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

Chapter 70: The School After Dark

Returning to the Pokémon School should have felt simple after Ultra Metropolis, but simple things had become strange after watching Alola lose its light. The classroom looked the same when we arrived, with familiar desks, bright windows, and the open warmth of Melemele waiting outside. Still, I caught myself looking at the sunlight as if it might vanish again.

Lillie noticed, because of course she did. She held Snowy close while Solgaleo and Lunala remained in their Poké Balls, resting after everything that had happened. Poipole hovered around our group with eager curiosity, leaving tiny dots of paint on nothing important for once.

The walk through the schoolyard felt like returning to a smaller world after being forced to stand in front of the largest one. The battle against Ultra Necrozma had involved Legendary Pokémon, Ultra Wormholes, and the light of Alola itself. Now the sound of classmates laughing inside the building made my chest loosen in a way I had not expected.

Mallow was the first to run toward us. "You're back!"

Her Pokémon stepped proudly beside her, taller and stronger than before. For a second, I expected Steenee's familiar bounce. Then I realized the graceful Pokémon standing at Mallow's side was Tsareena.

"Mallow, your Steenee evolved," Lillie said happily.

Mallow beamed and hugged Tsareena's side. "It happened after a dance rehearsal. She suddenly found her rhythm, kicked perfectly, and evolved right there. I wish all of you could have seen it."

Tsareena turned with elegant pride, one leg lifting as if she might demonstrate. Mallow laughed and stopped her before she accidentally kicked a chair across the classroom.

Kiawe, Lana, and Sophocles crowded closer after that, and the room became loud in the best way. We shared stories from Poni Island, the Dragon Trial, the altar, Ultra Megalopolis, and the return of Alola's light. I did not describe every terrifying detail, but the parts I did share were enough to make everyone go quiet several times.

Sophocles leaned forward when Lillie released Solgaleo and Lunala outside the classroom where there was more space. "So this is Nebby now. It looks so cool."

Lana stared at Lunala with wide eyes. "Lunala is incredible. It feels like looking at the night sky when it is alive."

Kiawe crossed his arms, clearly impressed. "And you almost completed the full set of Z-Crystals too. People are still asking what happened when the light disappeared."

Lillie's expression softened. "My parents are preparing a press conference, but it will not be soon. Father only recently regained his memories, and Aether Paradise still needs to repair the damage Mother caused."

Mallow lowered her voice. "That sounds like a lot for your family."

"It is," Lillie said. "But this time we are talking to one another."

There was relief in that answer, even if it was not easy relief. Lusamine had not become someone else overnight. Mohn's return had not erased the years. Still, Lillie sounded like she trusted herself to speak now, and that mattered.

Professor Kukui stopped by briefly to welcome everyone back, and even he seemed relieved to see the school noisy again. He asked if we needed the day to rest, but nobody wanted to sit still after hearing about the stolen light. The classmates asked question after question until the afternoon turned into evening without us noticing.

Poipole made itself popular by hovering between desks and drawing tiny colored shapes in the air with harmless paint mist. Sophocles tried to ask whether Poipole's paint could be measured for chemical properties. Poipole answered by painting a crooked lightning bolt on his notebook. Sophocles decided that counted as data.