Pokémon Radiant Sun
Alright, so I'm alive.
Sorry about that, everyone. Got caught up in trying to prepare for my work test...thing? Anyways, that's done with for now. Which means next weekend you can look forward to the final chapter coming out in a timely fashion before my hiatus officially starts. I'm literally devoting an entire week to making sure this arc ends on a high note before I leave for a bit.
However, since you all had to wait so long for this chapter, I'm going to make next chapter longer than planned to make up for it. Plus, I'm throwing in a teaser for an event that happens in the next arc. Which scene that is will depend on the results of a poll I'm putting up on my profile. More to be explained later.
These past few weeks have been insanely stressful, which doubly sucks because I just haven't had time nor had the drive to work on the story with everything going on lately. Plus, I've been sick as a dog this past week and busy this week with other stuff so...Yeah. It's been a mess. But things should be stable for the next week, and then I can shift focus for a little while and get things truly on track for when I come back from my hiatus.
Thankfully I passed my work test with flying colors. I can't go into specifics, but I'm actually got officially recognized and rewarded because of how well I did on this test. So thanks to all of you for supporting me during these stressful past few months and for being patient with these delays.
On an unrelated note, some of you may have noticed that my review count jumped by a huge margin and has been fluctuating back and forth recently.
Apparently some idiots have been going around spamming stories with Guest Reviews by the hundreds, at least in my case. About fifty got through initially before I realized what the hell was going on and deleted them. I've probably gotten at least a thousand of these spammed reviews so far, in the span of a month or so.
So yeah, if you see those pop up, it's because they slipped through the cracks and they'll be deleted promptly. I am not letting some stupid bots/spammers mess with my stories when I actually get genuine feedback from people every chapter. That's a disservice to those who do care enough to review. I did leave a single review from the spammers though, as evidence of what they did and so people can look out for it on their own stories and other people's. The site is trying to deal with this as it happens, so I'm hoping it'll be dealt with soon.
For those Guest Reviewers that DON'T do spam my story with nonsense, rest assured that I do check every message/review and can tell pretty easily who's an actual reviewer, so your reviews will be approved and all that good stuff. This whole mess actually made me appreciate you all a lot more, and I've gotten a lot of love from you all a lot more recently, so I want to take a moment and thank the Guest Reviewers who take the time to review the story. I definitely appreciate and thank you for your kind words and support.
And if the person who is spamming people's stories IS reading this, which I sincerely doubt you are...Seriously, just stop it. You're making my life very annoying, having to micromanage my reviews like this.
Shoutout to those who have reviewed since the last update, which includes AnotherTrojan, Moonlight Butterfree, RC-DA, Anasazi Darkmoon, Cottonmouth25, Defender31415, SonicIKE, a guest reviewer known as study, Zombiesguy115, tguy4001, mymissinmalasada, BraviaryScout, Sai Og Sus, Easyclap (who I believe was Okamiden14), Ways, two Guest Reviewers (or maybe the same one, it's hard to tell), the totem natu (AKA mymissinmalasada), another Guest reviewer, and EL Hunter. That is a crapton of feedback and it's awesome. Thank you all so much for the support!
Special shout to Ways, who dropped a few reviews since the last update which included #900! We're so close to a thousand, which is insane. Thanks again for the support, my friend!
And onto the chapter! This chapter is all about the shipping! (Handling not included)
Enjoy!
Chapter 72: You and I
"So...I'm sorry."
"Jeez, going right into it, huh? Well...It's not like you're not the only one who messed up. I'm sorry too, Demi."
Demi and Hau stared at each other for a moment before the girl shut her eyes, looking away from Hau. "It's just...This has all been really hard to deal with. Losing Feya...Dealing with my parents being so stupid about the damn Island Challenge, and then it just turned into a big mess." Demi sighed heavily, putting her hands on her forehead. Hau could feel the heartbreak in her words, how the awful events that had happened in rapid succession had all but broken the girl. She had lost nearly everything in just a matter of months. All she had to rely on was Team Skull.
"Yeah...And all I could do was say that things would be okay and that your new friends were crap." Hau replied with a frown, making Demi look at him. The girl could see that the boy had seen what he had done wrong and was a bit more understanding of things this go around.
"Considering what Team Skull is and what they've done to you, I don't blame you for treating them like that. They steal Pokémon. They hurt people. The only reason I haven't done it myself is just because I hang back and let the others do it instead...I'm a coward, but I just can't bring myself to really help them steal like that. Besides, they're too stupid to do things the smart way." Demi remarked, shaking her head.
"Smart way?" Hau asked, with Demi giving him a look.
"If they really wanted to steal Pokémon in an effective manner, they would train and get better so they could win more battles. Or capture Alolan Pokémon and sell them to tourists for high prices. Seriously, they don't think at all. There's a whole lot of things they do that don't make any sense." Demi admitted, crossing her arms.
"Have you...like, told them these things?" Hau asked.
"A few of them, yeah, but they're too dumb to listen to me. And then I realized that I don't want to help Team Skull cause trouble or steal Pokémon...I want to help them change Alola. I want to end the Island Challenge. Or at least make it better than the travesty that it is now." Demi said, her voice becoming harder.
"So...why Team Skull? How'd that even happen?" Hau asked, with Demi closing her eyes and sighing softly. She told Hau her story of how she was attacked by the bandit known as Night Slash, only to be saved by Gladion and Team Skull. She explained how the group looked after her and comforted her during the worst time in her life, and even offered her a place with them. Not having anywhere else to go and feeling like she had turned her back on her friends, she went with the thugs and was enjoying herself since.
No, she didn't like the fact that they caused so much trouble. But she enjoyed their personalities and how much they supported each other, showing a loyalty to each other that made her truly feel like she belonged. Axen, Kevin, Kayla, Tim. Even Gladion, as much as he tried to be nasty, had all been there for her and had helped her back to her feet when they had no reason too. They had done far more for her than her family had done as of late. Demi felt the burning fury crackle within her as she began to speak again.
"All the Island Challenge has done is hurt me. I've looked into it, and it's been going on for centuries. Children sent away from their families and made outcasts. Yeah, the Island Challenge is an important part of our heritage and culture, Hau. But it's also tearing families apart. You can't tell me I'm wrong." Demi said pointedly to the boy, who frowned.
"But it's also what makes Alola so special. Without the Island Challenge, I don't even know what Alola would be like. The Trials, the Captains, the Kahunas...They're a part of who we are. What we represent. But you're right...they're not perfect. They can really divide families. I mean, my Dad left us behind because he hated being related to a Kahuna." Hau admitted, making Demi give him a sad look.
"I...Forgot about that. You never mention your father." Demi said quietly, only remembering one occasion that Hau had ever spoken of him, and even that was incredibly brief. Demi had asked what happened to the man, to which Hau replied that he had left long ago because he was tired of living in his father's shadow. Hau had changed the subject soon after.
Even Lillie didn't have much to say about Hau's father, except that his departure was why Hau and Hala were so close, and why Hau was so determined to embrace the Island Challenge and maybe become a Kahuna someday.
"Why would I? He's not a part of my life." Hau said casually, shrugging. "If anything, I've got it easy. I can pretend he doesn't exist. Poor Sun has a freaking ego-maniacal supervillain as a Dad. Now that's a bummer."
"That's true…"
"But the fact of the matter is that...You're right. As important as the Island Challenge is, there's problems with it. Maybe I need to have a talk about this with Tutu…" Hau murmured, leaning forward. He looked at Demi, who was watching him impassively. "I don't know, Demi. But I...If you think this will make things better for people, then keep doing your thing with Team Skull. I'll keep doing mine and work on becoming strong enough to become Island Challenge Champion! Or a Kahuna! Or both! I'm flexible." Demi smirked in response, shaking her head slightly at Hau's silliness. She was happy that Hau was at least being understanding of the situation, though.
Gladion watched from nearby in the shadows, his scowl returning.
While he was glad that the two of them had made up (because now this meant Demi would stop talking about making up with Hau), the teen was definitely still annoyed. After all, Hau was still an idiot who had showed him up at Royal Avenue and had rubbed him the wrong way ever since they had met. Even worse...He had a crush on his sister, Lillie. That absolutely could not stand.
The fierce teen looked down at the small fox curled up in his arms, contentedly resting. Gladion smiled softly at the little kit, having grown attached to the Zorua he had taken in off the streets. Type: Null and Golbat had also become close to the newest member of their ragtag team, which was even better. The little fox had his uses too, thanks to his ability to change shapes and surprise people.
And then a thought entered Gladion's head.
"Zorua...you want to help me with a prank?" Gladion quietly asked the small fox as he looked up at his Trainer. The Tricky Fox Pokémon beamed and nodded at the teen. Gladion whispered a set of instructions to the Zorua, who giggled and hopped off of his lap. Gladion watched the Pokémon depart up the stairs, leaving him alone with Type: Null.
"Don't you think this is...childish?"
"Absolutely it is. Doesn't mean I'm above petty revenge."
"Team Skull is rubbing off on you."
"Ugh...Well, I'm going to shower way longer than usual tonight."
"So, what are you going to do now?" Hau asked Demi, who looked towards the ceiling with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"I'm going to try…" Demi trailed off as a familiar black-haired boy suddenly walked up to them, wearing a wide smile. Demi blinked twice, wondering why this child had walked up to them and looked so familiar to her…
And then the boy lunged at Hau, grabbing onto his leg and sinking his larger than usual teeth into the bandages covering the burns on his leg. Hau blinked twice before his eyes widened and his pupils shrank to pinpricks.
"AAAAAIEEEE!" Hau screamed as the boy began to punch and claw at his bandages with an animal-like growl. Hau kicked at the boy in the face while Demi watched in horrified shock as the boy tumbled away, dissolving into a familiar Zorua in a flash of light. Demi glared at the small fox, who yipped in horror at Demi's glare and scampered up the stairs.
"Given that he knows Hau is crushing on Lillie...I'm willing to let that slide if it means Gladion won't try something worse later." Demi thought as she watched Hau clutch his leg in agony.
"Stupid fox...wolf...thing! Ow…" Hau whined, shaking his head.
"You'll be fine." Demi said with a slight eye roll, though she did wave over Nurse Joy who quickly unwrapped the wound and inspected it before dressing the burns with fresh bandages and medicine. A few minutes later, Nurse Joy left them to their own devices, though she did send a Wigglytuff upstairs to search for said Zorua.
"So, how's things been with Lillie? You still chasing her, since I'm with Team Skull now?" Demi asked Hau, who just shrugged.
"Which means that the chances of me and Demi becoming a thing are effectively zero...ouch." Hau thought with a wince, which Demi noticed, since her expression became rather guilty.
"I mean...Yeah, kinda? Sun's having a lot more luck with Lillie than I am, so I've backed off a bit. I still like Lillie a lot though, and I just don't know what to do with my feelings! But...Weirdly enough, I'm kinda starting something with Captain Lana." Hau admitted, with Demi's eyes widening in surprise.
"Lana? Really…" Demi smirked, recalling the shy girl at Brooklet Hill. Demi felt a small twinge, remembering Feya's death at the Trial Site and how Lana had failed to stop Totem Araquanid in time. That being said, after some time to get over things, the Demi felt no ill will towards Lana. If anything, Demi wanted to apologize for blaming the entire thing on Lana and hitting her. The Captain had done her best to stop the beast, and she had saved Demi's life in the end.
"Yeah. She's been really supporting me ever since me and you...stopped getting along." Hau said awkwardly, scratching his head. "And then I found out that she actually has a big crush on me at Lillie's birthday party. I was super confused about what to do, but then I actually remembered your advice."
"About not focusing on just one chick forever and giving other girls a chance?" Demi asked, remembering her conversation with Hau at Hau'oli City's beach. Hau nodded, looking away.
"I mean...There wasn't a reason not to give her a chance. She's a really good friend and we get along really well. Plus she's super adorable." Hau admitted, shrugging. "We'll see where it goes, but even if it doesn't go well, I'll take any chance I can take to make someone happy."
Demi smiled at that, leaning back in her seat. "That's what I admire about you, Hau. Despite your faults, you love to make everyone happy."
Hau grinned at Demi, shutting his eyes. "Absolutely! All I ever want is for everything to be okay. If I can make people smile, then why shouldn't I?"
Demi chuckled at that, shutting her eyes as well, and the pair shared a comfortable silence. After a few moments, however, Hau spoke up.
"Hey...um...Are we cool now?" Demi opened her eyes and saw Hau looking at her, his expression nervous. Demi allowed herself a smirk and surprised Hau with a hug, making the boy flinch for a moment before he tightly hugged Demi back.
"Yeah, you big dork. We're cool. I'm sorry about being so nasty to you earlier." Demi said to Hau, giving the boy a squeeze. The two newly reconciled friends held each other for a moment.
"I'm so sorry, Demi…" Hau muttered after a moment. "Even if you're with those Team Skull dorks now, you're still my friend and I'm sorry that I hurt you."
Demi's eyes beginning to sting at how genuinely heartfelt those few words were. Hau wasn't someone who faked anything he did. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and always wanted to make people happy. And that was what made Demi want to cry. Because she realized that as much as he had hurt her, he had felt just as much pain having done the hurting in the first place. The two friends held each other for a moment before separating, the two of them sporting wide smiles and teary eyes.
"Even if we have to walk different paths now...That's not going to stop me from being your friend too. " Demi said with a watery grin, with Hau chuckling in response.
"Yep." Hau replied with a cheesy grin as the storm outside rumbled. "Just...promise me you won't try and take people's Pokémon. Okay?"
"Absolutely. I'm going to try and make a difference here in Alola, but you know...In a way that doesn't make me feel like absolute crap." Demi replied to Hau with a reassuring grin. Her grin then turned mischievous. "So let's get back to Lana. You take her out on a date yet?"
"Not really. Kinda been busy with the Island Challenge and getting here to Konikoni City." Hau replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. Demi gave him a deadpan look.
"Dude...Go on that date with her. Like, seriously, do it as soon as possible." Demi said seriously to Hau, who smiled a little before he sat back in his chair.
"Well...I am done with my Akala Trials, but I don't want to move onto the next island without Sun…" Hau thought about it a little more before shrugging. "Why not? I can hang around Akala, have fun for a while until Sun sorts himself out and we can go to the next island together!" Hau said with a grin before a sudden shout startled the two teens.
"You got promoted!?" Laura Smiles suddenly yelled out from across the Pokémon Center, looking shocked as she stood up out of her chair. Everyone stared at the woman, who realized just how loud she was being. She gave the others a sheepish grin and returned to her conversation.
"Yeesh...Blow out my eardrums, why don't you?" Oliver grumbled from the other end of the phone. The International Police member muttered darkly while Laura mouthed an apology to those who were glaring at her for the outburst.
"Sorry Ollie...Still, that's incredible! A Captain within the International Police...Sun's going to be so excited when he finds out." Laura remarked, with Oliver chuckling softly in reply.
"True, very true. Though there's more to the promotion than just that." Oliver said to Laura, who frowned a little.
"Go on." Laura said, with Oliver doing just that.
"You see, because of my efforts during the Vermilion City Gym attack and the Kanto Superdome incident, The Superiors have decided that I should relocate to another region and assist in strengthening the International Police presence within places where our forces struggle." Oliver explained, to which Laura nodded in understanding, even if the man couldn't see it.
"I may be a bit reckless at times, but they know I'm the reason Kanto's International Police have done as well as they have in the past few months against Cipher. I made sure our Agents were well-trained enough to deal with some of the threats posed to us. Plus, thanks to my friendship with you and the intel you gave to me on what Ashton was planning, I managed to help save thousands by ensuring we were prepared in some capacity when Cipher attacked in Celadon City."
"So because of how effective you've been recently, they're rewarding you by giving you command of your own team?" Laura asked, amazed by this.
"Yes. I'll admit, it's possible they want me away from the action because I don't quite get along with the Superiors, but they cannot deny what I've done and what I can do. I've always been good as a teacher, maybe better than I am as a fighter, but this is something that works well for me." Oliver remarked, though he sounded a bit...troubled.
"What's wrong, Oliver? You should be more excited about this!" Laura asked, with the man sighing over the phone.
"I am...worried. Because I have a choice, and it will require me to do things I am unsure if I want to do." Oliver said slowly, as if measuring his words. Laura became a little worried, and naturally pressed on.
"Well...If I can help in any way, let me know. You're my friend, Ollie. Don't forget that." Laura said sincerely, with Oliver remaining silent on the other end of the phone.
"Laura...Go somewhere private. I need to talk to you in a place where you won't be overheard." Oliver said rather quietly, with Laura standing up without another thought and walking out the front doors. Konikoni City was deserted at this time of night, and with the storm howling around the city no one would be likely to disturb her. Laura leaned against the side of the building, underneath the overhang in front of the Pokémon Center.
"I'm alone. What's going on?" Laura asked her friend, who sighed.
"You want to know the truth? Then I will tell you...I have a choice in which region I will be going to. There are two places where our forces are struggling, and require my help for recruitment and general support. They are Johto...and Alola." Oliver said, with Laura's eyes widening in surprise.
Oliver continued. "Maiden, Looker, and Angel are the only operatives we have in the entire region. Alola has always remained distant from the other regions, for many reasons. Now that Professor Kukui is establishing connections and...other things that I am not allowed to say, the Superiors have deemed fit to expand our operations to Alola. This is partly because our forces are very small here, but also because Cipher is attempting to expand to Alola due to its general weakness...At least compared to the other regions." Oliver explained, though Laura was frowning thoughtfully. "Anyways, that's my dilemma. Do I come to Johto, or do I come to Alola?"
"Well, you know my answer. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing you more, and I know Sun feels the same. You really inspired that boy, you know." Laura said warmly to Oliver, who again remained silent.
"You say that you wouldn't mind seeing me more...But is that as a friend, or something else?" Oliver asked, making Laura jerk back in surprise at the implication, a heat rising to her face.
"H-how do you mean?" Laura asked, though she of course knew what he meant. How could she not?
"Laura...I do not regret the choices I made, all those years ago, when I decided to cut things off between us. I had a career to follow, and I would never want to risk you being put in danger. But I do regret that I allowed that bastard of a businessman to hurt you and Sun without being able to put a bullet in his head." Oliver said harshly, a flicker of anger in his voice. He sighed softly, and the anger was gone.
"I know...I understand, Ollie." Laura said quietly, closing her eyes. She thought for a time, considering it.
Long ago, when Laura had decided to become a Trainer, she had befriended a great many people on her travels. One of them was a young man named Oliver, who she would become very close with. Charming, silly, and strong, she was smitten almost instantly and so was he. They traveled together for a long while, but then Oliver was offered a job with the International Police. They went their separate ways, but remained good friends. It wasn't long after that when Laura met Ashton Aupuni and her life changed forever.
As for Oliver, he was recruited into the International Police. The elite worldwide crime-fighting order of Pokémon Trainers and those who wished to help keep the peace within the turbulent world they lived in. One did not simply join the International Police. No, you were recruited personally by someone already within the organization. Oliver had traveled all around the world over the course of his career. He had killed. Lied. Stole. Cheated. Burned. Destroyed…
But he also saved. Restored. Rescued. Preserved. Returned. And protected. That was what it meant to be a member of the International Police. It was to give yourself fully to the betterment and protection of both human and Pokémon alike.
His proudest moment, if you asked him, would be the night he stopped Ashton Aupuni from murdering his ex-wife. Oliver had fended off the businessman and his Cipher goons, and if not for Sun's last-moment intervention he would have put down one of the world's most wanted criminals with a sniper round to the skill. Oliver never blamed Sun for the incident, though, and brushed away Sun's apologies with a smile.
"So...I guess this is the part where I ask if you're still interested in giving us a shot, all these years later?" Oliver asked, a small note of nervousness in his voice. Laura nearly laughed, but kept her composure.
"I would be interested in seeing you again and seeing where things went, Ollie. It's been long enough to where I wouldn't be opposed to trying to date again, but I'm not in a rush. Some wounds don't heal, and I have to think about Sun as well." Laura said, though she was very aware of the fact that if there was anyone that Sun would have approved of her dating, it was "Mister Oliver".
"Such a tease, Miss Laura. Fine. I'll tell the Superiors I'll spend a few days in each region to feel them out, and then decide. There's still a chance I go with Johto, but I've always enjoyed my trips to Alola and being so close to you and Sun would be pretty nice. Where are you now, out of curiosity?" Oliver asked, his voice sounding excited now.
"Konikoni City." Laura answered, with Oliver humming in response.
"Wait...I thought you moved to just outside Hau'oli City?" Oliver asked, confused. "What brings you to there?"
"Sun's been going through a really bad time. I thought taking him to a psychiatrist like you suggested would help with some of the trauma he's been through, but it seemed to only prolong the issue. After Borlath revealed himself as the new leader of Cipher, and after losing his Grand Trial along with the support of some of his friends, Sun ran away. He's doing better now, but I'm still worried." Laura asked, with Oliver humming again.
"Why isn't Sun with you now?" Oliver asked.
"His friend took matters into her own hands and managed to calm him down. They're coming back here in the morning." Laura replied quietly, her worry audible in her voice.
Oliver barked out a laugh, saying, "Very well then, Miss Smiles. I'll see you in two days. Don't tell Sun, I want to surprise him."
"Two days!? That soon?" Laura asked, surprised. Even for a member of the International Police, packing up all of your things and traveling across the world in two days was quite a feat!
"Don't ever underestimate a secret government agent, ma'am. I could be there in an hour, but I'm hitting up Johto first before I go to Alola." Oliver said with a teasing note of happiness in his voice. "Goodbye for now."
"I'll...see you soon, Ollie." Laura said quietly, hanging up on her friend. Laura closed her eyes and sighed softly, running a hand down her face. She was smiling, despite that. Having an old friend around would definitely make her feel a bit more comfortable, given recent events. And besides…
"If things are going the way we both want them to go...I'm definitely going to need to go shopping for a new dress later. So much to do, so little time." Laura lamented with a small sigh before she walked through the rain to a nearby hotel, hoping that Oliver's imminent arrival in Alola would make Sun as happy as it would make her.
Sun's eyes slowly opened as a stream of sunlight peeked into the cave they were in, brightening it enough to where Sun would wake up. The first thing he saw was Penny looking at him, the bird smiling happily at her Trainer. The second was that Lillie was sleeping on his chest, and was the reason he was so warm.
Sun flushed as he remembered the events of last night, and how he was holding his closest friend, his crush, in his arms. She looked very peaceful. Something seemed a bit out of place to Sun, but he couldn't quite place it. However he did notice his team watching him with amusement.
"Good morning, Trainer. You look better today." Penny noted happily, with Brago stirring slightly behind Sun.
"I'll talk your word for it, Penny…" Brago grunted, trying to shift beneath Sun's weight. "Let's not make this a habit, Alpha. At least not until I evolve."
"Umm...Sorry, Brago." Sun whispered, with Penny looking at him oddly at that.
"Why are you speaking so quietly, Trainer?" Penny asked Sun, who looked down at Lillie and then back to Penny, who smiled in response.
"Oh, you're worried about waking Miss Lillie. Well, she woke up not long before you did. She's awake right now. Can't you tell?" Penny said with a chuckle, making Sun blink in surprise before he looked down at Lillie again, though this time he could see that her face was bright red, despite her shut eyes.
"Lillie, how long have you been up?" Sun asked the girl, who just replied by hugging Sun tighter.
"I'm still asleep." Lillie simply stated, sounding completely awake and not even trying to pretend. The blonde-haired girl sighed contentedly, enjoying every moment of her current cuddle-fest with her crush. Sun rolled his eyes and gave Lillie a squeeze, laughing quietly.
"You know you're going to have to get up eventually, right?" Sun asked her.
"I'm well aware. Brago's very uncomfortable right now. But you're way too nice of a pillow to give up just yet." Lillie replied, earning an indignant cry from a Nebby, who was lodged between Lillie's arm and Sun's shoulder.
"Nebby, I love you but-"
"Pew pew!"
"Don't you take that tone with me, mister!"
"Pewpew pew! Peeeew pew pewpew!"
"...Nebby, I have no idea what you're saying. I was just humoring you. I'm sorry." Lillie said sheepishly, finally getting off of Sun with a fierce blush on her face. The girl scooted onto the cave floor shivering slightly before she coughed a few times, making a face after a moment.
"Ugh...I don't feel well." Lillie muttered, crossing her arms. "I knew this would happen."
"How did you get sick from being in the rain and all that and yet I'm totally fine?" Sun asked, with Lillie giving him a look.
"Everyone's different, Sun. Some people have better immune systems than others. You also may not have been bothered by the cold as much as I am. I really don't know." Lillie said with a sniffle, sighing softly. "Oh well. With any luck I'll be fine and it'll go away in a few days."
"You sure you're going to be alright? How do I know this isn't you pretending to be sick so you can cuddle more with me?" Sun remarked jokingly, with Lillie giving him a deadpan look.
"That was a two-way street and you know it." Lillie huffed, crossing her arms and pouting as she looked the other way. Sun thought it was totally adorable and scooted towards her, hugging Lillie with one arm.
"I mean...You're not wrong. Last night was really nice. Just being with you and my team, and Nebby of course." Sun added as the Cosmog gave him a look from inside of the vacated pallet that Brago was gingerly extracting himself from. Brago glanced at the slumbering form of Oliver in the corner before he snorted in amusement and stretched languidly.
"So...food?" Brago asked hopefully, his tail swishing behind him. Sun and Lillie laughed at that and quickly made a breakfast for them and themselves, and took to just relaxing in the cave. Sun laid down on the pallet and dozed, just enjoying the down time to think and reflect. Lillie was curled in a ball with her eyes shut, in deep thought.
"Sun?"
"Yeah?"
"What...Never mind."
Sun sat up, seeing Lillie's expression looking troubled. The boy got up and moved over to the girl, who scooted away slightly as she became embarrassed. Sun frowned and said, "Tell me what's wrong. After everything that's happened between us, you can tell me anything."
"I...I really can't tell you, Sun. Not anything and certainly not everything." Lillie said quietly, shutting her eyes. "It's really hard for me to explain...But I refuse to risk your safety by telling you about what I'm up against. They're dangerous. And it'll draw attention to me and Nebby, even if you don't mean to. The best thing to do is keep my head down and have as few involved and knowledgeable about them as possible."
Sun frowned and looked down, a little hurt that even after he had spilled out his heart to her, she couldn't do the same to him. Was he...just not important enough to her? Did she just not trust him? No...No she trusted him. She was Lillie! She'd never do anything to hurt him. If she thought it was best to keep her situation quiet, then he'd respect that.
That said...Maybe it was time for some things to come to light.
"Lillie...Even if you can't tell me about what's going on, I still want to know some of what's bothering you. I can tell there's a lot on your mind." Sun said gently to the girl, who looked down as a shadow crossed her face. Sun wrapped an arm around her shoulder and Lillie bit her lip, looking away. "Please?"
"I...Sun."
"Yes?"
"You can not possibly understand how difficult a transition living in Alola has been for me over the past year or so." Lillie said quietly, her voice shaking slightly. The girl looked down, opening her eyes. Sun could only see pain and sorrow. Lillie allowed silence to fill the cave for several minutes before she took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Ever since she changed, all those years ago, I've not been myself. I don't even know who I am anymore. It's so difficult to put into words, but I don't think I've been Lillie in many years." The girl in white said quietly, her voice shaking slightly. "I've been nothing but a puppet. A toy. A doll. A bird in a gilded cage destined to only sing and look pretty for it's master."
"Lillie?" Sun asked softly, but the girl wasn't listening to him. Her eyes had a faraway look to them, her expression becoming one of bitterness. It made his heart ache just seeing that sort of expression on her face.
"Ever since that fateful day, all those years ago, my life has become a mockery of what it once was. Where music filled the hallways, cold silence reigns. What once was a family, has been scattered to the winds. Where a mother once stood...A queen rules her castle while sinking deeper into madness." Lillie practically hissed, tears stinging at her eyes as she looked down at the ground. "That is what I've been hiding, Sun. You are not alone...We walk the same path. We both still love a parent who has hurt and betrayed us. We both fled for our lives because of the monster our parent became. And we both bear the scars of their manipulation…"
"You wonder why I keep all of this secret? Because all it takes is a whisper. The slightest hint of information to reach my mother's ears and it'll all be over. No one understands how powerful she really is. How much influence she holds here. I have to keep to the shadows. I have to keep it all secret, because all it takes is one misstep and everything will end in ruin." Lillie continued, her voice shaking now, the girls fingers digging into her palms hard enough to turn them sheet white. Sun wanted to tell her to stop, but his mind was reeling so hard from this deluge of information he couldn't get himself to speak before the Princess continued.
"If I fail...Nebby will die. She will kill him. I have to get him home, where she can't get to him...B-but I don't. Know. How!" Lillie wailed, pressing her face into his shoulder. "I don't know what to do! I'm stumbling blind and if I don't figure this out, then she'll win!"
Nebby stared at Lillie with an unreadable expression on its face, letting out a soft cry before huddling inside of the pallet. Meanwhile all three of Sun's Pokémon continued to watch the display with worry, seeing how distraught the girl had become.
Sun was alarmed to see tears trickling down Lillie's face as she continued. "We became what they wanted us too, Sun! She was right...Without her, I'm nothing. A pathetic little girl to weak to be loved."
That snapped Sun out of it enough for him to quickly embrace the girl as hard as he could, practically crushing her against him.
"Will you stop lying to yourself!" Sun yelled out, surprising Lillie enough to halt her crying completely. "Look at you! You're here! You're safe! So is Nebby! And you're way too strong to even think about losing to whatever crappy mother thinks that you're not good enough!"
Sun pulled Lillie away from him, seeing the shocked expression on her face. Sun brought his face closer to her's and touched his forehead to hers.
"You are so strong, Lillie. You were the only one who chased after me when I needed someone the most. You braved Cipher, Team Skull, and whatever is coming after you to make sure I was okay. That means you're brave. That means you're strong. And the fact that you keep managing to continue to try and save Nebby and help people despite all the crap you've been through means that you're better than your mother."
"Whoever that is…" Sun thought darkly, gritting his teeth. What kind of sick woman would instill these kind of thoughts in her daughter? Make her think of herself as less than nothing. Sun felt a spike of anger within him that was quelled when Lillie gave him a watery smile before leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him.
"Thank you...That means so much to me right now." Lillie mumbled, shutting her eyes for a moment. Sun happily returned the hug, releasing the girl after a moment and grinning at her.
"That was definitely I lot more than I thought I was going to get from you." Sun said quietly, reaching forward and brushing tears off of the girl's face. Lillie sniffled before coughing several times, her cold likely agitated by how upset she had become.
"Look at me...Once again, I came here to cheer you up, and here I am going to pieces. This is why I hate talking about her. It makes me cry, thinking about what she's become. How pathetic is that?" Lillie mumbled softly, only for Sun to reach under her chin and move her head up to where she could look him in the eyes.
"After what we've been through, are you surprised that you're upset? Besides, did you see how upset I got yesterday? If anything, you're handling all of this stress pretty dang well." Sun asked Lillie, who looked doubtful. "It's just like you said, Lillie. We walk the same road. I may not understand everything, but I understand enough. And I know that there's no shame in feeling sad about the things you've lost. Talking about Nova last night taught me that."
Lillie nodded again, but didn't reply verbally. Sun got up and grabbed a blanket from the pallet they had made. He carefully draped it around Lillie's shoulders, earning a grateful smile from the girl before he sat down beside her again.
"Sun...But ever since I became friends with you...I've felt myself begin to change. Sometimes...the old me comes out. I feel a little more brave. Happier. More...free, I suppose. Does that make any sense?" Lillie asked, almost desperately. Sun quickly thought back through all of his interactions with Lillie, and he actually did find truth to her words.
Lillie in general was a very shy, reserved and soft-spoken girl. But during the time he had known her, Lillie would sometimes step out of that shell and do something out of character for her. Whether it be a spark of fury, a rush of bravery, or a hint of boldness and daring out of nowhere. It was like glimpsing someone waiting behind a veil.
"You bring out the best in me. That's why I...I hope that we can be friends for a long time, Sun. You inspire me to do better. Even if you're not perfect...You're a great person I can count on. You make me want to try harder to become the person I wish I was. The kind of person my mother swore I could never become without her guidance and love." Lillie said with a sad smile, sighing softly. "I wonder if I'll keep changing as more time passes. What if I don't even recognize myself by the time I reach the end of where this road leads me, Sun?"
Sun smirked, making the girl give him a confused look in response. "No matter who you become by the end of our journeys, you'll always be Lillie. My best friend. I'll support you no matter what, you got that?" Sun said to the girl, earning a relieved look from the girl and a little smile that Sun returned. "You'd think with us much we tell each other that we're awesome, it'd finally sink in and we'd stop doubting ourselves."
"Mmmm...You're not wrong. Maybe we should agree to disagree that we are both exceptional in our own ways, but lacking in other aspects?" Lillie suggested with a giggle, with Sun snickering in response.
"Sounds about right. Jeez, what did I do right to have you in my life?" Sun asked the girl, who blushed bright pink at that. Sun grinned in delight, though his smile faded when he caught sight of Brago, Penny, and Rotom all giving him a very pointed glare. Sun blinked before remembering his remark to his Pokémon the other night.
"I should tell her. Now. After that speech about her past, now's the time." Sun decided, gulping nervously before shutting his eyes. Drawing upon his inner strength, he opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by-
"Sun...do you like me?" Lillie asked, her voice shaking slightly but otherwise firm. Sun's jaw dropped slightly, partly dumbfounded that he was beaten to the punch and also by the fact that she had asked him that question. THE question. Lillie was blushing bright pink, like Sun, but otherwise she was fairly calm about the question she had asked to her crush.
Sun didn't answer right away, instead he just looked away. However, as the silence stretched on to several minutes, Sun found himself looking at the blonde princess that had become a surprising source of strength and inspiration for him during his journey.
The answer was obvious.
"Lillie...I like you. I have for a while now, actually." Sun admitted as his cheeks burned, the boy burying his face in his arms as his blush intensified. Lillie's eyes widened and her heart felt like it would explode out of her chest with how hard it was beating. Sun suddenly looked up and glared at his three Pokémon and the Rotom Dex. "Happy now, you jerks!? I admitted that I have a crush on her! I hope you all are happy."
"Oh, we're ecstatic. I've had to watch you two dance around your own attraction for each other for months." Oliver said to Sun as he opened a single eye, looking over at Lillie. "Though I believe she has yet to declare her own feelings." Sun looked up at Lillie, who seemed to blush harder. The girl nodded slowly, shutting her eyes and taking a shaky breath and burying her face in Sun's shoulder.
"Well?" Sun asked Lillie, amazed that his voice managed to stay steady.
"My heart is racing like crazy...I like you Sun!" Lillie all but yelped, letting out a small sigh as her face burned even redder. Sun felt a joyous smile come to his face, though his blush remained. Sun let Lillie have her moment, but his mind was racing.
"So she really does like me! I mean...It's super obvious in hindsight, but just knowing it is...Wow. How lucky am I?" Sun thought as Lillie removed her face from Sun's shoulder, blushing a brilliant shade of red.
"This is so embarrassing." Lillie muttered, looking away with a shy smile.
"You're telling me." Sun muttered in agreement as Lillie looked by at him, nodding once. "I mean...You like me! That's crazy! So...so now what?" Sun asked, earning a confused look from Lillie. Both children stared at each other, not actually knowing the answer to that question. They both had confessed their feelings to each other, but...What did they do next?
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"...Heh."
"Hehehe…"
Both Sun and Lillie began to giggle, before suddenly bursting into laughter. Lillie was soon on the floor, giggling helplessly, while Sun was clutching his sides. Rotom Dex just hovered nearby, absolutely confused.
"Zzzt...You two have to be the most awkward children I've ever seen in my entire life. What kind of confession of love and passion wazz THAT?!" Rotom said seriously, at least before Sun got to his feet and turned it off, stuffing it in his backpack. Sun returned his Pokémon and walked back over to Lillie, who had recomposed herself but was smiling happily up at him.
"He's right you know." Lillie said with a giggle as Sun sat down in front of her.
"Yeah...So, what...Do we do now?" Sun asked Lillie, who shook her head.
"I don't know. I never thought I'd get this far! I always hoped you liked me back, but...I feel like this is a dream!" Lillie said quietly, unable to shake the smile from her face. The happiness that was blooming through her heart right now, knowing that the boy she had admired and drew so much inspiration from felt a similar affection for her that she did for him.
That said...How the did they proceed with this?
"You've never had a boyfriend before, Lillie?" Sun asked the girl, who blushed a bit pinker at that.
"N-no. I never even had just a plain friend before I got met Hau. You...You're the first person I've ever developed a crush on. The first boy I've ever liked enough for the feelings I have to…, well, form, I suppose. If we did decide to...become something more, you would be my first b-boyfriend." Lillie said, stuttering slightly on the word. Sun nodded understandingly.
"Yeah. The way I was raised, I barely knew any kids my own age and I had other stuff to occupy my time." Sun agreed, shaking his head.
"Mmmm...You know, I didn't even really care about boys all that much until I moved to Alola proper. There was way too much drama to focus on things I couldn't have anyway. Besides, it's a part of growing up, isn't it?" Lillie asked Sun, who nodded in agreement.
"If my mother wasn't already totally nuts, she would go crazy if she saw this scene right now." Lillie thought, smiling a little at this unintentional act of rebellion.
"Yeah...I only just recently even started seeing girls in a...romantic-sense, you know?" Sun said to Lillie, who nodded. "At first, you were just a really good friend to me. But then I just...Kinda realized how good of a friend you were and how much I cared about you. You understand me, and I can trust you with anything...Doesn't hurt that you're the prettiest girl I know."
Lillie blushed furiously at that, tucking her legs in and folding her arms so she could rest her chin on them.
"You already know how and why I began to develop feelings for you. I just never thought you would return them for me, Sun. I mean...You all can say that I'm strong and brave and all that, but I'm really not." Lillie said quietly, shutting her eyes. "I was able to come get you because your Pokémon protected me and encouraged me. Without their help, I don't know if I would have been brave enough to keep going."
"What about the other time, back in Hau'oli City?" Sun countered, with Lillie sighing.
"It was different."
"Not really." Sun shrugged, but he added, "But that's beside the point. Lillie, you're the sweetest, nicest, and most brave girl I know. I don't even know when I started to like you it just...started to happen. I didn't even know what this feeling was until I talked to Hau about it."
"Interesting...I was in denial about it for a while. But once I admitted it to myself, I was worried I wouldn't ever be good enough to be worthy of your affection. But...Sun, I really am at a loss here! We both like each other, so what do we do now? I have no idea!" Lillie asked, practically yelling in her excitement and worry and happiness. A very odd mixture of three emotions. "We both have little experience with romance and relationships...And friendships. And telling Mallow to stop being stupid."
"That last one especially."
"Getting back to the point. Do we...just start dating? What does it even mean to 'date someone'?" Lillie asked Sun as her face reddened, who blushed in return. Lillie felt her heart skip a beat at that, and felt an massive amount of satisfaction in being able to make the boy blush like that.
"I-I don't know. I mean, I don't even know what it means to be a boyfriend or to have you as my girlfriend." Sun said quietly, sounding worried. "I mean...I really, really like you Lillie. You're special. You're important to me. If there was anyone I'd want to be my first girlfriend, I'd want it to be you, but...I don't even know what to do about that? And what if…"
Sun frowned, looking down at the ground. Lillie looked at Sun worriedly before the boy looked up at her, concern and fear on his face.
"What if started dating, but we broke up and we stopped being friends? Just because we just don't know anything about this kind of stuff? I…" Sun looked down again and said, "I don't know even know what love is Lillie. Isn't that what you're supposed to be in when you date someone? You have to love them a certain way. Not like you love Pokémon or your parents or friends. What love feels like...I'm scared that I don't know if I love you, and that if we date and it doesn't work out we'll stop being friends. And I can't lose you like that, Lillie!"
Sun looked terrified by the end of that, and Lillie quickly moved over to him and grabbed him by the face, forcing him to stare into her eyes much he Sun had done with her earlier.
"No matter what, you will always be my friend. That will always be true." Lillie said firmly and coldly, as if she was hurt and infuriated that Sun would suggest such a thing. "And you don't have to worry alone, Sun, because I'm terrified of that very same thing right now. I don't know what my heart is telling me. Is this a crush, caused because of how close we are and how much we care about each other? Or...is this what we are feeling what love really is? The admiration and affection we share, combined with the desire to see each other happy." Lillie said quietly, scooting to Sun's side and giving him a kind look. "I really do have no idea...But I want to know. I want to find out. And even if what I feel isn't love, I'll feel better for knowing. And I feel like our friendship is strong enough to withstand anything."
Sun looked at the girl for a moment, amazed at her words, before nodding slowly in understanding.
"I want to know too...All of these experiences in Alola. Becoming a Trainer. Making friends. Exploring the world and making memories. Growing up...Yeah, we can do this. We might not know exactly what we feel, but we know that we care about each other. Right?" Sun said to Lillie, who nodded in reply. "So I say...if you're really sure, then we just keep doing what we've been doing."
Lillie gave Sun a confused look. "How do you mean? Just stay friends?"
"Not exactly. I think we should keep on supporting each other on our own journeys. Mine to become Island Challenge Champion and you in trying to get Nebby home. We became such good friends by just walking down the same path together. Why change things now?" Sun asked Lillie with a smile.
"You have a point, Sun. But after some of what we shared and with everything out in the open, I don't think I can look at you in the same light." Lillie admitted, with Sun nodding in agreement. The girl sighed deeply in response, feeling a bubble of sadness within her heat.
"I really wish I could talk to my parents for advice. They'd know exactly what to do." Lillie murmured, shaking her head. "Even Mother would have some kind of knowledge about this that I could find useful."
"Well...Your parents might not be able to give you advice, but we have a bunch of other people who can help. Like my Mom, or Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet and all of our friends. Just because we don't know about love doesn't mean the older people we know don't. I'm sure we can figure out things in time." Sun said, getting his composure back.
"Then that's what we do. Continue to support each other and see where...this goes. We both want it, but-ugh, this is so confusing!" Lillie admitted with a yelp, shaking her head.
"We should wait to see if this is what we really want. As much as we like each other and as close as we are, if we're in love we'll learn about what it means together." Sun said to Lillie, who nodded slowly in agreement, before a small smile spread onto her face.
"And just because we're friends, very close friends, doesn't mean we can't have hugs and cuddles every now and then." Lillie said with a happy smile, scooting over to Sun and doing just that. Sun felt his heart beat faster, his face suffusing with heat as the girl wrapped his arms around him and pushed him to the ground, resting her head on his chest.
"We can take this slow. All I know is that I want to be with you. I'm so weak...But you inspire me to try and do better. And then I just want to hug you and kiss you and-" Lillie broke off with a squeak, realizing she was going a bit too far. Instead she broke her hug and looked down at Sun, who was smiling back at her.
"Lillie...D-do want to go on a date with me sometime?" Sun asked the girl with a slight hitch to his voice.
Lillie felt her heart stop...And then suddenly start beating really, really fast with sheer joy.
"Yesyesyesyesyes!" Lillie yelled, flinging herself down at Sun again and hugging the boy tightly as they fell to the ground. Sun returned the hug, grinning at the girl's happiness and overwhelmingly relieved that she had agreed to it.
"I was thinking we could go to that festival for Tapu Lele in a month's time or so. It'd be a fun time, and we could spend the whole night together. Do you think you'd like that?" Sun said, sitting up a little with Lillie still clinging to him. Sun was surprised when Lillie pulled away from him, wearing a beautifully radiant smile on her face before she moved closer to him…
And kissed him on the cheek, before pulling away with an even bigger smile.
"T-that...Sounds wonderful, Sun." Lillie said in a whisper, with Sun blinking dazedly.
"D-did you just k-kiss me?" Sun sputtered with a flushed face, with Lillie nodding embarrassedly in reply, her face also an inferno of embarrassment.
"That um...Wasn't too forward, was it? Too soon? I know we're not dating or anything, but I was so happy I just-" Lillie was cut off when Sun put a finger on her lips, silencing her.
"I will never be unhappy with any display of affection you show me, Lillie. Even if I get embarrassed, it makes me really happy when you show me how much you care, and when you're happy." Sun said seriously, though he wore a wide grin on his face.
Lillie just replied by throwing herself at Sun yet again, smiling so hard with happiness that her face hurt. Sun laughed the entire time at the girl's reaction, though he returned the hug with equal happiness.
While the two children were unsure of what their hearts were telling them, nor were they sure of where their relationship was going, they were certain of a few things. That they cared deeply about one another, and that they wanted to deepen their friendship and walk down that path together. They would protect one another from the sufferings of their pasts, and push each other to become strong enough to save those precious to them.
In time...The meaning of love would become clear to them.
Several Hours Later…
Konikoni City:
"W-w-what!?"
Hau tilted his head slightly, surprised at the confused expression on Lana's face.
Meanwhile, a snickering Demi was walking away from the scene, pleased that Hau had gone with her suggestion. Gladion crossed his arms, shaking his head as he and Demi walked down the road, with Type: Null chuckling roughly within its helmet.
"And what was the point in that?" Gladion asked sourly, something Demi noticed.
"Well, I happen to think that my friend and Captain Lana would be a good match. So I gave him some advice and wanted to see said advice play out. The real question is...why are you so grumpy that I'm helping out Hau? Are you jealous of him, Gladion?" Demi asked teasingly, with Gladion's scowl becoming much more pronounced.
"I will never be jealous of that smiling moron." Gladion growled, with Type: Null coughing awkwardly.
"Null, is he lying?" Demi asked the beast, who looked at Gladion. The boy was glaring into the sky, his fists clenched tightly. Type: Null turned back to Demi.
"At the risk of making him more angry, I refuse to comment." Type: Null said diplomatically, making Demi giggle.
"Aww. Don't worry, dude. I'm just helping out a friend. After the stuff that went down, I don't think me and Hau are compatible anyway." Demi said, though this didn't change Gladion's mood at all. Demi smirked and walked a bit faster, wrapping an arm around Gladion's shoulders and dragging him down the road. Gladion yelped and stumbled, surprised by the strength of the girl's grip.
"You're lucky you're cute. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with your moody ass." Demi said as Gladion blushed bright pink but otherwise didn't comment, with Type: Null laughing loudly within its helmet as the trio continued down the road, passerby's watching in bemusement.
Meanwhile, a shell-shocked Lana was staring at a grinning Hau as her face grew more and more red by the moment. By her side stood a smirking girl with brown hair and purple eyes with a Petilil looking at all of them with bemusement.
"I've never seen someone go catatonic like that from being asked out. This is totally like in an anime or something." Jen remarked as her Petilil giggled in her arms. Jen nudged Lana, who was still staring into nothingness.
"You have to give a response, Lana. Yes or no?" Jen teased the girl, who mumbled something incoherent. Jen shook her head sadly, and was about to say something when she caught sight of another familiar face approaching them.
Sun and Lillie arrived into the city, both of them smiling happily and thinking about the events that had transpired over the past day. Yes, things had gotten bad, but they were now closer than ever as friends, and maybe even something more. In time they would work out their true feelings.
But for now, they knew that they had feelings for each other and wanted to spend as much time with one another as possible. And that's exactly what they would do. Plus, with a future date on the horizon, things seemed pretty good for the two children as they made their way towards their friends, having seen them as they walked down the road.
"So...are we interrupting something?" Sun asked, looking at the amused Hau and Jen and the red-faced and unmoving Lana.
"Hau broke Lana, Sun." Jen reported, chuckling softly. She then noticed Lillie and said, "Oh wow, you're super pretty. I'm Jen! Nice to meet you!"
Lillie blushed slightly at the random compliment, but accepted the firm handshake from the new girl and introduced herself. "My name is Lillie. I'm assuming you know Sun, Hau, and Lana?"
"Yep! I was taking a walk when I ran into Lana. And then we ran into Hau, who asked her out on a date out of nowhere! Lana kinda...broke, though, when Hau asked her. It's really adorable, but I'm actually a little worried. Has she never been asked out before?" Jen asked the others, who all shrugged.
"I don't think so. Lana's not exactly the most outgoing person in the world. She can be a bit shy sometimes, especially when it comes to boys. I feel like Mallow is the person to go to about this." Sun remarked, with Lana twitching at the mention of her friend.
"Isn't Mallow another Captain?" Jen asked, earning a round of nods.
"Do NOT get her involved with this!" Lana nearly shouted, her face practically a fireball of embarrassment at this point.
"Oh hey, you're back to reality. So...uh, that date?" Hau said with a small laugh, only for Lana to clam up again.
"You totally kiss her. Wake up the not-sleeping beauty from her...not-sleep?" Jen proposed, frowning as her joke unraveled at the seems. "That was a lot funnier in my head before I said it."
"I bet. So, Sun and Lillie...Uh, is everything good?" Hau asked the two friends, who both nodded. "Neat. Sun's mom kept freaking out about that picture Rotom sent last night, so expect some teasing when you see her again."
"Rotom? What picture did you send to my Mom!?" Sun demanded of the device, who popped out of Sun's backpack with a giggle. Rotom showed the all of them the picture of Sun and Lillie hugging by the fire, and both children blushed bright pink while Jen laughed and Hau smiled just enough for it to be genuine, but he was happy his friends were both okay.
"Ugh, dealing with her is gonna be awful." Sun remarked, with Hau chuckling.
"Well, bad news for you is that she's in town. And man...She kicked Hugh's butt!" Hau chuckled as Lillie gasped in surprise. Hau explained everything that happened the previous night, including making up with Demi and being convinced to take Lana up on their date (which of course had been arranged during their game of truth or dare a few days ago.)
"So, where is everyone now?" Lillie asked Hau, who just shrugged.
"Aria dragged Hugh off to go train, but made it clear she was going to yell at him for being a stubborn dork. The others are just relaxing in the city. I don't know where Demi and that jerk Gladion went, though." Hau remarked, not seeing the annoyed look Lillie gave him.
Sun opened his mouth to speak, but Lana twitched and then shook her head, finally snapping out of her trance. She looked at Hau, who grinned at her and made the blue-haired teen blush deeply.
"I...Um, yes Hau. I'd love to...g-go on that d-date with you." Lana said quietly, with Hau chuckling at how nervous she was being.
"Okay, so...You wanna do it now?" Hau asked, with Lana blinking in surprise.
"Now?" the Captain parroted back, surprised.
"Why not? You're off today, I've got nothing going on, and it'd be a fun way to spend the day!" Hau said cheerily, with Lana thinking about it. Hau was right on all accounts, and regardless of that this was something she dearly wanted.
"Okay. So…" Lana looked at her other friends and said, "Can you guys um...go away? This is private."
"Sure thing. Let's give these lovebirds some privacy." Jen said with a giggle as she grabbed Lillie and Sun by the arm and dragged them off. Once they were an appropriate distance away Jen burst into giggles, clutching her stomach.
"That was amazing. I've never seen a girl act like that when she's been asked out." Jen said breathlessly, wiping her eyes.
"You think that's weird? Here's how that whole thing started." Sun said to the teen, and quickly explained how the whole situation began. Jen and Lillie were both laughing by the end of it.
"Oh man...This place is awesome. Just saying. I wonder where those two are going to go on their date?" Jen wondered aloud, putting a thoughtful hand to her chin.
"Probably Brooklet Hill." Lillie said with a smile, earning a look from the other two. "Lana isn't very confident on this. So she'll probably have this date in a place she's comfortable in. Plus, there's a lot of fun things you can do at a place like that. Swimming, picnics, Pokémon battles and more."
"Huh. Good thinking. That said, I'm just gonna wait to see how this plays out. No point in butting in where I'm not welcome." Jen remarked before she suddenly jumped, jostling her Petilil and making it cry out in protest. The purple-eyed teen pulled a phone out of here pocket and scanned the screen before sighing.
"I'm needed back home. Guess that means we can't grab lunch together." Jen lamented as she rubbed her stomach. Sun's own stomach chose that moment to growl, making Lillie and Jen giggle at him.
"On that rather hungry note, I'm off. You two go enjoy a super awesome lunch for me, okay?" Jen said with a grin before she walked off the other way, waving to the two children as she departed. Sun and Lillie waved Jen farewell, and then looked at each other. The two children blushed and looked away from each other, but Sun moved forward and began walking down the path.
"Lunch sounds nice. Anywhere you feel like going?" Lillie asked Sun, who shrugged. He then remembered something.
"Mallow's got a restaurant here! We should swing by and say hi." Sun suggested, with Lillie smiling widely at that.
"I've always wanted to eat at her family's restaurant! Well, one of them anyway." Lillie amended, with Sun giving her a confused look. "Oh, her family owns two restaurants! One is in Hau'oli City and one is here. The one here is called the "Konikoni Kuisine."
"They don't get any points for the spelling. We might need to try eating at the other restaurant the next time we're in Hau'oli City. What's that one called?" Sun asked Lillie, who thought about it for a moment before remembering.
"'Aina's Kitchen', I believe." Lillie said as they continued down the road. "Both are very well-known and have great reviews online. Mallow wants to become an amazing chef so she can help expand her family's business."
The two children kept up a running conversation until they arrived at Mallow's restaurant, where they saw a familiar face rushing around the kitchen preparing several dishes at once while the lobby was packed with customers. It took several minutes before the ragged-looking Captain managed to get to them, but she greeted Sun and Lillie with a wide smile regardless and hugged them both.
"Hey! My favorite Princess and Sun! Oh hey, you're not super sad and mopey anymore, dude! Even more awesome!" Mallow yelled as he separated from her friends.
"Mallow, it's so good to see you again! I've been worried about you ever since you ran away at my birthday party." Lillie confessed, with Mallow's smile dropping completely.
"We'll discuss it later. But not now." Mallow said with a flat expression that legitimately scared Sun before the Captain burst into a wide grin. "So what brings you two here?"
"We actually walked in here by mistake. We were really looking for Weenie Hut Jr's." Sun said, earning a shake of the head from Lillie and a roll of the eyes from Mallow.
"We'd like a table for two please, Mallow. We wanted to grab some lunch since we just got back from a...short trip." Lillie explained to Mallow, who nodded in response.
"Neat! Anything fun happen?" Mallow asked as she grabbed two menus and began walking them to a table.
"Not really. Sun's team battled some Team Skull thugs and...that's it." Lillie finished lamely, realizing that explaining her and Sun's confessions to each other and the results of said confessions would lead them down a painful road. That did however made Lillie remember something.
"Oh yeah! Hau asked Lana on a date! Or rather, asked her if she wanted to go on the date they arranged at the truth or dare game on my birthday." Lillie remarked, making Mallow stop dead in her tracks.
"Wat."
"Remember how you suggested Lana dare Hau to go ona date with her? Hau cashed in on that date out of nowhere. Last we saw, Hau and Lana were walking off together to plan for it later today." Sun explained to Mallow with a shrug. Mallow stared at Sun for a moment before her frown slowly changed into a smile. And then that smile became a somewhat evil grin that made Lillie take a step back in fear.
"Oh...My dear sweet Lana is growing up. A romantic date on the water at Brooklet Hill is probably what she has in mind." Mallow mused with a sinister chuckle, rubbing her palms together.
"That's what I thought as well." Lillie said nervously, subtly shifting herself behind Sun and using him as a human shield in case Mallow suddenly went nuts.
"You know...Is it bad I'm tempted to spy on those two?" Sun asked the two girls, receiving a look from Lillie and a sigh from Mallow.
"Sun!" Lillie said, shocked. "While I understand that you're...curious about what'll happen, we can't just invade their privacy like that. Even though...the image of Hau trying to be romantic with Lana makes me want to see it in person." Lillie's expression became thoughtful and she sighed softly. "Now I kinda want to see it myself. It's so rude though."
"Not if we just spy on them from afar. After getting attacked after his Trial, Hau deserves a little fun. Same with Lana after having to deal with fallout of the Totem Araquanid incident." Sun responded, earning a nod of agreement from Lillie.
"I guess we can look into it after lunch. Mallow, as much as I think I'm going to regret saying this...Do you want to come with us to Brooklet Hill?" Lillie asked her friend with a resigned sigh, knowing that not inviting her along was sacrilegious at this point.
Mallow put her hands on her hips, an annoyed scowl cross her face before she gestured to the packed restaurant dining area behind her, where her parents and co-workers were frantically trying to keep up with the orders being made during the lunch rush.
"So let me get this straight." Mallow said, her left eye twitching slightly as she crossed her arms, glaring down Sun and Lillie, who both took a step back. "You want me to ditch work and spy on Lana and Hau's date?"
"Yes, that's exactly it." Sun said with smirk, earning a harsh sigh from Mallow.
"If you think I'm actually going to abandon my work here during the middle of a massive rush like this, just to travel to the other side of the island to spy on Lana while she goes on her first date ever...Then you're absolutely right. I'll go change."
Mallow walked over to the counter and hung up her apron, saying, "Mom, Dad, I'm heading out to Brooklet Hill. Lana's going on an actual date with a boy."
"Wait, for real this time?" Mallow's mother asked, amazed enough to stop chopping carrots mid-sentence. She looked much like her daughter, except with shorter green hair.
"Yep." Mallow replied as she slung a backpack over her shoulders and hugged her mother. "I'll be back in time for dinner."
"Incredible! I always knew little Lana had it in her! You better take some pictures! That way we can tease her later." Mallow's father said, breaking into a massive grin. Mallow beamed at her parents, pulling out a very expensive-looking camera from her backpack.
"Absolutely! And thanks to this little baby, I'll have enough material to mess with Lana about for years. Plus it'll be an amazing wedding photo collage for when the two of them get married!" Mallow swooned happily, earning a pat on the head from her father.
"That's my girl! Spreading love and mayhem at the same time, with just the right amount of embarrassment! The perfect ingredients to a perfect friendship!" Mallow's father boomed as he washed his hands before going back to the stove.
Sun shook his head, amused by all of this, though he saw that Lillie was wearing a look of abject terror on her face, as if she had run into Team Skull. However, what she said threw Sun completely off.
"Oh my god...it's genetic." Lillie whispered in horror, as she realized where Mallow got her infamous teasing nature from. Lillie caught Sun's look and crossed her arms. "Sun, this is horrifying. This means that this could continue for years and years!"
Sun opened his mouth to speak, but he was cut off when Mallow jogged past them and grabbed them around the shoulders, sweeping them out of store with a maniacal, Cheshire-like grin on her face.
So there we have it. A confession, a date, and now onto the last chapter before my break. It's going to be a good one, I assure you.
They actually did it, folks. Sun and Lillie confessed their feelings. Now, as to why I did that scene the way I did it...What else did you except from two incredibly awkward, sheltered children who were still relatively new to the world around them? I felt this was the best way to make this a turning point in their relationship while also addressing it. I want a slow build, but I also want their relationship to grow and develop naturally.
While this story is about the journey Sun will take on his Island Challenge and Lillie's quest to return Nebby home, it's also a story about growing up, in a sense. Character growth and development are things I'm absolutely trying to hammer home in this story, and I'd like to think I've done well thus far in RS.
Q and A
From: study
WASSUP. I think it would be amazing if you had sun catch an oricorio sometime after his ghost trial. he would not just have a new buddy, but a type-changing one at that. (name, gender, and personality up to you.)
Not quite a question, but I'd figure I'd address it anyway. Also, what's up?
I've spent hours upon hours crafting a team for Sun that fit a multitude of prerequisites and the like. And not once did I ever think of having a Pokémon that can change types, like Kecleon or Oricorio. That is a seriously great idea, and if I didn't have Sun's team planned out to perfection I'd consider Oricorio just because of how unique it is, even if it isn't per say the strongest Pokémon in my opinion. That said, Sun doesn't need another bird on his team, which even he admits is true.
From: tguy4001
Are any of the previous protagonists or champions of the other regions besides the ones shown currently going to make an appearance. Unless the TV channels are exclusive to their regions and no one in the other regions knows how bad it really is, or that Lorelei got murdered on Live TV, I doubt the protagonists and champions from Hoenn, Kalos, and Sinnoh are just sitting there doing nothing(you said the protagonists aren't gonna appear, but what about Cynthia?). I especially don't think Johto should be slacking off too if there isn't anyone else there not fighting(like Ethan/Lyra and Silver for example), with them presumably being next on Cipher's list and all.
Absolutely, in some capacity or another.
And you're absolutely correct in that the other regions aren't going to stand idly by and let another region be attacked continuously, but on the other hand there isn't a whole lot they can do without overreaching themselves or making themselves targets, considering how violent and unpredictable Cipher can be. How often in the games do characters from other regions get involved in the plot of other game's regions, save for Looker and Colress?
We'll see more of this in the future, at least in some capacity, but note that there will be other protagonists showing up down the line, at least in a cameo capacity. Probably not Playable Characters, though, since that'd be overkill.
From: mymissinmalasada
will you include necrozma anywhere in the story?
Yep. Necrozma will definitely be in the story in some capacity. Considering my recent thoughts on this possibly being my final story on this site, it may have a greater role than first intended.
From: From: mymissinmalasada
I really like this story. You deserve a lifetime supply of cookies! Also, when will Oliver evolve again?
And now I'm seriously craving chocolate chip cookies and some cold milk, hahaha.
Oliver will be evolving quite a ways down the road. Since he evolves at level 34, and I'm keeping things as close to the games as possible, he'll evolve when he does in the games. I've planned out this, though, so he'll evolve when I want him too, which will be a long ways off.
However, there will be many other evolutions happening before that which should tide folks over. Especially a few happening not too long after I return from hiatus. Oliver's evolution, however, will tie-in heavily to his development as a character. I know I've said it once, but it's worth repeating. Oliver is my favorite character in this story, and the character arc I have planned for him is something I'm looking forward to the most in this next arc.
Honestly, if you're curious about when someone might be evolving or what they're status is, I'd check the little stats page for Sun's team that I made on my Fanfiction Profile. It's the best indicator for when I plan to evolve someone, since I'm keeping this as close to the games as I can.
From: Sai Og Sus
Yeah, not going to say much about the fluff since I already establish my allergy towards it.
I don't get it. Why does Ashton has to do it himself? Why can't he hire some random Trainer to get Nova instead of him? Wouldn't that make more sense? I mean, clearly it was too much of a trouble to have Sun's brain washed compares to paying someone to do it. Not only he won't have a hard time covering up his trace, he also will make Sun believe that the world is stink with evil and can use it as motivate Sun in helping him.
Seriously, there are so many better ways. I mean, if you tell me that Ashton doesn't know about Nova yet, surely it won't be so far-fetched for someone of his credibility to already plan the whole thing and execute it immediately. Why, just why?!
Why does a parent punish their child? Why does a father whip their child with a belt, or get put in time-out? Why do they do it themselves, as opposed to just paying someone for it? Same concept, really. It teaches them a lesson about obedience.
Also, lashing out in anger hardly makes someone reasonable or think out their actions. Ashton was not thinking clearly, made several horrible mistakes in rapid succession, and tried to cover it up. And guess what? It backfired, just like Damien said it would.
From: Ways
But I think I'm more interested in Damien right now. He's not all for Ashton's garbage is he? I'm sure this is a spoiler but I may as well try. How is that relationship now? How does he feel about all of this? Will we see more of their dynamic in the future? I'm very interested.
Oh, absolutely not. Ashton and Damien are quite the team, but that doesn't mean they always get along or are perfect partners. Especially when Ashton started dealing with Cipher.
We will definitely be seeing more of Damien and his recent thoughts of his Trainer and what he's done soon.
From: the totem natu
Hi, Flygon. It's mymissinmalasada. (Now totem natu.) Im sorry for putting so many reviws on this one chapter, but I have one more question. So ashton, no, Borlath is basically hated by his houndoom. (Is it a houndoom?) Anyway, yeah. But if Borlath orders him to kill Sun, would houndoom (finally) refuse and turn on Borlath?
-Totem Natu
(p.s. can you tell hau to stop stealing my malasadas? I am running out of money to buy mystic flavor.)
I'll ensure that Hau knows to stop stealing them. That's pretty rude of him.
And I wouldn't say hated. Damien is just disgusted with what Borlath has done in pursuit of his dreams of making the world a better place. He knows why Borlath is doing what he's doing and agrees that it needs to be done, but he absolutely hates the means by which it is being done.
And as for that last question...That's a very interesting one to ask, isn't it?
From: EL Hunter:
whats with those spams?
See the above explanation about the morons who have been going around and spamming stories with fake reviews. Not sure if it's a bot or what, but it's driving me nuts.
That's all for now, everyone. The next chapter will likely be up next Sunday, but I'll try to get it out faster. Until then, if you could favorite/follow the story (if you haven't already, of course) and review to leave your thoughts in the section below, I'd definitely appreciate it. I also answer questions left in the review section as well.
Thanks for being so understanding about my future hiatus and the slower updates these past few months. You all are the absolute best. Once I come back from my break, things should return to normal and RS will return to its weekly upload and weekend schedule.
In the meantime, you can choose which teaser scene from the next arc I will be revealing in the next next chapter! Go to my profile and choose from the list or just tell me in a review, I'm honestly not picky.
I'll see you next weekend, with a brand new main character joining the cast and some more excitement in RS.
Stay safe and stay awesome.
Until next time, FlygonNick out!
