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

Chapter 16: Shimmering Tide

Kala'e Bay felt like a reward Melemele had saved for after the Grand Trial. The water stretched bright and blue beneath the sun, the rocks shimmered with spray, and the beach was open enough for everyone to breathe without thinking about caves, Z-Crystals, or kahuna battles.

We changed into swimsuits near the beach house and carried our things down to the sand. Lillie stayed close to the shallow water at first, but she was smiling more than worrying, and that alone made the day feel warmer.

Professor Kukui stretched his arms behind his head. "You cleared Melemele's Grand Trial, yeah. A little beach time before school pulls everyone back sounds perfect."

Kukui had reminded everyone that a break did not mean ignoring safety. The bay was beautiful, but it had reefs, sudden drop-offs, and Pokémon that were friendly only when people gave them room. That reminder kept the younger excitement from becoming careless, especially after everything Hala had taught us.

Lillie tied her hair back and tested the water with one foot. She still looked a little shy about joining the louder splashing, but Alolan Raichu floated beside her with a gentle hum, making the first wave look less like a challenge and more like an invitation.

Alolan Raichu swayed on its tail. "The water rises and falls gently. She can trust the small waves first."

Lillie touched Raichu's head with a grateful smile. "Small waves first, then."

The others spread out across the safe part of the shore. Trenor, Nate, and Rosa joked about who would be the best swimmer, though none of them could agree on whether speed, grace, or not getting splashed in the face counted most. Selene voted for poison-type enthusiasm, which nobody accepted as a swimming category.

Selene ran ahead with Popplio at her heels. "Then I am not wasting it."

Popplio bounced into the shallows and splashed water toward her. "The sea is a giant playground, and I claim the first splash."

Selene laughed and splashed back. "Then I accept your challenge."

Pikachu jumped from my shoulder to the sand, then shook his paws when the first wave reached him. His ears lifted, and one spark popped from his cheek as he looked at the water with dramatic suspicion.

Pikachu tapped my ankle. "The ocean is trying to steal the ground again."

Lillie giggled beside me. "You can let it win a little today."

Soon everyone was caught in the water fight. Trenor used both hands to splash Nate, Nate hid behind Rosa, and Rosa retaliated by sending a wave toward both of them. Lillie tried to stay gentle, but even she laughed when Popplio blew a small bubble that burst against my shoulder.

I lifted my hands. "So that is how it is."

The next splash war was impossible to organize. Kukui cheered from the shore, Selene and Popplio formed a team, and Pikachu rode a small board just long enough to splash water with his tail before leaping back to me.

A flash of silver under the surface caught my eye while the others were laughing. At first it looked like sunlight broken into pieces, but then the pieces turned together near the rocks, each tiny body flickering with nervous beauty.

"Those are Wishiwashi," Selene said, lowering her voice.

I nodded, wading more slowly. "They are still small and staying in Solo Form. I have seen what Wishiwashi can become when their allies gather around them, but these ones are not trying to fight."

The school shifted away from my shadow. I stopped immediately. A group that small could panic if I pushed too hard, and I did not want to scare them into defending themselves.