Drop some power stones for the return of this fanfic!
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With a newfound determination and expectant outlook of the future, Lillie grabbed her two bags, and entered a dash, running alongside Hau'oli Outskirts. Eventually, she reached Route One. If she took a left at the intersection at the end, she would find herself in Iki Town.
Lillie did have more friends in Iki Town, but she was sure to say her farewells prior to her departure day. She wanted to say goodbye to her two best friends last, so everyone else knew she was already leaving Alola today. As such, she had no reason to pay a visit to Iki Town.
Instead, Lillie's gaze was drawn toward the right. She found a long stretch of a beach. This beach was open to the townsfolk. Many wild Pokemon also lurked around in its tall grass and on the sand. Lillie was already comfortable crossing the beach for the most part, and she knew where to stay away from.
Lillie paused again once she found herself standing on the stairs, which led to the beach itself. Her eyes wandered off into the distance, and spotted a single large structure further ahead. It appeared to be quite the large house, and it stood on a solid frame above the beach. This allowed the house to avoid any low-tide waters, making it almost as if it was taking a nap on the ocean waters itself.
The building that was now in Lillie's gaze was Professor Kukui's lab. It was situated here, instead of the main street, unlike the anime. In the games, it did this, but in the anime, Professor Kukui's lab changed locations. In this particular Pokemon World, it is both a mix of the games and anime, so things may or may not appear out of place.
Lillie didn't immediately rush onto the beach. She recalled the time she had just checked. It was now shortly after 730AM. Ricky warned Lillie to arrive at the lab by 8AM, so that meant she still had a little bit of time to spare, which was a pleasant surprise. She wanted to leave Hau'oli Outskirts by 830AM or 9AM at the latest, considering their flight was at 10AM.
As to why Lillie paused, she gazed downward at her two bags.
"It wouldn't be a bad time to call out Snowy, right? I can let her have a bit of fun so she can be tired for the flight. It is six hours long, so the more she can sleep through it, the better.", Lillie said, wondering to herself on how to proceed.
Lillie nodded, and reached an answer. She bent downward into her duffle bag and pulled out a single Pokeball. Despite not being an official Trainer yet, she surprisingly had owned a Pokemon!
"Come on out, Snowy!", Lillie exclaimed, tossing the bright-red Pokeball up into the air. With a big poof, the ball opened up on its own. Followed by a big red light, a figure slowly emerged out of the ball. It was rather small too. A big and puffy tail poke out of its rear. Its body was completely covered in white fur. The figure landed on the ground, only to spot a platinum-blonde haired girl standing before her.
"Vulpix!", The Pokemon happily exclaimed. She called out to Lillie, and happily trotted over to her side. Lillie smiled seeing the cute Pokemon now in her view, and remained bent downward. Reaching her hand out, she patted the Pokemon's head. It was an Alolan Vulpix!
"Hehe, did you enjoy the time spent in your ball, Snowy?", Lillie asked. She called this Pokemon, Snowy. A nickname just for her Alolan Vulpix.
"Vul.", Snowy responded, bobbing its head up and down as if she responded to Lillie.
'How cute...', Lillie thought to herself, enjoying a moment to pat Snowy's soft head. Snowy's ears twitched out of habit, but Snowy enjoyed the touch.
"Why don't you go have some fun and play around, alright, Snowy? And be sure to stay clear of the tall grass!", Lillie warned Snowy.
"Vulpix!", Snowy responded again, realizing Lillie's intent. She was free to roam around for the time being, and she had been to this beach before, just like how Lillie has. Snowy already had certain spots where she liked to frolic around. Lillie saw Vulpix run off in a particular direction, but remained within her view.
Taking her bags, she stepped down the stairs and entered the beach. The ground beneath her suddenly changed and felt very different. It was a sinking feeling, as she was walking on sand now instead of pavement.
Lillie didn't immediately run off to Professor Kukui's Lab. Instead, she gazed out, and observed the crashing waters of the ocean before it. The waves rolled in at a steady pace, making it very peaceful. She heard chirps nearby coming from a few flying-type Pokemon. A lazy Slowpoke could presently be seen sticking its tail into the water's shore.
A feeling of nostalgia suddenly swept her body as she gazed out into the endless ocean. On top of what everything had happened to her new companion, Lillie also went through quite a lot.
It was only a few years ago that she couldn't even touch a single Pokemon, let alone be near one. But now, she already had a Pokemon she could call her, her partner! And it was all thanks to the person she addressed as Ricky!
"Has it already been five years...?", Lillie murmured as several memories swiftly moved across her mindscape, recalling everything that had happened, including her first encounter with Ricky five years ago. The sole reason why Ricky came to the Alola Region was due at Lillie's mother's request, no less. Lillie's mother, Lusamine, invited Ricky to work at the Aether Foundation, a leading corporation that develops all sorts of things here not only in Alola, but to the rest of the world. And on top of all of that, the Aether Foundation was a sanctuary for lost and orphaned Pokemon. To them, it was akin to a Paradise.
And in this Pokemon World, Lusamine wasn't the crazy woman displayed in the names. She was a very uptight and strict businesswoman who cherished her family. She built the Aether Foundation from the ground up.
Lillie didn't think five years would pass by in a blink of an eye. She had not only gotten acquainted with Ricky thanks to her mother, she even grew close to him during these five years. Along the way, she eventually found out that Ricky was related to THE Professor Oak! His full name, Ricky Oak!
Without Lillie realizing it, a smile cracked open over her lips as the memories flew by one after another. Five years have gone by just like that, and now, she was set to begin a new adventure, together with one she cherishes. Earlier last year, Lillie mustered up the courage and confessed to Ricky. And Ricky accepted.
What Lillie didn't anticipate was an invitation to join Ricky, in setting off an adventure. One only Trainers often did! She hadn't a wildest clue she would become a Trainer herself!
But looking back at it now, Lillie looked down at her single Pokeball. The once scaredy-cat that couldn't hold a single Pokemon now has a partner of her own. Ricky helped rehabilitate her phobia, curing her entirely. Lillie could now embrace and hold onto Pokemon just like any other normal person could do.
She used to be bound by that unfortunate trauma, but not any more. It was a really unfortunate accident that almost ruined her entire family. And it gave birth to what are called Ultra Beasts. But Ricky was able to step in and quell the situation to where it became manageable for the rest of the Aether Foundation to handle it.
But with Lusamine's quick wit, she knew Ricky was the cause. From that point onward, Lusamine appointed Ricky as Lillie's personal caretaker.
Ricky becoming a Pokemon Professor had no relation to what struck at the Aether Foundation. That was Ricky's own desire, apart from wanting to set on a Pokemon adventure.
"I guess it really has been five years...I really am going to miss this place.", Lillie murmured, seeing the wide and open ocean before her.
"Vulpix?", Snowy questioned in the distance, seeing Lillie keep to herself quietly. Snowy tilted her head to the side.
"Oh it's nothing, Snowy. You keep on playing! Just be sure to head on down to the Professor's place in a few alright?", Lillie called out to Snowy.
"Vulpix!", Snowy happily responded. She returned to her own devices, and started playing around in the sand.
As for Lillie, she grabbed her two bags again, and readied herself. Taking one step forward after another, she started walking along the beach. It was quite big, but Professor Kukui's Lab quickly came into view. Lillie's pace was steady, and seeing Lillie continue walking, Snowy was sure to remain within distance. She didn't go into the tall grass like Lillie warned her not to do.
Before they realized it, ten to fifteen minutes passed by, striking it 745AM. The two enjoyed a nice stroll along the beachside before arriving at the lab. To their surprise, however, the moment they arrived, they were rudely interrupted by a loud and upbeat voice, causing Lillie and Snowy to suddenly halt their steps the moment they approached the outside staircase.