"Izzy, babe, what are you doing out here?" Izzy heard Burnet ask while the young girl hung upside down from the huge tree in the backyard of the house.

"Nothing," Izzy replied back, unable to see much from her long gray hair that was hanging in front of her eyes. "Just hanging."

"Well I can see that!" Burnet said with a slight chuckle. "Are you sure that's safe?"

"I'm watching her!" came Omoiyari's growl of annoyance. "I won't let her fall! I have raised her almost her whole life, I'm not stupid!"

"Mister Omoiyari, I'm well aware of that, but I can still worry for her!"

Two days had passed since Omoiyari had come to Akala Island. Both he and Izzy were staying with Professor Burnet at her house in Heahea City. Since Omoiyari was too big to get into the house, he stayed in the backyard and slept there. He didn't seem to mind it though. Also the beast had somewhat recovered from the result of the Poison Sting, but he still had a hard time moving around. Because of this, Burnet continued to take charge of looking after Izzy.

Now both Omoiyari and Burnet were "butting heads," as Kukui called it. Each one had their doubts on the other's way of watching or teaching Izzy. Omoiyari was more laid back since he knew of Izzy's capabilities and that the human world wasn't quite as dangerous for her as home was. Burnet, on the other hand, wasn't as lax and did her best to voice cautions to the little girl. Sometimes the two of them would drag Kukui into it, who was neutral in this war of parenting. Omoiyari trusted Kukui like a friend and Burnet was Kukui's mate, so he couldn't go against either one. In the end, he and Izzy would have to come up with a reasonable solution that would satisfy everyone.

"I'm fine!" Izzy called unconcernedly while crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm a big beast now, I can watch myself."

The moment she heard a hoot, she knew she was in trouble. Rowlet had flew up to Izzy and landed on the branch with a big thump. The branch shook and Izzy's legs slid off. She squeaked with fear while Burnet cried out, "Izzy!"

Her falling stopped as a warm aura surrounded her body. Omoiyari had caught her using his psychic abilities. He slowly levitated her to the ground before releasing her.

"Thanks, Omoiyari," Izzy said while she scowled at the peaceful Rowlet. "That wasn't nice, Rowlet!"

The Rowlet chuckled instead while his eyes were shut lazily. Popplio, who had been at the foot of the tree, slapped his paws together and barked happily. However, both starters stopped immediately after noticing Omoiyari glaring at them. The starters were still somewhat scared of the beast and made sure to stay out of his way.

"At least you're alright," Burnet sighed, removing her hands from over her heart. "Maybe you shouldn't go up there."

"But I like climbing up the tree!"

"Well you can't go back up now. I came to tell you that we're going to have a visitor today. She should be here any time now."

"I was not informed of anyone coming here!" Omoiyari snapped, panic being heard in his voice.

"She's a family friend," Burnet told Omoiyari impatiently. "She has been working with my husband, she's one of the most trusted people I know. You will be fine."

"Why is she coming?" Izzy asked with curiosity. No one had come to the house except for Kukui and Nanu.

"She's only a year older than you, and I thought you should start making some human friends your age. I know you'll like her and she'll like you. Besides, I thought we could take you to the boutique. You can't keep wearing my old clothes."

This was true. Izzy was continually wearing Burnet's old clothes. They were still a little too big for a skinny eleven year old. She had to wear a belt to keep everything in place, and the belt was uncomfortable. It dug into her skin and caused her much discomfort, so Izzy was glad to hear that she would be getting new clothes.

Izzy looked around as Omoiyari growled and backed away from the humans. The gate had creaked open as someone entered the backyard.

"Um, Professor Burnet?" The stranger, a girl not much older than Izzy, called. "I hope I'm not too early, I didn't want to be late..."

A small creature that was bobbing next to the girl also let out a high pitched, "Pew!"

But right when the girl saw Izzy, she gasped and suddenly shielded the tiny Pokemon while squeaking, "Quick, Nebby, get in the bag!"

"It's alright, Lillie!" Professor Burnet assured the girl quickly, taking Izzy by the hand and bringing her closer to the new girl. "Lillie, this is Izzy, she has been staying with me for a few days. Izzy, this is Lillie. She has been staying with Kukui as his assistant."

The girl blushed a little and stammered, "I-I'm terribly sorry, Professor, I didn't know..."

"It's quite alright, I should've told you ahead of time!"

Izzy was intrigued by the girl's, Lillie, clothes. She wore a pale blue and violet outfit. She had long frilly socks that went up to her knees, and her pale blue shoes were somewhat shiny. Lillie's thick blond hair was twisted into braids on each side of her face. But what Izzy liked the most about Lillie's outfit was the big floppy hat she wore. All together, she looked like a small Nihilego.

"I like your hat!" Izzy piped up loudly, causing Lillie to jump.

"O-Oh, why thank you!" Lillie stammered slightly, a smile coming across her face. "I never really cared for it myself. It's not quite my preferred style..."

"Then why do you wear it?"

"My mother always picked out my clothes growing up..."

"Omoiyari did something like that, but he made my clothes out of his own scales!"

Lillie looked puzzled and repeated, "Omoiyari?"

"Yeah, he's right over-" but when Izzy turned around she saw that the Ultra Beast wasn't there, so she ended her sentence with a quiet, "-here..."

Burnet turned around as well and asked blankly as she looked around, "Where did he go?"

"Where'd who go?" Lillie questioned, suddenly looking nervous. "Professor, is everything alright?"

"I'm not sure yet..."

Izzy turned to Popplio and Rowlet, who were still in the same places as before.

"Popplio, Rowlet, where did Omoiyari go?" Izzy called, panic rising in her voice.

Both Pokemon barked or hooted as they gestured to the far corner of the yard. Izzy nodded to them and ran to the place they pointed to.

"Omoiyari, where are you?" Izzy called as she came closer. "Come say hi, Papa!"

There was no response, yet Izzy knew he was there. He wouldn't just leave, so he must just be hiding.

She then felt her hand make contact with a solid invisible force. It was smooth and scaly.

"Oh my!" Izzy heard Lillie gasp fearfully as Omoiyari suddenly rematerialized out of midair.

Izzy was shocked to see the expression on Omoiyari's face. The Ultra Beast looked vicious. His pupils had turned to slits and he was gnashing his teeth.

"Omoiyari, w-what's the matter?" Izzy stuttered, frightened by her father's behavior. "W-Why are you mad?"

But Omoiyari only hissed, not at Izzy, but at Lillie. He then backed away into the corner more tightly and roared. She heard Lillie squeak with terror and back away.

"Omoiyari, what's wrong?!" Burnet demanded while Lillie hid behind her. "What is the meaning of this?"

He didn't answer, but looked at Lillie with now an expression of fury. Izzy looked from Omoiyari to Lillie. She did not understand. She understood him getting mad at all the adults, but why was he mad at a young girl? Yet Lillie seemed to understand the situation.

She slowly stepped out from behind Burnet and said as calmly as possible, "I-I'm sorry, I don't know what I did the anger you, b-but I mean you no harm! I'm Lillie, I'm Professor Kukui's assistant and I came at Professor Burnet's request. I-I came to help..."

Omoiyari did not reply. He was still wary of her. Izzy didn't know what to do. If she were to guess, it was possible that Lillie reminded Omoiyari of something or someone who caused him great distress in the past. He had never acted like to a human thus far.

But who could cause such a response in Omoiyari?

The tension was suddenly broken by a high pitched, happy, "Pew!"

The little cloud-like creature that had followed Lillie into the yard moved around Lillie and approached the Ultra Beast. The creature looked like a cloud with two smaller wisps of blue cloud attached to the sides of its head. It was the color of the night sky and looked like it had the stars in its wisps. It seemed unafraid of Omoiyari. On the contrary, it looked quite happy to see him.

"Nebby, stay back!" Burnet started, but Omoiyari already reached out swiftly and pulled the creature close to him.

The Pokemon, Nebby, looked surprised at first as the Ultra Beast lifted it up and stared at it with a shocked expression. But Nebby quickly recovered and squeaked happily to Omoiyari, "Pew, pew!"

"Do you like Nebby, Omoiyari?" Izzy asked with some relief as she watched the tiny Pokemon bounce around in the large beast's hands.

He did not answer, for he was now distracted by the creature. She had never seen him so interested in another Pokemon. By the way he was acting, he was almost protective of Nebby.

"Nebby is a bit of a mystery to us," Burnet told Izzy as they watched the wispy creature pew to the Ultra Beast. "My husband and I have been helping Lillie find out more about it. We had believed that it had come from Ultra Space."

"But, you're from Ultra Space, aren't you?" Lillie questioned the little girl, suddenly eager to speak up. "Have you seen any of Nebby's kind?"

"No," Izzy admitted, watching Nebby curiously. "I mean, it might've, but I haven't seen any like it. Omoiyari knows more than I do, he's really old! Do you know Omoiyari, Lillie?"

Lillie suddenly became very tense. She fiddled with the straps on her pokeball bag as she stammered, "Um, no, I've never met him before personally, but I know a bit about his kind..."

"Lillie," The professor began, her voice becoming much calmer and more motherly. "Do you know of anything that could help us? I know that you know a little more about Cosmog than we do, and you seem to have a somewhat better understanding of UBs."

"I only know that the beast, Omoiyari... He's facing the same dangers as Nebby, if not more."

An enormous roar right next to them made the woman and two girls scream with shock. Rowlet and Popplio had both tried to meet Nebby. Unfortunately, Omoiyari wasn't about to let anyone else near the Cosmog. His pupils were still slits and his sharp teeth were showing. His hands were cupped over Nebby protectively as he roared at the two starter Pokemon. Both Popplio and Rowlet made noises of terror and ran to hide behind Izzy.

"That wasn't nice, Omoiyari!" Izzy scolded the beast as the beast licked over his teeth with his long tongue before uncupping his hands. "Popplio and Rowlet wanted to see Nebby!"

The beast blushed with embarrassment while Nebby squeaked cheerfully, "Pew!"

"Well I guess this can wait for later," Burnet sighed as she glared at the Ultra Beast. "Now, as for you, what are you going to do? I don't feel right leaving you here alone, but you can't come out in public as you are."

Omoiyari blinked at her before his appearance became rather odd. His appearance flickered from being a tall skinny beast to a rather flashy green insect. His appearance finally stuck to being the green Pokemon after a few seconds. He looked like a green bug with leafy features. He was shorter than before, he was now just slightly taller than Lillie and Izzy.

"He can turn into a Lurantis?" Lillie gasped with disbelief as Nebby squeaked, "Pew, pew pew!"

"I didn't survive in this world by being sloppy!" Omoiyari snapped, sounding annoyed that people were so surprised at his abilities.

"I'm sure we'll all find that you're full of surprises, Omoiyari," Burnet replied, a small smile coming across her face.

*~*~*

"There's so many people and Pokémon!" Izzy gasped with amazement as Burnet and Lillie showed her to the bustling center of Heahea City. She had never seen so many humans in her life.

"So all these years in Ultra Space, you were the only human?" Lillie asked Izzy curiously, but she had a hint of an undefined emotion in her voice. Was it sympathy?

"Yeah, but I had Omoiyari with me!" The little girl pipped up and gestured to the Ultra Beast, who was staying close to Burnet.

Omoiyari seemed to be a little overwhelmed by the presence of some many humans. Izzy knew he had a higher tolerance for humans than the other Ultra Beasts, but she found it understandable that he was still wary of them. Something had happened on his last trip to Alola, and he wasn't about to say.

But on the bright side, he seemed to be 'coming out of his shell', as Kukui would've said. Popplio and Rowlet, who had all wanted to come too, were staying close to the beast yet giving him enough space so he wouldn't push them away. While the starters seemed nervous, Omoiyari seemed to tolerate the given space. Then again, maybe he was still too focused on protecting Nebby.

Before they had left the house, Lillie had tried to put the Cosmog in her pokeball styled duffle bag. This had gotten Omoiyari very aggressive, and it had to be explained to him that Nebby couldn't be seen in public in case someone saw him and tried to take him, so he was put in the bag to avoid being seen. In the end, Lillie told the beast that he could carry the bag and watch Nebby for her, an offer that Omoiyari quickly accepted. The bag was now hanging from the Lurantis's shoulder.

"What's that smell?" Izzy suddenly asked, a sweet smell reaching her nostrils. It was coming from a cart set up on the side of the street.

"Oh, that would be malasadas," Lillie explained to the little girl. "They are a sweet treat here in Alola. Would you like to try one?"

Izzy's eyes lit up and she squeaked, "Yes, please!"

"Ok, go on ahead, I'll be there in a second."

The young girl beamed at the older one before skipping toward the cart with malasadas. But before she even met her destination, someone zoomed passed her as they shouted at the top of their voice, "MALASADAS!"

The person, a young male, had nearly ran her over. The speed of him took Izzy by surprise and caused her to fall to the ground with a yelp. She was so dizzy...

"Oh, oops! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you! Are you ok?"

Izzy looked up to see the boy who had ran passed her. He looked to be around the same age as her, possibly a little older. He was taller than her but only by a few inches. He was dark skinned and had his long dark greenish hair tied up. Unlike Lillie, his clothes were more casual and he looked very friendly and much more outgoing.

"I'm ok," Izzy said hurriedly as she took the boy's hand and stood up again. "You took me by surprise, that's all!"

"Ha, I should've known that was you, Hau!"

Professor Burnet and the rest of their group had caught up to Izzy. Both Burnet and Lillie seemed to know the boy, for they both showed signs of recognition.

"Oh dear, are you ok, Izzy?!" Lillie asked anxiously as she swooped onto the little girl like a Pheromosa. "I turn my back for one minute-"

"I'm ok, really!" The girl repeated, annoyed at all the attention.

"No harm was done, it's alright, you two," Burnet assured everyone, thought she was mainly speaking to Lillie and the boy, Hau. "I haven't seen you since you visited the research center, Hau! How is your journey coming along?"

"Well, I haven't left the city yet to tell ya the truth," he admitted as he rubbed the back of his head with embarrassment. "The next malasada shop is a long ways away, so I gotta stack up here! But thanks for asking, Professor!"

"Of course, of course. Well this is Izzy, Hau. She has been staying with me for the past week. She's been helping with our research. Izzy, this is Hau. He's a Pokemon Trainer on his Island Challenge around Alola. He's also the grandson of the Melemele Island kahuna, Hala."

Izzy cocked her head to the side and asked curiously, "Island Challenge?"

"Yeah, the Island Challenge is where a Pokemon Trainer goes to each Alolan island and does each of the island trials!" Hau explained happily. "There's one on Melemele, three on Akala, two on Ula'Ula, and one on Poni! Once you finish all the trials on an island, you battle the kahuna! Once you beat all four, you'll need to go to the new Pokemon League their asking right now!"

"Is it hard?"

"Well kinda, I could tell ya all about it once I get my malasadas!"

Izzy looked at Professor Burnet for permission. She was very interested in learning more. She had heard Kukui speak of it, but he never went into such details. When seeing Burnet's smile and nod of assurance, Izzy turned back around and squeaked, "I'd love to!"

"Great, let's go!" Hau exclaimed happily, but right when he turned around he yelled and collapsed of fright.

Omoiyari had snuck behind him and snarled threateningly at Hau once he turned. The disguised Ultra Beast gnashed his teeth and spread out his long, pale green, scythe-like arms frighteningly. The duffle bag with Nebby inside was still slung around him, and it was moving violently.

"Stop that, Omoiyari!" Professor Burnet shouted at him furiously while Lillie squeaked with fear, "Please be careful of Nebby!"

"Be nice, Omoiyari!" Izzy scolded her father figure sternly, making him stop his frightening routine. "We want to make friends, not lose them!"

She then looked down at Hau asked with concern, "Are you ok!"

"The clouds are bright and the sun is spinning..." was all the disoriented Hau could say.

*~*~*

"So you can only go into trial sites if you're a trainer?" Izzy asked with the utmost interest.

"Yup!" Hau exclaimed in a somewhat muffled voice since he had just shoved the last of his malasada into his mouth. "If so we donf difhonor the Dapus!"

"What are the Tapus again?"

"The Tapus are the guardian Pokemon of Alola," Lillie explained, who was sitting on Izzy's other side on the bench. "There is one Tapu protecting each island. The Tapu here in Akala is Tapu Lele. Melemele has Tapu Koko, Ula'Ula has Tapu Bulu, and Poni has Tapu Fini. They have protected Alola and the inhabitants for centuries and we have since become to rely on them for protection. We put a lot of faith in them."

"This may sound very confusing to you now, Izzy, but you'll understand it after awhile," Professor Burnet assured Izzy while she stood behind the bench. "Most visitors to the islands don't understand right away, and there are some residents that don't either."

"Well I certainly don't understand, but that's ok!" Izzy said dismissively. "Omoiyari will explain it to me!"

"Where'd your Lurantis go anyway?" Hau asked as he glanced around at the busy street.

The other three looked around to, but Lillie then answered and pointed toward a small area of plants in the street, "Oh, there he is!"

The green Lurantis had set down Lillie's duffle bag and had it opened a bit. He was breaking apart a malasada and tossing the pieces into the bag for Nebby to eat. Popplio and Rowlet were beside the disguised Ultra Beast, peering into the bag to see Nebby.

"The only other living thing I've seen that Pokemon so attached to is you, Izzy," Burnet told the girl as they watched the two Pokemon and Ultra Beast. "He really seems to care for Nebby, like he does for you!"

"So Nebby and Omoiyari only just met today?" Hau asked with interest. "Anyone would have assumed that they had known each other for years!"

"I still can't help but wonder if they have met before," Lillie said quietly, watching the Lurantis with uneasiness. "Omoiyari seems to know Nebby at least."

"Well Omoiyari has been here before, maybe he met Nebby on his last trip!" Izzy piped up. "Omoiyari knows a lot about Pokémon!"

A loud roar of fury made everyone in the vicinity look around and Lillie gasped, "Oh my!"

Omoiyari was snarling at a smaller Pokemon that approached him while Popplio and Rowlet both bolted over to Izzy. The young girl immediately recognized the smaller Pokemon as a purple Oricorio.

"It's Iris!" Izzy exclaimed happily, jumping of the bench to meet the Sensui Oricorio.

"Well aren't you cranky today!" Izzy heard Iris huff at Omoiyari in her most irritating voice. "Did you not get your daily anti cranky pill today?"

The green Lurantis gnashed his teeth and roared right in Iris's face, causing her feathers to become ruffled.

"Now I see why I keep coming back, it must just be your charming personality!" She teased while poking Omoiyari in the nose.

"Iris, watcha doing here?" Izzy squeaked to the Oricorio as she skidded up to the two Pokemon. "I thought you went back home with Nanu?"

"Now why would I go with that old Murkrow when I could be with this charming young fellow?" Iris cooed while reaching up and pinching Omoiyari's cheek, causing him to hiss violently. "The ladies in Ula'Ula Meadow will understand, they have always known I've wanted more adventure. Nanu and the two captains will get along without me, they'll understand. I mean it's not like the world's going to end because I didn't stay in my ruins!"

"Well, if it isn't Iris!" Burnet spoke with surprise as she, Lillie, and Hau came to see the hassle. "What's she doing here?"

"Wow, a Sensu Oricorio!" gasped Hau with excitement as he looked the exotic bird up and down. "I've never seen a wild Sensu Oricorio before! Does she live here?"

"The Pa'u Oricorio are the wild Oricorios on Akala, not the Sensu Oricorios," Lillie corrected Hau. "Where did she come from?"

Izzy scooped up the Sensu Oricorio away from the flustered beast and explained happily, "This is Iris, the only wild Sensu Oricorio on Ula'Ula Island! She came to Akala Island with Omoiyari, and now she wants to stay with us!"

"Um, Izzy, how do you know that she wants to stay?"

Izzy was confused by this slightly. Iris had said she wanted to. However Burnet came to her rescue and explained to the other two, "I believe Izzy can understand Pokemon better than the rest of us. She has shown signs of being able to communicate with the other Pokemon. If she says Iris wants to stay, I believe her."

"Wow, really?!" Hau gasped, suddenly getting right up in Izzy's face. "I thought that was only a myth! I've heard of people talking to Pokémon, but I thought it was a bunch of mumbo jumbo! May be you could talk to my Pokemon and see what they say!"

"Maybe another time, we still have errands to run. You could come over to the labs later if you'd like. What do you say?"

"I'd like that!" Izzy piped up, excited at the prospect of learning more about trainers and the Alolan rite to passage.

She was slightly startled by the bear hug Hau embraced her in as he hollered, "Alright, you bet your shiny Lurantis I'll be there! I'll bring all my Pokemon and show them to you too! See ya then, Izzy, Lillie, Professor!"

With that, he released Izzy before bounding off at the speed of a Pheromosa. Once he was out of sight, Lillie looked to Izzy and began, "Well, I guess we can continue on with the errands. Omoiyari, can I have Nebby back?"

The Lurantis growled as Lillie reached out to take her bag, but after a stern look from both Burnet, Iris, and Izzy, he reluctantly let Nebby out of his care. Lillie seemed relieved to get her Pokémon back from Omoiyari's careful watch, and quickly stepped back as she put the duffle bag over her shoulder.

"You are just an overbearing fellow, aren't you?" Iris told Omoiyari shrewdly while yanking his antenna and making him yelp. "You got everyone living in fear, don't you? That will have to change!"

"You can't boss-"

"You aren't the boss anymore, I am! Starting now, you will begin rehabilitation-"

"I use to eat your kind, I'll have you know!"

"Oh, but you wouldn't dare eat me now that you're a responsible father and role model again!"

As both Iris and Omoiyari continued to argue with one another and Rowlet and Popplio looked on with glee, Burnet told both Lillie and Izzy, "Well, I don't need to understand Pokemon to tell that Iris has everything covered with Omoiyari. May be now we can get some errands done."

*~*~*

"How about this?" Izzy chimed as she came out of the dressing room of the apparel store. She was wearing a blouse, with a color similar to Omoiyari's scales, with jeans. white sandals, and a huge gray sun hat. She had found one similar to Lillie's sun hat, and she could resist having one herself. She was personally much happier with this outfit than any other she had worn previously.

"I think you look lovely!" Burnet exclaimed happily as she stepped forward and started straightening the creases. "I see you took a leaf from Lillie's book!"

Izzy saw Lillie blush as the younger girl said boldly, "I like her hat! It reminds me of a Nihilego!"

"Oh, well, at least someone likes it," Lillie replied quietly while looking at her feet. "My mother picked this out, and I'm not quite fond of it..."

"Why don't you buy some clothes here? Surely there's something here you'll like!" The wormhole professor told Lillie encouragingly, gesturing to all the shelves and displays around the shop.

But Lillie shook her head and stammered nervously, "N-No, it's ok, I'm fine. I'm glad you like my hat, Izzy. It makes me...happy, that you like it even when I don't."

"Well then, I will take the rest of our selections and get them paid for, then we can go back home," Professor Burnet told the two girls as she gathered the rest of the clothes. "I'd rather not leave Omoiyari out there any longer than need be."

Izzy couldn't help but look out the window at this comment while Burnet headed toward the register. Omoiyari was outside on a bench with Popplio, Rowlet, and Iris. Iris was standing on the agitated green Lurantis's head while moving her wings as she talked very animatedly. The two starter Pokémon looked relieved that someone had finally put Omoiyari in his place, while Omoiyari himself looked particularly deadly.

But something caught Izzy's eye. The window case had a assortment of odd looking charms in a bowl. There was a sign in front of it that reflected on the window, but Izzy could not get her head around the words.

"Lillie, what are those?" She asked Kukui's assistant, pointing her finger against the glass at the charms.

Lillie came to Izzy's side and explained softly, "Oh, those are little trial charms. Trainers like Hau wear them as a symbol that they are participating in the island challenges. The different colors represent the island Tapus; Yellow for Koko, pink for Lele, red for Bulu, and purple for Fini. The charms are like passes, nobody can enter trial grounds without one. Those are just keychains, though, so those won't get you anywhere."

The Island Challenge. Izzy's mind had been crowded with the thought of it. She had loved hearing Hau talk about his adventures in Melemele Island, the island he was from and originally started his journey on. The challenge sounded like something she wanted to be a part of. She wanted to see the world and make new friends, human and Pokémon alike.

Izzy must have had a curious look on her face because Lillie asked with concern, "Izzy, are you ok?"

The young girl looked up at Lillie and admitted in a quiet voice, "Do you think Omoiyari, Burnet, and Kukui would let me go on the island challenge too? I want to travel like Hau, but I don't think they would let me..."

"Oh Izzy... I'm not sure. I mean, you just got here, and I don't think they would want you to go off on your own yet!"

"But I don't want to stay here!" Izzy pouted before she could stop herself. "I want to see new places and Pokémon! I want to meet more humans, I don't want to sit and watch! Don't you want to see this world you live in, like Hau does?"

Lillie bit her lip nervously at this question. To avoid answering, she looked out the window at the Pokémon and beast in disguise out the store window.

"I guess...in a way... I want to see Alola in person," Lillie finally answered quietly. "I've only ever seen its sites and Pokémon in books. I would like to see them in person, but I have so many other things to worry about, like getting Nebby home. There's also the fact that I have no Pokémon except Nebby, and it can't fight for itself. But if I were to have a Pokémon, or at least a friend to help me, I would go on a journey."

She then turned to look at Izzy and continued, "Why don't you talk to the professors and Omoiyari about this? I'm sure they would want to know."

"But what if they say no?"

"Well...you're between the age of ten and eleven, right? Most trainers start their journey at ten years old, so you're more than old enough to go on one too. A Pokémon trainer's journey is an experience everyone- every human -should experience, and while you might not start right away, it's something no one can deny you of."

Lillie hesitated before telling Izzy quietly, "If you ask the professors and Omoiyari if you can go and they say yes, I'll go with you on your adventure. I need to find out how to take Nebby home, and I might find the answer traveling with you. Besides, you may need a guide along the way."

Izzy blinked up at Lillie with great surprise. She had never expected a response like this from someone she just met. She knew next to nothing about Lillie and vice versa.

"You...you would do that for me?" Izzy questioned quietly.

Lillie nodded and replied with a smile, "Well, yes. It's what friends do. You deserve to go on an adventure like everyone else, and...I want to be a part of it."

The older girl gave a small squeak of surprise as Izzy suddenly flung her arms around her and cried, "Oh thank you, thank you! I won't forget this, I'll make it up to you!"

Izzy felt her new friend return the embrace and say quietly, "It's no problem at all."