Chapter 34: Return to Alola
"What? Are you serious?"
"I am. You guys have been doing a lot of great work, and you deserve a break."
Ash and Goh pumped their fists excitedly. Finally, a vacation!
"Alright! Thanks Professor!"
"Hey Chloe, your school is on break this week too, right? Why don't you come with us?"
Chloe shook her head, putting her notebook down.
"Thanks for the offer Lillie, but I've already signed up for a field trip to Hoenn next week. You guys have fun though."
The three research associates nodded and headed to their rooms to pack.
"So where should we go for our vacation?"
"How about Alola? It's been ages since we've left, and I'd love to see everyone again."
"You know, I'd love to see my family again. And it'd be nice to catch up with Burnett and Kukui."
"And I can't wait to catch some Alola Pokemon!"
So with their vacation destination decided, the three of them left to go pack.
The next day at noon, the trio exited Hau'oli airport and into Alola proper. Goh was bursting at the seams to catch some new Pokemon, but Ash and Lillie dragged him off to Route 1's beach.
"Hey, what gives? Why are we outside some random hut?"
"This is the regional Professor's lab. We wanted to check in on him and his wife."
"How do you know them? I'd think they'd be a little too busy with their work for some random strangers."
Ash ignored his question, and instead rang the doorbell.
"Coming!"
After a minute of things banging around inside, the door opened to reveal Professor Burnett, who gasped and immediately pulled Ash into a hug.
"Oh my, this is a surprise! Ash, Lillie, it's been far too long!"
"It's great to see you too, Burnett!"
"Is Professor Kukui home?"
"Oh, he'll be home shortly. You know him, always has to examine Pokemon Moves in person."
Burnett and Lillie exchanged a quick hug as well. Then the Professor's eyes turned to Goh.
"So, you must be this Goh person they've been telling me about."
"Hi, Professor Burnett. Uh, you don't need to hug me, I'm good."
But she did it anyway, causing Ash and Lillie to laugh as his face went red. After she let him go, she led them into the living room. Lei was on the floor playing with his blocks, and clapped happily when he saw Ash and Lillie. Ash smiled, and picked him up, bouncing him lightly.
"Hey there, little bro. Did you miss me?"
Lei giggled happily, making Ash smile while he handed him off to Lillie so she could have a turn. Professor Burnett soon came in, handing them all cups of tea.
"How's life here?"
"Oh, same as usual. I've started working from home so that I can take care of this little rascal. Other than that, life has been pretty uneventful."
"Honey, I'm home!"
Just then, Professor Kukui stepped into the house, his eyes going wide when he saw who had joined them.
"Well, I'll be a Passimian's uncle! Long time no see, guys! And is this the Goh I've heard so much about?"
"Nice to meet you, Professor."
"Zzzzt, is that Ash I here?"
Flying around the corner was Rotomdex, who had accompanied the two of them during their last trip through Alola.
"Rotom, how's it going buddy!"
"Itzzz great, Ash! Kukui and I have been doing lots of research on Pokemon, and the data I've gathered is astounding!"
After a heartfelt reunion, Professor Kukui joined everyone at the table.
"So Ash, have you been up to anything new lately!"
"Yeah, I've joined the Pokemon World Coronation Series!"
"Really? Fought any strong trainers?"
"Tons! But my Pokemon and I will take on anyone, isn't that right buddy?"
"Pika Pika!"
Burnett and Kukui chuckled. Good old Ash.
"Well, you guys are welcome to stay here while you're in Alola. What do you guys plan on doing while you're here?"
"I plan on catching some Pokemon! The more I catch, the closer I get to Mew!"
"I just want to head over to Aether Paradise and see my family. It's been too long since I've seen them."
Ash, however, stood up, eager for adventure.
"I'm going to see if I can find some World Coronation Series competitors to battle! The more I win, the higher my rank climbs!"
Lillie and Goh rolled their eyes, while Burnett and Kukui laughed. Even when he was on vacation, battling was always on his mind.
"Well, don't let us hold you back! Go out there and show the world what the Alola champion can really do!"
"You know it! Come on guys!"
And Ash bolted out the door, making Lillie chuckle.
"He never changes. I'll talk to you guys later!"
"Have fun!"
The trio were back out on the trail to Hau'oli City. Ash had his Rotomphone out, searching for new challenges. His Rotomdex, curious about his next technology, eyed it curiously.
"A Rotomphone? I didn't know I was compatible with smartphones!"
"Yep! And not only can I use him to find challengers for the World Coronation Series, but he also serves as a Pokedex!"
"You mean I've been replaced? Discarded like last year's model? Obsolete?"
Ash smiled, and patted his former Pokedex on the head.
"Nonsense, nobody could ever replace you! Besides, this thing has nowhere near as much personality as you do."
Content, Rotomdex returned to being silent while Ash returned to searching for an opponent.
"Let's see, who to challenge ne-Hey!"
"What is it, Ash?"
"Look who's competing!"
Curiously, Lillie peaked at Ash's phone to find their old friend Ilima ranked 765th.
"Hey, Ilima's competing too!"
"Who's Ilima?"
"He traveled with us during our last journey. Its been a while since we've talked to him."
"Looks like I've already found my next opponent!"
"Wait, Ash! Didn't he tell us that he'd taken up a position teaching at the Pokemon School?"
Ash stopped, and checked his watch.
"Yeah, you're right. They should be wrapping up, though. Tell you what, if he's busy we'll go look somewhere else. Deal?"
Seeing that Ash wasn't going to give up, Lillie and Goh just shrugged in defeat.
"Alright, I guess it couldn't hurt."
"Fine, but afterwards I want to find some Alola Pokemon!"
"Deal! Come on, it should be just outside the city."
And Ash sprinted off towards the Pokemon school, Pikachu and Riolu running after him with equal excitement. Goh and Lillie just shook their heads and strolled along.
"He never changes, does he?"
"He wouldn't be Ash if he did."