Alex looked over at the building. "A police station, huh?" She popped inside curiously. There was a Snubbull sitting by the couch, and there were two policemen inside. Alex approached the counter.

The officer looked up with a frown. "My partner at the back is acting really weird lately."

Alex walked to the officer in the back and looked at him curiously. He glanced over to her. "Di... di..."

"Is there something wrong?" she asked.

"Dittoooo!"

"A Ditto was disguised as my partner?!" the officer at the counter shouted. "Are the Ditto Five resonsible for this?"

"What is that?"

"The Ditto Five love humans so much that they transform into humans," the officer explained. "They are very troublesome! They mean no harm, but they mess up people's relationships, so they are registered as wanted Pokemon. But where in the world did my partner go? By any chance, did Ditto...?!"

Another officer walked in through the front door. "Sorry! I had a cold and was in bed for a while!"

The officer of the counter just stared at him until the other went to the back room. "Thank you for finding out that a Ditto was disguised as my partner. Take this as thanks," he mumbled, handing Alex some money. "Lately in Konikoni City, there are sightings of people who might actually be Ditto. I'm investigating these cases. You found out my partner was actually a Ditto. It would be reassuring if I could get your help."

Alex nodded. "Yeah, sure."

"Really?! Of course, I'll reward you for your cooperation! I've heard that in Konikoni City, there's a seller who interacts with customers in a bizarre way. A Ditto may be involved. Defeat or catch the Ditto. Either way, please report it to me."

Alex nodded again. "Of course. If I find anything, I'll come back." She left the building and continued along the path.

Konikoni City wasn't too far from the police station. The streets were lined with a huge varieties of shops, and was paved with stone. Alex passed the display window of a clothing store, and looked down at her outfit. "Hmm... Maybe some new clothes wouldn't hurt." She walked inside and, after browsing for a while, she some new clothing articles. Once finished, she walked outside. "Gotta keep my tacky tourist thing going." She continued to roam the street to look at the shops.

Across the street from the Pokemon Center was the stone store that Olivia had mentioned. "Oh, this must be where she's waiting." Alex opened the door.

Inside, a Probopass called out to her, holding out a letter to her. "Is this for me?" It nodded and she took it.

'Olivia here. This is Probopass. It watches the shop whenever I'm away. I know I asked you to meet me here, but there's been a change of plans. Come meet me at the Ruins of Life passed Memorial Hill, when you can.'

Alex nodded. The Probopass jumped and quickly floated up the stairs, then returned with something else in its hand. "Is that for me as well?" It nodded again, turning over a healing item. "Why thank you!" Alex said with a kind smile. It cried out happily in response.

Browsing the items and jewelry in Olivia's shop, she approached one of the women behind the counter. "One per customer and that is set it stone!" Alex looked curious and saw that they were Pokemon fossils.

"Oh, um... I'll take a Dome fossil." She paid for it, and she was handed the fossil. Wait, didn't she pass someone earlier who was obsessed with fossils? "I'll need to check that out..."

Alex went south from Konikoni City. The path began to wrap around a part of the mountain and paused when it moved into a graveyard. "Oh... that makes sense then..." she mumbled. "Memorial Hill..."

She quietly went through Memorial Hill, glancing at the gravestones as she passed them. When she finally got through it, she paused, the path leading to the Ruins of Life was blocked by a few people. "Team Skull! Give back that Pokemon!" shouted a member of the Aether Foundation. A Slowpoke was standing absently behind a pair of Team Skull members.

"Don't give me trouble! I'll reduce you to rubble!" the Skull member barked back.

"That's right! We're gonna sell this Pokemon to get rich, and we won't make no bones about it!" the second chimed in. "If you want it back, you're gonna have to take it back!"

Alex groaned. "These idiots again..."

The other Aether member, a middle aged man with blond hair and huge yellow tinted glasses, turned to the employee. "Stand firm! Think of what the president would say!"

"That's what you say, Chief, but you don't lift a finger!" the employee growled.

The Chief furrowed his brows. "Why, I am the Aether Foundation's last line of defense! What would become of the foundation if something were to happen to me now?"

Alex sighed. If she didn't step in, then nothing would be resolved. The Chief turned when he heard her approach. "Ah! Here is a promising, young trainer! Fight in my stead, child, and rout these Team Skull ruffians. I will bestow honor upon you, if you do."

She stared at him, not hiding her irritation. What was with this guy?

"You ready?" the Team Skull member growled. "Cuz I was born ready, yo!"

"That loss was pathetic! Your moves were so kinetic!" The Skull member actually sounded impressed with Alex's victory. That was certainly new.

"We don't need this Pokemon anyway! Take it then! Good luck and good riddance!" The two grunts ran off.

The Aether employee sighed in relief and walked over to the Slowpoke, checking it over in case it was hurt. It was fine, absently staring off into the distance. The employee turned around with a smile. "Thanks, kid!"

"Yes, indeed," the Chief added. "You are a trial-goer, aren't you?" Alex nodded. "You're a splendid trainer. I am deeply impressed! I'd like to reward you for showing you something truly astounding. Once you've finished your grand trial, come to the Hano Grand Resort and I will take you to see a wonderous place." Alex stared at him again. He was such a suspicious guy.

"Thank you for helping us out," the employee said gratefully. "I really owe you!"

Alex couldn't help but blush a little. "Hey, no problem! I couldn't let anything happen to that poor Pokemon."

The employee smiled brightly. "I'm glad there are nice young trainers like you around. Good luck on your island challenge!" The employee and the Chief left with the Slowpoke, and Alex waved to them.

The path continued to wind around the mountain, and Alex could see the Ruins in the distance. "So, you're the one Gladion was talking about?" a voice asked from behind her. Alex turned around, seeing a woman staring coldly at her. She snorted. "You don't look like anything special to me." She unfolded her arms. "I'm Plumeria. I help keep Team Skull together," she said, moving closer. "I'm like a big sister to all these numskulls. You realized what idiots all these guys are, right?"

This girl was intimidating! Alex wanted to agree, but she felt it was better to just stay quiet.

"But don't you think some dummies are cute in their dumbness?"

"Umm..."

"You know what I mean, right? You're picking on my cute, dumb brothers and sisters is really annoying me!"

Plumeria huffed. "You're pretty strong, I'll give you that. But mess with anyone in Team Skull again, and I'll show you how serious I can get." She narrowed her eyes at Alex before walking away.

Alex sighed. That girl was intimidating, but it's not she could just leave Team Skull to do as they pleased. "Sounds like I'll be seeing her again..." She turned back to the ruins and continued.

The statues that lined the path to the Ruins stopped to a clearing where a cave was cut into the mountain. "Alexandra!" another voice called out behind Alex. She looked back to find Burnet and Lillie standing there. "Lillie got lost again, so I brought her here to you. She couldn't even her way to the Tide Song Hotel on her own!" She ended with a chuckle. "She said she saw Team Skull and tried to avoid them. That's why she got lost." She flashed Alex a wide grin, which only made her think of Kukui. "Now I've gotta go. The Masked Royal has a match, and there's no way that I'm missing it!" She turned to leave, then paused. "That Masked Royal... What do you think he looks like under that mask, anyway?"

Alex furrowed her brows. Did Burnet seriously not realize that was just Kukui...?

Lillie walked over to Alex with Nebby bobbing beside her. "Though... as you saw, I didn't come here myself so much as I was brought here with the professor's help..." Lillie gasped. "Oh! Look at poor Datrix. Let me heal it for you, won't you?"

Alex nodded. "Thank you very much. It helps."

After Lillie healed her Pokemon, she glanced at the cave entrance. "Within these ruins awaits the guardian deity of Akala Island... This is Tapu Lele's ruin." Nebby cried excitedly up at Lillie. She moved her gaze the little Pokemon. "You! I know you tried to drag me along to the Ruins of Conflict on Melemele Island, too... Why are the ruins important to you? What do the guardians mean to you?" Nebby stared back at her, unable to answer. Lille turned back to Alex. "Just think what would have happened if you hadn't been there back then..." Nebby cried out again, and the two girls looked at it. It was looking at the cave. When they followed its gaze, Olivia walked out of the cave.

"Oh, haven't I seen you with Kukui?" she asked Lillie, and moved over to the girls.

Lillie nodded. "Yes, my name is Lillie. I work as Professor Kukui's assistant. And this is Alexanndra," she said, gesturing towards her.

Olivia nodded. "Oh! Sorry, I never even asked your name before, did I? Tapu Lele summoned me here to clean up the ruins." Olivia glanced over at Alex and smiled. "Alexandra... Thanks for getting to know the people and Pokemon of Alola." Olivia put her hands on her hips. "All right, then! You've completed the trials of all three captains here on Akala Island. Now you face the grand trial of the kahuna- me! Get ready for your hardest Pokemon battle yet on Akala!"

Alex nodded. "I'd love to. Let's do it!"

Olivia folded her arms, flashing confident eyes at Alex. "Great! We're gonna give you guys everything we've got! And my partners are all adorable, rugged little Rock types!"

Olivia closed her eyes. "Diamonds only sparkle after coal is pushed to its absolute limit." She chuckled softly and smiled. "You guys are the best! Here, the Rock type Z-crystal... The Rockium Z is all yours!" She held out her hand, the light brown gem sparkling in the light. Alex gently took the crystal, her chest swelling in confidence. Another island down!

"The Rock type Z-power... You have to move like this to draw it it! Watch carefully, because the hip movement is crucial!" Olivia moved, the movements radiating power. Olivia smiled at her again. "Use it well. The Rock type... It's hard. Sturdy. Rugged and physically strong. So nothing like me at all! I guess opposites really do attract." Alex cocked her head to the side. She thought of Olivia as strong and sturdy...

Nebby floated forward and cried happily. Lillie looked down and smiled. "You look very pleased, don't you?"

"By the way, Lillie, this might be a weird question, but..." Olivia looked over at the blonde girl. "Why even come to the Ruins of Life if you're not a trainer?"

"Oh. Because of Nebby..." Lille answered. "It's not originally from here, and I want to help it get back to its home... but I don't have any idea how to do that... It seems fond of the ruins for some reason, so I keep visiting them and hoping that maybe I will find some clue to help it..."

Olivia glanced down at Nebby. "You certainly don't see Pokemon like that every day. Tapu Lele may be called the guardian deity of our island, but it can also run wild at times. Regular Pokemon normally avoid the guardians at all costs... Unless they are strong enough to face the tapu themselves, that is." Nebby bobbed side to side, looking up curiously at Olivia. Olivia shook her head and closed her eyes. "Wait, that can't be right..." She glanced back up at Alex. "I think your journey will hold many surprises. And I hope it holds many joys. I'll take you back to town, Lillie. You're everything you can for your partner, even though you're not a trainer. I like that kind of person, so I can't help but give you a hand!"

Olivia began to walk away from the cave, and Alex and Lillie followed behind her. Before they got too far, Hau came running towards them. "Aue! You're Kahuna Olivia! I'm Hau from Iki Town! You've gotta let me battle you!" Brionne, who was at his side, cried in agreement. He blinked and grinned. "Oh, hey, Alex! Guess what? This weird green guy from Aether told me to come to Hano Grand Resort once I finished up with my grand trial here on Akala. Crazy, right?" Oh, did that same weird guy I met give the same offer to Hau, then?

"Ooh, the Aether Foundation?" Olivia mused. "I'm not sure what he wants with you, Alexandra, but why not go find out? If you don't want to keep him waiting, then Charizard should get you there in no time. The Hano Grand Resort lies just over the bridge near the Dimensional Research Lab."

Alex nodded. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Th... the Aether Foundation...?" Lillie mumbled anxiously. "U-um! I think I'll stay here. I'd like to see how Hau's battle goes, too. Even though I hate to see Pokemon get hurt... But I know that both of your Pokemon are dedicated to battling beside you two."

Alex looked at her curiously. Did she not like the Aether Foundation?

Hau looked at Olivia. "Maybe I can't show off all Brionne's and the rest of my team's strength like my gramps... but I'm still gonna do the best I can do!" Brionne again called in agreement.

Olivia looked at Hau. "You're just you, right? Everyone is. And what's wrong with that?! Why should it matter who your family is? I want to see what it is you kids can do. So, show me your own full power!"

Hau grinned brightly.

Alex patted Hau on the shoulder. "Best of luck! I'll wait for you at the Hano Grand Resort."