Don't forget to drop some power stones!
*****
It was a much bigger figure compared to the small Rockruff. Over several times its size. It had a much more graceful figure too. It sported nine tails, and had very beautiful and lush pale purple fur. It stood poised and aloof, but welcomed Lillie nonetheless.
"Nine.", The figure called out, greeting Lillie. It was an Alolan Ninetales, and a shiny Alolan Ninetales at that. It was none other than Ricky's partner Pokemon!
Alongside being born and sent to Professor Oak, they were able to secure a Pokemon Egg from the wreckage. Ricky could only guess this was because of God too, as he has used more of his karma points for a Pokemon Egg. Turns out his parents were looking after one, and it was sent his way as he started his new life.
So that meant this Pokemon Egg was with Ricky since he was born. It took a year's time to hatch into a shiny Alolan Vulpix, and has been with him ever since. The two never parted from each other, becoming really close over these fifteen years.
It wasn't until earlier last year that Ricky finally decided to trek up the largest mountain in all of Alola. Mount Lanakila. Eventually, Alola's very own Victory Road and Pokemon League would be built on this mountain. But what Ricky did was for an entirely different matter. He wanted to locate an Ice Stone straight from its source. It counted both as an adventure and challenge to him.
Buying one from the local markets was the easy way out. Sure, he could have done that, but where's the fun in that? Instead, Ricky took some time off for himself, and decided to fly to Ula'Ula Island, and trekked up the mountain, together with the Alolan Vulpix he had since he was born.
He was successful, of course. The only surprise Ricky had on this little adventure of his, was the fact he wasn't alone. Lillie decided to accompany him. That meant, on top of securing an Ice Stone from Mount Lanakila, Ricky and Lillie stumbled upon an Alolan Vulpix egg!
This part alone played out similarly to the anime.
One difference is that Lillie acquired Snowy's egg on Mount Lanakila itself, instead of deciding to choose to raise it at the Pokemon School. Ash wasn't around then for that matter either. It was just Ricky, Lillie and the others at the Pokemon School. Ash wound up studying at Indigo Academy instead, together with Gary and Green.
Lillie already had her phobia cured by then, so trekking up the mountain served no issue for her. She just had to deal with the rigid air. They were knee-deep in snow most of the time. It was pretty harsh, but Ricky and Lillie made it out in one piece.
Since then, Lillie's egg hatched into Snowy, to which she now has at her side. And likewise, Ricky used the Ice Stone to evolve his Alolan Vulpix into an Alolan Ninetales. That was the tale, anyways.
The only thing to add to that was that Ricky gave his Alolan Vulpix a nickname ever since it was hatched. He did a play on words, and nicknamed her Amber. The color of amber was almost the exact opposite to how a shiny Alolan Ninetales was, and it seemed Amber enjoyed the name. Since then, Ricky's been calling her Amber. Amber was a female Alolan Ninetales too, as was Snowy.
"It's so very nice to see you again too, Amber.", Lillie said as she happily smiled seeing the large fox Pokemon arrive beside Ricky. Lillie bent downward and patted Amber's head.
"Ninetales.", Amber greeted Lillie with a swoosh of its tails.
"Vul!", Snowy said too as she saw Amber arrive. Just like how Lillie and Ricky had gotten close over the last couple years, Snowy and Amber were no exception to that. After Lillie patted Amber's head, Snowy walked up and nuzzled its nose against Amber's nose. It was a welcoming gesture. Amber only allowed certain Pokemon to do that, ones that she was close with.
"Guess you took Snowy out to play. Look at you.", Professor Kukui said as he observed Snowy playing around with Amber.
"Hehe, I only figured it was a good time to do so. It's going to be a long flight, so if this helps tire out Snowy, she'll be able to sleep through most of the flight. Wasn't it a bit too extravagant purchasing four first-class seats like that, Ricky?", Lillie frowned as she looked at the black and spiky-haired man before her.
"True. It's going to be a long flight for you two. It's about eight hours on a good day, ain't it?", Professor Kukui wondered.
"That's what the flight itinerary said. Today is such a good day out. Shame we'll be wasting most of it in the air. But we'll be heading to Kanto, so it's better to fly on days like this. It's always good to splurge on moments like this for the best experience possible too. Money is no issue to me. I did pretty nice work at the foundation, and saved up quite an amount of Pokedollars. You needn't worry, Lillie.", Ricky said
"It's just as 'cuz said, Lillie. Plus he is a Pokemon Professor now, just like me! That in itself earns a good wage, I reckon.", Professor Kukui said, chiming in. The two tried to ease the worried look in Lillie's eyes. She nodded in response.
"Alright. If you say it's fine, then I won't worry about it. It'll make the flight that much more comfortable, seeing as we'll have to sit around for eight hours. Perhaps you'll do one of your online lectures, Ricky?", Lillie asked him, gaining interest.
"Haha, we'll see. Airplanes nowadays are equipped with pretty good tech, so accessing wifi and such won't be a problem. I could host an online class. That way, you'll be able to see your friends before we touch down in Kanto!", Ricky exclaimed.
"Sounds like a plan is forming already. But we can't do such a thing on an empty stomach, now can we?", Professor Kukui said with a playful grin. As if it responded to him, Professor Kukui and Ricky suddenly heard a low growl, coming directly from Lillie's stomach no less. Lillie's cheeks immediately turned red, and felt embarrassed again.
"Guess we already know our answer, eh Professor? Look, it'll just take another moment. It's approaching 8AM now. We can use a few minutes to eat, yeah?", Ricky suggested to Lillie.
"Oh alright. Airports are quite expensive too, are they not? It'd be much better to eat now so we don't have to waste more money while we're there.", Lillie nodded.
"Make yourself at home. I'll go set the plates down. We'll eat, and then I can give you two your Z-Rings!", Professor Kukui urged the two.
"There was that, wasn't there? They aren't restricting Z-Rings to solely island challengers anymore?", Ricky mused.
"Nah. The world's progressing into a better spot, and most of the Pokemon Leagues were in consensus. Various battle styles are going to start cropping up depending on what region you two go to. I also hear the Leagues are tryin' to install Power Spots in Gyms.", Professor Kukui explained.
"That'll make battles much more exciting!", Lillie happily responded.
"Right? Ever since the discovery of Paldea, battles have become much more unique. Battles have multiple layers to them now. I'm already looking forward to battling others myself.", Ricky also nodded with a look of anticipation in his eyes.
"Save that for later. I need to give you two your Z-Rings first after we have some breakfast. Plus there's a little gift too. Courtesy of your mother.", Professor Kukui said, glancing at Lillie.
"From mother? Why am I not surprised...", Lillie responded with a shake of her head.
"Heh, this is the first time you'll be gone from the Aether Foundation for a good while, you know. Take it as Lusamine watching over you, even if she can't be here to watch us leave.", Ricky mused.
"Which is why I'm here instead. And it isn't just for Lillie, 'cuz. Lusamine left something aside for you, and even for that other girlie you two know. The three of you are adventuring in Kanto, yea?", Professor Kukui asked.
"Lusamine set aside something for me, as well as Serena?", Ricky asked, wondering what Professor Kukui meant by that.
"Guess we'll find out in a bit of what mother gives us. I am hungry though, so let's go eat.", Lillie said.
"Ninetales.", Amber chimed in.
"Vul!", Snowy also exclaimed, bobbing her cute head up and down.
"Ruff!", Rockruff said in anticipation.
Seeing these three react like this earned a round of laughter from Ricky, Lillie and Professor Kukui. They had no reason to stand out on the small patio any longer, so Professor Kukui welcomed Lillie inside his lab. He went toward the kitchen area, and started placing breakfast down on the dining table. As he did that Ricky and Lillie couldn't help but wonder what exactly it was that Lusamine was going to give them...