was in the middle of editing and all.
But now it's Tuesday, which is the start of my weekend, so I just finished what I had started. I'll be taking the opportunity as well to possibly get ahead and rough draft my next couple of chapters. There are some interesting things going to happen before we get to the grass trial.
So enjoy the chapter everyone.
Another trial down for Elio! He's going so far and not looking back one bit! Nebby and I were cheering him on from our hotel room and kept watching the television!
The battle was extremely intense, but he made it through. I know I'm supposed to not like battles because it's with pokemon getting hurt, but all of them, even the big totem seemed all into it! Surely it can't be that bad right?
What my favorite part was seeing Elio all into it too! He has so many cool adventures while out there on the island challenge. All the stuff he posts on his Festival Plaza page is pretty interesting…he and Hau are the only two trainers I follow there…hehe. You know…maybe one day I can possibly try my hand at being a trainer myself. A complete longshot so what am I talking about anyways?!
Dear Elio,
Congrats on passing your trial! Nebby and I are extremely proud of you!
All those markings on your body looked very detailed and like real tattoos! Really loved looking at all that art up close! I'm wondering how long it took for them to paint it all on. Kind of sucks that all the hard work is going to come off when you take a shower…it does come off right? Better hope so!
I guess this means you're heading to your next trial? But I figured out what we can do once you're done with your trials here! I'll ask Professor Kukui if we can use his boat as long as it still floats! I swear we were going to sink if he went any faster!
So I got your gift! How did you know those were my favorite? You're so sweet and thoughtful! Just one question though…why would you want to go to war with me?
Anyways, please be careful Elio. I miss you.
Sincerely,
Lillie
Sunlight filtered through the silky drapes inside Lillie stirred awake. She leaned up in her comfortable mattress, grunting as she stretched her back.
It had been a long night in watching Elio's trial on television and both she and Nebby had been thrilled to bits. A nail biter to the very end, she had closed her eyes and silently willed for Elio to triumph as if her thoughts could be heard by him in encouragement not to give up.
"Pew."
"Good morning Nebby." She smiled down at the little cosmog who had perched itself at the edge of the other pillow. "Did you sleep well?"
"Pew."
"That's good." Lillie felt another yawn escape her lips as she rolled out of bed and crossed over to the wardrobe to get dressed.
She took a moment to stare at herself in the mirror. Her nightgown was a simple cloth robe with shortened sleeves and lapels that overlapped smoothly. It was a pure white color, woven from an incredibly soft material as if made from clouds.
The nightgown made her suddenly self-conscious.
I always want my daughter to look beautiful. Even when she is asleep.
Lillie chided herself for not recognizing the signs of her own mother's neglect. She spent long hours away down in the labs as soon as morning struck and she would return for dinner on one day of the entire week.
Even that was rare.
Only two other people came into the house on a regular basis. Wicke and Chef Giraud.
Naomi Wicke had been hired out of necessity, after multiple complaints from Branch Chief Faba about the constant irritations of being short-handed. With the title of Assistant Branch Chief, the position would have been better named as a glorified secretary. She reported more to the President…her mother more than she did to Faba.
However since her joining in the Foundation, she had grown quite fond of both her and her brother. Lusamine read on her bachelor's in Education from Viridian Tech and ended up making her a private tutor to both her children. Gladion was a couple of years ahead, but Lillie had constantly surprised the both of them when she wanted to read at a higher level.
Wicke was very soft and sympathetic around children, which made her the perfect person to step in and become their surrogate mother.
And it was because of her that Lillie had managed to successfully get Nebby out of Aether Paradise.
She wished that there was some way to communicate with her. Ever since leaving four and a half months ago, Wicke had not reached out to her and Lillie feared that attempting to contact her would expose her own involvement in Nebby's theft. She had been the person that had planned to meet her in the hotel's lobby to catch up; however scheduling conflicts prevented Wicke from leaving the Paradise entirely. Lillie was disheartened, but understood why.
Wicke must feel really lonely again. She thought to herself. Just like when she lost Xander.
The other person she saw on a regular basis at the Aether mansion was the private chef; a Kalosian named Giraud. He had apprenticed under renowned executive Siebold of the Kalos League Elite Four and was hired by Lusamine to cook dietary meals specific to the needs of her children.
Lillie found his food to be impressive tasting, but his dishes had emphasis on presentation and taste over heartiness. She found herself going hungry after a couple of hours. Any attempts to convince him to make additional food were fruitless. Giraud was presented with certain guidelines by her mother and she had made it very clear that stepping outside those boundaries meant either a serious pay cut or possibly losing her as a client. Sadly, he had to deny her the request.
I wish I could talk to one of them right now. Maybe see how Mother is doing…but at least now I can eat as much as I want.
The Tide Song Hotel had two dining areas both open to the public and the food options grew even more if one ventured out into Heahea City. There was the Sunset Beach Bar, a full sit-down restaurant that got crowded during lunch and dinner hours. Patrons dressed up with men in uniform black, brown and gray suits while the women wore elegant dresses that glittered radiantly as if they were jewels.
The second place was her favorite; a buffet style restaurant where there was only one flat fee that allowed guests to eat as much as they liked. It had multiple long tables lined with heaping portions of all kinds of food.
Lillie found herself becoming less and less of a picky eater as time went on. Back in her single digits, she had often grabbed the vegetables and pushed them to the edge of her plate while the rest of the things were eaten. Although not entirely a vegetarian, she did find that beef, pork and poultry were enjoyable if prepared right. Meat was eaten on occasion.
Her usual routine was to shower, dress up and then head downstairs to eat. It was still mid-morning when she had stepped off the elevator after seeing Nebby back to sleep. This time around, the tiny pokemon was rather fussy and refused to sleep. It was only when she lied that she was going to see Elio did it end up calming down.
Briefly.
The fussiness returned, not from wanting to go to sleep, but because she was going to see him without bringing it along.
I'm sorry Nebby. Even though Elio would love to come and see you, he's on the other side of the island.
She helped herself to eggs and a granola cereal with mixed berries before getting ready to head back up to her room.
Recently, things had been nagging at her mind about Nebby from its origins to its purpose. There were texts that depicted a pokemon of similar characteristics to the cosmog and its unclear relation to the four guardian deities of Alola. Those texts were in a book located in the big library in Malie City. That plus the ruins were all she had in her efforts to get Nebby back to its own home.
And that's all on a whole another island. She solemnly thought to herself. Great. Now how am I going to get there?
Elio and Hau were still on their island challenge and likely staying for Leilani's Kumu Reef Triple Crown tournament later in the week. It was probable that Professor Kukui was waiting for them to finish or on his own duty.
"Oh hello Miss Lillie." The hotel's receptionist smiled at her when she crossed the front desk. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm good. Tha-mahalo for asking sir."
"Of course. Oh and one more thing." He reached behind him and handed her a box plus an envelope. "I believe this Elio person has sent you another letter as well as gift. The two of you sure like to exchange a lot during your travels!"
"Oh." Lillie had to turn away from him to hide her reddening face. "Mahalo."
"You are most welcome. And one more thing…there are two people…they sound like they're from far away with an accent. They're looking for you."
Does he mean those two Kalosians Sina and Dexio? What would they want to do with me?
Lillie retreated to her hotel room and stared at the envelope.
It was a sharp color of gold, orange and black with an almost intimidating pattern to it. The box underneath had a slight sweet smell to it with a metallic gold finish and a small ribbon tied over the top.
She opened the envelope, finding a Tapu Koko picture in the card's center. The deity was surrounded with lances of arc lightning as it charged forward in an aggressive warlike pose.
Her head shook itself in confusion.
Why would Elio want to go to war with me?
"Pew!"
"Nebby?" She set the card down and untied the ribbon on the box, opening it to reveal.
"Oh my." Her heart fluttered and Nebby's eyes expanded to nearly double their size.
"Pew!"
Elio, how did you know I love chocolate covered macadamias?
It wasn't until a couple hours later when Lillie had gone to the lobby again and found a pair of familiar faces waiting for her. They waved her over the moment she had saw them.
"Alola and bonjour! Comment allez vous?" Sina had a gray tanktop on with blue shorts. A pair of designer sunglasses dangled down from her neck and she fixed Lillie with an easygoing smile.
"Uh…good. I guess?"
"Stop scaring her Sina." Dexio chided from her right. "Or muttering incomprehensible stuff."
"Gotta remind her where we're from."
"Kalos right?"
"Yup! Anyway, we just wanted to make sure you are alright. We'll be heading back to Kalos the day after tomorrow, but Sycamore is going to send us right back out after a little bit since our work here is far from done."
"What kind of work?" Lillie asked, now a little more curious.
"Well that is why we asked to meet with you." Dexio revealed to her. "Much of it involves ultra energy and it may be related to cosmog."
A spike of fear crept up in her body as a hundred different outlandish possibilities came to mind.
Sina and Dexio are agents for Mother?
No…they can't be.
"Miss Lillie?" Sina asked out of genuine concern. "Is everything okay?"
"I…I…Nebby."
"Nebby?"
"N-nebby is a pokemon called cosmog. I found and freed it from people that wanted to do very bad things to it. It's supposed to be a secret, but how did you two find out about Nebby?"
"That's why we wanted to speak to you. Our own pokemon professor in the Kalos region is reading unusual spikes of an energy caused by ultra wormholes." Sina explained. "Normally your friend professor Burnet has readings of them around the Alola region, but our own professor Augustine Sycamore has had colleagues at the Lumiose Scientific Academy of Technology report to him these readings. Most of these ultra wormholes fluctuate in parts over Kalos for a shorter time than a millisecond, but that's all it needs in order to be detected."
"Wha-?"
"Miss Lillie," Dexio gently said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Professor Burnet told us about your," he glanced around the lobby to see if anyone in particular was listening. "Fugitive status. Sina and I have no intention to turn you in. We're just like you in trying to help your friend Nebby go back to its home and understand why so much of this ultra radiation is fluctuating around Kalos. We just want to talk."
Lillie felt a little bit of relief at hearing that. "Okay. Thank you both."
"Of course. How about we go somewhere more comfortable? The beach perhaps?"
"I don't have a swimsuit." Lillie murmured.
"No worries. How about just at one of the patios? We can do lunch."
An hour later, Lillie sat down at the table in between Sina and Dexio who were both enjoying salads. A waiter brought her a third one once she arrived and the conversation turned light as comments ranged from the quality of their food to the laid back life in Alola. Lillie learned that Kalos held many high-end institutions including the Lumiose Scientific Academy of Technology, or LSAT as they had called it. Sina and Dexio were both alumni.
The view of the ocean was absolutely breathtaking, crashing down sprays of white foam as surfers graced the waves. Children built sandcastles on the beach while the parents sat in the sand or sunbathed. A volleyball net had been set up and two men and two women were engaged in what seemed to be a very intense match.
Nebby stirred uncomfortably in the duffel she had placed beside them. Even though they were in a secluded area of the patio, she couldn't risk it being seen.
"How was your salad Lillie?" Sina asked. "It's the lunch special at the Sunset Beach Bar."
"Really good. Thank you for having me."
"You're welcome. It was our pleasure."
"So." She began, "What is it you wanted to talk about Nebby?"
"Oh right." Dexio leaned down to grab a Silphlet, the multi-purpose portable computer that had a revolutionary design for everyday use and developed by Kanto electronics megacorporation Silph Co.. He folded out a miniature kickstand and turned it around to the girls after pulling up some files.
"As you can see, Lumiose City was in the middle of a thunderstorm when ultra energy readings had spiked. They were invisible to the naked eye and the lightning had temporarily severed LSAT's power grid, preventing the readers from giving us any visual proof."
"These readings are a possibility that someone or something is trying to come to our world from another."
"Another world?" Lillie's eyes widened, now suddenly much more interested.
"Sina and I are working with Professor Burnet on the research into this mysterious world. We've called it Ultra Space."
"Ultra Space."
"Even though much of our research has seen new breakthroughs, there is evidence that beings originating from this Ultra Space have been on our world well before any of us were even alive. Even our ancestors."
"Wow." Lillie said. "As amazing as this all is, what does this have to do with Nebby?"
"May we see it?" Dexio asked.
"Um," she hesitantly looked back to the duffel. "I don't know. Nebby hardly likes to sit still and it tries all the time to get out of the bag."
"I can see why." Sina said. "Alola is quite hot and if heat gets trapped inside, it's bound to be nearly twice the temperature in there as it is out here."
Lillie looked down remorsefully at Sina's explanation.
I'm sorry Nebby that you're so uncomfortable in that bag. I know it's hot in there, but I have to do whatever I can to keep you safe.
"I have to do it for Nebby's own protection. I know I'm hurting it, but what people will do to it if it's ever discovered is even worse!"
"Not to worry Lillie." Dexio activated one of his poke balls and released an espeon. The lilac mammalian creature strode beside his trainer and let out a purr of delight as he brushed its head. "Espeon here is good at catching elusive pokemon. He can sense them when most others can't. Plus, he enjoys talking to new faces."
"O-okay."
Lillie hesitantly reached over and pulled on a zipper. She stopped, wincing automatically and expecting Nebby to shoot out of the opening like a rocket.
"Hey Nebby. I'd like you to meet a couple friends of mine."
"Pew?" The tiny pokemon seemed just a little bit uncomfortable, but floated cautiously out of the opening to look up at the three humans.
"This is Sina and Dexio. They helped rescue us from Team Skull when we first arrived here." Lillie smiled, remembering their selflessness that night in how they valiantly came to her rescue. "I still need to find a way to pay you back."
"There is no need mademoiselle." Sina smiled at her. "We had to deal with a similar gang back in Kalos few years back."
"Really?" As she said this, Nebby curiously floated on the top of the table and happily ate one of Lillie's chocolate covered macadamia nuts. She had come to find out that it seriously enjoyed the confection.
"Yes. Thanks to the efforts of five young trainers, we managed to stop their scheme of using an ancient weapon of terrifying power."
"Danger still lurks though," Dexio added, taking a moment to pop a piece of bread into his mouth. "It's very alarming considering we have all these ultra energy readings over Kalos. I'd say they're loosely connected after hearing the Scions had moved a chapter into Lumiose City and began spouting their conspiracies."
"Anyway, Professor Burnet and Sycamore compared analysis of their ultra energy readings and we found out that they are very similar to the aura if you could call it being emanated by Nebby."
Lillie glanced over at the small pokemon, who was jumping up and down happily while playing with Dexio's espeon. Perhaps this could be the breakthrough of her mission to safely carry it to its refuge?
"So then you believe that Nebby's home is this Ultra Space."
"Precisely. However opening said portal may allow threats from the other side to enter our world."
"What threats?" Lillie felt her blood run cold.
"We're not entirely sure since encounters are extremely rare and overemphasized. The Scions claim to be able to offer ways to avoid the destruction of the entities that come through, but most others take it with a grain of salt. There have been reports of encounters of beings with incredible strength unlike any other who attack anything and everything in sight."
"But why?" Lillie asked. "Why would it do such a horrible thing?"
Sina cleared her throat. "Think about it this way. You are unwillingly dropped into a place you know nothing about and completely foreign. Nothing around you can be trusted or confirmed, so therefore, you will do whatever it takes to ensure your own safety and take action. For these things, it's neutralizing through hostility."
"The ultra energy readings are still having an impact on Kalos lands." Dexio said. "It's subtly disturbing the ecosystem and increased activity may accelerate it. We'll need a balance."
"And that's another purpose of why we are here. There are small cells of a legendary pokemon called Zygarde that lie in hiding around Alola. We've tasked a trainer named...uh," Sina paused for a moment. "Ah! Northstar! That's his name! Anyway, this Northstar trainer displayed similar characteristics to the five we mentored in defeating Team Flare those years ago."
"Elio?"
"Ah so you know him."
"Y-yeah." She had to fight a blush on her face as she brought out the laminated picture that was with the warlike card he had sent earlier that day. "He and Hau, the kahuna's grandson are out on their island challenge. Nebby and I are cheering him on!"
"That's fantastic! You've found a couple of cute boys to protect you and that little bundle of joy." At the praise, Nebby shook its entire body and babbled something similar to a laugh.
Lillie was intrigued by all this new information, regardless of how scary it sounded. "So what is Zygarde?"
The two Kalosians glanced at one another before nodding once. It was Sina who broke the silence.
"Zygarde is a pokemon of legend in Kalosian folklore. It is said to be responsible for keeping the ecosystem in a fine balance between overflowing with life or devoid of it. It is an immensely powerful pokemon, however its power has been the stuff of legend. Nobody has ever seen Zygarde or provided valid proof of its existence."
"So you think it's in Alola?"
"Maybe. The legend goes that the ultimate weapon; the same one Team Flare had nearly used a while back had been done to end a bloody war three millennia ago. The ecosystem was in disarray and it was said that Zygarde revealed itself to the world and used its special power to bring back that balance. As a safety measure, it would split itself into two forms and be scattered at opposite ends of the world. One of them is believed to be hiding within the depths of the Terminus Cave east of Anistar City. You may recognize the name as being a hotspot for danger due to people claiming a monster lives inside."
"Zygarde."
"Possibly."
"So what about the second one?"
"Zygarde splits itself into small cells to distribute its power even further. To prevent those with malevolent intentions from exploiting its power, the second Zygarde scattered parts of itself in an area somewhere around the Serrano Ocean where only true-hearted individuals would be able to find and ask for its help. Alola is in the middle of it, so it was a place for us to look."
Realization hit Lillie at that bit of information. They sure know how to pick one. "So that's why you tasked Elio with finding the cells. You need Zygarde's help."
"Not right away, but if the pattern anomalies continue it's very possible we will have to turn to him."
Lillie felt both thrilled and a little nervous. She knew that Elio was such a selfless person after throwing himself onto the bridge at the Mahalo Trail to save Nebby and he had already claimed multiple times he'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Now he was assigned by these two powerful Kalosian trainers to help track down missing "cells" of a Zygarde to summon it out of hiding for its help.
"People depend on Elio so much." She whispered. "He just has that dependability about him."
"You speak very highly of him."
The blonde nodded, glancing back at Nebby again. "When I first…escaped with Nebby…I was on my own…almost three months. I was lost, confused and helpless. I truly did not know what to do and my…uh when my life was in danger, Nebby saved me…and I couldn't do the same to it."
Sina and Dexio exchanged an uncertain look, but they remained silent and allowed Lillie to continue her story.
"Professor Burnet took me in and her husband Professor Kukui have been helping uncover the mystery about where Nebby came from and how we can send it back home."
She sighed, almost smiling at the memory of that night her life changed forever. When she had met him.
"One day, Nebby was begging to go to the Ruins of Conflict where Tapu Koko lives. It was late at night, but that didn't deter its excitement. I tried to keep it hidden because we would get in trouble if anyone spotted us. But it was so determined to go and explore on its own."
Lillie lightly laughed. "It escaped from my bag for what seemed to be the millionth time and ran across a bridge over a gorge that is used to access the ruins. And then some spearow had attacked it while on the bridge. I thought they were going to hurt or even kill it!"
She saw Sina gasp just slightly and Dexio raise an eyebrow.
"So then what happened?" The female Kalosian asked.
Lillie stared at the ground, feeling a little bit of heat rise in her cheeks.
"I…I was too scared to go across the bridge to help it. My legs felt so weak and I never felt so weak and powerless in my life." She sighed. "I had worked so hard to save Nebby from its suffering and it pained me to see that I would lose it again."
"Lillie." Dexio whispered, reaching over and gently taking her hand in his. "What happened? How did you save it?"
"Elio." The answer came out barely audible and the two older trainers leaned forward to listen better.
Lillie went ahead and answered for them a little louder. "Elio saved it. He went across that bridge without a second thought and used his body to shield Nebby from the spearow."
"That is very good thinking on his part." Sina remarked. "Spearow often get disinterested in attacking if their victim is being covered by someone or something."
"Yes. He was so brave and fearless, even when Nebby tried using its power to scare them off and destroyed the bridge. I…I thought both of them were going to die that night. Icould only watch and pray that something could happen and they could live. Little did I know…heh, Tapu Koko was listening and it answered my prayer. The guardian deity of Melemele Island swooped down and grabbed them before they hit the ravine."
"Tapu Koko…is that the being that Elio wore around his neck."
"Yes. He has a pendant." Lillie explained. "They say that trial-goers who see Tapu Koko before they go on their island challenge are said to be watched over and kept safe by it."
"Then our assumption was spot-on." The sandy blond said. "Elio is truly a talented trainer."
"Yes. He is amazing. Brave, handsome, strong, smart."
Both Kalosians exchanged a knowing smirk as the young girl's expression grew into a big smile as she named off nearly a half dozen characteristics about the boy.
"Did you remember about the part where he can turn water into wine?"
Lillie opened her mouth to reply, but it was cut off by the ringing of a device. Dexio had more of a reaction than Sina, so she assumed it was his phone or whatever communication device.
"Well…I better take this." He jerked his thumb towards a balcony that overlooked the beaches, "I'll be over there if you need me."
"Go on." The purple haired woman waved him away. "Lillie and I are going to have some girl talk."
The girls glanced at him as he walked away to pull out a device that projected an image of a young man in a lab coat. He appeared to be in his late twenties and had longer dark hair. As he left, one of the hotel restaurant waiters had come by and Sina quickly paid, rebuking any of Lillie's offers to cover herself in terms of food expenses.
"So Lillie," she began after the dishes were cleared. "Have you told Elio yet?"
"Wha?" she stammered. "Told him what?"
"Your crush. Judging by how much you've praised him about saving Nebby and how he conquered this latest trial, I must say that you remind me of me."
"I do?"
"Quite so. My fiancée and I used to be very awkward around one another. We first met back in a lab club in my college years. He was quite a big flirt and all the girls loved him. Handsome, strong, smart, but most of all, he was a genuine person. Very down-to-earth and not caring who or where you came from. He is just so approachable."
Wait, Sina is engaged? To who? Lillie's green eyes wandered down and she finally saw a silver band shining brightly on her ring finger.
She laughed lightly. "It's just like what they said in college when hanging around boys. Be ready for the persistent ones. They enjoy playing the long game. He wouldn't stop and even though I hated it; the feeling was so great that I was coveted and desirable by someone. Thankfully he wasn't one of those that were looking to get into my pants. At least not back then."
"So…how did you know he was the one?"
"I didn't. At least not immediately. It took him a while and I have to give credit for his said persistence, but we both ended up working with one another for a long time. Partnerships turned into a special relationship after I finally agreed to a date. Soon enough, we went out on a second date, then a third, a fourth and so on. I knew he was the one when I felt completely at ease and in love with this other person. It was only fitting that we will soon marry when we both began to discuss the topic of a wedding without feeling uncomfortable."
I wonder if I'll get married and be happy like Sina and her future husband?
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I was just like you when I was single and the way you talk about him is similar to what my fiancée used to do around me. Remember that boys can be shy about confessing their feelings too."
Lillie nodded, as the feeling of self-pity surfaced in her body. "But wait! What if Elio doesn't like me the way I like him? There's this…other girl he likes to talk about a lot and I can't help but wonder if he's in love with her."
"Unfortunately that can be the case. Best thing you can do is show that you care about him and respect his decision regardless of what it is. Sometimes trying to ruin his relationship with another girl may widen the gyre even further between you. I don't think you want that."
"No."
"I'm not telling you to go and kiss him to death. But in the world of relationships; you will find that it's necessary to get out of your comfort zone. What if the two of you are soulmates and he's too shy to confess anything? If you don't take that initiative, the both of you will lose out. Take this advice from a Kalosian…the land of amour."
"Of course." Lillie said, now feeling her confidence gain a newfound surge. "I actually wanted to go and do something fun together after Elio completes all his trials here."
"Oh that's fantastic! I bet if you talk to him again and mention it, he'll be excited!"
"Hey ladies!" Both turned to see Dexio walking towards them and stuffing the holocaster back into his pocket. "What did I miss?"
"Lillie confessing her undying love for a certain trainer we've met."
He just about groaned out loud, rolling his eyes. "Oh merde."
"Dexio!" Sina scolded, lightly smacking him upside the back of his head. "Relax! It's nothing inappropriate!"
"Well regardless of what kind of things you poisoned in her head…we gotta get going. Sycamore got a tip from Interpol that the Scion cultists are doing more of their conspiracy stuff and possibly looking to make a play. He wants us back there. I've already booked us a flight that leaves later this afternoon." He sighed and glanced around at the beaches. "Guess vacation's over for now."
"Oh fantastic." Sina groaned, stretching out her tanned limbs. "I still had two more days lying on the beach planned."
"Gonna have to put those on hold because once we're done there, we're being whisked back here to assist with the composition of Zygarde. So keep your swimsuit handy."
He turned to Lillie and extended a hand. "Mademoiselle Lillie, it was an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, but sadly we must bid you au revior for the time being. Should we arrive back in Alola again, I would love to catch up. Do you have anyone to help look after Nebby?"
"I uh…have Professor Burnet. She's in Hau'oli City right now as part of the Alola Lady nominations. But she'll be back soon! I'll just hang around the resort and stay out of trouble."
"Best you can do right? Until your chevalier arrives."
"Yes." She shook his hand and smiled again. "Thank you both for everything."
"You take care of yourself Lillie." Sina gave her a one-armed affectionate hug. "See you soon."
Dexio spoke up, "One more piece of advice before we go. I overheard some of Sina's girl talk here and know some people who are in a similar boat as yours. My advice? Suis ton coeur."
"Merci." She and Nebby stood side by side as the two Kalosians walked away. As Dexio's left hand came into view, she spotted something that glittered in the Alolan sun set on his ring finger.
Elio and Ed instead took a shorter flight back to their hotel room on Pa'ani's, Royal Avenue on Charizard's back. The estimated travel time to Melemele Island was significantly longer than the jump to the nearby town, so they instead opted to spend the night at the hotel and then the majority of the next day back at the Northstar's house.
Hau and Leilani had taken up Ed's offer to stay in his room, although sleeping arrangements were going to be a bit tight.
Apparently both had called the couch.
Elio was fully dressed for the flight and his ride gear offered a bit of protection from the winds. Luckily, the ride charizard had come with a spare base layer to keep Ed warm as well.
It failed to keep his food inside his stomach. After retching over the side while the flame pokemon swooped down rapidly as if it were a roller coaster, Elio felt bile rolling up his throat too. Thankfully he had managed to hold his own food down.
A quiet sneak up to their room since the time was eleven thirty in the evening and Ed slid his card to the reader, allowing them entry.
The television screen was flashing various shades off the far wall and the two of them crept forward.
Scandalous!
This is sooo going on Festival Plaza!
"Rotom." Sun whispered, exchanging a devilish grin with his best friend. "Engage camera mode, automatic."
The haunted 'Dex got the memo to stay silent and snapped a quick picture with the flash being indistinctive from the television's. As soon as the image rolled up on the screen; Elio and Ed quickly typed in a message and posted it right on their account.
"Post on The1_NorthStar. Hashtag, cuddling."
Lying very closely to one another were Hau Kealoha and Leilani Taula who had been up watching television for what looked to be quite a while. However it was their poses while sleeping that had the two boys gushing and giggling like a pair of schoolgirls.
Leilani's mouth hung open just slightly as she rested her head right on Hau's shoulder. A slender arm was draped across his lap, resting on the opposite thigh.
She looks so peaceful like that.
Hau was just as adorable, uncaring that she was taller than him. His own arms were on top of hers as his head leaned on her side for mutual support. Unlike her, his mouth was shut, but it was just curled up ever so slightly as if looking back to a fond memory.
Or maybe because someone he cares about is using his shoulder as a pillow.
Ed's smile didn't diminish as the two of them made their way over to the pair of beds. He glanced back and began to mouth.
They. Are. So. Freaking. Cute!
I. Know. Right?
Interestingly enough, neither awoke when Elio hopped in the shower. He let the jets spray his body, blasting the detailed inkwork off and turning the flow through the drain a dark gray.
Man, it sucks having to erase all that hard work. I loved all of it too. I hope everyone did.
The past few hours of trekking up to the summit of Mauna Wela, the practice, the dance and the thrill of the trial had caught up to Elio. Full of energy on his way up, he had met the trial to his own expecations. His pokemon helped him power through and now that it was all over, it was time to crash and recover.
Elio leaned forward in the stall, resting his hands on the wall and letting out a deep sigh of relief, allowing the warm water to wash away all the sweat, dirt and ink off his skin.
Ed knows how to get a good shower stall for sure.
And he's gonna be leaving.
Sun had been so hyped on the trial and spending time around all of his friends that he temporarily forgot that Ed was going to be headed back to Kanto the next day. It was just a couple of weeks away when it was very possible that he would have his name called in the annual League draft to become a professional basketball player.
Why can't he stay?
It was another peaceful Alolan morning as pikipek chirped.
Elaine slid the spatula underneath the next pancake and flipped it out of the pan onto a plate. She sliced off a chunk of butter, spreading it on and adding forks.
Her smile only grew as she heard a pair of voices shout excitedly from Elio's room. The two of them had arrived in style on the back of a mighty charizard only to wrap her body in bone crushing hugs. It was a welcome relief that both boys were tired but happy and she sent them to his room to play video games while she whipped up some breakfast. Elio was talking all about Alola and how happy he was to be home, albeit for a brief time.
She was amazed at Ed. He was now taller than her by several inches with a broadened physique and a much more mature attitude although it didn't stop his charm. He had been a longtime family friend all the way back when he met Elio in grade school.
In a way, Ed was Elio's rock in training him to better himself and vice versa. The two had been inseparable since making the basketball team consistently and driving the others around them to play as hard as they could to win.
Now they were on separate paths in their careers. Ed was going to be a professional player in a matter of weeks and Elio was on his way to mastering the island challenge.
Her own boy had nearly doubled the size of his team since she last saw him. The three new members surprised her and got along so well with Meowth. He, Rockruff and Torracat ran to the backyard to roughhouse with Grimer in tow. Charjabug set herself on the counter, watching Elain cook with a lot of interest and keeping an eye to stay clear of Rufflet. The little eagle pokemon was more than happy to accept its trainer's offering of berries and busied himself by grabbing the fruit out of the bowl.
Nani was quite larger than most pokemon Elaine had come across, but her lithe serpentine form allowed her to easily bend around the areas of the house and they had come to find that she was very caring and affectionate. Elaine knew a milotic was a very rare pokemon and even more difficult to attain due to the high amount of care it required in its feebas pre-evolution. She was almost hesitant to ask if Sun had caught it in this form or raised it from its baby stage.
I think he evolved it from a feebas. That would be much rather him. My little baby is growing up.
"Boys!" She called into the hallway with Meowth scampering inside. "Breakfast is ready!"
Elio was heard first. "That's not fair that you pick Blaziken every time! Why don't you use another bulky fighting like Machamp?"
Ed smirked. "Gotta stay at the top of my game bro. That means honing my skills on my best character."
"I will own you with my strategies and beat you with my skills. Just you wait."
"You couldn't even stand up to me with Garchomp. No match for the speed boost stuff!"
"Just you wait. They made Gardevoir a counter to slow down Blaziken's speed along with the other fast fighters. I'll kick your ass."
"You're on."
"Boys." Elaine chided, but still held her smile. "Before you two go at one another again, please sit down, eat some breakfast and talk to me about your adventures!"
"Yes Mom."
"Sure thing Mom."
"Ed, you can call me Elaine. I've told you that before."
"I know. Calling you Mom sounds good too."
"Leave my mom alone Ed."
"So Ed," Elaine started as she cut into the pancakes and took a bite. "How did the game go? I heard Elio here actually filled in for an absent player."
"Yeah. He did fantastic. Almost like that injury never happened. Too bad we lost."
"The game means nothing; it's just a showcase of all your skills. You think you impressed enough to get drafted high up?"
"I hope so." Ed took a bite and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I hired an agent earlier this month and we've been going over different scenarios." It wasn't uncommon for future basketball players to already bring on agents to negotiate contracts on their behalf with teams. "But although I'd like to be drafted as high as I can, that means I'd get more money. Looks good and all, but it won't help the team in the long run once my contract expires."
It was true; more valuable players picked earlier in the draft would warrant higher paying salaries. Good for the player, but less so for the team.
"I'm sure you can come to a compromise."
"Yeah I hope so. It's all really much of a dream come true. I've always wanted to be a basketball superstar when I grew up."
Elio grinned at him again. "How about you? When you get that big contract, what are you gonna buy?"
"Beats me. First off, I'd like to finally get my mom that car she always wanted. Then maybe a house or something." His face turned serious. "So anyway how are you settling here in Alola?"
"It's…had its ups and downs." Sun finally said. "I told you all about how I hated this place in the beginning, but really I just didn't want to move so far away that it was unfamiliar." He bowed his head. "Everything wasn't perfect back in Cerulean because of what happened with Dad, but it was enough to keep me happy."
Elaine silently put an arm around her son's shoulders, silently offering him her support.
"I reacted badly, like a total asshole to Mom because she was taking me away from all of this. Everyone tried their best to show me all the positives of being here, but I didn't want to hear any of it."
He sighed. "Guess it takes almost falling off a bridge to save a pokemon and then being rescued by Tapu Koko changing my life. If he were to hear anything I had said about this place when we initially moved, I have no doubt it would've left me for dead. I am so grateful for it in saving us that night. I owe it my life."
"Sweetie. Please understand that making this move was not an easy decision on my part." Elaine soothed. "I didn't want to move away from my friends and job either. I also wanted you to have that opportunity to become a trainer and finding out that the island kahuna was more than willing to give you a pokemon would fulfill that dream."
"I know Mom. But I can't stay down about Kanto forever. We've met so many amazing people in the few months I've been here. Professor Kukui, Kahuna Hala, Hau, Lillie, Leilani, Dallas and all those trial captains and others. Plus I have an ohana of my own here with my pokemon. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"I'm happy for you." Ed clapped Elio on the back. "Happy for both of you."
"Thank you Ed." Elaine said. "Now why don't you two go and play that rematch of yours before you head back out?" Her smile widened again. "I'll play the winner."
"Uh."
"Don't underestimate me." Elaine said and cracked up laughing again. "Now that you are on your island challenge, Meowth and I have been spending time learning the controls and winning battles. Are you prepared to face me and Aegislash in Pokken?"
"Be safe sweetie." She hugged him. "And remember that you are more than welcome to call me at any time you want okay?"
"Thanks Mom." Elio returned the gesture and allowed her to plant a kiss on his cheek. He had half expected Ed to snicker out loud. "I love you."
"I love you sweetie. Now go on and have fun you two! Ed! Best of luck in the draft! Elio and I will hopefully be watching!"
"You better be!" As Sun called a charizard to pick them up, they quickly threw on the ride gear and took off into the sky, waving back at the woman as the ride pokemon flapped its wings to gain altitude and turn for Akala Island.
"I still can't believe she beat the both of us." Ed had grumbled while they were settling down at the airport. He had called ahead to have his luggage transported to the airport when he had checked out. Hau and Leilani would meet them at the dropoff point in Kamehameha to bid him farewell.
"You and me both. How did she know to expose our weaknesses in our fighters like that?"
"Aegislash is a wildcard fighter bro. It's an all rounded high offensive and defensive player."
"Blaziken man."
"Yeah RIP Gardevoir too."
It was loosely called a battle when Elaine took the second controller to play Pokken. She had used a character known as Aegislash, a Kalosian native creature that had a sword and shield to represent its offensive and defensive capabilities. What made it such a versatile fighter was its ability to change forms in an instant to either strike quickly or maneuver into a defense posture to deter enemy attacks.
Ed's style of playing Pokken was similar to his basketball play, all complete offense. Blaziken was among the fastest and hardest hitting fighters of the game, yet Elaine had timed it so that his attacks would strike her Kingshield maneuver that weakened his attacks every time he hit in the shield stance. As soon as he was weakened, she would switch to an offense and use that to her advantage. Blaziken's lower defense and recovery only allowed him just a couple of opportunities to attack, which he had used to no avail.
Elio didn't fare much better. Although he had beaten Ed and Blaziken using it, Elaine must've known that Gardevoir's own offense was less powerful and struck quickly with Aegislash. He had met a similar fate to Ed, leaving Elaine has the undisputed champion of Pokken within their house.
"We best brush up on our skills bro. We ain't going out that quietly."
"Amen to that."
Checking into Ed's flight was smooth and the two lovebirds caught sleeping on the couch together had caught up with them just before he was headed to security.
"Alola!" Hau ran up to their side with Leilani behind them. Elio and Ed noticed that both had a little bit of unruly hair from bedhead.
"Alola Hau!" Ed fist-bumped him. "How was your sleep?"
"Oh it was awesome! Sorry about missing your trial. I was tired."
It was also noticed that her face was just slightly flushed and she looked away from him. "Y-yeah."
"Well good. I hear that everyone is setting out for their journeys in the morning, so I convinced my agent to have the hotel room for one more night."
"Oh really?" Elio's eyes lit up. "Thanks Ed!" He looked back at Hau and Leilani again. "You guys want the couch again?"
"Sure."
"Y-yeah."
Before anyone else could say anything more, there was an announcement over the PA that was beginning a boarding process for Ed's flight.
This is it.
"Well that's me. I seriously wish I could stay with you all, but I gotta get going."
Leilani acted first and widened her arms out to embrace the superstar. "Mahalo Ed for everything. Best of luck out there."
"And you too. Show the world what kind of surfer Alola has."
"I will."
"And you Hau, keep being awesome."
"You know I will!" The two of them bumped fists playfully.
"Elio."
"Was really good to see you bro." Sun said, grabbing his outstretched hand and getting pulled in for a "bro hug" "Make sure you invite me to that fancy new apartment or mansion of yours once you buy it."
"No problem. Remember what I said now right?"
"Right."
"You're the best damn trainer I've seen and if you can conquer that trial like you did last night, then there's nothing gonna stop you."
"I know. Hey, say hi to Coach and the team for me."
"You got it." Ed pointed at them while smiling before he turned and walked through the airport's door. It closed and he was gone.
"So Elio," Hau began as they sat on one of the benches just outside the dropoff area. "I'm very curious to know why you sent me the picture of yourself, me and Lillie in here."
Sun was watching the planes as if he could see Ed's own flight moving out for takeoff at the runway, but he glanced back over and feigned surprise. "Well uh, I did say that I was going to send both of you a picture when Rotom did that surprise snapshot. There it is."
"I know that. But you also sent it to me a Luvdisc envelope…you know, the kind that's in love letters." He leaned forward, a hint of concern etched onto his face. "Uh…is there something you want to tell me?"
Wait…Lillie got the one I wanted to send to Hau.
Mom got the one I wanted to send to Lillie.
And Hau got the one I wanted to send to Mom.
Shit.
Leilani was on Hau's other side and she watched Elio's own expression go from confused to complete horror.
It didn't matter they were in the middle of a semi-quiet part of the airport with people coming or going about. She burst out laughing. Her fits and giggles were enough to catch the attention of others, immediately causing both boys to fluster.
"Oh my goodness! ʻAʻohe ala hele! That has to be the single funniest thing I have ever heard!"
"Leilani be quiet!" Elio hissed, noticing all the indignant looks being cast their way. "Way to tell the entire world I messed up!"
"And it made it all hilarious!" She opened the card and put it in Hau's lap. "Read this here…I wish you knew…how much I think about you! Wow brah! It's official, you two are my BrOTP!"
"BrOTP?"
"Yeah. Like OTP as in one-true-pairing…but instead it's the bromance version! BrOTP!"
"We do not have a bromance!" Sun denied. It was at that moment, Hau had chimed in to further prove Leilani's point.
"Wait, what's a bromance?"
Whew...and that's done. Again apologies for the late update.
Hawaiian Translations:
'A'ohe ala hele! - No freaking way!
French Translations:
Mademoiselle - Missus (refers to single woman)
Bonjour! - Good day!
Comment allez vous? - How are you?
Amour - Love
Merde - Shit
Chevalier - Knight
Au revior - Good bye/Farewell
Merci - Thanks/Thank you
Suis ton coeur - Follow your heart
We're getting close to finishing the final Akala regular trials part where more stuff is gonna happen afterwards! Stay tuned to that! And I for one am looking forward to putting Lillie and Elio back together! Seems so far away, but my aim is to have the two reunited back together within the next 5 or so chapters.
As always everyone, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.
Brav
