Alola readers, Brav is back with his "around the usual time scheduled update" Was delayed because of a death in the family and adjusting to a new work schedule.

This is a chapter I've been waiting to get out for quite a while and one that I think people have been anticipating too. I hope it was worth the wait.

Today was the day we went to Exeggutor Island. Elio was still over the moon that he had one last trial to do before the long journey of completing the island challenge was finally over. It took a while to get there, but the weather meant we couldn't stay long.

Then it started to rain. Elio and I found a cave to wait it out and we…talked. It was just so much to take in and I now see that we're both from broken families just the same. But he's a different person now than when he started. So am I.

"I'm sorry, but unfortunately the room the two of you are staying in will be occupied after your vacancy tomorrow." The receptionist gave Elio an apologetic bow of her head. "And I have nothing else available."

Damn. The boy sighed in defeat. "I guess this means we'll have to try the inns or hotels at the boardwalk."

After accepting yet another apology from the halemai's receptionist, Elio had gotten his pokemon back after a quick healing. Arclight was pronounced a hundred percent ready to go while Bravo suffered moderate damage, neither of which required extensive care. The big eagle proudly held his head high as he escorted his trainer back to the table he and Lillie were sitting at while eating breakfast.

Elio also poured through a list of essentials they would need to make the hike through the Vast Poni Canyon. Most importantly were a pair of rugged boots for the unstable terrain and socks. The last thing either of them wanted in this part were aggravating blisters forming on their feet. A battery powered UV light to filter out water, sunscreen, non-perishable foods such as energy bars and jerky. He headed to the store to stock back up on potions and status medicines. There would be no pokemon center out there to heal his party.

"Hi Bravo." Lillie giggled softly as he lowered his head and nuzzled her with his beak. She tossed up a hunk of sausage from her breakfast plate which he caught and happily devoured, expectantly looking at her for more. Next to her, Kalua had laid on the floor, picking at her own food.

"Okay fine," Elio tossed him the sausage from his plate. "But no more."

"So how are you feeling now that you've finally got all the regular trials done?" Lillie asked him. "Must be a huge relief."

"Oh yeah. A huge weight off my shoulders." He had to wonder if this was what it felt like to finish all eight gyms in a Pokemon League circuit. " Just one more grand trial against Hapu. And then I'm done…I think.

Lillie giggled softly. "I bet. You know…seeing how much you've progressed and grown as a trainer. It's really impressive and I'm proud of you."

Elio met her eyes. "Thanks. That means a lot to me."

They quickly finished their breakfast before disposing of their trash. Elio found himself really impressed with the ube pancakes' different flavor than what he was used to.

I'll have to see if Mom can make those when I get back.

"Before we go," he started. "We have to make sure the new shoes that we ordered for you fit. Last thing we want to have is to walk all the way back with those blisters on your feet."

"Did they come in?"

"I just got a notice that they did. We only have one more night here at the center, so after tomorrow…I'm not sure. Maybe Hapu can let us stay with her since it's going to take the majority of the day to cross the canyon."

Elio glanced at Lillie again. "I just want to ask, even though I've probably asked to the point where it annoys you. Are you sure you're up for this? I'll admit that this might be tough for even myself."

"I'm sure of it." The blonde nodded and her gaze steeled. "Nobody else is going to rescue my mother or Guzma. And if I have to be the only person, then so be it."

"Okay." He admired her enough already, but now he was fully convinced that there was no backing down for either of them. "We're in this together."

Lillie found the boots to be both a mix of rugged and charming. They were one of the more reputable name brands in a rich dark brown color and white trim along the laces. She walked around, angling her feet on sloped surfaces to emulate standing on the rough terrain. Also included were thick woolen socks that were a little bit itchy, but excellent at keeping her feet dry and protecting her legs from zoochory, where plant seeds used hairs or spines to cling to animals or another organism for dispersal.

While she got used to her new footwear, Elio messaged Seafolk Chief Marv. He got a reply a few minutes later, saying that his boat was at the dock where they had first arrived a couple days ago and that he was ready to leave at any time.

Like he had said, Marv was patiently waiting at the end of the marina next to a large boat that had seen some wear. The vessel had been repainted and re-stained at least twice that he could tell and several of the wooden timbers appeared newer, likely been replaced as the constant exposure to seawater and moisture often made it rot quickly.

Yet Elio saw that it was well maintained despite its rickety appearance. Marv was an experienced sailor, taking trips to Exeggutor Island ever since he was their age. If anyone knew the waters around here; it was him.

The ride was free after all.

"Alola!" The chief waved his hands enthusiastically as the teens approached. "Are you two ready to set sail to Exeggutor Island? I've taken a look at the weather and winds from what people are sayin'. Should hit in about an hour forty, give or take."

"That's practically spitting distance."

Marv chuckled as they heard the sound of wings flapping. Deuce the pelipper squawked loudly as he gulped down a meal he had snagged from the sea. "Yeah and the conditions make taking a ride pokemon out there extremely risky. Open water can get choppy, but my old girl here's sturdy. Made the trip there and back more times than my age."

Elio dropped to the deck and turned around, offering a hand to Lillie.

"What a gentleman." The blush that crept across her face did not go unnoticed. Her slender hand brushed his as his grip tightened allowing her to step aboard with that incredible grace she unknowingly possessed.

Marv nodded, impressed as he and Elio both tied off the mooring lines and threw them to the attendant still on the pier. A small engine at the back of the was switched on and the ungainly ship began to ease out of the harbor, cruising smoothly across the glassy surface with a steady cadencing bob. It almost threatened to lull them to sleep.

"Been lookin' over the weather reports too. Nothin' out of the ordinary, but around Exeggutor Island, there be some showers and rain squalls that turn up unexpectedly. I'll have to turn around and head directly back to Seafolk though for a meeting with the kahuna."

Elio's head shot up. "Wait, you're not staying?"

"I'm 'fraid not. Those strange creatures that appeared from the sky have caused quite a stir. I hear folks from Interpol are also here to talk with the kahunas on an action plan to address them as a threat if it happens again."

Lillie shared a glance with him. Already the agency was working with the Aether Foundation on future encounters with the Ultra Beasts.

Normally I hear it taking weeks before anything is done. Either they really see the danger or my brother and Miss Wicke are really persuasive.

"But don't worry," the chief smiled as if he was reading their next thoughts. "There is a cell tower and a ranger station on the island. They know everyone who's supposed to be there and for what. If you do need their help, you'll find the number to call as soon as you connect to the network. Alola Transit is also covering here and asking for a ride charizard to take you back to Seafolk is quick and easy!"

"Sounds good."

The water started to get a little rougher once they were out of the cove area. Behind them, Poni Island began to disappear into the horizon. Winds whipped at the boat and the salty tang of the sea was much more powerful. Yet the boat kept going, spurred by its firm structure, fearless skipper and workhorse of a motor.

Elio let out a sigh and leaned his head back. Island challenge all but finished and they were still going strong on their plan to summon the legendary pokemon of Alola for its aid in rescuing Lusamine and Guzma.

He hadn't been home for months and for the first time in quite a while, he felt the first pangs of homesickness. There was a bit of irony that he had spent more time in Alola outside of his home than in it.

His initial thoughts of being plucked from his home in northern Kanto to a chain of touristy islands in the middle of nowhere weren't favorable. Cerulean City was the only home he had known and both his parents were constantly working while he was at school. Vacations were rare and they usually went to either Cinnabar Island or Olivine City in neighboring Johto. Thanks to his upbringing; life wasn't the greatest, but he was thankful for what he had at the time. Friends, loving parents and a roof over his head.

Then after their family drifted apart, his mother had decided to move away…an entire ocean away with a completely different culture and knowing close to nobody. The move wasn't to escape their father, rather it was done because after their divorce papers had been signed, Kanto was never really the same for either of them. Elio had become more withdrawn, reserved and less interested in most other things.

The move was good. I just didn't know it at the time.

Adjusting to his new life in the islands wasn't easy, especially with the heat. But he had friends, a welcoming community that embraced him with open arms and already begun to make a name for himself in being a naturally talented trainer.

People like Hau, Lillie, Professor Kukui, Leilani.

Things were indeed looking up. Even if the fact that otherworldly creatures threatened them.

Exeggutor Island came into view just a half hour later. While not as large as Poni Island, Elio noticed it was narrower lengthwise. He could see no manmade structures, a first since coming to a new Alolan island. Instead the shores were all brownish white sandbars several meters wide before the dense jungle brush took over, blocking almost anything visible right past the treeline. Like the other islands; it gradually rose in elevation towards the middle, topping out at just shy of a thousand feet above sea level. That highest point was close to the northern tip and was one of the spots Lillie had suggested they look for the Moon Flute. It was going to be a little bit of a hike, hence why he wanted her to try on and break in a new pair of hiking boots.

Not to mention a bit of a test run for the Vast Poni Canyon.

Chief Marv brought them around to the southeastern end, guiding the boat towards a small wooden pier that had a handful of metal bollards along the edges at a spot where the ground sloped down. He tied the lines on one before gesturing for them to make their exit.

"As soon as you connect to the network, you should be able to access Alola Transit to call yourself a ride flier. They can usually get here in a few minutes."

"Sounds good." Elio vaulted over the gunwale before turning around like he had before to help Lillie out. She dropped to the ground next to him. "Thank you chief."

"Anytime. Now you guys stay safe out here. Lots of wild pokemon can get riled up easy."

The teens waved as Marv fired up the engines and took the boat back out of sight, heading the way they had come from Poni Island.

"Wow." Lillie said, turning around to marvel at the new uninhabited island they were on. "It's so…natural?"

"I guess you could say that," Elio kidded with a grin. "Exeggutor Island, or Keokeo Island as it was called back in the day, apparently was used as an island trial site. Since then, it was a sacred site for ancient Alolans and you actually have to have special permission from an island kahuna to come here."

It's a good thing we were in the right place and right time with Hapu's own coronation.

"That must be why they call it the Forbidden Island too." Lillie whispered.

Neither of them spoke on that. While they weren't here uninvited, the fact that not every person was allowed to step on garnered a bit of respect that they had the privilege that only a few possessed.

Elio led the way into the jungle, letting Rotom Dex float in front to guide him the best it could. In a big contrast to the other islands where there were dirt paths clearing vegetation enough for someone to walk single file, there was no such thing here. The ground was covered in grass, saplings and thick roots of tree surrounding them. It quickly got unstable, slanting in odd angles that slowed their pace. Elio's shoes held up and to his surprise, Lillie was behind him matching his stride with the thick underbrush doing little to hinder her progress.

The heat intensified as they moved further inland. Overhanging palms seemed to trap the humidity as sunlight filtered through in piercing beams that reached the ground.

The abundant screeching and cries of pokemon was a little unnerving. Lillie felt a shiver despite the warmth when she saw shadows of a pair of spinarak vanishing into the brush after sensing the humans nearby.

Elio let out his own pokemon; Arclight and Strongside leading the way. Any other pokemon that approached or dared to challenge them were easily scared off by a large beetle radiating electricity and intimidating tiger.

"Kalua." Her hand gripped her alolan vulpix's ball and she tossed her out. "Can you help watch out for danger?"

The small white fox nuzzled her ankle and stuck to her side.

A few minutes of walking and they came across a small clearing where the trees had surrounded a patch of grass. Elio stopped and decided to skirt around it as the hill began to slope down. They had nearly reached the west side of the island where Lillie had suggested that the Moon Flute was located.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Exeggcute." Elio said, pushing his palm down as a gesture for her to lower her voice. "Whole field is full of them."

She felt a shiver come back. "Are they aggressive?"

"Not when they're alone, but in groups they can be a bit testy with intruders. They're also part psychic."

"Yezzzir!" Rotom Dex added. Elio quickly hit the volume button as to not disturb the pokemon. "My zcanz indicate that thizzz izzz one of the few placezzz in Alola where you can catch them! Exeggcute. Egg pokemon. The six eggs use telepathy to communicate with one another. Should one of the eggs be lost, a replacement will be present the next day. Exeggcute is a grass and psychic type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

"Is that why you've got those pokemon out?"

"More or less. I'm sure it's home to more than exeggcute or exeggutor, so I'm just covering my bases."

Strange how I haven't seen an exeggutor yet. Normally they live close to the nests.

"But they shouldn't bother us." Elio said that almost as if trying to convince himself the same thing.

They stuck to the edge of the clearing, keeping a few feet between the closest colonies of exeggcute and the thick underbrush of trees. A few eggs in each sextet they passed eyed the foreigners warily, but none made the move to approach. So far so good.

Lillie and Kalua brought up the rear as they passed by, once again following Elio as he used the Rotom Dex to guide them to the site.

"So the trial site should be right up ahead if I'm reading this right." The treeline started to become less dense and they could see the blue ocean on the other side. "One of two places the Moon Flute was said to be."

Though the beach was just ahead, the ground was still quite soft from a recent rainfall and the lack of sunlight from the tall trees overhead made it difficult to dry and harden into good walking surface. Elio was glad for the most part of them both having shoes with thick soles to prevent something sharp or thorny to puncture straight through to their feet. No dirt paths or anything was something he was not used to at all. It was just another reminder that people did not come here on a regular basis.

"Elio. Trainers can do anything they set their mind to when they have their pokemon right?"

"Of course. You put your mind to it and a goal. Your pokemon are gonna back you up."

"I'm…starting to see the appeal. My mother would disagree though."

She saw him stop and turn back to face her.

"And where is your mother now to tell you no?"

Lillie opened her mouth to reply, but stopped. Lusamine wasn't with them…or even somewhere on the planet. She was nowhere near to tell her no on anything. Not their efforts to rescue her, not having a pokemon by her side as an official trainer.

And most definitely not alone on a practically deserted island with an incredibly handsome boy who'd do anything to protect and keep her safe.

Bless his heart.

Still in her thoughts, Lillie was looking ahead to the ocean when she had heard Kalua a few paces behind her. The white vulpix had stopped next to a particularly large tree trunk and moved cautiously, looking up at where the tree narrowed and tapered above all the others to a diameter of the average palm.

Yet there was something most unusual about the tree. Lillie blinked, swearing that she had just seen the tree move. Kalua stared at it in curiosity, but kept a bit of a distance as if she knew something wasn't right.

"It's okay girl." She whispered, going next to the base of the trunk. "Just a regular tree. See?"

When she rapped her knuckles against the side, she hadn't expected it to make a wet smacking sound that was very much unlike a tree. Nor did she expect it to feel dry and scaly.

The "tree" creaked and she nearly jumped in fright as a pair of legs stretched from underneath, hidden between the main body and the soil.

Adrenaline spiked through her body as she stepped back with Kalua as the left leg of the thing stamped the ground where she had been a second ago. Clumps of loamy soil exploded in the air.

Through her fright, she thought back to what Elio might've done in this situation. He was a few steps away and still reacting, but Lillie just had a firsthand experience of seeing things unfold right before her.

She had to act.

"Kalua, powder snow!" The words left her mouth before she even realized she had issued a command to her pokemon.

The small vulpix jumped forward, blowing a long gust of air from her mouth that glistened into tiny crystals of ice that wafted right over the thing's main body.

Lillie was frozen in panic as it kept coming, raising another gigantic foot and stomping down at Kalua. The small fox watched the heel descending upon her, darting away at the last second.

Wait, I need to do something!

"Dodge…no…powder snow again! Freeze its leg to the ground!"

Kalua nodded, blowing another stream of icy particles that quickly gathered together. A chunk of ice began to rapidly climb up around the tree's leg and she heard it groan in protest at being stuck.

"Elioooooo!"

Elio had heard the commotion and immediately he was ready to jump into action. More so when he heard Lillie's panicked cry.

He blinked as he spun around to assess the situation. Lillie and Kalua had narrowly dodged a tree? Smartly, she had her pokemon blast it with powder snow to freeze its leg into the ground, but with the warm temperatures and its large strength…he knew it wouldn't last long.

"Elio!" Lillie stumbled towards him with Kalua on her heels.

He caught her as she nearly whizzed by him, wrapping his arms around her waist to stop her from falling over. She trembled slightly, still a bit frizzed by the sudden attack.

"The tree!"

"Hey," through the bit of panic she was having, he remained calm and collected. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she breathed. "Kalua is too."

"Since when do trees attack?"

"That'zzzz becauzzze it izzz not a tree! Bzzt!" Rotom Dex chirped, flying in front of the teens. "It'zzz a new pokemon we get to add to our databazzzze! And it izzzz the namezzzake of thizzz island!"

The screen shifted. "Exeggutor. Coconut pokemon. Alolan subspecies. This pokemon's psychic powers aren't as powerful as they once were. The head on the tail of this exeggutor scans its surroundings with weak telepathy. Alolan exeggutor is a grass and-"

"Strongside! Darkest lariat!" Elio shouted. The exeggutor trunk had freed itself from Kalua's ice trap and lumbered towards them, its gait now a lot less docile than before.

Elio's starter pokemon lunged out from his spot in the jungle, spinning with his hammerlike arms wreathed in dark energy. He struck the large body, causing the creature to stagger slightly, but it didn't fall.

Damn, that dark type attack didn't seem to do that much damage. Isn't it half psychic?

Then Elio noticed a shadow above the other trees. For a second he thought it was Arclight or a bird pokemon flying above, but the movement mirrored the pace of the exeggutor as it moved towards them.

That's its head?

The "head" swung back and snapped forward with surprising speed for something of its size. Strongside saw it coming and jumped, but he was just a hair too slow. Elio saw the neck of the creature far thinner than its lower chubby trunk body, but it was nearly five times the size of an exeggutor he was used to seeing in the tropical parts of Kanto.

"That's an exeggutor?!" He cried out. "This thing like a totem pokemon?! I've never seen one that big before! Or like that!"

Strongside dodged a stomp as Lillie commanded Kalua to blow another powder snow in hopes of slowing it down.

She's learning fast. Plus that tricking it to stomp and freezing it stuck was actually a pretty smart move. He had to admit that it was something he would've done. Lillie was catching on how to properly battle.

The incineroar covered himself in yellow fire, preparing to deliver a flame charge when Elio held up his hand.

"Wait! Let's not burn the entire jungle down."

They could lure it to the beach where fighting it would be easier, but at the same time he didn't want to cause more destruction to the island than he had to. Having to answer questions as to why a clearing of trees was felled while exploring an otherwise forbidden island was something he didn't particularly want to do.

He initially thought that it would give up its pursuit as they continued to back towards the beach, but the gigantic creature kept coming, the long neck protecting the three heads at the very top from getting scraped by the branches of the other plants.

Arclight joined the battle, her shell glowing as she unleashed a discharge. The exeggutor's grass typing resisted the attack and it only seemed to enrage it further. The long neck leaned back and it snapped forward with that same incredible force. Luckily, she was a nimble flier and dodged the hammer strike with ease.

The next part completely caught him off guard. As the neck curved to allow the three heads to stand erect again, they all opened their mouth to unleash a jet of flame. Arclight was caught in the middle of it and crashed to the ground, suffering quite a bit of damage from the super effective attack. The exeggutor's body glowed as a quartet of tendrils lanced out from its lower body, but Strongside had jumped to intervene and slammed his two feet into the side in a double kick, causing the giga drain to miss a motionless Arclight.

Hold on this thing knows flamethrower?! "Rotom, what type is an alolan exeggutor?"

"I already told you! Bzzt!"

"Rotom!"

"If you had lizzztened inzzztead of jumping the gun!" Elio was keenly aware of Strongside serving as the main distraction, jumping out of the way as it tried to crush him with its long neck.

That whipping to hammer gave him an idea. He just needed to bait it into using that attack again.

"Alolan exeggutor is a grass and dragon type! Would it kill you to lizzzten to your annoying pokedex for once?"

"I listen to you all the damn time and…ugh." Elio grumbled something under his breath while refocusing back on their hostile. "Nevermind. That's why fire and psychic attacks didn't do as much good."

"What do we do?" Lillie asked him. He could see that her stance was not unlike his, slightly crouched and laser focused on the battle. She was more of a trainer than she had thought herself. "It doesn't seem like it was just upset with us walking into its territory."

"That attack it does." Elio scanned it once again with Rotom Dex. "It's called dragon hammer. Does a lot of damage, but it has to wind up to do it. Plus using it repeatedly can make it imbalanced and disoriented. We can knock it flat on its back if we time things right."

"Okay. So what do we do?"

"We're gonna hit it and move off to where it has to come after us with dragon hammer. When it leans its neck and head back to deliver the blow, I want you and Kalua to ice the area behind it." He flashed her a smile that made her heart skip a beat. "We will take care of the rest."

"Okay." She repeated, both trusting and liking his plan. We can do this.

"Alright Strongside, let's try that new move we worked on! Taunt it!"

There wasn't a more perfect move for it either. The heel pokemon flexed his large arms and snarled threateningly. It had gotten the exeggutor's attention just as Arclight began to pick herself up and regain flight, hovering just above the grass.

Lillie tensed, wondering if it was going to use that dragon hammer attack.

The effects of the taunt kicked in and the exeggutor had fallen straight for it. Arclight shifted backwards and up to make herself a more attractive target as well as a better position to attack.

The exeggutor's head lashed back, ready to deliver another dragon hammer strike.

Now!

Now!

"Kalua, powder snow behind it!"

"Arclight, you know what to do! Strongside, double kick on its legs!"

The three pokemon jumped into action. Kalua had jumped to their left, flanking and spraying a wide arc of powder snow that slicked the moist ground. At the same time, Arclight quickly charged up and fired a zap cannon that paralyzed and caused the creature's movements to become sluggish.

Strongside had waited just long enough for it to be afflicted by the paralysis and for Kalua to finish icing the back before he attacked. He knew what his trainer had in mind and wanted everything to be in place for him to deliver the final blow.

He sprung out as soon as Kalua had finished her job, circling to angle so that the exeggutor would fall back to the ice sheet that was laid out. One kick to the leg didn't do much and it seemed to only anger the creature. The second kick however was enough to cause it to buckle and stagger back from the dizziness of trying to use the dragon hammer again.

The uneven distribution of weight forced it to shift its weight and as the leg lifted and stepped backwards on the thin ice sheet, the slippery surface gave way. Strongside used his arms to prop himself and deliver a second double kick to its leg still rooted to the ground.

Elio and Lillie heard the exeggutor groan in protest as the large trunk body crashed to the ground on its back with a loud thudding noise. The neck struck the ground again, felling branches off nearby actual trees and throwing up a cloud of dust. They held their breath, seeing if it was going to get back up and finally let it out in relief when it was clear it had been knocked out.

"That was close." Elio said after a few seconds of silence aside from the usual ambiance of the jungle. "I…I had no idea they could get that big. Or the fact they were dragon type too."

Out of the different forms in Alola I've seen these pokemon, that had to be the most surprising.

"H-how did I do?" Lillie asked, still shaking from a mixture of fright and the exhilarating feeling of their battle.

"Really good. You kept your calm."

"Really?"

"Yeah. If I just met you, I would never have believed you were made a trainer just days ago."

Lillie fought the blush on her face. Coming from him, she knew that the compliment was genuine and he meant every single word.

Their eyes met and she instinctively stepped closer.

Elio blinked, breaking the gaze. "We should probably get to looking for the flute and leave this part before it wakes up and demands we do a second round."

Right.

It took them another ten minutes of precariously walking through the dense jungle when they reached the area that Lillie had marked. A small gap parted the treeline and Elio thought he had seen two identical tree stumps, but as they got closer he could see nearly faded bright colors. This was one of those gates to an island trial.

"I'm afraid I don't see any flute." Elio said.

What, do you expect a flute to be laying perfectly somewhere on the ground or something?

"Maybe the other spot?"

"Or what, a puzzle? Like step on some part of the ground to reveal a hidden chamber?"

Elio blinked and suddenly realized the sky had begun to rapidly darken. He glanced up, seeing navy blue clouds heading their way.

Oh you know what that means.

Before he could say anything about it, they heard a splat of a large drop of water hitting the ground.

"Oh, it's starting to rain." Lillie said, a matter of factly.

We better hurry, otherwise we're gonna get soaked. Elio quickly returned his pokemon and made for the trees again. While it wouldn't completely block off the rainfall, the overhanging branches and leaves could catch at least some of it.

Lillie recalled Kalua and ran after him as the downpour began to intensify. Water sluiced down the tree trunks, quickly cutting runnels in the ground and turning it into sticky mud. Visibility cut quickly, obscured to just a few meters.

Holy hell, this shower just came out of nowhere!

"Stay close and keep up!" Elio shouted. Lillie kept behind him as they made their way around trees, trying not to flinch as water sputtered all around them. They were still in the open and the volume was enough that he began to feel some of it soaking through his 'Canes cap. Their clothes would definitely need to be wrung out in the dryer when they were done.

"How much rain is gonna come down?" Lillie asked, looking up to the heavens. The clouds hadn't changed in color, so she had to guess it had much more to give.

Oh how this brings back memories. But this time, we don't have a shelter to go back into an-

"I see a cave over there!" Elio locked onto something and pointed in the direction of a rocky wall. She squinted and saw that there was an arching lip that would be large enough for the two of them to at least sit out the squall until it passed or lightened up.

"Go!" He nearly shoved her as they dashed towards it. Big gnarly roots threatened to trip them up and almost did to her, but Elio's arm lashed out, grabbing the hoodie on her jacket to keep her on balance. Their boots made a squishing noise as the mud began to oversaturate.

Lillie reached the cave first, backing up to the far wall as Elio joined her in the small space.

The teens breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly aware that the "cave" or whatever it could be called was a claustrophobic cavity in the side of the rock wall that was no bigger than the closet they had hid in Professor Kukui's lab when her mother's tracker Kaiser had tried to locate her there. Elio was staring outside at the downpour as he began to catch his breath and her eyes automatically drifted to his diaphragm as it visibly expanded and contracted with his labored breathing. His shirt was stuck to his chest from getting hit with rainwater.

I've seen him shirtless before and somehow…I feel like it would be something else if I saw him shirtless like this!

"Rain in Alola?" Lillie reached up to wipe her face as more droplets of rainwater fell down her cheeks. Her hair was also soaked, clumped together to the point where she squeezed a lock and let the excess drip down her fingers.

Between the two of them, she was the one less wet. Elio shivered despite the warmth, feeling that dampness in his shirt, shorts and hat.

At least the insides of their boots and socks were dry, which he considered the most important. The soles however fared worse, being caked with light brown dirt and mud that they'd most likely have to use a hose to clean off.

Or more water when it's all dried up.

"My skirt got a bit wet." Lillie sighed.

It got…wet. Elio's mind wandered to a spot it shouldn't have before he snapped out of his daydream and banished the thought. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah. Just a little cold."

"Take off your jacket. It's quite wet too." The words were out of his mouth before he realized what exactly he said.

Lillie didn't seem to catch onto what he said since she shrugged out of it seconds later. Elio got a glimpse of her arms and her well trimmed figure. He knew she wasn't hitting the gym as much, but he could see that she was growing into an incredibly attractive woman.

His arm reached over until it rested on her back and she visibly relaxed.

"Feel better?"

"A little cold." She smiled at him. "But I'm sure once the rain stops, it won't be so bad. That adventure sure was something."

Oh she means the exeggutor.

"You did really well in that battle. Especially since neither of us was expecting it."

"Not expecting exeggutor to grow that big?" She asked, causing them both to burst out in laughter. Elio felt himself even more at ease. "I think all that weather makes it grow a bit more vigorously than I'd prefer."

"That, plus it being part dragon type. I didn't want the entire place down with Strongside, but I guess it was helpful to know that fire moves wouldn't have been as strong as they are normally."

"But you improvised it." Lillie pointed out. "You didn't expect that, plus you have your pokemon here to help you."

"And now you do too. I'm not the only trainer here."

It was out of habit that she would tell him that she was no trainer and she couldn't envision herself as one. For so long, she had always abhorred pokemon battles, seeing their roughness and deliberate of causing pain to be just another constant to suffering. Some of it was true, some pokemon had to fight for survival in the wild, others were forced to fight against their will by trainers who had less ethical motivations.

Then there were other trainers, who continued to love and support the pokemon they had with them as partners and friends.

Her hand gripped Kalua's poke ball and she felt as if the creature inside was agreeing with Elio. She was her partner now as a trainer.

They settled into a comfortable silence. Elio kept an arm around her back, using his hand to rub her skin. She felt a welcoming warmth and had stopped shivering. The rain continued to pour outside and Elio found the sound of the drops falling to be incredibly soothing.

It feels so nice to cozy up on a rainy night.

"Looking out at rain like this," Lillie started. "It reminds me of a time when I was little. Really young and little. I saw it in a movie, this man singing and dancing in the rain. He looked so happy…so carefree."

Elio tried to remember a movie that had that scene. It was familiar, but he couldn't pick out the name of it or even the actor.

"I was so captivated by how happy he was that I had to try it for myself."

He stifled a laugh. "You ran out into a rainstorm to sing and dance?"

She gave him a tender smile and again, he found himself staring into her green eyes. "Without any rain jacket or boots."

She laughed lightly, fondly reminiscing about it. Elio had to guess that it was one she treasured greatly.

"My mother…she spotted me out in the rain and was so shocked, she ran right after me without bothering to get an umbrella or a coat."

Hearing Lusamine as an actual mom had caught him off guard. The only interactions he had with her were either cryptic or unpleasant. But Lillie still loved her mother and was willing to forgive her…to make her see reason. He felt a pang of sorrow, knowing that Lillie was like him in having parents change to abuse their children.

That's not happening if I ever have a kid.

If anything, it caused him to gently ease himself next to her so that she could lean on him. Her head tucked itself on his shoulder, just like how they had slept in the same bed the previous night.

"She scolded me in the front courtyard…where I showed you my new outfit. Mother was angry that I was out there, saying that I'd get sick. But then she realized I was happy, jumping in the puddles, splashing around and singing happily to myself." Her voice trailed down to a whisper. "I don't even remember the song, something about white flags, but not surrendering."

"Kinda ironic." Elio quipped.

Another stifled laugh from the both of them.

How is Elio able to be so supportive and funny in a time like this? Memory lane.

"Instead of demanding I go back inside…my mother, she sang along with me. We laughed, we sang some more and we danced in the rain." She smiled again, but couldn't feel a bit of sadness at a memory long gone. "Of course we ended up catching a cold. She let me sleep next to her in her bed. I kept waking her up, trying to remind myself it wasn't a dream."

Or how she always told me to never give up or let anyone change my smile or happiness.

"Then she changed. Once my father disappeared, all she could think about was those beasts, Null and Nebby. They…they suffered so much and I couldn't do anything."

"But you did." Elio corrected her. "Both you and Gladion took Nebby and Null from their prisons and gave them a life that's far better than being a lab rattata in whatever your mother had in mind. Though we don't know what happened with Nebby, you showed it all of Alola when it was out of your bag and running around like a kid living its best life. And Gladion demonstrated that the way Null had been being treated was wrong and like the both of you, you're not just objects to be thrown aside when you've lost your value, so to speak."

Lillie couldn't believe how he again had spun it around again to show that she hadn't been completely helpless. In fact, as if she had done so much more.

"I…I don't know about that."

"Okay, now I think you're being a little modest." Elio kidded. "Seriously Lillie, give yourself some credit. You've done a lot more than you think. If it weren't for you, Nebby would still be in that lab, suffering who knows what."

His tone turned more serious. "Thanks to you, it delayed your mother's plot to unleash these beasts all over Alola…but it also bought Gladion enough time to get stronger and unlock Null's secret." She opened her mouth, but he wasn't done and gently placed a finger on her lips.

"And he got the allies he needed to confront her and at least try to make her see reason with the best effort he could. Who knows how much worse this would have been if you hadn't stolen Nebby from the Foundation?"

"But we failed."

"Have we?"

No. We haven't.

"I don't like to be the bearer of bad news though." He put his arms on top of hers and looked her in the eye. "But…if we succeed in this and finally get to Ultra Space to find both your mother and Guzma. I…I don't think she's going to come willingly."

Lillie's gaze turned steely. "I have to try. I have to see her."

She bit her lip and a worrying thought flickered across her face. "You're not going to come…are you?"

"No it's not that. But if she doesn't want to leave Ultra Space, we can't force her. And what if we make her even more angry and resentful that she burns Alola to the ground to try and come after us?"

Lillie was silent for a few moments. When she spoke again, he could barely hear her over the pattering rain that continued to fall down.

"I thought about running away even from Alola."

A tear glistened in her eye as she faced him. "Before I met you. I told Professor Kukui that my mother wouldn't stop trying to find me, so I said I needed to go somewhere. Somewhere far away. Maybe like Kalos or Paldea. My mother's favorite beverage comes from there, called sangria."

I actually have always wanted to go there. The food is like no other.

"I thought that maybe if I went somewhere to a place where my problems couldn't ever reach me, maybe they'd stop. I guess I thought a lot like Gladion when he stole Null."

Elio could see the similarities.

"But you know what Elio?" Her eyes softened as she brushed away the tears. "Every time I've ever thought that something couldn't be done; you came along and proved me wrong. Proved that I can do things and I can believe in myself right from the start where we met on Mahalo Trail."

"I believe in you too."

"Nebby was being attacked and all I could do was look on in horror. At Aether Paradise, all I could do was wait for you, Gladion and Hau to come find me. The first time was…crazy. I had almost thought you were an answer from the tapu for my plea for help."

Elio gave her a dreamy look. "Somehow I don't think that's as coincidental as you might."

"You were always there for me."

Elio's mind wandered to the scar that ached on his shoulder. Lillie's safety and well-being paid for in blood. Either through that decision or some other intervention, she had been spared and he was sure to have lost any sense of reasoning if Lusamine laid a finger on her own daughter like she did him.

The weird part? I'd do it again if it meant protecting her. Gladion told me to take care of her, which I'll do with my life.

"I'm so sorry for you too," Lillie said. "About how your own happiness and your mother's was taken away by your father. You've talked about him so much like he was a good man."

"He was. Once." Unlike her mother, Elio didn't really feel like talking about his own absent parent. But with Lillie, somehow he felt compelled to for someone that understood him. Someone he trusted.

"You never told me how he…became how he did."

It was Elio's turn to be silent. Could I really recall what made my dad snap? Was it that property? I was so young and didn't understand what was going on.

"Hey," Lillie squeezed his hand in support. "If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay."

No. It's only fair I do since you've told me about your mother. She seemed like such a good person and a loving parent before things changed. Now we're just moving on because we have to. When we have nobody except each other.

"My dad got reprimanded one time by my grandfather, the station's chief. I forget what caused the fire, but by the time my dad's engine got to the residential building, it was already engulfed in huge flames. The night sky was already choked thick with smoke, big enough that my mother and I could see it from our house."

I even remember asking Mom if Dad was there and if he was going to be okay.

"He was one of the first people inside, many were trapped because the flames had spread quickly on the lower levels and climbing up. He got assigned to the higher ones, where the fire was at its worst. There was one point where he had to go through a power station that had been knocked out. Wires were still live and he was forced to put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes having to step in a spot that had a width of four inches, all with the ninety pounds of gear strapped on him. He could literally feel a tingling sensation of electricity as he went past."

Lillie nodded, not wanting to imagine how difficult that might've been for him. "So how did he get them out?"

Sun took a deep breath and it was all she needed to know for the answer.

"He didn't."

"And your father blames himself?"

"Maybe. He was angry that my grandfather had went in himself and had to restrain him after the fire was starting to rage out of their control. It had gotten to the point where he was going to risk his life for people who were either already dead or close to it. He fought my grandfather, he fought my mom even after she had said that she was proud of him and did the right thing. He was angry at everyone, which is where I think that alcoholism started."

He sighed, staring out in the rain.

"But I think he was most angry with himself. Not being there in time to save the people he couldn't instead of being relieved of the people he did."

"That's horrible." Lillie wrapped her arms around him and leaned into his body in a gentle hug. "Elio, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to dredge up all those painful memories."

"It's fine. I still lov-trust you."

Lillie nodded at him. "You mind if I ask you something?"

"Uh sure?" You don't exactly need permission.

"What um…are you going to do once you finish your island challenge?"

Truth be told that wasn't the question he had anticipated being asked.

She was right nonetheless. Elio hadn't the foggiest idea of anything he would set out to accomplish once his trainer passport had the final island seal stamped in the empty spot. He'd probably get some award for finishing all the trials and grand trials, maybe have a celebration of the islands' rite of passage and be henceforth regarded as an adult.

And then what?

The question lingered on his mind when he realized that the lofty goal he had set for himself was all but within reach. He was pretty sure his status as a powerful pokemon trainer was coming into focus. He had made three close friends in Hau, Leilani and Lillie. The crazy part of it all was that when he wasn't being a dickhead, Gladion being added to that group was a distant possibility.

What else was there for him to do once he achieved his long term goal?

College? Apply to Melemele State University to get a degree? The official Pokemon League of Alola was still under construction and yet to be founded by Professor Kukui. But he couldn't just go through all this, finish and then sit at home playing video games. As fun as they were; his mother certainly didn't want him to do that and he knew for a fact that not only was it something he couldn't do…it was something he didn't want to do. He'd probably drive himself stir crazy now that he had gone out and become a trainer.

There is one thing I can always work towards though. I want to give back…I wanted to be like my dad and help those people who've struggled in life, whether it's that they've been dealt a bad hand like Team Skull or those people who made those wrong choices and seek to redeem themselves.

"I don't know." He finally said, feeling as if the few seconds that elapsed since she had asked lasted for minutes. "Kind of hard to hear myself say that since I've always wanted those lofty goals of being a really strong and famous pokemon trainer or being a really good basketball player. The latter didn't work out, but honestly how everything has turned out, I feel grateful that it gave me this opportunity."

"Huh…so even someone like you isn't always sure." Lillie's hand went up to her damp hair, twirling a lock with her finger. He found that incredibly endearing. "I guess it makes me feel less bad about myself for not thinking of what lies ahead."

"You had other things to think about. Staying hidden, seeing if your broken family could be repaired. Things might not have gone exactly as it did to plan, but you most certainly didn't sit around and mope about your situation."

"Yeah that's true. I have you to thank for that. That's what I really admire about you Elio, how you're so optimistic…so funny and just an amazing person. You…you're the best thing to happen in my life."

I…wow. Wow that really means a lot.

Elio said nothing, but instead drew her closer, letting her lean into him.

"Elio…I'd like to be a trainer that…travels everywhere together with you too. Learn the things you learned."

"I'd love that."

Though the rain began to fade, Elio wasn't sure of what took over him as they stared into each others eyes, breathing beginning to increase. At once, their heads leaned closer. It had felt like they had the exact same thought.

Lillie's next words died on her lips as Elio closed the distance, just inches apart to press his own firmly against hers.

Her mind went blank and though she wanted to widen her own eyes in surprise, they had slid shut. The heart suddenly pumped into overdrive as a fair amount of heat was drawn to her face. She had reached up to cup the side of Elio's cheek as he drew her closer.

The kiss was rough, unpracticed; typical of them who had never done it before. Elio was suddenly worried that he had done the wrong thing until he felt her relax as she started to kiss him back.

I'm being kissed…by Elio…by Elio of all people.

Like him mulling his answer on her earlier question, their brief interlude had felt like minutes and only lasted a few seconds. It felt wrong forcibly kissing the most beautiful girl he had met, inside and outside without any prior consent. Worse, he felt that his own impulsiveness could've spelled doom to their friendship. What if she didn't feel the same way about him?

But the damage was done. A vibrant velvet flame that seemed to ignite within that yearned for more of her. The wrongness of it in his mind was beginning to get overruled by how much he wanted her. How much he loved her.

"I'm sorry," he had gasped when they had parted to stare at one another again. Both of them were panting as if having done a sprint race. "I shouldn't have done that."

Lillie could only stare at him. He had kissed her. Her very first.

I've always wondered when I'd get my first kiss…and it was from Elio. I…I've always wondered how good of a kisser he was…and it felt magical. It felt like I found something meaningful and happy after searching for so long.

It felt like…love.

"Was…was that your first?" She couldn't help but ask.

Through his stunned silence, Elio could only muster a slight nod of his head through his lovestruck stupor. Perhaps he was a little surprised at himself for what he had done.

"It was mine too." Strangely, I don't think I would have wanted it to be anyone else either.

"I'm so sorry Lillie, I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that."

"It's…okay." She reassured him. Her hand cupped his cheek. "I've always wondered what and how I'd have my first kiss." Her light giggle of excitement seemed to break the small bit of tension and it lifted his spirits. "Now I know."

I guess that's true. We're not kissless virgins anymore.

"I won't let you go." He whispered.

They had been so preoccupied with each other that neither had noticed the rain had subsided and the clouds moved off, casting a slight orange tint in the blue sky. The sun had begun to set.

Elio checked the clock, they had been in the cave for almost an hour.

"Oh, it's stopped raining!" Lillie left his side and ran out to see the sunset, the awkwardness of the kiss all but forgotten. Elio saw the dusky sky giving off a beautiful glow, illuminating the girl with him.

He felt that same undeniable urge to grab her and kiss her again. He wanted to so bad.

We can't. Not now. Her mother is still in trouble. I still have a grand trial to finish.

"Maybe there are really good omens sometimes! Wouldn't you say?"

Elio wasn't sure if she meant the gorgeous sunset or the kiss they shared.

He started after her.

"The next spot is at the island's highest point." They could see it just on the opposite end of the cave, looking directly behind them. There was just enough of the treeline back for them to see something at the top. Judging by how slow they had egressed through the thick jungle, it would take them at least ninety minutes to reach the point.

Elio had another idea.

Bravo stretched his wings as he craned his neck down to greet his trainer and companion. Elio stroked his beak and feather bonnet.

"Hey Bravo. Uh, I'd like to maybe try and see if we can fly somewhere. Get there quick."

His pokemon seemed to already know what he was asking, bending his powerful legs low enough to allow them on. Elio jumped up, grabbing a spot on Bravo's back that let him straddle the big eagle right at the center of his wings.

Okay, maybe when I get more money I'm gonna make a saddle so that flying on his back isn't so dangerous.

He reached down and helped Lillie up, letting her sit behind him.

"Hold on tight."

She felt a sudden rush of wind as Bravo flapped his great wings and took to the sky. Elio leaned forward and she had kept her arms firmly wrapped around his waist.

Thank goodness he can't see me blushing like crazy.

Elio marveled at how the Exeggutor Island looked from the sky, how much more he could see above. The tall trees, streams and grasslands that dominated an otherwise untouched place by man. One clearing between them and the hill they were headed towards had dozens of those tall long necked alolan exeggutors. Unlike the one they encountered, the group paid them no attention as they passed by above. He noted that if they opted to hike through, they would have had to pass through that clearing.

"This is amazing Elio." Lillie said, her voice barely above a whisper above the noise of the winds. "I'm so glad that…that I got to see something like this with you."

He had to agree. He was still exploring Alola, but it was always said that even longtime residents of the islands could walk the trails or other parts a hundred times and still see hundreds of new things they've never seen before.

Kanto has nothing like this. Nothing.

The boy tapped Bravo's neck and pointed to the top of the hill. As the eagle started to lower in altitude, he could see that the dark object at the edge looked just like the pedestals he had seen from Mina's trial.

They did say that the island used to be a former trial site. Maybe that's the actual old trial grounds.

Bravo swooped down, extending his legs to gently touch down with a slight jolt. Elio felt like he was in an airplane landing. He quickly dismounted, helping Lillie off as they approached the shrine with what little light from the sunset they had left.

Lillie's heart surged with optimistic hope as she spotted the smooth jade surface of a bluish gray flute placed in the middle of the pedestal. A crescent moon was carved in the middle.

With the Moon Flute in hand, the teens took to the sky and headed back to Poni Island on Bravo's back. He flew fifty feet above the waves, eventually catching a tailwind that let him stop flapping and stretch them out for a smooth glide. That night with the twinkling stars and the full moon in the sky was soothing enough to nearly lull him to sleep.

Lillie's arms were still wrapped around his waist as she gazed in awe at the night.

"This is so amazing." She whispered. "I could get used to this."

We're in this together.

"Hey Elio," she leaned on his shoulder, resting her head on top to look over at the front. "I just want you to know that…I'm glad that was you as my first. I didn't want it to be anyone else but you."

Hearing her saying that all but melted his own heart. His own pursuit of happiness, romance, intimacy and success were suddenly attainable with a person who cared so dearly for him. Just as much as he did for her.

"Me too." He whispered back. "Me too."

They stayed in silence for the remainder of the flight back, enjoying the stargazing…and each others' company.

Was this love?

Because it damn sure feels like it.

And that does it for this chapter! Again, sorry for the wait, but I hope this shipping goodness was enough to make up for it! I'd say a first kiss is quite the big milestone for them, 81 chapters into the story to finally happen.

As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose. I'll see you the next time.

Brav