League Calendar Year 798, November 30th
It was still winter in Paldea, but Alola was… summer?
Either way, it was pretty hot.
Regardless of the season, today was the last day of Lucas's scheduled week-long, tropical island vacation in Alola.
During the past two days, he visited almost all the famous spots in Alola, and also bought plenty of souvenirs to distribute among the Pokémon on his Farm when he returned home.
After waking up naturally and getting out of bed in the morning, Lucas began to sort through everything he had gained during his trip to the Alola region.
First, spread out in a neat row on the table, were the multicolored, diamond-shaped crystals.
In addition to the Mimikium Z, Grassium Z, and Groundium Z that he obtained during his previous trip to Alola, this seven-day excursion had also added several new Z-Crystals of various types.
Like the Normalium Z given by Tapu Lele, the Waterium Z and Fairium Z from Tapu Fini.
Lucas's gaze shifted out the villa window, settling on the shiny, alternate-colored Zygarde Core lounging on the swing and sunbathing.
There was also the Dragonium Z granted by this guardian of order—whom last night Lucas nearly couldn't resist tossing away as bait.
And finally—
Lucas's eyes fell on the table, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
Tapu Koko must really be addicted to battling. Came by in the morning, came again at night, and sometimes even visited at noon.
No matter how many times it lost, it challenged again and again.
Directly showering him with a big pile of Z-Crystals, it was like receiving gifts from the god of fortune himself.
Counting carefully, except for the missing Poisonium Z, the Z-Crystals for the other seventeen types were all here—plus a Decidium Z and an extra Waterium Z.
Who knows where Tapu Koko got all these Z-Crystals. Its little hands weren't exactly clean; perhaps it "borrowed" them from the island kahunas or Totem Pokémon.
Completely ridiculous.
As for the Decidium Z, he wouldn't be able to use it himself. Lucas originally wanted to contact Kukui to see if he could help trade it for a Primarium Z, to prepare for Popplio—who was still a long way from evolving.
But Tapu Fini said she could convert the spare Waterium Z into a Primarium Z.
Coincidentally, Lucas remembered his top disciple, Nemona, had a Decidueye she caught at Blueberry Academy.
Once she finishes her challenge at the Battle Frontier, he'd consider giving her the Decidium Z as a reward; this thought made Lucas give up contacting Kukui.
Of course, just because he didn't seek out Kukui didn't mean Kukui wouldn't track him down.
Once Lucas had packed away the Z-Crystals into the little box he bought at the Melemele Island market, and stuffed it into his satchel, his cracked phone on the table suddenly started buzzing—it looked like someone was calling.
He picked up the call, which displayed "Kukui."
After listening to Kukui's excited barrage of words through the receiver, Lucas pulled a strange face and said, "Just come if you want. I'm in the last cabin of the villa area on Akala Island."
He heard just one phrase—"Okay, I'll be right there"—before Kukui hung up, prompting Lucas to sigh.
"It's just a few research papers, no need to be so excited..."
Although he was already packing, Lucas had Oranguru prepare a few things for hosting guests.
Not long after he finished sorting and categorizing everything into his capacious space backpack, Kukui appeared outside the house.
Once again, he'd grabbed hold of Braviary's leg and flown all the way from Melemele Island to Akala—what an astonishing display of arm strength, and of not learning from past scars.
Apparently, he'd completely forgotten how he'd nearly been lost at sea just over six months ago.
The moment Kukui landed, the Zygarde Core lounging on the swing instantly vanished, and after nodding at Oranguru—who had come to greet him at the door—Kukui hurried inside.
"Alola, Lucas."
Kukui was about to say something when Lucas interrupted, instructing, "Butler, prepare milk tea!"
Then Lucas smiled and waved Kukui over to take a seat, while Oranguru used psychic power to float over two frosty glasses of milk tea, placing them gently before them.
"Young master, guest, please enjoy."
With all this done, Oranguru stepped back a few paces.
Kukui stared at him in surprise, whispering, "Telepathy..."
"You haven't met Oranguru before, have you? Let me introduce him; he's my proud Pokémon butler."
After introducing Oranguru, Lucas slid Kukui's milk tea closer to him.
"Don't rush, have some milk tea first. There's also malasada and Combee honey doughnuts. Should I warm them up for you?"
Gulp—
Kukui involuntarily swallowed. Lucas's mention of food reminded him how dry his throat felt and how his belly—a result of rushing out the door without breakfast—had started rumbling.
Rubbing his exposed, tanned abs, Kukui hesitated before nodding, "Then I'll gladly accept your hospitality."
Eating breakfast at a friend's house wasn't exactly impolite.
So, under Lucas's "eat first, talk later" rule, Kukui tucked in before mentioning why he'd rushed over so urgently.
He pulled out some magazines, now a bit crumpled from being tucked inside his shirt, and pointed to a cover featuring an agile Bounsweet climbing a tree, with the headline "Pokémon and Nature," asking:
"That second author after Professor Oak... is that you?"
"The release date was sooner than I thought."
Lucas accepted the magazine, casually flipping to the right page via the table of contents.
This issue featured a paper from Professor Oak on how Arcanine, Ursaluna, and Wyrdeer adapted to modern environments—based on extinct Pokémon of the past.
Kukui's other magazines contained "newly discovered" evolutions of Ursaring—namely Ursaluna—and papers about ancient Hisuian Arcanine, and so on.
"You're collaborating with THE Professor Oak? And Professor Rowan too? That's amazing!"
Kukui was a Pokémon professor himself, but in that moment resembled a star-struck fanboy.
His eyes sparkled with excitement—he wanted to ask what difficulties Lucas encountered working with Professor Oak, or what the professor was like in private, etc.
Having barely participated in the research at all, Lucas could only explain: he'd simply provided the research subjects, and his "second author" status was name-only.
Kukui didn't press; instead, he started talking about other things.
"Guzma's been locked up at the police station. Officer Jenny said he'll be in for at least a month."
"His Team Skull members tried to spring him from jail, but instead got themselves arrested. Looks like none of them are getting out for another ten days to half a month."
"Has Tapu Koko come around again? If they're bothering you, I could ask an island kahuna to have Tapu Koko retreat."
"And about the kids at the Pokémon school..."
Kukui chattered about many things; Lucas listened with good grace, responding now and then—and even topped off the milk tea twice.
As their conversation wound down, Kukui hesitated before asking,
"Kiawe said you're heading back to Paldea soon?"
Lucas nodded, "Yeah, tonight's flight."
"I see..."
Kukui seemed a little melancholic, then grinned and extended his hand.
"Next time you come to Alola for a holiday, let's climb Mount Lanakila together! I'll show you the Alola Pokémon League standing tall in the wind and snow!"
"I'll look forward to it," Lucas replied solemnly.
In his view, that day wasn't far off.
At Ash's speed of traveling to a new region every three months, it wouldn't be long before that happened.
After Kukui left, the next guests to arrive were Gladion and Butler Hobbes.
Oranguru explained that Gladion had finished his morning workout and then returned home to Melemele Island.
It wasn't surprising he came back this quickly, nor that he brought Hobbes along.
What did surprise Lucas was the shy girl following behind, her delicate features visibly tense.
She wore a wide-brimmed white sunhat, a spotless white dress, gold hair sparkling in the light, and emerald eyes much like her brother's.
Gladion's little sister: Lillie.
Lucas had only exchanged a few words with her at Pokémon School—he didn't expect Gladion to bring her along.
Upon seeing Lucas, Lillie showed some surprise, but soon, her well-bred manners took over; she tidied her hat and bowed, "Forgive my intrusion. My name is Lillie, I'm Gladion's younger sister."
"Hello, Lillie," Lucas replied politely, giving Gladion a questioning look as if to ask,
"Why did you bring her here?"
Of course, he wasn't displeased or averse to Lillie.
His real confusion was that just days ago, Gladion was saying he needed to hide things from Lillie for her safety.
So why bring her here today?
Gladion almost lost his cool-aloof persona; scratching his chin awkwardly, he whispered to Lucas,
"I forgot school's on holiday today. When I was making plans with Hobbes, Lillie overheard."
Lucas: "..."
Hobbes shared a similarly embarrassed smile when his gaze met Lucas's.
At that moment, Lillie's delicate voice sounded:
"Um... is it true that you've met my father?"
To Lillie, today was a rather special day.
She had been idling with a book in her study, but was surprised to find her brother had finally come home.
As she hurriedly went to the living room, she overheard Gladion and Hobbes talking in the hall from the staircase.
Father, Mohn, Crown Tundra, take care of Lillie at home...
She had rarely gotten so angry; she burst out, demanding why her brother wanted to leave her behind to search for their father with their mother.
She'd been missing her father every day, too!
After Gladion and Hobbes had no choice but to tell her the truth, Lillie's impulsive passion led her to show up here—
The very person who knew her father's whereabouts was also the strong trainer who recently drove away those Team Skull punks!
Now, staring at Lucas, she felt a little ashamed and worried her actions were improper.
But Lucas didn't mind. He asked Oranguru to bring over his photo album, found the right page, and handed it to Lillie.
"It's really Father…"
Lillie gently touched the image of the weathered man standing beside Lucas, her eyes growing red.
Even though he looked much older and she hadn't seen him since she could remember, Lillie was sure that was her missing father.
Lucas said, "I've spoken to your mother. What's certain is, your father Mohn is indeed at the Crown Tundra in Galar now."
"But, if you really want to go, you'll need to be mentally prepared."
Gladion chimed in, "Yeah, the Crown Tundra is really dangerous. Besides, you—"
"No, Brother, I've made up my mind. And you're the only one who can help persuade Mother."
Lillie knew Gladion was referring to her fear of touching Pokémon, but those were two entirely different matters.
She wanted to find her father in person. Even if she was scared to touch Pokémon, she would do her best to overcome it!
"..."
Gladion was speechless.
He knew he'd never be able to refuse any request from his sister.
Hobbes couldn't persuade her, either. To be fair, Lillie had come today for just one reason—
to see the photo for herself and make up her mind.
She even tried to touch a passing Ogerpon, but when Ogerpon offered its little hand, Lillie jumped back like a startled bird—
and bumped straight into Oranguru, who was bringing more milk tea. Lillie froze on the spot.
Determination and immediate ability—those are two different things after all.
Seeing that Lillie was set on going with her mother and brother to look for her father, Lucas didn't try to talk her out of it.
After all, maybe this was a chance for her to resolve her inner struggles ahead of time.
All that was left was for Gladion to show his best performance during their special training these last few days.
After leaving all the gifts Hobbes brought with him, Gladion officially said goodbye to Lucas.
Preparations on their mother Lusamine's side were nearly finished—no time to waste.
Their family would be heading to Crown Tundra tomorrow.
They'd find Mohn and bring him back to Alola.
…