Alola readers! Brav is here again and saying it's good to be back! This chapter needed some fine tuning, but we're done with the letters and back to the normal standard diary entries!

I know everyone's been itching to see the reunion between Elio and Lillie. Let's get to it! Enjoy everyone.

Even though Elio was on the other side of Akala Island, that didn't stop him from keeping in touch with me all the time! He finally cleared all three of Akala's trials, although he seemed to leave a few details out of his letters, instead saying how much he missed me! That's so cute! I have to admit that I really miss his company too and hope that he still remembered that we were going to take a trip to the Ruins of Life together. I miss Hau, he always knows where to find the good malasadas. Without him, I'm left at the shop, indecisive on what to get.

Anyway, Professor Burnet told me that her husband was bringing both boys back to the dimensional lab for a visit to pass the time before they headed for Konikoni City to face the grand trial. Kahuna Olivia claims that it's still a little restless in the Diglett Tunnel from that strange sound anomaly and the highways are undergoing major repairs, so a lot of traffic is being diverted through the small area that might agitate the pokemon living inside.

I've already had several close calls with a couple members of Team Skull wandering around Heahea City with their weird talking and walking. I don't even see how that's popular. Nobody seems to care about them.

Anyway, I had to tell Sun about my connection to Professor Burnet and Kukui and he seemed to be quite understanding on how Nebby needed to be kept a secret and all. He and Hau make pokemon battling look like a cakewalk and I wish I had the chance to become a trainer and travel with them. Is it strange that I keep dreaming that I'm on a journey with Elio?

While Professor Kukui had gone to meet up with Elio and Hau to bring them back to Heahea City, Lillie had been left in the company of his lovely wife.

Formally, Professor Erlinda Sophie Burnet-Kukui, she had taken her maiden name in terms of addressing in the professional field. Even though they worked in vastly differing fields of research, they had found out early in their marriage that both would perk up and respond to "Professor Kukui"

Burnet spoke with a hint of a western accent, mirroring her Unova origins. Like her husband Emilio, she was an only child who quickly made her intellect well known among her peers. She began to read before the other kids her age and was writing essays at the collegiate level. Her prime field and fascination was inter-dimensional research.

Now, with the multiple differing anomalies that had been occurring in recent years; the study of the inter-dimensional portals and realms had seen in increase in both personnel and funding. Some of it came from the wonder and exploration and some of it came from the fearful who were uncertain about what could possibly lie on the other side.

Lillie experienced a second, much more caring side of Burnet. She had no children of her own, but she picked up the young blonde as if she was one of her little pikipek chicks. Having a parent in her life that acted human, sympathetic and encouraging were all new.

Burnet is more of a mother to me than Mother right now…

The grocery store was beginning to wind down for the evening as stock clerks finished facing the shelves and the specialty departments began to clean up and close down business. They still had another hour before the entire store shut its doors, but they were only in for a quick dinner.

"Nothing excites you?" Burnet asked sweetly as the two of them meandered yet another aisle. Their cart had a mix of pre-prepared meals and components to others. While Burnet enjoyed cooking, especially with Kukui and Lillie around, much of her time was spent in the labs working late nights and early mornings. She didn't always have the luxury to stay over the counter, chop and cook ingredients.

A microwaveable meal was sustenance nonetheless.

"I'm okay with anything really Burnet." Lillie had found out that she was playfully scolded every time she inserted the title "professor" when addressing her. "Burnet" was just as good.

"I was just thinking of something easy and simple. Kukui went to get the boys so we're on our own for dinner. They're coming over later tonight."

Wait, Elio is coming back? Is he done with his trials?

She decided to ask just that.

"Yep! Kukui told me that Elio finished his this evening. He's bringing them both back to Heahea City to tell them about where to do the grand trial with kahuna Olivia."

"He's…he's finally coming back. It's been so long."

The faint blush on Lillie's cheeks didn't escape Burnet's notice.

"You miss him. Don't you?"

She nodded.

Burnet leaned on the front handlebar of their shopping cart. "I was the same way when I was thinking about Emilio. I don't remember telling you this; but long story short we met at a science expo right here in Alola and he was just newly inducted as the regional professor for the Alola region. After we met up over the course of the week that the expo was taking place, I found myself spending more and more time with him. Two of the sisters in my sorority had me figured out that I was infatuated with him…even when I wanted to deny it."

"But I'm not infatuated with Elio."

"No." Burnet's smile only grew. "I think it's something else. I know you have a crush for sure…and I haven't even met this boy in person yet. I know he was the one who saved Nebby and was in turn saved by Tapu Koko, but my; he must really be something if you speak as if he can leap over tall buildings like a blaziken."

"He's just so brave and fearless. He was never a trainer before, yet he does it all with such stride and poise. You know something? I think he'd make a good gunslinger type I see in those movies. I just wish I had that confidence."

"You do." Burnet reassured her. "I think you just need a little guidance…and maybe a little love."

Thank you.

"How about something from the deli bar?" She asked. "I'm kind of craving a club sandwich."

The blonde nodded in earnest. "Yeah, that's perfect. Nebby loves the chocolate covered macadamias."

"Here," Burnet motioned to the deli counter. "I'll catch up, but you're going for a ride! Hop on."

"O-okay." Lillie felt a little bit uneasy, but climbed on the back of the cart, putting her feet on the low rung.

"Now all you have to do is give it a little push," The woman took the top handle of the cart and did just that. "And off you go!"

Lillie almost wanted to open her mouth to scream as the vehicle picked up speed and she hung on for dear life. She couldn't though…it was a little scary, but also exhilarating and flooded her veins with excitement. The little action was trivial and childish, but she didn't care, all that mattered was that it was thrilling and enjoyable despite how dangerous it seemed.

She hopped off the rung and arrested the cart's momentum right as it got to the deli counter and looked back at Burnet. Her own mother figure had a cheeky grin on her face and Lillie couldn't help a flash a rare smile as her eyes sparkled with excitement. It felt so childish, but none of it mattered. It was fun.

That's what mattered.

That was actually kind of fun! Little scary and probably something a little kid would do! Mother would probably yell at me if I did that in front of her.

If I ever have a kid, I'll make sure they get to have this kind of fun at least once!

"That was really awesome Lillie!" Burnet called out from the store's end. "You go ahead and order two club sandwiches. I have to get one more thing."

"Okay." She nodded. "What side do you want?"

"Those chocolate covered macadamias for sure! I know those are your favorite."

Burnet made sure Lillie was busy ordering their food at the deli counter before she slipped away, passing along the few aisles of stocked goods and stopping at the over-counter pharmacy.

Recently she had been feeling under the weather with strange symptoms. Sleepless nights, even when she was dead tired. Nausea, vomiting and again she was having that gnawing craving for chocolate covered macadamia nuts. She was trying to limit herself on one of her favorite treats, but sometimes it was just too much to bear in trying to fight her body.

It had been so long since…well yeah. We've tried everything…could this be it?

She planned to take the test after meeting up with Kukui and the boys, hoping that its guaranteed results were the same as those of her expectations.

Burnet found Lillie timidly pushing their cart just after leaving the deli. Sure enough, there were two bags with perfectly toasted sandwiches, but she didn't see any chocolate covered macadamias.

None? Why?

"Lillie?" Burnet put her hand on her hip while subtly sneaking the box into the cart. "Why are there no chocolate macadamias?"

The way she had said that sounded like she was more angered than genuinely upset. And it clearly caught the young blonde off guard.

"Burnet?"

"Where are the chocolate macadamias?" Her teeth were clenched a little bit. "Who told you no?"

I didn't do anything wrong! The man at the counter said they were out of stock!

"I-I uh…they didn't have any!"

"What? Why not?"

"They said they were out!" Lillie said, starting to get worried. Burnet was almost beginning to sound a bit spoiled…almost like….

Thinking quickly, she grabbed one of the handful of chip bags and held it up. "Uh, but he said I could have chips instead. They're all Akala onion flavor! You know," she smiled and waved it temptingly in front of Burnet's face. "Your favorite right?"

You know what? I am definitely in the mood for Akala chips.

It was a quick flight on the Charizard Glide feature of his ride pager and Elio found himself happily strolling down the street of Heahea City in the pleasant evening. The night sky had taken over, casting a multitude of sparkling stars beside the crescent shaped moon that hung high on the horizon.

Alolan air was crisp and refreshing, giving off a slightly salty breeze from the ocean. In the distance of the ocean, waves lapped calmly against the surf in a lulling rhythm that was perfect for sleeping with white noise.

He was headed away from downtown Heahea towards a place called the Dimensional Research Lab that was on the road just beside the coastline. A few other people were out on a stroll and they happily greeted him as he walked down the path.

Although he really enjoyed the diverse terrain Akala had to offer from the Lush Jungle to the Wela Volcano; he was rather pleased to have come back to the city. No such thing as an imminent threat of gigantic pokemon or other natural disaster.

There was Team Skull though in the cities. It seemed as they had their hand in every place where there were other people. Elio learned by now to stay within the sight of others and avoid going anywhere close to alleys. He had already seen more than one riffraff wearing the signature bandanna that masked their nose and mouth leaning against some of the alleyways casting shady looks at passerbys.

He did have his pokemon with him in case one decided to be brash enough to challenge him, but he still kept to himself, not wanting to draw that kind of attention.

Address…Rotom has it in. 6052 E Nāmakamaka Drive. Now it's suite 304…meaning it's on the third floor. Hope I read that right.

"Here it is," Elio said to himself as he came to a marbled building just beyond a gate. There was a rather fancy looking embroidered directory "DIMENSIONAL RESEARCH LAB"

Before he took a step through the entrance to the lot behind; he heard a familiar voice. Rotom, who was beside him found a bit of amusement when he sensed that his trainer partner began to have an increase in heart rate.

"Go Nebby! Use…use splash!"

"Pew?" Just around the corner of the wall next to the sign, Nebby danced around, looking a little confused. Sun carefully peered around, seeing Lillie's familiar figure beside her secretive pokemon when she pointed to the flowerbed next to the building while giving the command.

"Heh…I was just acting like I was Elio." She giggled to herself.

Although he couldn't be seen, the boy smiled at the touching display. She DOES look up to me! Yes!

"You always seem to end up getting hurt Nebby. I'm really sorry I have to put you through all of this. That's why I never really liked pokemon trainers or battling. Everything looks so painful and hurting. I never even thought that I would want to be one myself." She gave a longing sigh, "But when I see Elio and Hau, it's like they've thrown open some door that I always thought was closed. They stride straight through it into the future with their heads high. It seems so…amazing somehow that they can do that so easily."

"Pew,"

"I know that I can't depend on them all the time to protect us." Lillie rubbed her head, "Oh I just wish that everything wasn't so complicated!"

"Pew?" Nebby turned in Sun's direction and began to come towards him.

Be cool. He reminded himself, Act like you didn't hear anything.

He was just about to walk around the corner when Nebby abruptly vanished in a tiny flash of light.

"Nebby?" Lillie asked as she began to grow visibly worried about the cosmog's disappearance, looking around. She kept her hands together and started fidgeting; a sign that she was getting distressed.

"Pew."

Elio turned right around to see Nebby bouncing up and down joyfully just above the sidewalk behind him.

Nebby being Nebby again.

He crouched down, keeping his voice soft and quiet. "Hey there buddy. Why are you giving Lillie such a hard time huh?"

"Pew." The pokemon gave no indication that he understood anything the boy had said.

"I mean going to find all these Zygarde cells is okay…same with this egg, but a lot's going on y'know?"

"I just wish I had Elio here." He heard Lillie say out loud from around the wall. "He would know what to do."

Nebby's eyes lit up as if it had gotten an idea. It lunged forward, wrapping its two bluish cloud appendages around Elio's leg.

He couldn't help chuckling at its display of affection and knelt down to stroke it on the top of its head.

But as he did that, Nebby glowed white again and Elio found his entire field of vision going blank as well.

Wait, what is happening?

The strange sensation was over in moments and he felt absolutely nothing underneath him. No solid surface. Nothing whatsoever.

Gravity took ahold of his body and he saw something in white that was followed by a yelp of surprise before he hit something rather soft.

Elio's hands automatically latched onto the object to steady himself as he tumbled twice over before his temple smacked against the hard ground. Touching where the pain was most actually gave him some relief as there was no blood on his fingers.

"Elio?"

The boy glanced down to see Lillie staring right up at him. She had been wondering where both Nebby and Elio were before something hit her and sent them rolling on the ground.

When they had stopped, she had found herself with her face against a lean-muscled chest underneath a familiar white and blue T-shirt. As soon as she glanced up to the stranger, her face went deep red and finding out who her cushion was.

"L-Lillie?" Elio looked just as flustered, not because they hadn't seen each other in a long time, but in the rather compromising position they were in. "Uh…hi again."

"Sorry! I'm so sorry Elio! Are you okay?" There was just a slight feeling of reluctance as she got off him and stood back up. Elio's arms wrapped around her waist felt like a protective field and it vanished as soon as they separated.

"Yeah." He sat up as well and rubbed his head. "Never felt better. Well, except for this throbbing, but that's okay. Pain will go away and I'm not bleeding."

"How did you get here?" She asked. "You literally came out of nowhere."

"Pew!"

"Nebby!" Both teens scolded at the same time, looking at the little mischievous cloud pokemon floating innocently between them.

"Pew!" The look on its face appeared to be enjoying the awkward reunion between its two favorite humans. And judging by both their reactions, it knew that they were secretly enjoying it as well.

"Um…" Lillie glanced nervously away. "It's good to see you again Elio. I feel like it's been a while since we last met. There's a laboratory here that studies the other dimensions and the professor is waiting to meet you!"

"It's only been a month, although it felt like it just flew by!" Sun smiled back, returning to his normal lax easygoing self. "I missed you! Hope you got all my letters!"

"Yeah I did. I really missed you Elio."

"Good." Elio suddenly strode closer until their faces were inches apart. "Just roll with it."

Lillie gulped nervously at how perilously close their mouths were to one another. She continued to fight another blush creeping on her cheeks. "Roll with what?"

Before she could ask any further, Elio closed the gap and leaned forward.

Is he going to kiss me?

She was just beginning to pucker her lips when she felt contact. Elio's smooth skin on his forehead was gently touching hers. Automatically, her eyes slid shut and she inhaled a slow steady breath, not knowing she had done it at the same time as him.

This feels strange. Almost like we're sharing a breath or something.

"Do you feel it?" Elio whispered. "I learned this from the trial captains, but as part of an ohana…we exchange ha, the breath of life with one another by gently touching foreheads and breathing in and out calmly. You do this to family and close friends."

"And I am one."

"Yes." Elio smiled and gently placed a hand on the back of her head. "You are very important to me."

"Mahalo Elio."

They reluctantly parted in time to avoid it being awkward, but she found herself wanting to be in his arms again.

Sun was caught a little off guard when his crush threw her arms around his neck and brought herself close, hugging him with a surprising amount of force. She clung to his chest, almost as if her life was dependent of it.

"Lillie?"

"I'm sorry." She whispered, laying her head in the crook of his right shoulder. "I just needed to see you again. I felt like with everything you've had to endure, you just need a little hug."

"Coming from you?" Elio made her look at him again. "How many hugs can I have?"

A light chuckle. "How many do you want?"

"How about infinite?"

"Deal."

Elio sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sorry too. For yelling at you the other day over the phone. I let my emotions get the best of me."

"You couldn't have expected that."

"I didn't." He sounded remarkably distant. "I had no idea how my father got my phone number or anything. Honestly, I didn't even know whether or not he was alive. We haven't heard a thing about him for years."

"Elio, it's okay."

"No it's not." She looked surprise at his declaration. "I inconvenienced you in the middle of the night and was nothing but an asshat to you. That's not okay in my book. You didn't deserve any bit of that."

"Elio." She repeated again. "It's okay. I know how you feel towards your father and I may not agree with it, but really the thing I think you needed…was someone you could confide in. Vent your steam if you may."

Lillie watched the myriad of emotions play across Elio's face before he finally nodded slowly. "Yeah, you're right. I'm really sorry about that. ʻAʻole ia e hana hou."

"It's okay." She gently wrapped her arms around him and gave a comforting hug while once again savoring the close feeling of them together. "I forgive you."

"Mahalo."

The blonde decided to change the subject to her crush. "So how were your trials? Tell me about them! It must be quite trying to do three in a row."

Sun's mind flashed to them, all stationed at various points on Akala Island and their respective Totem Pokemon battles. It wasn't a walk in the park, that's for sure.

"It was really tough," Which wasn't a lie either. He was vastly underprepared for the last Totem Lurantis and its Castform ally, which had soundly defeated the majority of his pokemon team thanks to the harsh sunlight that superpowered its devastating solar blade attack. During his second attempt; Sun took a different approach, focusing on the sunny weather to improve Torracat's fire type moves and turn its own advantage against it.

"I would think so…" She smiled again, "Still! You made it through all three! I mean…you look so content with your pokemon so I can't help but think you might be exaggerating a little bit!"

"Not just him though. They all were a team effort."

"Of course! You must have needed your entire team to help out when needed." She looked at the six poke balls at Sun's side. "But the professor who works here at the lab wants to meet you!"

"Pew!"

"And of course I missed you too Nebby!" Elio was more than happy to accept a gracious hug from the adorable cloud pokemon. "You taking care of Lillie?"

"Pew."

"Oh that reminds me." He took off his backpack and rummaged through a junk pile of items stored inside. Lillie's own eyes went wide at all the various gear he had stuffed within its pockets.

He's probably got bodybuilder back muscles hauling that around all day!

"Better take this out." Elio set aside a portable incubator with a small egg nestled perfectly inside. "Pretty neat huh?" He asked while still rifling around. "A rancher named Dallas gave it to me while I stayed in Paniola Town." A flash from the shell caught their attention and they stared agape at the box, fully expectant to see another one, but it remained dormant.

"Does that mean it's hatching soon?" He wondered aloud.

"Maybe." Lillie bent down to look at it closer. "I read in a book once that pokemon eggs tend to shine in various stages. You might be right in that this one is getting ready to hatch very soon."

"I hope so." Sun finally found what he was looking for and presented a bag of chocolate covered macadamias. "I got these for you. Hopefully they aren't all melted yet."

You're the best Elio!

"Um, how about we share?"

"Okay." Elio accepted the outstretched bag and dug his fingers inside. Sure enough, the milk chocolate covering each nut had slightly melted, sticking a lot of them together, but he pulled one out and popped it in his mouth. "That's so good. This and tapu cocoa…I could live off them if I wanted to."

"Same."

The two teens sat in silence on one of the benches, casually talking while finishing off the last of the chocolate covered nuts between them as well as Nebby. The cosmog had been a little disappointed during dinner that there were none of his favorite treats available, but got excited once again for seeing his favorite boy as well as the candy.

Elio finished the last one as Lillie turned to him and burst out laughing.

"What?"

She didn't say anything, continuing to laugh while showing his face through a mirror from her bag.

All along the side of Sun's chin and cheek were smears of velvety chocolate that went towards his jawline.

"And you didn't even bother to tell me?"

"I didn't even notice until now!"

"Very funny."

"Here, I'll get you a napkin." Lillie reached down to her bag when Nebby noticed, shooting up and floating to Elio's side in an instant. The tiny pokemon nuzzled his face before a tongue licked away at the chocolate residue on his skin. Sun found himself giggling slightly from the ticklish sensation.

"Or Nebby's got it. That's why you wanted to see me so bad huh? The candy?"

"Pew!"

"I'll take that as a yes. This actually reminds me when I was younger. Spaghetti was one of my favorites and I'd eat it with my hands. I kind of stained more than one shirt and my face because I'd eat and then rub the sauce on my bibs or in my hair. My parents got mad, but they couldn't because I was so adorable."

"Elio!" Lillie gasped. "You're such a naughty boy."

"Don't even get me started."

"And we don't want to keep the professor waiting." She said suddenly, as if forgetting the reason she was sent outside to greet him. They stood up and she set Nebby back into the bag. It gave a reluctant cry as she zipped it shut. "Come on Sun, elevator's here."

The Dimensional Research Lab was way bigger than Elio initially expected as he followed Lillie inside the welcoming air conditioning of the large building. It featured large white walls and many different shaped machines in different section giving off an orchestra of humming noises. Professor Kukui waited for the two of them at the third floor before greeting and escorting them further inside where a hive of activity was taking place. Scientists with glasses and lab coats moved about, carrying papers, manning arrays of monitors or talking amongst their colleagues.

Sun checked the time; it was nearly nine in the evening and none of the employees looked like they were ready to turn in.

"Isn't it getting a little bit late?" He asked; already wondering if there was going to be any available room at the city pokemon center. They were a definite cheaper option to the rather expensive hotels that lined the beaches of Heahea. And the later one waited, the harder it was to get an opening since it was on a first come first serve basis.

"They work until their boss decides to call it a day," Someone caught Kukui's eye and he waved, "Hey there k'ou ke kō!"

Lillie was talking to a woman in a gray tanktop with silvery hair who looked to be in her later twenties or early thirties…somewhere close to Kukui's age. She wore athletic pants with a sweatshirt tied around her waist and a green headband. Despite the fact she must've been working since sunup; her amber colored eyes radiated energy and warmth.

"Oh Alola to you both!" She waved back as the duo approached. A small ball shaped pokemon with the iconic horseshoe magnets on the sides of its body followed them with Nebby in tow.

Rotom was right on it. "New pokemon detected! Bzzt! Magnemite. Magnet pokemon. They gather in places where electricity is available and can be found clinging to the steel towers used to support power lines. It's often the cause of power outages due to them going to power plants to consume electricity for food. Some power plants will send out electrical signals they can't stand. Magnemite is an electric and steel type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

"This here's Professor Burnet. She runs the Dimensional Research Lab yeah," Kukui grinned from ear to ear, "And she also happens to be my wife!"

"I didn't even know you were married!" Sun blurted out loud, causing a few stares from some of the other technicians. He stopped, looking away sheepishly the moment he digested exactly what he said.

Burnet's only response was a good nature laugh, "Well it's officially Burnet-Kukui, but I figure it's more distinct than having two Kukuis in the same room. It would be hard to know who you're talking to. Anyway, you're Sun right? Lillie told me all about you! She said you were the reliable sort."

Sun wasn't sure what that entailed, but shook her outstretched hand. "It's nice to meet you professor,"

"Three months ago, I found Lillie lying on a beach not too far from here. Cosmog in her bag also unconscious."

Elio remembered Lillie saying something about her being in danger and the fact that Nebby had used its power to save her. Was that why she was washed up on a beach?

"It was definitely kind of you to take her in." He said.

"Hm? No Hau today?"

"Hau?" Her husband inquired, "Oh he's doing his own thing. But he'll be the real deal someday, maybe even become a kahuna like old Hala!"

"You really think so?!" Just as he came up in the discussion, the boy in question burst right into the lab, ignoring the indignant looks thrown his way by Burnet's staff. Although he was a rather nice boy, his boisterous and upbeat behavior was big contrast to the slower paced and controlled environment of the research lab.

"Whoa!" Kukui was taken aback by Hala's grandson appearing almost out of thin air, "I mean. Yeah, I really do!"

"Good to see you again Hau!" Burnet greeted, "It's been quite a while since I last saw you! You've definitely changed, that's for sure!"

"One step closer to being a kahuna!"

Professor Kukui cut in, "Anyhow, I brought Sun here because I wanted you to tell him about some of the mysterious phenomena here in Alola."

"Mysterious phenomena?"

"What? Did you think the region was all going to be pleasant sunshine and beaches?"

"Well…that's what the brochure said that my mom picked up when we decided to move."

"Well I'm afraid that it's right here in Alola." Burnet's eyes lit up as she talked. "In fact; it's quite fascinating! We call it the Ultra Wormhole!"

Seeing how excitedly passionate Kukui's wife was at the subject, it piqued the boy's curiosity. Even the words Ultra Wormhole sounded interesting.

"What is that?"

"It's extremely rare, but a hole can open in the sky above Alola! It appears that this rift leads to a different and unknown dimension. People think there is this mysterious dimension is because of the legends of fearsome beings appearing from the Ultra Wormhole."

"Pew," Nebby cried, as if to agree with the professor.

"It's very weak as proof, but I can't ignore it. There's already information catalogued in the pokedex for the existence of different dimensions right?"

"Fearsome beings?" Sun asked, "So are they pokemon?"

"Even normal wild pokemon sometimes attack people right?"

"Well yeah," Hau said, "But I have pokemon of my own to help me out!"

"The beings that appeared from the Ultra Wormhole went way beyond that. We've called them Ultra Beasts and they were definitely not to be trifled with, attacking without reasoning. Old Alolan stories say that the guardian deities of Alolas islands fought desperately against them, almost in danger of losing because they were so powerful."

Sun thought about it, kind of hoping that such stories were merely just fictional ideas. If he had to cross paths with one of these so called Ultra Beasts, he hoped he would be strong enough to fight it.

I don't even know if these things are Pokemon…if they can even be fought like one…

"Has anyone ever tried to catch one of these Ultra Beasts?" Hau asked.

Burnet shook her head, "Like I said, it's all old legends and stories. Kind of hard to know how much is true. Nobody has ever caught one to prove its existence." She gestured behind her where the stark whiteness of the lab gave way to a warmer contrast of a wooden bookshelf. "We've actually recorded some species of pokemon that exist in separate dimensions. You can find them in the books in the library."

"I think I might take a look around," Sun said, "Might be handy if we ever do come across an Ultra Beast."

"Always pays you back if you're prepared!" Kukui piped up, "I'm going to check on the tunnel to see if it's safe enough to go through with those abnormal sounds. It should be ready by morning if Olivia gives the go-ahead."

"Awesome."

After Professor Kukui left; Sun took a look around Burnet's library, finding a book that covered the legendary pokemon hailing from Sinnoh called Dialga, Palkia and Giratina. Each one had a distinctive shape, appearing vastly different than any other pokemon he had seen.

The first one was quadruped, dark blue in color with gray trim that resembled armor. In its chest, it appeared to have what looked like a diamond. "Dialga…represents time. Time started moving when Dialga was born…wow."

He flipped the page to a bipedal pokemon that was pinkish with purple lines across its body. A pair of winglike structures protruded out from its back. The most striking feature was the large gem on its shoulder. It looked like a pearl. "Palkia…The legendary pokemon of the Sinnoh region lives in a spatial dimension that is parallel to ours. It is said that space becomes more stable every time Palkia breathes."

The third pokemon in the book's last section didn't have any type of gemstone on its body. Instead, it had two different appearances, one with eight legs over a gray body and the other legless. There were black wings on its back that were six distinct shapes on its snake-like appearance. What remained constant was the big gold crest on its head.

"Giratina…A pokemon that lives in a distortion world on the reverse side of ours. Because it was excessively violent; it was banished there for eternity."

If hell had a world…I bet Giratina would rule it.

Sun closed the book and set it back on the shelf when a familiar figure made her way over to his side.

Lillie felt more relaxed when around him, so she didn't even look bothered when he decided to ask a rather touchy question that was constantly nagging at the back of his mind.

"Lillie, what happened three months ago? How did you end up on a beach?"

"You want to know what happened three months ago?" Sun wordlessly nodded.

"Well, I wanted to learn more about Nebby…sorry. Cosmog. So I decided to come speak to Professor Burnet, but I got lost along the way and ended up wandering about until I collapsed on the shore."

"Nobody decided to help you?" He listened, but had a pressing feeling that there was much more to the story that she was purposefully leaving out. "Professor Burnet said you were washed up. Did you decide to go for a swim?"

Lillie giggled, "No silly! She just found me on a remote beach on Akala and listened to my story. Letting me use her spare bedroom and staying home all day to hear it all. Then she even got her husband…the ever-energetic Kukui to lend me his loft where I've been ever since. She even told him to help me investigate Nebby's origins too."

Sun nodded, "I get that, but what still baffles me is the fact that you said it was a remote beach on Akala. She just happened to be there…someone who coincidentally happens to specialize in inter-dimensional research which seems to fit Nebby quite well. Don't you find that to be a little odd?"

The girl could see that Sun was not buying it, "Sun…"

He saw that the conversation was taking a wrong turn and immediately backed off, chastising himself for making her feel uneasy. "I'm sorry Lillie. I didn't mean to put you in a bad spot. Look," He slipped a hand on her shoulder and stared into her emerald eyes; all while trying not to be mesmerized by them, "I care about you and want to find out about Nebby and where it came from. You can trust me."

Lillie sighed, figuring he wouldn't put the topic to bed anytime soon. "It's very complicated on how Nebby and I ended up here, but Professor Burnet has been so kind and she's still helping me try to find a way to get Nebby back to its own home." She stared at the ground, the large sun hat blocking her face from his view, "She's…she's been like a real mother to me."

"What happened to your mother?"

"It's a long story,"

Sun remembered back when Lillie had met his own mother; Elaine. He saw that she had been a little jealous, but had shut that thought aside at the time. He hardly ever thought of any kid ever having envy because a parent was nice.

Not all parents are always nice. He thought to himself. Maybe Lillie's mother was the same way as Dad.

He decided not to further press the issue.

"How about that Sun?" Kukui said as the two headed for the elevator to leave the lab. Hau and Lillie stayed behind to talk to Professor Burnet as some of her staff began to leave and head home in order to be refreshed enough to resume work the next day.

"If Ultra Beasts are really out there, I wonder what kinds of moves they can use. Anyway, you've finished all three of Akala Island's trials. Woo! Now is the big match against Olivia, the island kahuna! It's the biggest and baddest grand trial here on the island!"

"Good luck!" Burnet said approaching them with Lillie in tow, "Olivia's house is past Diglett's Tunnel in Konikoni City! Just keep an eye out for Team Skull. They seem to be quite active here on Akala recently."

"And the noise anomalies have seemed to have subsided in the caverns." Kukui added. "I talked to her just now and Olivia is reopening traffic to go through."

"Team Skull doesn't scare me," Sun firmly said, "I've got my pokemon to protect me and they haven't been much of a threat."

"Just tread carefully." The professor replied, "They may seem like thugs, but they're crafty, numerous and they won't hesitate to take advantage if you let your guard down!"

I haven't seen the crafty part. Not yet.

"I don't let my guard down. That I can promise you."

Lillie smiled at his bold display, wishing she had the same bravado as him and Hau. She had heard a couple stories on how on separate occasions they had dauntlessly stood up to the Team Skull thugs when they were either picking on them or other trainers.

"Um, I still have a couple things I want to talk to Professor Burnet about, so I'll stay here." She turned to her. "Thanks for meeting me at the Tide Song Hotel on such short notice. I really didn't want to go out with Team Skull loitering around."

So it wasn't a boy after all that she wanted to meet in the hotel. Elio didn't know exactly why, but he felt a bit relieved at hearing that.

After heading down to the ground floor, he stepped out into the Alolan night. The warm humid air was back, replacing the cool comforting feeling of the building's air conditioning.

"Diglett'z Tunnel? Bzzt!" Rotom said. "What a lucky bunch! I wish I had a place named after me! Bzzt!"

"The Rotunnel maybe?"

"That'z lame! Bzzt! How about Rotoworld?"

"That sounds more like a website for helicopter or sports enthusiasts."

The two of them crossed the lobby, still continuing to bicker about naming locations after his 'Dex and making the lady at the front reception desk roll her eyes before returning to the game app on her phone.

Back into the sticky heat. Yay.

As he headed across the lot to go to the pokemon center, there was a peculiar thing in the sky that caught his attention.

It was just for a brief moment when something like a large crack in the sky spread across, glowing brightly for just a split second before it faded away.

For a moment, Sun thought he just saw a shooting star, so he was in the middle of making a wish when he figured it didn't have the appearance or the eye-blinking duration to be one. The night lamps and glow of Heahea city were also close by, making it difficult to see such a thing. This was bright enough to be easily visible even though the light pollution.

"Hey Sun!" Hau opened the door just as the strange light had vanished to abruptly butt into his thoughts. "So you've cleared all three of Akala Island's trials? You should go find kahuna Olivia and face her for your grand trial! She lives in Konikoni City, just past Diglett's Tunnel! It's right past the pokemon center, but easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled! Now it's malasada time for me!"

Sun gave him a strange look after checking the time on Rotom's screen. "Well…isn't it kind of late for a malasada? I mean…most restaurants and stores are closed for the day already." He hoped there was still a room available in the center. If not…it was going to have to be a hotel room and he knew that many of them catered to tourists and were quite expensive.

"It's never too late to have a malasada!" Hau looked ready to bound off, but turned back when he remembered something, "Oh yeah Sun! I forgot to tell you…if you don't get a room at the pokemon center, I still have another night at mine. There's an extra sofa bed in my room, so you can crash there too if you want."

"Alright. Actually that's a good plan if you don't mind. Beats going to a hotel or camping out."

"Sure is! And I don't mind at all! C'mon, I'll buy you a malasada before we head back!"

Sun nodded, giving a small smile to his friend. Coming along for a sugary confection was the least he could do to repay the debt of sharing a place to crash for the night. He wanted also to show that he wasn't completely out of the mood either. "You know, I really like the Aguave flavor."

"Sorry brah. Coconut custard or nothing."

And now we can get the ball rolling on the closing part of the Akala arc! We've got the tunnel, kahuna battle and a lot more before we hit Aether Paradise and Ula'ula Island!

Translations

ʻAʻole ia e hana hou - It won't happen again

K'ou ke kō! - My sugar cane

As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.

Brav