1. Ash's Story (Part 9: Alola)

Chapter 1: Welcome Back to Alola

The ocean looked brighter than I remembered.

Our boat eased toward Melemele Island with white spray curling away from the bow, and the warm air carried the smell of salt, flowers, and sun-warmed wood. Lillie stood beside me at the railing, one hand holding her hat down while the other rested over the strap of the bag where Nebby was hiding.

Pikachu balanced on my shoulder and leaned forward, ears twitching at the cries of Wingull overhead. His tail brushed my cheek, and the small spark that ran across his fur felt more excited than nervous.

Lillie noticed my smile and smiled back. "It feels strange coming home after everything that happened."

"It feels like Alola is welcoming you anyway," I said.

Her eyes softened at the shoreline. "I hope so. I also hope Mother stays at Aether for now. I am not ready to face that part of home on the very first day."

"We will face it when we have to," I promised. "Today, we just arrive."

Trenor leaned against the railing on my other side, already looking like he wanted to leap onto the island before the boat finished docking. Stoutland stood steady beside him, nose lifted toward the wind, while Sandile peeked from behind his boot and watched the approaching beach with sharp little eyes.

Tauros stamped once behind him, eager but controlled, and Mudbray lowered its head as if judging the slope of every road it could see from the harbor. Trenor gave Tauros a calming pat without even looking away from the island.

"You really brought the whole field team," I said.

Trenor grinned. "You told me Alola has beaches, ranches, rough trails, and cliffs. I figured my partners should be ready for all of them."

"That sounds like my brother," I said.

Pikachu tapped my cheek with his paw. His bright look seemed to say, "He came prepared."

Lillie laughed softly. "He did. That makes me feel better already."

Hobbes met us at the entrance to Lillie's house, standing as neatly as ever beside the open doors. The mansion faced the sea, and sunlight scattered across the windows until the whole place seemed to glow.

"Miss Lillie, Master Ash, welcome home," Hobbes said with a bow. "And welcome as well, Master Trenor. Your rooms have been prepared."

Before we left the estate again, I checked the partners who had traveled with us. Some rested after the long trip, while others stretched in the garden Hobbes had opened for them. Charizard and Charla lifted their heads toward the Alolan sun, Noivern unfolded his wings, and Absol watched the horizon with quiet attention.

Lillie knelt beside Togekiss and brushed a hand along her feathers. "We brought strong partners, but I do not want Alola to feel like we are only passing through with old strength."

"They are here because they are family," I said. "The new things we learn here will still belong to Alola."

Pikachu nodded from the veranda rail, his meaning warm and firm: "Old friends can protect new beginnings."

Trenor returned from the garden gate with Stoutland beside him and Sandile following in Mudbray's shadow. "My team already likes the grounds. Tauros wants to run, Stoutland found three paths, and Sandile thinks the warm stones are perfect."

"Thank you, Hobbes," Lillie said. "Is Mother here?"

Hobbes's expression stayed gentle, but I saw the careful pause before he answered. "Madam Lusamine has been residing at the Aether Foundation for several months. She has not returned to the estate during that time."