The Aura is With Us

Chapter 21: In the Soft Sea Foam Filled Waves

Ash had practically been bouncing up and down all throughout the flite.

After the nightmare that happened in Sinnoh, the young trainer was elated that their next research assignment was in Alola! When Ash heard that it felt like Arceus was finally giving him a break for once. He was being handed a vacation! Even if it was for work!

Alola held a special place in Ash's heart when compared to all the other regions he traveled, and it wasn't just because he had won his first league championship there. Alola had been a much-needed break from his previous travels. Especially after everything that happened in Kalos. The region was just much more laid back then the other places that Ash had visited.

Sure, that didn't mean there hadn't been any type of drama, but it was rather peaceful overall.

The islands were each distinct and beautiful. Each of them full of their own mini adventures...huh...in hindsight, Ash now had a reason as to why he didn't see Lucario or Sir Aaron in Tapu Fini's mist. That day, when he got lost in that fog, he kind of hoped it had been to reconnect with someone he had lost, but in the end, it was for torracat. Not that Ash was upset with that, his Pokémon deserved to get closure with her mentor. Still...some part of Ash had hoped to see someone...maybe meet a face he'd should've known but never got to.

Eh! Didn't matter now!

He had been so excited exiting off the plane, he tripped and fell down the stairs. Well, at least no one made fun of him for it. Professor Kukui was there to greet them and give them a ride. Ash gave him a giant hug. Sure, they'd face-timed each other at least once a month, but it was nothing compared to seeing each other in person.

Kukui seemed to hit it off with the others as well. Goh, after he had gotten over the awkwardness, he usually had with people of high praised in the Pokémon research communities, was quickly asking about all the local flora and fauna of Mele Mele. Sir Aaron was also enjoying the scenery, apparently this was one region that he had never been to even in his days of travel. And Lucario and Umbreon were trying to keep the smaller Pokémon from falling out of the car.

Amanda? Amanda had been weird lately. Ever since her deafness was revealed to the others her behavior towards them had shifted. While before she'd engaged in sarcastic banter, with one-liners that would make his ten-year-old self proud, jumping right into the thick of conversation with her own two-cents. Now, however, she fluttered around interactions. Hesitant to put anything into communication pool. Only speaking when spoken too. Like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It was worrying.

However, all worries left Ash's mind once he reunited with his Alola team, and Professor Burnet. And of course, meeting, baby Lei. Ash had known about the baby since Professor Burnet first knew about it. She and Professor Kukui had called him the moment it had been confirmed and sent no less than a hundred pictures since Lei had been born.

Ash was currently bouncing the Baby watching as Riolu, Pikachu, and Pichu were socializing with his Alolan team. Sir Aaron and Kukui were talking in the Kitchen, Goh and Burnet were prepping a bag for something, and Ash and lost track of where Amanda went, but with Pichu still there she hadn't gone far.

"So, the class at the school has planned a welcome back party for you," Burnet said.

"Really?" Ash said.

"Yes, but it's not supposed to start for a few hours," Burnet said, walking up and taking Lei into her arms, "So you boys can hang out on the beach until then."