"Ah, I love the beach!" Misty cheered as the group trying to keep Hau within sight reached the beach front of the city. Tourists, natives & Pokemon all alike were either enjoying the ocean or sun with a smile on all their faces.

"Hey, you three." Their attention was attracted by a woman. "I can tell you come from far away. I see it!"

"Are we really that obvious?" Ash wondered.

"I can recognize the look of a wide eyed tourist like your friend here anywhere. If you need to say hello and goodbye, just say 'Alola!'. How about you try it? You'll make more friends that way."

"Ummm, okay." Ash shrugged, not really knowing who he would want to befriend next. Although whenever he did say it to someone, they responded back in kind and friendly. Eventually they caught up with Hau.

"Hey guys! What do you think?! Hau'oli City is something, eh? Alola's got to be the best place to ever live!"

"Uh, it's certainly nice." Ash responded. "Though I haven't really gone anywhere far outside my home of Pallet Town before. I've heard that Kalos's Anistar City or Shalour City are also some beautiful ocean front cities."

"Not to mention each of those mentioned has a famous landmark on them." Misty added.

"Hmm, I guess. Maybe I'm just biased. This is what I grew up with so it's the best. Subjectively speaking. Oh, right! Ash, there was something I specifically wanted to show you!" Hau dragged Ash off, leaving the two girls.

"Hehe, boys." Misty giggled.

"If I had to guess, they're going to the Tourist Bureau. They came out with a camera feature for the Rotom Dex." Lillie brought up.

"Cool. Say, we haven't hung out alone before yet. Let's have some girl time." Lillie appeared surprised from the invitation, but lightly smiled as she nodded.

"Al-alright."

"Cool. Let's go look for seashells!" Grabbing her friend by the arm, the two went back to the beach and found some interesting things after Misty sent her Pokemon out to play in the water. While they found regular sea shells and conch shells, there were also some washed up Pokemon stuff too. A tip that broke off of a Cloyster spike, a molted Krabby skin which freaked Lillie out but Misty found cool and a Sharpedo tooth. Misty's favorite find of course was, "Aw this is so cute! What is this?!"

"That's a Pyukumuku." Lillie answered. It was a small small black Pokemon shaped like an oval with pink spikes going two-by-three down its back. Misty petted the smooth part of its back as she picked it up, and it caused the Pokemon to spit out its organs, though not out of self defense in this case. It instead gave a peace sign.

"So cute!" The redhead giggled as she gave returned a peace sign back.

"You really do love all water Pokemon." Lillie observed. "Pyukumuku aren't very popular with tourists. They're regularly stepped on and when provoked it punches people or Pokemon with that white stuff known as its organs."

"Hmmm, I can see how it would be disliked, but how could I ever dislike a water Pokemon with such a cute face?" Misty replied as she rubbed its side against her face. "They also feel so nice."

"That would be the fluid it produces to not dry out in the sun."

"Neat. Back in you go." Misty set the water type back down into the sea. Going to a shop to try out some new clothes, Lillie asked,

"Tell me, do you pick out all your clothes?"

"Yeah. When they weren't hand-me-downs I got my own clothes to stand out."

"Of course, most people do, don't they? I-I've always just worn the clothes my mother wanted me to wear."

"In that case, we need to expand your wardrobe! You can't always wear something someone gives you because of what they want. You have to find your own fashion. Follow me." Dragging the blonde into the store, they tried out all sorts of things. Lillie kept to modest yet elegant looking clothing, but she did wear stuff that didn't look so high end and stiff looking, even if it was beautiful. Misty on the other hand wore all sorts of warm colored clothing in the form of tank tops and shorts. Even tried out a few swimsuits and bikinis.

"Um, I think I'll have this one?" Misty then saw her friend in a short sleeve white shirt with light blue accents along with a pleated white skirt with a light blue ring horizontally going around the middle. Around her shoulder she had a big pink bag with a white ribbon on it.

"You sure have a thing for white, but that's so cute on you! You look so good!" Lillie blushed as she looked away, unsure on whether to smile or not.

"Th-thank you." While she didn't continue to wear it, it was what she wanted to get for herself. After making their purchases of the clothes they wanted, they then went to the spa for some soothing treatment. Bathing in mud, going to the sauna, body wrapped in sea weed, deep tissue massages and facials. Overall, it was a great day.

"Wow, I literally forgot what it's like to not stress about anything." Lillie sighed with content as they left the spa. "I'm always having to look over my shoulder but I feel so relaxed. It's amazing."

"You need days to treat yourself like you're queen of the world. Forget all your worries and just relax." Misty agreed.

"That was so fun. If only I had a friend like you before."

"Yeah... so do I." The two girls were silent before Hau called to them.

"Hey girls, howzit going?!" They turned to see him and Ash, whom was now wearing a blue and white horizontal stripped shirt and black shorts. "We got Ash's Dex the new camera feature!" It was then that Rotom flew out of Ash's bag and yelled,

"Say cheese!" It took a picture before any of them were ready. Hau was in the middle of a sneeze, Ash had his eyes closed, and both Misty and Lillie had red pupils with Lillie especially having her eyes so big they're like a deer caught in the road.

"We look hideous!" Misty cried as when she saw it. "Delete it you piece of junk!" She tried hitting the delete button but it flew out of her hands and had to fly away out of her angry reach.

"Handzzz off my chassizzz! The only one to touch me izzz my buttercup of an owner Ash Ketchum!" Said owner groaned when he noticed people were watching their antics. He covered his face with his arm.

"Why?" He asked.

"Rotom is... quite the helper, isn't it?" Lillie laughed awkwardly. That was when she saw Ash looking at her. "What is it?"

"Is it me, or do you look extra nice? More so then usual?" The dense trainer asked, and Lillie couldn't help but pull her hat down as she blushed heavily.

"Oh, I-I-I went to the spa with Misty. It was... real nice."

"Oh, that's it. Well it sure did wonders. You look amazing." Ash complimented her. She blushed even more as she pulled her hat harder, not used to being complimented based on her appearance.

"Th-thank y-you Ash."

"Ooooh, looks like we have something here." Hau chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Ash inquired.

"You... and Lillie." He then interweaved his fingers together before making a heart. "Falling in looooove."

"Hau! We're not falling in love!" Lillie cried out as she pulled her hat down so much that it might rip if she did any more.

"Cool your jets Lillie, I was just joking." The boy laughed.

"Well it's not funny!"

"Yeah, we haven't even known each other a week. How could we be in love?" Ash questioned, but Hau just shrugged.

"Oh, nevermind. Those not used to love are most often oblivious to it."

"Oh, is there someone you're in love with?" That made Hau freeze as he nervously chuckled.

"N-n-no. I'm just good at reading signs is all. And joking around." He then unintentionally started to ramble. "Who said I was in love? I didn't say I was in love. You're crazy!"

"Right, I'm the crazy one." Ash said with a tone of sarcasm. That was when he noticed in the distance someone familiar. Someone with pink hair. "Hey, I think that's Captain Ilima." Going to greet her, Lillie walked away from Hau whom looked around to see Misty still chasing Rotom.

"Hey, we should continue on!" Acknowledging what he said, the two stopped and Misty threatened,

"You better delete that photo so that we can take a proper one."

"You could've juzzzt azzzked, jeezzz!" The machine replied as they followed Hau whom followed Lillie whom followed Ash.

"Ah, it's you again Ash. Captain Ilima here. So you spotted me putting one of these lovely stickers up, have you?"

"I was wondering where those came from around the city." The trainer nodded.

"If young trial goers collect these stickers as they travel and follow the path they indicate, they will naturally progress along their journeys."

"Like direction arrows of sorts?"

"Exactly. But I can't let my guard down. Those Team Skull thugs have far too much time on their hands, and they're always trying to get in the way of trainers on their Island Challenges." Ash gasped.

"Alola has a team like Team Rocket in Kanto?!"

"What's Team Rocket?"

"A group of people who stole Pokemon to gain wealth and use both to take over the world 10 years. They were stopped by who would become Kanto's champion Chase Lane."

"Interesting. Well, luckily our team is nothing like that. Team Skull is just a bunch of trouble makers who's worst offenses are petty crimes. Theft, vandalism and other misdemeanors."

"Oh, okay then."

"Yeah. Part of my duty unfortunately is to make sure they don't steal these or put them back up if they are. I've actually heard a report that Team Skull was causing trouble around town. I suppose I should go take a look."

"Mind if we come with? You might need the help." Ash offered. Her smile dropped.

"I'm not sure if I should be pleased by the offer or insulted that you think I can't do this by my own." Ash stepped back and waved his hands back and forth in objection.

"N-no, I wasn't saying you're unable to handle yourself! I was just-" Ilima chuckled.

"I knew what you meant. I can handle this on my own, but if you do decide to come with then that will save me time and effort when we get there. I heard they were at the marina so I'll be heading there." Ash and friends watched as she walked away.

"Wow. These totem stickers sound like fun!" Rotom exclaimed. "What's the deal with thizzz Team Skull though? Why are they trying to mess with thingzzz?"

"I don't know about this. They sound dangerous." Lillie wasn't up for going after some thugs, her face filled with worry.

"I'm sure we can handle it." Misty assured. "Three battle able trainers and a trial captain that's essentially a gym leader? These punks won't stand a chance."

"Then let's help Ilima then!" Hau declared as he chased after the captain.

"Hey, wait up!" Ash called out as he and the girls went after him.

A/N: Finally a new chapter. Woo!