HotXbun: I am so sorry that it has been EIGHT MONTHS since I last updated!

Happy anniversary! I can't believe that it's been TWO YEARS since I first posted this story. I want to thank everybody who has read it so far.

IanAlphaAxel: Thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. Nintendo does.

Chapter 8 Shining Stone

Ai's POV

Five Minutes Later

"Hoo-ee", Hau said excitedly. "That gave me chicken skin! Ai, right? Your Pop was awesome!"

"So was your Litten", I stated.

"That settles it", Hau stated. "I'm going all out tomorrow!"

I was about to say something, but before I could, the stone I got shined in my bag.

"Ai", Kahuna Hala started. "Would you be so kind as to give me a look at that sparkling stone you have there?"

"Huh", I said in confusion. "Oh. Sure."

With that I gave Kahuna Hala my stone.

"Could it be", he asked in shock.

"Tutu", Hau started. "Isn't that..."

Kahuna Hala didn't answer. Instead he looked at me.

"You were rescued by Tapu Koko at the bridge", he pointed out. "Isn't that what I heard Ai?"

"Yeah", I replied. "It rescued me."

"So it even deigned to give you a stone", Kahuna Hala said. "Perhaps you are here in Alola Ai because this is where you are meant to be."

"Where I'm meant to be", I asked in confusion.

"Allow me to borrow this stone for now", Kahuna Hala said. "Fret not! I'll return it to you tomorrow evening."

"Oh", I said. "Okay."

With that Kahuna Hala smiled at me.

"It would seem that you have the makings of a fine trainer", he stated. "You must do us the honor of joining in our festival tomorrow!"

"A festival", I said. "That's sounds like fun! I'll have to ask my mom though."

"Speaking of your mom", Professor Kukui started changing the subject. "I'll make sure you get back home safe Ai. Lillie, you two should come with us too yeah. Wouldn't want to go losing you twice in one day. You or that precious Pokémon of yours!"

"Yes", Lillie said. "I will keep an eye on..."

Before Lillie could finish...Nebby popped up from behind her.

"Oh you", she scolded. "Would you not try to escape the very moment that you were told not to wander off!"

One Hour Later

I walked back into my house.

"Welcome back Ai", my mom greeted. "So, what kind of Pokémon did you get? Don't keep me waiting!"

With that I held up Pop.

"Oh", my mom says excitedly. "I think I'm falling in love! So why did you choose this one sweetheart?

"I don't know", I replied. "Something was just drawing me to him."

"The two of you look great together", my mom stated. "I feel happier just looking at the pair of you!"

The Next Day

I was standing with my mom on our patio.

"What a stunning sunset", she stated. "All right, today's the day that I finally unpack.."

Before my mom could finish...we heard the doorbell ring.

"Can you go see who that is Ai", my mom asked.

"I'm on it."