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

Chapter 2: The Stone and the Gift

Iki Town was still waiting for its kahuna when we returned from Mahalo Trail.

Professor Kukui spotted us near the village entrance and hurried over, his usual smile fading the moment he saw Lillie holding her bag too tightly. "There you are. You just missed Kahuna Hala. He said he had something to attend to and left town on his own. Did something happen on Mahalo Trail?"

"Well," I began, but the villagers suddenly stirred behind him.

"The kahuna is back!" one villager called.

"Kahuna Hala has returned!" another exclaimed.

"Our guardian's chosen one is back!" a third voice added with bright relief.

Kukui turned toward the path. "Only one of the strongest Pokemon users in Alola, yeah."

A large man walked into the village with calm steps and a warm expression that made the villagers settle around him. He carried himself like someone who could laugh easily, but also like someone who could stop a storm by standing in its path.

"Did I miss something?" he asked.

"There you are, Kahuna Hala," Kukui said. "Was there some kind of trouble?"

Hala laughed deeply. "Just got caught up in the middle of some brawling Rockruff, that is all."

His eyes moved from Kukui to us, and his smile turned welcoming. "Who are these young guests?"

"I am Ash Ketchum," I said. "This is Lillie, my brother Trenor, Elio, and Selene."

Lillie gave a polite bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Kahuna Hala."

Trenor bowed too, though Sandile peeked from behind his boot like it wanted to judge the kahuna for itself. Hala noticed and chuckled instead of being bothered.

"A Sandile with sharp eyes," Hala said. "That one already reads the ground better than many people."

Trenor straightened proudly. "He has helped me through rough places before."

"That is good," Hala said. "A Trainer who trusts the path beneath him will not lose his way easily."

Elio held Litten close at his side, and Selene steadied Popplio with one hand as the little Water type leaned forward curiously. Hau hurried back into the village with Rowlet tucked against his chest, only to stop when he saw his grandfather.

"Tutu, you came back!" Hau called.

Hala laughed again. "Of course I came back. Did you think the island had misplaced me?"

Hau puffed his cheeks. "You left without telling anyone, humming some little tune like the whole village would just guess where you went."

"That sounds like me," Hala admitted.

Before anyone could answer, Lillie's bag shifted against her side. She tightened her hands around it, but Nebby slipped out anyway, drifting into the light with a sleepy little wobble.

"Nebby," Lillie whispered in alarm.

Kukui's eyes widened at once. "Whoa. What do we have here?"

Hala's smile softened, though his gaze became careful. "That is no ordinary Pokemon."

Lillie stepped closer to Nebby, shielding it with her body without hiding from the truth. "This is Nebby. I have been taking care of it."

Kukui crouched slightly, studying Nebby without reaching for it. "I have never seen a Pokemon like this. Incredible."

Hala nodded slowly. "Remarkable indeed. It also seems fond of appearing exactly when it should remain hidden."

Nebby bobbed in the air as if it understood the complaint and did not feel sorry.