Hau had already been halted; before him, standing between him and the steps leading up into the city and out of the beach, was a pile of Pyukumuku. Alex approached the pile and wrinkled her nose. "What are these little guys doing here?"

"Whoa! Look!" Hau pointed at the pile. "There's, like, a whole mess of Pyukumuku!" He grinned. "Awww, they look like they're sleeping so nice and peaceful that I don't want to wake them up."

Alex crouched down and looked at the little creatures. "They are awfully cute..." she mused. She sighed and stood up again. She looked around and saw that the path continued going straight; the little Pokemon were just blocking a few steps leading up. She walked along the unblocked way.

The path led into the street, and Alex walked toward the street. Hau followed up behind her, then pointed down the road towards the docks. "Oh right, Lillie and the Professor!" She ran, following behind him.

Kukui and Lillie climbed off the boat and onto the asphalt. "Hey Alex and Hau, there you are! How was your trip on those Mantine?" Kukui said once the two reached him.

"No problem!" Alex said confidently, putting her hands on her hips. "I could tackle it any time!"

Kukui laughed and flashed her a wide grin. "That's what I like to hear, yeah. Tackle your island challenge with the same attitude!"

Hau looked quizzically at the Professor. "Wait, so Mantine's faster than that old boat of yours, professor?"

Lillie sighed and closed her eyes. "The professor's sailboat is... well... It has seen better days." Nebby cried out by her feet.

"Still haven't managed to find a shirt that goes with your lab coat, hmm, Kukui?" a voice said from behind them.

Alex and Hau turned, and two women approached. "I've told you you're gonna scare off strangers looking like that..." the first woman, the one who first spoke, continued.

Lillie opened her duffel bag and opened it. "Nebby, back into the bag," she whispered.

Kukui chuckled. "Don't sweat it, Lillie." Lillie nodded and stood back up.

The woman waved. "Why hello there. Nice to meet you all- I'm Olivia."

The second woman waved with a friendly smile on her face. "Hey! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Mallow, one of the captains here!"

"I was on my way to see who was pulling into port and ran into Mallow here while she was out on a delivery," Olivia.

"Yup! My trial will be a chance for all the fine ingredients that make up your team to shine!" Mallow stepped forward. She moved closer, looking at Alex and Hau. "Especially you two! Your Pokemon look ready to cook with gas!"

Was she a cook or something?

"And Mallow isn't the only captain here on Akala Island, of course," Olivia explained. She turned her attention to Kukui. "So? What's your plan now?"

"Yeah, that's up to these kids," he replied. "It's their island challenge, after all!"

Olivia nodded and closed her eyes. "Yes... I suppose so." She opened her eyes again. "Okay then. Enjoy your time on your island challenge, kids, along with your Pokemon. I'll be waiting for my chance to face you in battle when the time comes." She smiled and put her hands on her hips. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got! Let's go, Mallow." Mallow nodded, waved to the group, and left with Olivia.

Alex watched the two women leave. Olivia was quite pretty, and confident. Mallow was bubbly

Kukui stepped forward, rested his chin in his hand and closed his eyes thoughtfully. "I'm sure she wanted to come see that you made it here all right... but she'll never admit it to you! Hah!" He turned and looked at Alex and Hau. "That's Olivia for you. She's a kind kahuna, deep down." So she's the kahuna... "There are three trials here on Akala Island," Kukui continued. "If you two decide you want to take on the trial straightaway, head up to Route 4 there and keep on goin' until you get to Paniola Town."

Hau grinned. "Shoots, I know where I'm going first, and that is straight to the Pokemon Center! I wonder what kind of malasada they make on Akala, eh?" Alex looked at him curiously. Were there different kinds?

Lillie smiled shyly. "Maybe I'll see about some shopping of my own... And I should find out about the ruins for Nebby's sake, too..." Alex nodded, and the group split up.

Alex decided stopping by the Pokemon Center first would be a good idea, like Hau. She wanted to buy a drink from the little cafe that was there, and she began walking down the road.

Outside of a clothing store that stood close to the Pokemon Center was Lillie, who was looking at the displays in the window. She looked over when she head Alex approach. "Oh! Alexandra..." Nebby, who was still out, cried at Alex curiously.

"Are you looking for new clothes?" Alex asked, also looking at the display.

"Well, yes, I was doing that, too." Lillie looked down at Nebby. "This little fellow will hardly sit still... I think Nebby might be interested in visiting the Ruins of Life. Apparently they house the sacred guardian of Akala Island. A creature called Tapu Lele." There were more guardian deities? Was there one on each island, then? "I wondered if you'd like to come with us when we go visit the ruins... I mean, little Nebby here seems to like you quite a bit, Alexandra..." She smiled.

Alex looked down at Nebby and smiled. "Well, I have to say that I like Nebby quite a bit, too!" The look Pokemon bounced excitedly, waving its antennas.

"I'll be at the Tide Song Hotel if you decide you want to come," Lillie continued. "I'm supposed to be meeting someone there... Someone very important to me." She looked down where the road turned, where the street ended at a huge building. "I'll be all right. I can see the building from here, after all. Even I shouldn't lose my way... I think."

Alex frowned. I certainly hope not.

Nebby cried out defiantly, and Lillie frowned at it. "And you! I'll have you stay in the bag, mister!" Nebby whined and moved closer to Alex. Alex looked down at it disapprovingly. It smiled sheepishly back at her and moved over to Lillie, and climbed into the duffel bag. Lillie began to walk away, then paused and turned back around. "I've heard that there is a group of terrible people around who try to steal Pokemon. A group called Team Skull." Alex rolled her eyes. Those idiots... "We need to be careful if we want to escape the notice of such a collection of villains... Isn't that right, Alexandra?" Alex nodded in reply.

After wandering the city a little more, Alex tried to walk down the road passed the Pokemon Center. Before she could go further, a person riding a Stoutland stood in her way. "Sorry, but my Stoutland is a real thorough kind and likes to uncover every last stone!" the person said. "Could you tale another route until we have uncovered all of the hidden items here?" The Stoutland barked in agreement and returned its nose to the ground. Alex sighed. Since she couldn't go forward, the only place she could think of to go next was the hotel where Lillie had gone.

While Alex was approaching the building, a pair was standing at the fountain, and the two turned to look at her. "Stop right there!" the girl said, pointing to her.

Alex looked around, then back to the group. "Do you mean me?" The two moved closer. She was the only one they could be addressing.

The boy chuckled. "We didn't mean to surprise you. You must be doing your island challenge."

"Yeah, I am."

The boy nodded and threw his arms out, striking a pose. "I'm Dexio."

The girl did the same. "My name's Sina. A beautiful name for a beautiful lady!"

"Uh..." Alex wasn't sure how to respond to that, and an awkward pause followed.

The two returned to a normal stance, and Dexio shook his head. "We're here seeing the sights in Alola. Its unique tradition of island challenge... It's pretty fascinating, I've got to say."

A big grin broke across Sina's face. "Oh, I've got an idea! Why don't you test your skills with ,me?"

Alex shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

"Okay! Let's get this show on the road!"

Sina nodded and smiled. "I get it... Facing trials help you grow close to your team. I think that's absolutely wonderful! I feel like I've been able to have a glimpse of the island challenge! Let me heal your Pokemon as thanks!" Sina healed her Pokemon.

"Thanks!" Alex sighed in relief. That battle was a bit of a challenge...

"You and your Pokemon are the ultimate team! No doubt about it!" Dexio said. "This battle reminded me of us in the past... and the group of five young trainers. Take this as a little token of our new friendship." He gave her some healing items.

Alex took them and put them in her bag. That helped; she had to use a few during her battle with Sina.

"Maybe training yourself up a bit on Route 4 will help you understand your Pokemon even better. We'll be taking our leave now. Bon voyage!" Sina waved, and the two walked away.

Route 4... That would be a good idea to train a little. She barely won with her battle with Sina. She looked down at her bag. "Yeah, training would be a really good idea." Before that, she wanted to check up on Lillie.

Lillie was waiting in the lobby. "Oh, Alexandra!" Lillie smiled shyly. "I'm sorry... I saw some people who looked like those Team Skull thugs and I got scared. I was trying to avoid them and then I think I ended up missing my meeting..."

Alex frowned. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

Lillie shook her head. "Oh! But don't worry, it's fine. This is actually where I wanted to be... Will you be going for another one of your trials, Alexandra?"

Alex nodded. "After doing a little training, I plan to."

"From what I've read, I think the nearest trial site must be the top of Route 4."

"Oh, I was about to head that way! Thanks, Lillie." Lillie smiled, and Alex left the hotel head out to Route 4.