Under The Alolan Sun

Izzyaro

To The Beach!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Wallace loved Alola.

How could he not? Sun, sea, Water-types, sea, friendly people, sea… It was paradise. He'd managed to talk everyone into putting off any official business until after they'd spent a day at the beach, and after seeing how much Sidney and Phoebe had already relaxed he was very pleased that he had.

Of course, some people weren't getting into the spirit of things.

"How can you come to Alola and not want to go swimming?"

"Leaving aside the fact that I can't swim?" said Steven dryly.

Sidney goggled at him. "How did you grow up in Hoenn and not learn how to swim?"

"More to the point, how have you been friends with Wallace for so long and not learned how to swim?" Phoebe asked.

Wallace snorted. "Not for lack of trying. He can be rather stubborn."

"Pots and kettles," Steven murmured. He set his book down on his lap and looked up at his friends. "You don't have to go in the water to enjoy the beach, you know."

"It's still hot though," Sidney pointed out. "Last thing we need is you getting sunstroke."

"I'm in the shade. I'll be fine."

Wallace eyed him sceptically. Steven had swapped his usual casual outfit for light cotton trousers and a short-sleeved shirt in deference to the blazing sun, but he was still more covered up than anyone else on the beach, and was attracting some curious looks. Although that might just have been because he had let Cradily out to enjoy the sunshine. Apparently giant reanimated fossil-plant Pokémon weren't a typical sight on Melemele Island. Naturally, both Steven and his Pokémon were oblivious to the attention.

"You're supposed to be enjoying the sun," Phoebe tried.

Steven shot her a puzzled look. "I'm outside, aren't I?"

Sidney snorted, and Phoebe shook her head fondly. Steven gave her a small smile. "I appreciate your efforts, but I assure you, we are both quite happy where we are, doing what we are doing."

Wallace eyed him a moment to check he actually genuinely meant it, then let out an exaggerated huff and threw up his hands.

"Fine, but don't complain when you're the only one who doesn't come back with a tan."

Steven raised an eyebrow. "We all know that was never going to happen," he said dryly.

True, spending most of your free time underground didn't build up a good complexion for tanning, but that was beside the point. Wallace pouted, but Phoebe just smiled.

"Okay, but give us a shout if you get too bored."

Steven reached into his bag and pulled out another thick book about Alola's geological history. "I'm sure I'll be able to keep myself occupied."

Phoebe hesitated a moment, but Sidney just chuckled and walked down to the water to release Sharpedo. Wallace highly doubted they would see either of them for the rest of the day. Phoebe shook her head fondly and wandered over to where a casual, albeit enthusiastic game of beach volleyball was going on, and Wallace shot a final glance back at Steven.

"Not even just a tiny paddle?"

Steven rolled his eyes without even looking up from his book. "Go and have fun, Wallace." He settled back rather pointedly, but Wallace could see the faintest trace of a smile, and had to laugh.

"All right, all right. Keep an eye on him, Cradily."

He heard a disgruntled mutter under Cradily's chirp of acknowledgement, and Wallace headed down to the water with a spring in his step.

The next hour passed just as blissfully as Wallace had expected. He had released some of his Pokémon, and his friends were equally delighted by the chance to explore their new environment. Wallace was pleased to find that the locals and tourists were unperturbed by his admittedly enthusiastic Pokémon, and it reinforced the already very positive impression he had of the region. Humans and Pokémon seemed to live in perfect harmony here, and it was refreshing to see.

Wallace could quite happily have stayed in the water all day, but he didn't trust Steven not to get distracted by something shiny and wander off, and while his friend was more than capable of looking after himself, he was also very capable of getting into trouble. He waded back onto the beach, and was halfway back to where he'd left Steven when he spotted something that made him pause.

Wallace had seen a lot of Water Pokémon, but he'd never seen anything like this. The creature was oval-shaped, and about a foot long. The pink spikes on its back were a sharp contrast to its black body, and Wallace couldn't help crouching for a better look. The Pokémon completely ignored him, seemingly content to just lie there, and Wallace had to grin. This was exactly why visiting new regions was so much fun.

"It's a Pyukumuku."

Wallace tore his gaze from the Pokémon to find a young boy standing in front of him. He couldn't have been more than ten, and his teeth flashed in a bright grin as he met Wallace's gaze.

"They're really cool Pokémon that are only found in Alola," the boy continued. "Professor Kukui says they're," his face screwed up in concentration, "specially adapted for this habitat. And they attack by spitting out their organs!"

Wallace blinked. That was a new one on him. "I see. I've certainly never seen anything like them."

The boy's grin widened, then he crouched and carefully picked up the Pyukumuku. "We're supposed to chuck them back in the sea if we find them on the beach," he explained. "They're too lazy to do it themselves, so they starve otherwise."

Wallace nodded as he watched the little Pokémon vanish into the water with a splash. "That's very good of you." He held out a hand. "My name is Wallace, by the way."

The boy blushed slightly as he shook it. "I'm Hau. Nice to meet you." He cocked his head to one side. "So what sort of Pokémon do they have where you come from?"

"Well, I'm from Hoenn," Wallace told him, "so we've got a lot of Water Pokémon." He was about to elaborate, when Hau's jaw dropped. Gasps and exclamations sound around them, and Wallace knew what he was about to see before he even looked round.

Wallace could understand the awe. Unlike Cradily, Milotic both acknowledged and revelled in attention, and she was going to make the most of having a whole beach full of strangers to enchant. The rainbow scales on her tail shimmered in the sunlight as she swam lazily back and forth, and every now and then she would let out a low, melodic trill that sent shivers down the spine. Wallace could see how much she was enjoying herself, and it made an already glorious day all the better.

"Woah," Hau breathed.

"Gorgeous, isn't she?" said Wallace proudly. "I take full credit and blame for her tendency to show off."

Hau tore his gaze away from the spectacle to stare at him. "She's yours?"

"She's my oldest and dearest friend," Wallace corrected gently. Steven was different, and your first Pokémon was always special. Hau nodded in understanding, his attention back on Milotic.

"I guess Pokémon are amazing wherever they come from."

Wallace smiled at him. "I couldn't agree more."

They stood watching the display, then the silence was broken by the rumbling of Hau's stomach. The boy coughed, and gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry. I'm meant to be meeting Gramps. We're going to get malasadas!"

Wallace chuckled. "I won't keep you, then. Thank you for telling me about Pyukumuku."

"No problem. Thanks for letting me see Milotic!"

"It was our pleasure," Wallace chuckled. "We'll almost certainly be back some time this week.

"I'll keep an eye out," Hau promised.

He waved and dashed off along the beach. Wallace watched him go with a smile, before shaking himself and heading back to where Steven was sitting. His friend was still engrossed in his book, and Wallace felt his grin turn evil.

Really, what was he supposed to do in this situation?

Wallace crept forward, silent on the warm sand. Cradily glanced over, but Wallace placed a finger to his lips and he could have sworn she smirked before returning to basking in the bright sunshine. Wallace crossed the last few metres, then caught his friend up in his most exuberant, soaking wet hug.

"Did you miss me?"

"Wallace!"

Wallace really loved Alola.