An Ultra Past Forgotten (Pokemon Sun & Moon)

Chapter 14

Chloe hummed happily as she and Gladion left the Sushi High Roller, the most high-class restaurant in Malie City. "That was so yummy! Thanks for treating me to some Z-Kaiseki." She smiled at the blond.

"You're welcome," Gladion replied with a small smile of his own. "I figured you might be hungry after our little aquatic adventure. Besides, a meal is usually involved with any kind of date." He quickly cleared his throat, his face heating up. "I mean...if you want to consider it a date."

The redhead laughed lightly, taking his hand. "Of course, it is kind of a date. There's nothing wrong with that."

After leaving the Secluded Shore behind, they had flown out to Malie City for a bite to eat. They still had a while before sunset, so they decided to start their date off in the most bustling city on Ula'ula Island. They had walked the streets and seen the sights, and after eating, there was only one place left to go.

"On to Malie Garden then," Chloe urged, tugging on Gladion's hand. "I love how beautiful that place is, and there are pokemon everywhere."

The boy chuckled. "Definitely your kind of place."

The two walked hand in hand to the east side of the city, entering the garden from there. The different smells of both grass and flowers immediately met their noses. They walked in a comfortable silence, enjoying the pretty sights and the serene sounds of nature around them. They spotted all kinds of pokemon, from Petilil basking in the sun to Cottonee drifting in the breeze. There were quite a few Masquerain hovering above the water as well. When the pair stopped on one of the bridges for a break, they could see groups of Magikarp and Goldeen swimming through the water below them.

"Places like this," Chloe began, leaning forward with her elbows on the railing, "always put me at ease. I could stay here for days and not get tired of it."

Gladion nodded, standing beside her. "Yeah. Seeing things like this again makes me miss traveling. I've been cooped up at Aether Paradise ever since my mother and my sister left months ago. Someone's got to keep things in order."

The girl looked at him with a kind smile. "What was your family like, Gladion? The one time I met Lusamine, she was cruel and crazy. Was she always like that?"

"Believe it or not, my mother used to be very kind, to people and pokemon. It was when she learned of the Ultra Beasts that she began to grow obsessed with them and started neglecting everything else. That was also when...my father...disappeared through an Ultra Wormhole." He frowned, a distant look in his eyes. "I think that was the last straw for my mother. She just wasn't the same since then."

Chloe frowned, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't know about your father."

He rested his hand over hers. "It's okay. I still have the memories."

"And what about your sister?" she inquired.

The thought of Lillie made the boy smile. "Lillie---she's a kind, caring girl. She was never really much of a trainer, but she cared about pokemon, kind of like you do." He chuckled. "She sure toughened up after making so many friends, in fact, she was the one who talked some sense into our mother. Now she's off in Kanto, making sure our mother gets proper treatment after a Nihilego possessed her. But I hear they're both doing well." He met her crimson gaze and smiled. "I hope you'll get to meet them when they return."

The redhead blinked at him. "Well, your sister I don't mind, but Lusamine?"

"I promise she's changed. She's not the person she was."

Chloe sighed. "If you say so. I suppose everyone deserves a second chance." She paused, thinking back on what the grunts had told her earlier. "I guess...even my dad."