Chapter 54: The Lost Island
The boat made its way silently through the Alolan sea, Gladion at the helm while the others stared out in silence. Everyone wanted to say something, but nothing came to mind. Besides, they were on a mission, and they didn't want to waste any time. After what felt like hours, the boat drifted to a stop, Gladion making his way into the cabin.
"We're here."
Nodding, the group quickly grabbed their things and died the boat down. Hopping off, they took in their surroundings. True to Olivia's tale, there was no sign of huaman life anywhere, just a bunch of green. It was almost an island sized forest.
"Alright guys, lets get looking. Its a fairly large island, so lets split up. Ash and Lillie, you guys search the East. Hapu, You check out the South. Ilima will go West, and I'll take North. Anybody have any questions?"
No one had any, and went their separate ways, Hapu using her Mudsdale to cover more ground. They didn't know if they'd find anything, but they knew they had to try.
Ash and Lillie searched all over the eastern side of the Island, but came up empty handed. Presently, they reached the crest of a small hill, where they rested under the shade of a large tree. Lillie was starting to get very worried
"What if we can't find it? What if they don't exist? What if..."
Ash calmly took her hands and looked her in the eye.
"Lillie, I promise that no matter what, we'll find a way. Even if we never find the flutes, I won't stop until Nebby is safe. You have my word."
Lillie blushed, feeling better just from Ash's words. However...
"Tor...Exeggutor..."
"Huh?"
The two looked up, only to find the tree they were standing under wasn't a tree at all...
But the largest Exeggutor Ash had ever seen! It was much taller than any Exeggutor he had seen in Kanto, and its face was very intimidating.
"EXEGGUTOR!"
The massive beast swung its tail, Ash and Lillie just barely having enough time to leap back before it could hit them. Grunting, the Grass/Dragon stomped towards them, moving not unlike a sumo wrestler.
"Stand back, Lillie. I've got this."
"Ash, wait."
Ash stopped mid Pokeball throw when Lillie grabbed his arm, newfound determination on her face.
"Let me do this."
"Are you sure? Exeggutor's really aren't a Pokemon to be taken lightly, and this one definately doesn't look like an exception."
"It doesn't matter. If it means saving Nebby, I'll do anything. Please."
Realizing she wasn't going to back down, Ash stepped aside to let her handle it.
"Ready, Snowy?"
"Vul!"
The Alolan Vulpix leapt from her arms, eager and ready for battle. Unimpressed, the massive tree Pokemon stumbled forward, ready to stomp on the small monster.
"Dig, Snowy!"
Timing it just right, Snowy dug a small hole and disappeared, the Exeggutor not having enough time to change course and getting stuck, unbalancing it.
"Hit him with an Icy Wind, Snowy!"
Leaping out from her hiding spot, Snowy let loose a cool burst of breath, freezing the one free foot and trapping the giant in place. Enraged, the beast opened its mouth and began to power up a Hyper Beam.
"Use Ice Shard!"
The Exeggutor's concentration was shaken as it was hit by a barrage of icicles, its double weakness to it making the damage hurt even more.
"Finish him off with Draining Kiss!"
While the Grass/Dragon tried to recover, Snowy quickly ran up its leg, using its claws to keep attached to it. Then, once it was rested on its shoulder, it placed a kiss right on one of its heads before leaping off. This attack was the one that broke the Camerupt's back, and the Exeggutor collapsed in an unconsious heap.
"Good job, Snowy!"
The adorable little Vulpix leapt right back into Lillie's arms, rather pleased with herself.
"Way to go, Lillie!"
"Pika!"
Before anyone else could do or say anything, a low rumbling was heard. Turning, they saw the foliage fall back, and a pedestal rose from the ground, upon which sat...
"The Sun Flute!"
Lillie quickly picked it up, relieved their journey wasn't for nothing. Curious, she played a small tune on it, feeling as if all her worries had disappeared immediately.
"Pew."
Lillie smiled, happy that Nebby was giving some kind of response. At this point she would give anything for him to escape her bag.
"Don't worry, Nebby. Its going to be alright."
Just then, a low rumbling was heard, and they looked up into the sky to see dark storm clouds coming in. A minute later, it began to rain and rain hard.
"We need to find shelter, quick!"
"There's a small cave over there! Let's Go!"
Quickly, the two ducked into the cave, just in time as lightning began to hit the ground.
"I hope the others are alright."
"They're tough, they'll find shelter."
A few hours later, the storm had died down some, but it was still raining too hard to go searching for the others. Ash had made a small fire, and he, Lillie, and their Pokemon sat huddled around it, the sun flute tucked tightly into his backpack.
"Hey, Lillie? That was awesome what you did back there. Where'd you learn to battle like that?"
Lillie stared into the fire, trying desperately to hide her blush.
"Um, well to be honest, I learned it from watching you. I've taken note of your battling style and its amazing. In fact, everything about you is amazing."
"Ah, I'm nothing special. I'm just an ordinary trainer trying to be the best."
"I mean it. You're brave, kind, and great with Pokemon. Well, what I'm trying to say is...every time I look at you, I get these feelings in my stomach. Feelings I don't get around any one else, and I don't know, maybe they're nothing, maybe they're something, but my heart is telling me to act on them, and..."
Ash said nothing, just simply scooted closer to her. He touched her cheek, gently turning her head towards her...
Before planting a kiss right on her lips. Lillie's eyes went wide with shock, before leaning into it. Pikachu and Snowy just walked off into a corner to sleep, leaving the two so they could have some alone time.
A/N: Yes, I ship Ash/Lillie. Why? Because its cute, and they bring the best out of each other. If you don't like it, I get it, no hard feelings, just don't hate me.
