Pokémon Radiant Sun


Howdy and happy Saturday everyone.

So this week we got a sneak peak at more Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon stuff. Much hype regarding that, and I'm hoping that it can stand up to how fantastic Sun and Moon itself was. Even though the details we got weren't a whole lot, I can still say I'm excited. Though to the honest I was more excited for Mario Odyessey. Seriously, Nintendo is on a roll this year and I love it.

I also love Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. If you have a Switch, get it because it's amazing.

Not much to go on about this week, aside from more waiting on my end in regards to AF Tech School classes and the like. I'm still unsure of what my schedule will be like once they start, but I'm confident at this point that I can manage my time and be able to regularly post on this story.

Anyways, shoutout to the fantastic folks who reviewed since the last update, which includes Madame Rodoshe, Gokan123, Anasazi Darkmoon, BraviaryScout, Cottonmouth25, bigboy9969, Sai Og Sus, Ways, and three new reviewers known as iamlordvile, honeybadger894, and GeekyGamer314. Thanks for the love and support as always. The response last chapter got was the best way for me to come back to this story.

And on that note...

Enjoy!


Chapter 30: Lillie's Request


"Go Mankey! Show them your strength!"

"Duke, let's go buddy!"

The crowd's enthusiasm had been piqued and sated with Sun's earlier showdown with the Kahuna. However he was new to the island and hadn't built much of a reputation yet.

Hau, on the other hand, had been born and raised Iki Town, and his grandfather was the Kahuna. Needless to say the crowd was ready to explode with excitement, roaring like a tidal wave as the first two Pokémon were released.

"Hau, go kick that Kahuna's butt!" Sun bellowed to his friend, grinning widely.

"You can do it!" Lillie cheered, adding her support.

"Show them your awesome moves, cousin!" Kukui called to the young man.

"So, he's starting off with Pikachu huh? Guess he's got to play this straight up. No type-advantages for him to exploit here." Hugh remarked as he crossed his arms, paying attention to the fight now.

"Naturally, no. This will come down to speed and Hau's creativity, I believe." The group turned around to see that a certain scientist had returned to them. Colress was now wearing a rather bulky grey coat that had metallic gloves encasing his hands, complete with other machinery running through the coat.

"What on earth are you wearing?" Sun asked the man.

"Well, seeing as how I do a lot of travelling nowadays, I created something to allow me to be comfortable wherever I go. Even now my body is being kept cool despite us being in the heat of the day here in Alola. My coat has many functions despite those very important ones I mentioned earlier, but I'll not bore you with the details now." Colress explained cheerfully, a smirk on his face as he glanced over at Hugh, who was drenched in sweat.

"Screw you, Colress. You and your magic coat." Hugh grumbled as he looked away from the other man.

"Hugh, there's no need to be rude. Also, it's science, not magic...and I offered to make you a coat as well. Remember?" Colress pointed out evenly.

"You were joking."

"I know."

"...Doc, you're a prick." Hugh sighed, smirking despite himself.

"Again my young friend, I'm aware of this."

"SHHHH! The battle!" Sun said to the older Trainers before looking forward, where Duke's Pikachu dodged a Poison Jab and slammed into the Mankey with a Quick Attack.

"Follow up with Electro Ball Duke!" Hau commanded, doing a fist pump.

"Pika pika pikaaa!" Duke cried out, charging up a wildly surging ball of yellow electricity before spinning around and hurling it at Hala's Mankey as it landed on the ground with a squeal of pain. The Pokémon rose to its feet, only for the Electro Ball to explode against it and send it hurtling outside of the stage. It crashed onto the ground, knocked completely out with its fur smoking.

"Mankey is unable to battle. Pikachu is the winner!" the referee declared.

"Well played, my grandson. But can you handle my next Pokémon?" Hala asked Hau with a smirk, returning Mankey and clipping the Poké Ball to his belt.

"Tutu, I've been watching you battle since I was a little kid. I'm more than ready to knock you on your butt and take that Z-Crystal. So bring it!" Hau called to the Kahuna as he put his hands behind his head, looking nonchalant but with an excited gleam in his eyes.

"Very well, Hau. Let's see if you can handle this! Makuhita! Go!" Hala released his second Pokémon and wasted no time engaging Hau once again.

"Use Bulk Up!" Hala commanded.

"Tail Whip. Follow up with Quick Attack!" Hau ordered with a snap as Duke nodded, dashing forward quicker than a blur and smacking the Makuhita in the face with his tail, even as the Guts Pokémon flexed and increased his attack power. As the Makuhita stumbled backwards Duke landed on the ground and shot forward with a trail of energy trailing behind him, slamming into the belly of the Fighting-type with a cry. Makuhita skidded backwards with a pained grimace, though it also drew its hand back in preparation for Hala's next command.

"Ice Punch!" Hala called out as the Makuhita's fist exploded with icy energy.

"Duke, dodge and use Electro Ball!" Hau yelled out, but not quick enough for the speedy Pikachu to dodge the attack. Duke cried out as the Guts Pokémon punched him square in the chest, sending him flying across the stage and crashing into the wood at Hau's feet with a yell of pain.

"Duke, can you get up?" Hau asked the Pikachu. Duke shivered in pain from the coldness forced through its chest but slowly rose, panting heavily and rising to his feet and turning to Hau.

"Pika!" Duke replied with a nod before turning back to Hala and his Makuhita. The Mouse Pokémon fell to all fours again, its expression fierce.

"Makuhita, get close and use Arm Thrust!" Hala commanded, crossing his arms.

"Right…Let's show them just how awesome we are!" Hau thought as he clenched his fists, smiling wider as he pointed forward.

"Electro Ball!" Hau commanded, making Duke charge up and release the wild ball of electricity at Makuhita, who threw out both hands to block the attack but was forced backwards by the attack as it exploded against Makuhita and caused it damage.

"Hurry to it and use Arm Thrust! Full-power!" Hala ordered the Guts Pokémon.

"Not gonna happen Tutu. Duke, use Tail Whip on the ground to dodge and hit it in the back with Electro Ball!" Hau ordered Duke. The Pikachu twisted around and slammed its tail onto the stage as hard as it could, making the Pikachu launch into the air. The Makuhita's hands soared through the air, completely missing and making the Pokémon stumble to the ground in response.

"Makuhita! Above you! Use Protect!" Hala commanded the Guts Pokémon, but before it could do anything a yellow ball of electricity slammed into its back and exploded, sending the Makuhita back to the ground once again, only it didn't rise again.

"Gotta love those critical hits." Hau smirked inwardly as the referee raised his flag.

"Makuhita is unable to battle. The winner is Pikachu!" the referee declared as the crowd went nuts, with some of the participants cheering Hau's name. The boy himself just grinned as he stared down his grandfather, who returned his Pokémon with a thoughtful expression.

"All the talent he has…yet he still treats this as a game." Hala thought with a small sigh, though he drew his final Poké Ball regardless.

"It's time for this to end, my child. Crabrawler, you're up!" Hala yelled out, releasing his third Pokémon. Hau put his hands back behind his head and Duke lowered himself closer to the ground, preparing to fight.

"Duke, use Quick Attack!" Hau commanded as he took a step forward, his smile widening as the Pikachu darted forward again and raced towards the crab Pokémon ahead of it.

"Counter with Power-Up Punch! Overwhelm the attack and send Duke flying!" Hala commanded, throwing out a hand as he did so. Hau's eyes widened in horror as Crabrawler drew its hand back, charging orange with energy and punch Duke in the face right before he reached it. The two attacks collided and for a few moments, it seemed that they were evenly matched. And then Crabrawler's fist moved forward slightly before sending Duke flying backwards and crashing back down onto the stage. Duke struggled to get back to his feet, only to collapse after a few moments.

"Pikachu is unable to battle. The winner is Crabrawler!" the referee called as the crowd began yelling and cheering again.

"And they're both down to one Pokémon each…this is a really close battle." Sun muttered, shifting nervously as Lillie looked at him.

"He's got this though," Lillie said firmly, nodding her own head at Sun before looking back at the stage, where Hau had returned Duke and clipped the Poké Ball to his belt. He grabbed his second Poké Ball and grinned down at it.

"Alright. Cassy, let's show them what we're made of!" Hau yelled out as he released his starter. Sun blinked in surprise when he saw not a Popplio, but a larger blue Pokémon that resembled it. A strange skirt-like appendage billowed out from the waist of the Pokémon as it stared down Crabrawler before leaning back on its tail and happily clapping her hands.

"Briooooone!"

"Rotom, what Pokémon is that?" Sun asked Rotom as he landed on Sun's head.

"Bzzzt! Brionne. The Pop Star Pokémon and the evolved form of Popplio. A skillful dancer, it creates a sequence of water balloons as it dances, and briskly bombards its enemies. It cares deeply for its companions. When its Trainer is feeling down, it performs a cheery dance to try and help." Rotom explained as Hau's face became one of nervousness.

"Let's see your strength, my grandson. Crabrawler, use Power-Up Punch!" Hala bellowed, thrusting out a fist as the Crabrawler suddenly scuttled forward with a burst of speed.

"Use Disarming Voice! Stop that Crabrawler in its tracks!" Hau commanded, flinging out an arm. Cassy nodded and released a pink shockwave of energy that slammed into Crabrawler, making it hiss in pain, but didn't deter it from decking Cassy in the face with a glowing orange fist.

"Fairy-type Pokémon are not ones my team is used to battling, due to the discovery of the type being rather recent. However…I won't let that stop me, my dear grandson!" Hau winced at the powerful roar of the Kahuna, an excited gleam in the man's eyes. Sun could tell that while Hau had been nervous throughout the entirety of their showdown, Hala seemed more alive than he had ever looked. It was if he was putting everything he had into the match with Hau.

"He's probably been looking forward to this battle for years…just like Hau." Sun thought as Hau offered his grandfather a small smile.

"Yep. Cassy's pretty cool. And we're gonna bring your Crabrawler down and get that Z-Crystal! Use Pound and follow up with Disarming Voice!" Hau commanded Cassy, who launched herself forward with a cry.

"Ha! You may have the type-advantage my boy, but don't ever count out a Kahuna. Crabrawler, intercept that Pound with Power-Up Punch!" Hala roared, punching outwards even as his Crabrawler mimicked the motion, taking the direct hit of the Pound but punching Cassy square in the face before she could hit him with the second attack. Cassy soared through the air but landed elegantly on her tail, her expression fierce.

"Cassy, keep up the pressure! Use Bubble and get skyward!" Hau called out. Cassy nodded and bounced up into the air to soar high above Crabrawler, shooting bubbles from her mouth as she did so. The crab Pokémon hissed in pain as the bubbles exploded against it, but Hala's mouth widened in awe as he saw that the Brionne was now a great height in the air as a result of her repeatedly using Bubble and then having Cassy bounce off of the bubbles she was creating in midair.

"Use Pound from above and drop that Crabrawler!" Hau shouted with a wide grin as Cassy flipped off of the bubble elegantly and plummeted towards the ground, where Crabrawler stared at the Brionne in horror before it crashed into the Boxing Pokémon like a meteor from above, creating an explosion of force. Cassy bounced back over to Hau with a cheerful cry, but to the boy's surprise the Crabrawler somehow rose to its feet from the small crater it was now in, panting now.

"Cassy, let's wrap this up! Use Disarming Voice!" Hau commanded, grinning widely as his starter opened her mouth to attack.

"Charge forward and use Power-Up Punch!" Hala barked, throwing Hau off.

"Why would he order his Pokémon to charge into an attack?" Hau wondered aloud. His question was answered a few moments later.

"Duck, Crabrawler, and knock that Brionne skyward!" Hala commanded, throwing an uppercut as he did so. Hau's eyes widened as the Crabrawler slid across the stage, forcing the attack to shift and only deal a fraction of the damage it normally would have as it exploded against the stage instead of Crabrawler. Cassy squealed in pain as Crabrawler decked the Water-type in the face and sent her skyward.

"Use Bubble to gain altitude and rain down Disarming Voice! Keep your distance!" Hau commanded, but he was cut off by Hala.

"Crabrawler, use Rock Slide!" Hala yelled out. Hau felt cold horror enter him as a series of portals opened out of the sky close to where Cassy was as she opened her mouth to attack.

"Cassy, get down and dodge the rocks!" Hau screamed, but he was too late as the Brionne bounced from one set of bubbles to the next, her eyes wide in fear as the rocks dropped from above, destroying her bubble landing pads and forcing her downwards onto a falling rock. The Pop Star Pokémon screeched in pain as several rocks then slammed into her with incredible force from above, highly strengthened by the multitude of Power-Up Punches that Crabrawler had delivered over the course of the match. Hau could only watch on helplessly as Cassy crashed onto the ground, covered in scratches that oozed blood and quivering in pain.

"Cassy, get up! Come on, please get up!" Hau begged the Brionne, who opened her eyes. Cassy slowly rose upwards, her arms shaking with the effort. Hala sighed deeply across the battlefield before gathering his resolve.

"It's time we end this. Crabrawler…Use Power-Up Punch and send Cassy skyward once more!" Hala bellowed, thrusting a fist to the sky. Crabrawler scuttled forward with a hiss.

"Cassy, dodge it! Come on!" Hau yelled out, panicking now as Hala's expression darkened. Hau knew what was coming next but had no idea how he could stop the inevitable.

"I…I just wasn't good enough to beat you, huh Tutu?" Hau despaired as Cassy was hit in the jaw by Crabrawler, sending her battered form into the air.

"No…" Sun murmured as he saw Hala's Z-Ring begin to glow and he began to strike a series of poses with his Crabrawler, ending with a fist being thrown forward.

"Crabrawler! Channel Power-Up Punch…INTO ALL-OUT PUMMELING!" Hala's words made the very air itself shake with force as his Crabrawler's body exploded with raging orange energy. The Fighting-type leapt into the air, meeting Cassy as she plummeted towards the ground, one eye barely open and covered in all sorts of scratches and scrapes.

"Hau, do something!" Sun yelled out to his friend. Hau just stared at his Pokémon in horrified shock as the Crabrawler unleashed the Z-Move, dealing a devastating midair barrage to the wounded Brionne. With one final blow, Crabrawler slammed a massive orange fist of raw energy into Cassy and sent her smashing into the stage with authority, and as the smoke cleared the referee raised his flag into the air upon seeing a knocked out Cassy, black soot marks staining her body. Hau's expression was one of abject horror and shock, even as he slowly raised his hand and returned the Brionne to her Poké Ball.

"Brionne is unable to battle. The winner of the Grand Trial is Kahuna Hala!" the referee declared to the crowd, who's cheering was more subdued this time, what with the challenger having lost. Add to that the challenger being a very well-known person within the town that everyone had been rooting for, and it made everyone unsure of whether or not to celebrate such a great battle.

Hau just stood there holding Cascade's Poké Ball in his hand as he stared forward, unseeing even as his grandfather slowly walked over to him.

Despite the victory, the man seemed far more jovial when he had lost to Sun. It was as if defeating his grandson in battle had taken a bit of the spirit out of the powerful man. The Kahuna's smile seemed a little forced to Sun as the old man regarded his grandson.

"Hau…" Hala intoned, reaching forward and putting a hand on Hau's shoulder. Hau flinched harshly, snapping out of his trance and stepping away from Hala, an expression of surprise, shock, and hurt on his face that Sun hadn't seen before. Hau seemed to catch himself and threw on a weak smile that fooled no one.

"Heh…nice battle, Tutu." Hau said weakly, clipping Cassy's Poké Ball to his belt. Hala sighed and crossed his arms, closing his eyes a moment later. Lillie and Sun walked closer to the stage, unsure of what exactly to do. Neither child had ever seen Hau look so…crushed. He always was burning with excitement and cheer and joy…

To see him in a state where he looked so distressed and unsure was shocking to the two children.

"Hau…My grandson. Today was a day where I got to battle two of the brightest Pokémon Trainers I've had the privilege of seeing grow stronger with my own two eyes. And while your friend may have succeeded where you failed, do not despair my child. No one person is unbeatable. No one person is infallible. We all stumble along the path that we walk. It's inevitable."

"I tell you this not to soften the blow of losing. I know that this battle is one you have been waiting many years for. I understand if you're upset with me. But know this…holding back would've been an insult to the hard work you and your team have put into training. I held nothing back, and I am proud of the effort you have shown me…"

"I look forward to a rematch with you, Hau. Take some time to collect yourself. I eagerly await the chance to see how you bounce back, my child. For when you do…I shall see the true depths of the great strength you possess." Hala walked past Hau, but not before embracing the boy in a great hug. Hala muttered something Lillie and Sun couldn't hear before separating from Hau and walking down the steps and past the two of them.

"Ah, Sun and Lillie…Hmm…" Hala put a hand to his chin before a sad smile crossed his face.

"You two look after him. I know what this battle meant to him. Help him through this rough time, as he has done for you both." Hala remarked quietly as Hau cast a glance over at them. Lillie and Sun didn't have a response for the Kahuna, for he strode past the two of them and walked away. Lillie and Sun exchanged another look as Rotom hovered above them, a look of worry on his face.

"Jeez…I've never seen Hau look so down." Rotom remarked sadly as Hau began moving, walking off of the stage and towards them.

"Hey man, are you alright?" Sun asked the other boy. Hau looked upwards, inhaling deeply before exhaling, his eyes shut tight. He opened them again and looked at both of his friends.

"I need to be alone for a bit. I'll be fine." Hau said with a smile that seemed ready to shatter any moment. Before Lillie or Sun could say anything else Hau whirled around and jogged off towards the town's exit. Sun clenched his fists, annoyed that he couldn't do anything to make Hau feel better. Sun stepped forward to give chase, but was stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Sun looked back at Lillie, who quickly drew back her hand and said, "He um…He probably just needs to think for a bit Sun. He knows that he can come to us if he wants to talk so, um, we should just leave him be."

Sun nodded at his friend. "You've known him longer, so I'll take your word for it."

Lillie smiled at the words as Nebby poked its head out of the bag. Lillie reached down and scratched the Pokémon's head, making Nebby shut its eyes and coo softly.

"So now what?" Sun asked Lillie. Sun then noticed Colress and Hugh speaking to the Kahuna some distance away and briefly wondered what they were talking about. He turned his attention back to Lillie as she spoke.

"We get back to your place and get you all set to go to Akala Island, I suppose. Professor Kukui is still in the hospital, so I can't do anything at the lab. Everyone else is otherwise occupied. And I may as well help you however I can." Lillie offered to Sun, receiving a grin in reply.

"Sounds good to me. May as well look over everything and make sure I know what kind of supplies I need to get when we go through Hau'oli City." Sun replied, though Lillie giggled in response as the two of them walked out of the town and onto the path that would lead them to Sun's home.

"You do know that when you go to Akala Island you arrive in a city, right? You can get supplies there, Sun." Lillie laughed as Sun blinked twice in surprise before shrugging.

"Then I'll look around and get stuff in Hau'oli City and in whatever city we land in when we get to Akala Island. Or I can just hang out with you." Sun said to his friend, making Lillie's smile widen.

"I'd like that." Lillie replied as Sun walked past her, laughing quietly. With that the two friends lapsed into another silence, with the two of them simply enjoying each other's presence and the near-constant wonderful weather of Alola. Sun was mentally preparing himself for whatever challenges he would have to face on the next island and brainstorming about possible plans to better his Pokémon.

Meanwhile, Lillie was having a different sort of mental dilemma. She had been debating this for a while, but was unsure of what to do because asking anyone this sort of favor was a huge deal. It could put them in harm's way and be a major inconvenience for them, but…she was short on options and she trusted him so…Lillie sighed and closed her eyes. Taking a fortifying gulp of air, she broke the silence between her and Sun.

"Um…Sun?"

"Yeah?"

"I…I wanted to ask a favor of you, Sun. If…if that's all right?" Lillie asked nervously, stopping in her tracks and making Sun stop walking as well. Sun regarded his friend with worry, wondering what was wrong. She seemed very apprehensive, as if she was worried about something. Sun then remembered that he had been asked a question.

"Sure!" Sun replied with a wide grin, trying to make up for the lapse in concentration with enthusiasm. Lillie smiled a little in response, which Sun took as a win, before she looked down at the Pokémon in her arms, frowning slightly at the Cosmog known as Nebby.

"You see…Nebby is…its real home is far away from here. And I want to help it get home." Lillie began, her voice quiet as she and Sun began to walk down the path once again, out of Iki Town proper and onto Route 1. The route was devoid of other Trainers, so it was just the two of them.

"It's like I told you before…Nebby saved my life once when I was in trouble. It sacrificed its health to save me from some bad people. And now…Now I want to save it!" Lillie's voice had been quiet up to that point, but as she spoke that last sentence her voice gained a note of strength and confidence. This lasted for a few moments before Lillie's voice dropped in volume and worry crept into her voice again.

"I feel like there's not much I can do on my own, since I'm not a Pokémon Trainer. I mean, look at what's happened so far. I get lost and I'm constantly on pins and needles when I'm around people I don't know. I'm so scared all the time. Scared I'll mess up, scared that I'll end up hurting more people. But...b-but if I had a real Trainer like you helping me Sun, then maybe…maybe I might be able to help Nebby. Maybe I can help sort this mess out before anyone else gets hurt. I…I realize now that I can't do this all on my own. I just can't Sun…"

"Lillie one of these days, I'm going to get through to you how great and strong of a person you are. One of these days." Sun thought, frowning inwardly.

"…But I probably shouldn't even be asking you this. I mean, we only met a short time ago and even though you've been a good friend to me, this is…maybe too much. I know it's just my own wish and it has nothing to do with you-" Lillie was cut off by Sun.

"Of course I'll help."

Lillie nearly stumbled in surprise, looking over at Sun in dumbfounded amazement. Sun just smiled at her, and Lillie could only stare at Sun. Did he really just agree to help her on her quest? Despite his own problems and despite the unknown dangers she knew lay in her path to help Nebby…

How could he just agree to help her so easily? Maybe it was because he didn't know just what kind of people she knew lurked as obstacles on her quest, but regardless, she was confused by the effortlessness of Sun's remark.

"Sun…why?" Lillie asked softly. Sun's response was an even bigger smile that lived up to his namesake.

"Because you're my friend and I want you to be happy. Friends look out for each other, right? And you're one of the best friends I've ever had, Lillie." Sun admitted as he and Lillie continued walking again. Lillie couldn't help but sigh with relief, a grateful smile on her face now. She felt a great warmth in her at the praise he had given her. Lillie felt proud to be considered such a great friend to Sun.

"Oh, thank you so much. I'm so glad, Sun! I really didn't know what else to do!" Lillie said as she hugged Nebby and Sun shrugged casually, trying to downplay exactly what he had agreed to.

"Hey, it wouldn't be an adventure without you." Sun said as he looked ahead, not seeing Lillie blush at the comment. Luckily by the time Sun looked back at her, she had recovered.

"Then I suppose…the two of us will be heading to the next island as well! Right Nebby?" Lillie asked her Cosmog.

"Pew!"

"Maybe we can convince Hau to tag along as well. Don't forget that there's a few people we know who're also going to the next island soon. Noah and Hugh, along with Demi." Sun said as he shoved his hands in his pockets and laughed softly.

"It's so weird…I've only been here for about three months, and I have a whole bunch of friends now. I have my own team of Pokémon. I'm a fourth of the way done with the Island Challenge…that's just so crazy to me." Sun admitted as he reflected on his time before Alola, where he had no friends at all. A few people he spoke to every now and then, but the only people he had spoke to any longer than absolutely necessary were his parents. And here he was now with more friends than he ever thought he would have…and there were another three islands to explore here in Alola.

"It's hard not to be your friend Sun. You saved Nebby from a flock of Spearow and just keep being a great person to me all the time." Lillie replied as Nebby wriggled free from her grasp and floated over to Sun. The boy opened his arms and embraced Nebby.

"I don't think words can accurately describe how odd Nebby feels to hold. Hugging it is pretty neat though." Sun commented as Nebby snuggled against his chest, cooing happily.

"I know, right?" Lillie replied, grinning now at the adorable display between Nebby and Sun. A few minutes later, Sun let go of Nebby as the Pokémon floated into the air, cooing happily.

"You know who's also fun to hug?" Sun asked.

"Who?" Lillie asked, not realizing that she had walked ahead of Sun and that the boy was wearing a mischievous smirk now. Lillie squeaked in surprise as Sun suddenly hugged her from behind, wrapping his arms around her stomach and making Lillie's stomach flutter with butterflies as the boy pressed himself close to her. Lillie fought to keep herself from blushing (and failed miserably) and cursed herself for not having better composure when it came to cute boys-

"Oh my goodness, I can't even right now." Lillie despaired silently, cursing herself for being so awkward. Regardless she managed to turn around and return Sun's hug, delighting in the comfort the boy brought her. For a moment the two children held the embrace before separating with Sun smiling widely and walking ahead while Lillie trailed behind, blushing still while Nebby made strange noises in Lillie's arms.

"Oh hush you. Stop laughing at me." Lillie grumbled to Nebby, only making the Cosmog laugh harder.

"That's it. Back in the bag, Nebby."

"Pew? Pew! Pew pew pew!" Nebby pleaded, but Lillie was having none of it.

"Nope. Sorry, but my mind is made up." Lillie opened her bag and without further ceremony, stuffed Nebby into the bag and zipped it up. Nebby wriggled within the bag for a few moments as Lillie jogged ahead to keep up with Sun, who had finally looked back at her.

"Everything alright? Or is Nebby just being Nebby again?" Sun asked his friend, receiving a weak shrug in response. Sun laughed at the antics of the pair and continued onwards with Lillie as Nebby slowly calmed down in its bag. Rotom was of course giggling the entire time, taking a moment to take a picture of Sun and Lillie walking down the path as he floated around.

Their arrival home was greeted by Meowth, who cried out a greeting to them as the two children walked into the doorway.

"Oh, hey you two!" Mom called to the duo, who dropped their bags on the couch. Lillie released Nebby, who promptly began flying around the room like crazy. Rotom joined them and with that, the world's oddest game of tag began. Meanwhile the humans in the room made their way to the table, with Sun releasing Penny and Oliver. Instead of joining the game of tag going on with the other Pokémon, they decided to instead enjoy their dinner, since they were famished from battling so hard earlier.

Dinner was quickly eaten and desert, Malasadas filled with chocolate, were made and passed out to everyone. This went well for all of a minute, before Oliver got chocolate all over himself and freaked out.

Soon enough the Dartrix was shooting around the room, screeching like a banshee and releasing blade quills at the walls and at the other Pokémon. All the while the frantic owl tried to get the chocolate out of its feathers by slamming into things and frantically swiping at its face with its wings.

"Oliver for the love of Arceus, calm down!" Sun yelled as the owl darted around the room, eyes wide and chirping furiously. Nebby, Meowth, and Rotom were now hiding inside of Lillie's bag, even as the girl fell down onto the carpet to avoid getting dive-bombed by the incensed owl.

"Sun, your owl is still an asshole!"

"Lillie, I know this! Now please help me catch him and stop pointing out the obvious!"

"My goodness! Lillie, where did you learn that horrible word?" Laura asked the girl, an expression of shock on her face.

"Professor Kukui, ma'am." Lillie replied, bowing her head a little as Laura scowled at her answer before calming her expression.

"I see…I'll deal with him later. For now, we should probably calm Oliver down." Laura said, stifling her fury that the carefree Professor had tainted Lillie's sweet mind with profanity. She'd have to knock him down a few pegs. Or maybe she'd just tell his wife. Laura smirked inwardly at what Professor Burnet would have to say if she knew that Kukui had done.

Eventually, after several cuts and Sun receiving a Tackle that sent him into the wall (and gave him a bruise on his shoulder the next day), Oliver managed to tire himself out enough so that Penny could tackle Oliver to the ground. Sun returned the owl, glaring at the Poké Ball.

"I forgot to mention before how important this was, Sun...But, uh, Dartrix's are incredibly sensitive about their appearances." Rotom piped up, popping out of Lillie's bag.

"You did mention that before. You didn't mention he'd go nuts if he got something on him." Sun said to Rotom, who buzzed indignantly.

"Well, yeah! If they get their plumage and feathers messed up they'll get really upset. It can even distract them during battle. Probably something you should work on, even if Oliver's only been a Dartrix for a little while." Rotom explained as Penny landed on the ground and hung her head, shaking it.

"Well…I didn't think evolving would solve all of his problems. But the whole thing with him getting his feathers dirty is ridiculous. Is this seriously how all Dartrix's act?" Sun asked Rotom as it bobbed up and down.

"Yep, zzzzt! They're incredibly proud of their appearance and take great care to make sure they look their best. It's in their nature, so it's not like it's anything that you did, Sun. That's just part of who they are." Rotom explained as Lillie and Laura began the task of getting the house back in order. Lillie didn't even attempt to coax a terrified Nebby out of its bag, instead setting it on the couch and patting the bag before grabbing a dust pan. The trio plus Penny and Meowth began to sweep, mop, and vacuum the house until it was suitably clean again, aside from the moving boxes that still sat in the living room.

Bathing Oliver was a surprisingly calm affair, considering the Pokémon was exhausted and that Penny was giving him a death glare the entire time. It took the Dartrix a very long time to groom himself afterwards though, not meeting anyone's eyes.

"You're going to have to learn how to not freak out like that, Oliver." Sun pointed out as he began drying off Penny, the Trumbeak shutting her eyes in displease at being towel dried after her bath.

"Dar…"

"I don't know what you said, but I'm serious. That was ridiculous Oliver. You're a Dartrix now! You're the strongest Pokémon I've got and I'm counting on you to lead the team by example. We're going to have a new Pokémon on our team and I want Brago to be able to look to you as a leader here."

"Beeaaak!" Penny cried out, though it was muffled since Sun was drying her head.

"Well, second-in-command, actually." Sun amended after a moment. "He keeps calling me Alpha. So yeah, just…please work on it? You were fantastic earlier today, you know."

"Dar!"

"Beeaaak!"

"Yes, Penny was awesome too. I can't tell you both how proud I am of you for beating Hala. And for this next island, we're going to have to get even better. But that means working out some of our weaknesses. We can get some training in once Brago gets a bit healthier, but I want everything to be smooth sailing on the next island. Alright?" Sun said to both of his Pokémon. Oliver gave him a thumbs up with his feathers again, his eyes gleaming with mirth while Penny poked her head out of the towel and let out a cry. Sun pulled both of the birds into a hug, laughing at the two's antics.

"I forgot how long it can take to get birds clean the normal way." Laura commented as Sun and his two birds made their way out of his room. Lillie was quietly reading a book while curled up on the couch, though she looked up and smiled at Sun as he entered the room.

"It wasn't just that. We had a team meeting while I got them clean." Sun replied, leaning against the wall with a smirk.

"In the bathroom?" Lillie inquired.

"Uh…yeah, in retrospect that was probably an odd spot for it. But it worked." Sun admitted with a shrug. Lillie nodded and returned to her book, though she scooted aside on the couch so that Sun could join her. Sun did just that, sitting down next to his friend and opening a book he had brought out with him. Together the duo sat and read, enjoying each other's company while the Pokémon played together in Sun's bedroom. Laura watched them all for a time, smiling at the commotion and seeing her child relaxing finally. She loved seeing him with his friends and Pokémon and wished that it hadn't taken so much to get to this point.

However, she knew that she had to have several discussions with Sun before he continued his journey. She'd start the most important one tonight.

So, as the time finally came for everyone to go to bed, Laura instructed Sun to come to his room with her to have a talk. Sun was initially confused, but shrugged and obeyed.

"I wonder what's going on." Lillie pondered to herself as the door shut behind them. Lillie cast a glance at Nebby and the other Pokémon, who all were just as interested as her. Lillie crept towards the door, unable to stop her curiosity as she pressed an ear against the wood. She heard the creak of a bed and of someone walking on the wood floor. Penny and Oliver did the same, despite their hearing being much sharper than her own.

"So Mom…What's going on?" came Sun's voice, sounding almost nervous.

Laura sighed deeply and said, "Sun…it's about time we had a serious talk about your father."


Alrighty folks, with the story back on track and me establishing a tentative weekend schedule once again, I leave you on this cliffhanger for next chapter.

So since we're again at another milestone for this story, Chapter 30, I figured its time for another poll.

So my question is, how hyped are you for the release of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?

Personally, I'm just interested to see what they'll do. I doubt I can enjoy the Gen VII more than I have so far, but I'm really intrigued as to how the story will play out. We already got a sliver of new info regarding new Ultra Beasts and something involving Dusk Form Pokémon or something to that effect.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the review section below. And be sure to vote on the poll itself.

Thanks again for all the love and support, especially in regards to me vanishing for the summer and coming back. Looking forward to another 170 chapters of sheer awesomeness.

You all take care, and stay awesome.

Until next time, FlygonNick out!