chapter 23

Ahh, the Alola region. Filled with a tropical environment just waiting to be explored. Many unique Pokémon are often found here, including the region's own version of Pokémon found in Kanto. Yes, even though it's a great vacation spot, the locals and the tourists are often seen mingling with each other, be it by battling or otherwise. Alola is a great place to get away from it all, especially on the beach.

Of course, the locals also enjoy it when a ship arrives because that also presents new opportunities to make money for the shops and bonds between the locals and tourists. It also presented one particular young trainer with an opportunity to explore a new region...and get over some troubles. That's right. Ash Ketchum and his longtime best friend and signature Pokémon Pikachu were on their way to Alola for something new. He was most definitely sad to say goodbye to his friends in Kalos, especially one particular one who changed him without even knowing it. Thanks to her support, he made it to the finals of the Kalos League at Lumiose City, losing only to Alain.

There were other troubles that Ash had on his mind and Pikachu was well aware. However, as their ship approached Alola, he shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind, intent on enjoying himself for Pikachu's sake (and his mother Delia). Sporting a blue-and-white striped shirt, red hat, and black cargo shorts (a far cry from his past outfits), he and Pikachu were looking over the rails at Melemele Island with a smile on their faces. "Are you ready, Pikachu?" he asked.

"Pika!" exclaimed the Mouse Pokémon. Delia couldn't help but smile at the duo.

"Same here, buddy."

When the boat docked, Ash and Delia grabbed their luggage and walked onto the docks. As Pikachu jumped onto his trainer's shoulder, Ash looked around and saw the farmers market. Delia stopped by there with Mimey to pick up some fruit while Ash and Pikachu went walking around. They saw many trainers interacting with their Pokémon and having a good time. However, the smile was wiped clean off of his face when he happened upon a clothing store that had a bikini-and-skirt combo he knew that certain girl would like.

He shook his head to get the thought of her in such a thing out of his mind. Sadly, she was in May and Max's home region of Hoenn participating in Contests and he wasn't there to support her. Pikachu patted Ash on the head to tell him that it would be alright. "Yeah, you're right, Pikachu," he said. "I can't keep thinking about her and how she's doing."

"How who's doing?" said a voice. The duo from Kanto turned around and saw a green-haired girl with tan skin, a pink shirt, and overall shorts. She also wore a flower in her hair. "Sorry. I couldn't help but feel the depressed vibes coming from you," she said. "My name's lana, by the way. What's yours?"

"My name's Ash Ketchum. I'm from the Kanto region. It's nice to meet you."

"Kanto, huh? We have our own versions of some of your Pokémon here. Look, there's Raichu." Ash and Pikachu saw a different looking Raichu surfing on its tail, which was curved at the lightning bolt. It still had yellow cheeks like a normal Raichu, but its ears were also yellow and its paws were white. "There's Vulpix." They saw a white version of the usual Vulpix. "And there's Exeggutor." The last one had the three heads on top of a long neck while a fourth head was on a tail. "Pretty impressive, huh?"

"I'll say. I never thought I would see Kanto region Pokémon like that."

"Well, that's just to name a few. If your Pikachu evolved, though, even here..." She saw Pikachu cross his arms and turn his head in disgust, giving the two humans a laugh. "...it would be a normal Raichu."

"Yeah, but the topic of a Pokémon's evolution has never been a popular subject when it came to Pikachu. I used to keep a Thunderstone with me in case he ever changed his mind, but I lost it in Sinnoh." lana saw that Ash still had something on his mind, so she came up with an idea to help cheer him up and properly welcome him to Alola.

"Say, how about I give you a tour? You look like you need a distraction," she offered with a smile. If there was anything Ash did learn over time outside of Pokémon training, it's how to spot an attractive girl. This started while he was traveling with his Pokemon Performer friend. He couldn't deny that lana had a beauty of her own. Of course, Brock did mention that the women at Alola had an exotic kind of appeal, from their smile to their looks. As she gave him the tour, he took a good look at her legs. A small part of the trainer wanted them wrapped around his waist when they were alone.

What he didn't know was that lana had a very similar thought on her mind. And she was able to make it happen since she was one of the locals. The girl had to admit that Ash was definitely something to look at. She was glad that they became friends fast. lana continued to show Ash and Pikachu around town and was happy to see that they were enjoying the sights. The Alolan versions of the Kanto Pokémon were still a weird sight for them, though. "Oh, Ash!" lana exclaimed, getting his attention. "You have to try the ice cream here! It's awesome!"

He approached the stand with lana and ordered ice cream for him and Pikachu. The duo found it to be great, just as lana said. As they continued to walk, the two humans continued to enjoy each other's company. Delia and Mr. Mime noticed them, the former smiling since she knew Ash already found a new friend. "So, what is it you do around here? Besides giving a tour?" Ash asked.

"I help my family run a restaurant. This is actually the first tour I've given, so I was a little nervous at first."

"Really? I couldn't tell that. You seemed so confident."

"Why don't you come by? We have some really good food that you've just got to try. It's on the house. Consider it my special treat." As Ash and Pikachu happily took lana up on her offer, they had no idea that they were being spied on. Up in the air, there was a hot air balloon in the familiar shape of a Kanto Meowth. In the basket were a certain Meowth, along with his friends/co-workers, Jessie and James. As usual, they followed Ash for one obvious reason: to snatch up the Trainer's Pikachu and give it to their boss, Giovanni, whom Ash battled and lost to in Unova.

"I don't get it," Meowth said. "Where are the other three twerps?"

"It must be like with the other ones," said Jessie. "Though, I'd expect that pretty blonde girl with the Braixen to be with him."

"That's what we said about the orange-haired one and look what happened," James noted. "She went back home after Johto."

"Either way, this looks like a good opportunity to catch Pikachu now. He doesn't have Greninja or the others from Kalos with him."

"Wobbuffet!"

As Ash and Pikachu were sitting at the Aina Cafeteria, the restaurant that lana helped run, waiting for their food, Pikachu had noticed that his best friend's mood was immediately better. He wondered if it was due to the friendship he quickly established with lana. He also noted that the depression was still there, but couldn't ask him about it since lana brought their food out. "Hey, thanks," Ash said, getting a happy smile from the girl. He looked and saw the steak dinner, eager to dive in to lana's amusement. While she got the same thing, Pikachu got a bowl of Pokémon food.

"There you go, Pikachu," she said. "It's ketchup flavored. Ash told me it was your favorite thing." As she said this, Pikachu picked one up and sniffed it. Finding nothing wrong with it, he ate it and cheered happily.

"Pika!" he exclaimed happily, getting a smile from the two of them. In the midst of it all, lana also introduced Ash to her Pokemon Bounsweet, a Grass-type Pokémon with a white underside, red face, and green leaves on its head.

"So, Ash, what do you think?"

"It's great! If I had to give a comparison..." This got lana to worry a little. "...I'd compare it to my buddy Brock's cooking back in Kanto. He used to be the Pewter City Gym Leader with a specialty in Rock-types. Out of everyone I traveled with, his cooking, as well as the Pokémon Connoisseur Cilan's, are the best I've had. This is right up there. Of course, there's also my mom's cooking."

"Well, no kidding. No one could beat a mother's cooking, not even us. So...you've traveled a lot?"

"Yeah. First was mine and Pikachu's home region of Kanto. Our first traveling companion was Misty, who is currently the Cerulean City Gym Leader. She followed us around because Pikachu and I fried her bike while trying to get away from a bunch of Spearow. Our next friend was Brock, whose original goal was to become a Pokémon Breeder. I got the eight badges to qualify for the Kanto League, but because my Charizard wasn't listening to me at the time, it was considered a forfeit and I was stuck at the Top 16. After that, Misty, Brock, and I went to retrieve a special type of Pokeball from Professor Ivy, who's stationed at the Orange Islands. It couldn't be transferred by normal means. However, because Brock, who's normally the wisest of my friends, tends to fall for women, he decided to stay and help Professor Ivy while Misty and I traveled through the Orange Islands with our friend Tracey. I won the Orange League after getting the four badges required. We got the GS Ball to Professor Oak, who couldn't open it. We were rejoined by Brock and Tracey became Professor Oak's assistant."

"That's odd," lana said, interrupting Ash. "Principal Oak never mentioned any of this to me before. In fact, I don't even recall him even having an assistant named 'Tracey'." This confused Ash and Pikachu as well until they remembered Professor Oak mentioning a cousin of his in Alola.

"You must be thinking of Samson Oak. The one I'm talking about is Samuel Oak," he corrected. "The two of them are cousins, and they even look alike from what I hear, but the Professor Oak I'm talking about is a top Pokemon Researcher whose grandson Gary is a rival of mine."

"Yeah, you might be right. Please continue."

"Right. Misty, Brock, and I traveled through Johto next, which is where I got the eight badges to qualify for the Silver Conference. I beat Gary for the first time in my life, but I lost and wound up in the Top 8. Lucky for me, Charizard started listening to me again during our Orange League journey. After that, Misty got her bike back and the three of us went our separate ways. After that, Pikachu and I went to Hoenn to try the League there. We met a Pokemon Coordinator named May Maple and her brother Max before reuniting with Brock. Like with Misty, Pikachu barbecued May's bike." Pikachu nervously rubbed the back of his head. "She and I also wound up in frequent arguments over silly things. I can hardly even remember."

"So how far did you get in the Hoenn League?"

"Top 8, just like with Johto. After that, we split up, but reunited for the Kanto Battle Frontier. May got in the Top 8 at the Hoenn Grand Festival and the Top 4 at Kanto's. I actually managed to beat the Battle Frontier, but I declined a spot as a Frontier Brain. I'm glad I did too, because I wouldn't have been able to travel to Sinnoh if I accepted. There, Brock and I met another Coordinator, Dawn Berlitz. Once again, Pikachu fried her bike, but at least she didn't make a big fuss about it. Dawn and I argued now and then, not as frequently as I did with Misty, but Brock usually had to act as a referee. She made the Top 2 in the Sinnoh Grand Festival while I made the Top 4 at the Sinnoh League."

"That's pretty cool. What happened after that?"

"The three of us separated, but Sinnoh was my last journey with Brock. He decided that he wanted to become a Pokemon Doctor, so he started studying for that while I was in Unova. There, I met a Dragon-Master-in-training named Iris. We argued more than I did with Misty, which was frequently. Since the Unova region doesn't have Pikachu in the wild or in the PokeDex, she got super excited and squeezed Pikachu a little too hard and wound up getting shocked along with her Axew. It was actually pretty funny. A while later, we got to Striaton City where I challenged all three of the Gym Leaders, the triplets Cilan, Chili, and Cress. I beat Chili, but lost to Cress. Cilan wound up being the tie-breaker. I beat him and he decided to travel with me and Iris. He's a bit eccentric if you ever get to meet him. I got the badges I needed, but like with Johto and Hoenn, I wound up in the Top 8. To get back to Kanto, we went through the Decolore Islands. When we arrived back in Vermilion City, our friend Alexa and I separated from Iris and Cilan when they went to Johto."

"And where did you go to next?"

"My next journey was one I had just gotten done with." lana noted the somber look on Ash's face and held up a hand for him to stop, confusing him. "lana?"

"You're probably not ready to tell me, are you?"

"Not really," Ash admitted. "It's kind of a heartbreaker."

"That's okay. You'll tell me when you're ready," she said, getting Ash to notice the kind smile on her face and respond with one of his own. They noticed some commotion going on and saw a group of wannabe gangsters whose outfits had a skull motif. The leader of the trio was a slim male. He had with him a chubby male and a female. "Not those guys!" Ash saw the angry look on her face when she said it.

"Who are they?"

"They call themselves Team Skull. They try to bully other people into giving up their Pokémon. In fact, they'll even steal if they have to. I hate them!" Ash knew they weren't in his favor either since they reminded him a bit too much of Team Rocket. Now he was determined to beat them since they saw them picking on Delia and Mimey.

"Don't worry, we won't hurt you," the girl said. "We just want Mr. Mime there."

"If you guys want trouble, try challenging me instead!" shouted a voice. They looked and saw Ash, who was really angry at them. Delia took the time to run behind her son as he got ready.

"More like us!" lana exclaimed, correcting Ash as she joined in.

"Oh, now you're starting something!" said the leader, who threw three Poké Balls into the air and released three black, lizard-like Pokémon with fiery red points on their tails. "Let's get ready, Salandit!"

"What he said, Yungoos!" the fat one exclaimed as he released three mongoose-looking Pokémon with slicked-back hair.

"Let's get 'em, Zubat!"

"Get ready, Pikachu!" Ash called out. "I choose you!"

"Let's get 'em, Bounsweet!" exclaimed lana. The two Pokémon got ready to battle as the orders were called.

"Yungoos, use Bite!" said the fat grunt. The three Yungoos attacked the two opponents in front of them, but Ash had a few tricks up his sleeve.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Pikachu rushed towards the three Yungoos, to the shock of lana and Bounsweet. When the Electric-type Mouse Pokemon was through, all three of them were down for the count.

"Zubat, use Venoshock on Pikachu!" said the girl.

"Salandit, Flamethrower on Bounsweet!" said the leader. The two trios launched their attacks at their opponents. They made impact, but when the dust cleared, Ash was covering lana, Pikachu, and Bounsweet, an action that got lana to blush a little. They were unharmed since a glass wall was put up. They looked and saw Mimey protecting them.

"Great timing, Mimey!" Ash said, praising his mother's helper. "lana, are you ready to finish this?"

"Yep!" lana said with a smile. "Bounsweet, use Energy Ball!" The little Grass-type charged up a green sphere and fired at the opponents.

"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!" Pikachu acknowledged the order and fired a yellow ball of electricity from its tail as well. This severely weakened the Zubat due to Pikachu's advantage over Flying-types. "Let's finish this with Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"

"Bounsweet, let's help them! Use Solar Beam!" The two attacks combined into one larger blast and made impact on the opposing teams, knocking them out cold.

"You won't get away with this!" said the leader as Team Skull returned their Pokémon and got on their motorcycles.

"Yeah, what he said!"

"Well, that's that," said lana.

"Yep," Ash added. "Compared to Team Flare and the others, these guys are nothing." After he said it, he realized that lana caught on.

"Ash, are you telling me you've battled even deadlier organizations? It's no wonder we were able to beat them so easily."

"Ash has had his share of battles, Miss lana," said Delia, causing Ash to look away and whistle in embarrassment. "He's battled Teams Aqua and Magma in Hoenn, Team Galactic in Sinnoh, Team Plasma in Unova, and Team Flare in Kalos."

"That's so cool! I heard that they were dangerous. Ash, it's awesome that you fought so many evil organizations, but you have to be careful. You could get killed one of these days."

"I try, but it doesn't always work out that way," the runner-up of the Kalos League joked, getting a slight giggle from lana. Suddenly, a robotic arm appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Pikachu off of Ash's shoulder. Ash, lana, and Delia followed its trail and saw a familiar (to the Ketchums) hot air balloon. "Team Rocket!" exclaimed Ash.

"Prepare for Trouble up in the sky!"

"And make it Double right on the fly!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"And James!"

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth! That's right!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Who are these guys?" asked lana.

"Did we forget to tell you that I've been facing these guys for a long time?" Ash asked rhetorically. "They're Team Rocket, bad guys who try to steal other people's Pokémon!"

"And it looks like we did it!" exclaimed Jessie.

"Seriously, twerp!" Meowth said. "Of all of our encounters, this has got to be your most careless!"

"And knowing you guys, that metal arm's Electric-proof, isn't it!?"

"How'd you guess?" James asked.

"It's nice and sunny, Bounsweet," lana said. "Think you can muster up another Solar Beam?" Bounsweet nodded and jumped up, launching another Solar Beam at the arm that was holding Pikachu hostage. It severed the arm in half and Pikachu fell back into Ash's arms, who slid to catch his best friend. "Are you okay, Pikachu?"

"Pika!" Pikachu confirmed before looking back at Team Rocket in anger.

"I know what you're thinking, Pikachu," Ash said. "Time to go full-power! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Pikachu powered up and launched its favorite technique at Team Rocket's balloon, blasting yet another hole in it and sending the diabolical trio flying somewhere else.

"I don't believe this!" shouted Jessie.

"We almost had him that time!" James added.

"We always almost have every time!" Meowth finished.

"Wobbuffet!"

"And where blasting off again!" they shouted.

Back with Ash, lana, and Delia, they watched the classic sight with only lana and Bounsweet being amazed by Pikachu's power. Ash knew what she was thinking, so he spoke before she did. "That happens all the time," he said. They then got into a bit of a panic due to Pikachu feeling its energy being drained from his Thunderbolt at full power. "Oh no! Pikachu!"

"Let's get him to a Pokémon center!" lana said, getting a nod from Ash.

They got to the Pokémon Center and were relieved that it wasn't too busy. This told lana, with a sense of personal pride, that she and Ash prevented more trouble from Team Skull. They got Pikachu with Nurse Joy and sat in the waiting room. As Delia continued to shop, this time for something for her son, lana and Bounsweet were the only ones with Ash. She then got an idea to strike up a conversation with her new friend from Kanto. "So...that was one impressive Thunderbolt," she said. "Was it like that when you were trying to save Pikachu from those Spearow?"

"Yeah," he answered. "At first, Pikachu didn't listen to me. It was after we took Misty's bike that I saw Pikachu's Thunderbolt in action. I tried to protect him and he wound up protecting me. After that, we became the best of friends."

"Like brothers. Almost inseparable. I can see that between you two."

"I never told you about my last journey, did I?"

"No, but like I said, when you're ready, you can tell me."

"I feel like I should," he said, getting lana to listen. "My last journey was through the Kalos region. Pikachu and I traveled with another brother-sister duo named Clemont and Bonnie. Clemont is the Lumiose City Gym Leader and Bonnie's his little sister. We also traveled with a friend I made back before Gary and I became rivals. Her name is Serena. She was the sweetest girl I had ever met. Originally, she wasn't sure of what she wanted to do, even after choosing Fennekin as her Starter, though she knew she didn't want to become a Rhyhorn Racer like her mother. She's good at it, I'll give her that. But she eventually decided that she wanted to become a Pokémon Performer. I've seen a lot of amazing sights in my journeys, but when she took the stage, something about it was different than when May or Dawn had the spotlight on them. I couldn't quite place it back then, but for some reason, Serena's performances were the greatest sights I'd ever seen. After she got second place at the Master Class, I had my first attempt at the Snowbelle Gym, which ended in failure. Serena and I had our first and only argument when she was only trying to help. She was the reason I got over my doubts and my Greninja and I managed to perfect our bond. After that, I made my way to the Finals at the Lumiose Conference, losing to one of Team Flare's former associates, Alain."

"But what about Team Flare themselves?" lana asked.

"Team Flare was our toughest battle against a criminal organization, even more than Team's Aqua and Magma and they were harsh in their own right. Team Flare's leader Lysandre even unleashed a Gigalith Zygarde on us. The real Zygarde even stepped in and stopped it. Of all the leader's of a criminal organization, Lysandre was the only one who was killed. After that, we were helping to rebuild Lumiose City, including Clemont's Gym, which is Prism Tower. When another one of their admins, Xerosic, returned and tried to take a Zygarde Core and Cell that were with us, I had to leave Greninja in Kalos to protect it after we got that mess taken care of. Not that I don't appreciate Bounsweet helping out against Team Rocket, but I feel kind of stupid not bringing Charizard with me." This elicited a giggle from lana. "Anyway, when Serena decided what she was going to do next, Clemont and Bonnie were there to see us off. She's now in Hoenn doing Pokémon Contests with Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon at her side. Before she separated from us, she did something out of the blue that no other girl has done."

"She kissed you, didn't she?" Ash nodded with a blush on his face. This told lana that Serena kissed Ash on the lips. "Ash, if you and Serena cross paths again, I promise to stay out of the way. In the mean time, since you enjoy a good battle and look like the kind of person who gets excited at the sight of a new Pokémon, would you want to stay here and learn?" They had no idea that Delia was back and listening, shocked that lana had asked Ash of that, but not too surprised. She knew Ash well enough to want to explore a new region, but also saw a bit of loyalty to Serena in his eyes, finally learning why he was depressed. "C'mon, there's even a Pokémon School you can learn from. And Alola's got plenty to distract you from your heartache. Beautiful beaches, unique Pokémon...good-looking girls," lana said with a flirty look on her face.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Delia said, gaining the attention of the two. "Besides those reasons, it looks like you've made a good friend in the process. And she's a beautiful one in my opinion. Maybe until you reunite with Serena, you could take her out on a few dates?" Both of them blushed, but lana recovered quicker. They saw Pikachu out on a silver cart rested and recovered.

"Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed. Pikachu jumped excitedly into Ash's arms with the Trainer being overjoyed to find him okay. "Hey, Pikachu, what do you say about you and me staying in Alola for a while?" Pikachu cocked his head to the side, wondering why Ash would do that before remembering the unique Pokémon they saw. The Electric-type rodent chirped in excitement at the prospect of meeting new friends. "Is that a yes?" Pikachu nodded. "That's good to know." Both lana and Delia smiled as Ash accepted the invite. He then thought of another one of his Pokémon who would probably enjoy Alola. "Hey, Pikachu?"

"Pika?"

"Would you be okay if we brought Charizard down here as well? We really could've used him in the Kalos League, couldn't we?" Pikachu laughed along with his trainer before agreeing to have the fully-evolved Fire Starter with them eventually.

"Ash, I understand that the battle against Team Rocket just now made you miss the rest of your Pokémon, but why Charizard?" Delia asked.

"Charizard, Greninja, Pikachu, and Sceptile are my four strongest, and unfortunately, I had to leave Greninja in Kalos. Plus, it's like I told Pikachu: It's to make up for not having him with me in the Lumiose Conference."

"Well you don't have to worry about that now," lana said. "You've got me. Plus, at the Pokémon School that I study at, you'll have more friends backing you up if Team Rocket manages to succeed in kidnapping Pikachu...as long as they're still in Alola."

"Thanks, lana," Ash said before turning back to Pikachu. "If push comes to shove, or if we're feeling a little nostalgic and homesick, I'll bring Charizard here. Is that okay with you, buddy?" Pikachu chirped in excitement.

At lana's house, the green-haired girl set Ash and Pikachu up in the guest bedroom for the night. She also called the region's Pokémon Professor to tell him about the arrangements for them. Not only was Ash allowed to attend the school, which lana was excited about, but the Professor, who was a teacher at the school, decided to let Ash live with him after hearing lana's description of him, which she was a little sad about. She got back to the room that the two best friends were occupying. She saw them looking out the window at the stars. "A penny for your thoughts?" she asked, getting their attention.

"Still have my mind on Serena, but I'm also excited to start attending the school," Ash said. "I wonder what kind of place it is."

"You know those summer camps you went to in Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos?" The Kanto trainer nodded. "It's like that, but there are lessons unique to this school that they don't teach at those camps. For example, the Regional Variants I mentioned earlier. Then there's Pokémon that are found only here. A little heads-up, Ash: The one who teaches the class on Regional Variants is Principal Oak."

"You didn't sound like you were too excited about that."

"Well, he makes these bad Pokémon puns. He thinks it's funny, but the rest of us don't. Oh, and you don't have to worry about having to deal with our classmates. If you do, it's going to be Kiawe, our most experienced classmate."

"What type of Pokémon does he use?"

"He uses Fire-types, but if your Charizard is as strong as you claim it to be, you two should be at least evenly matched. His signature Pokémon is Turtonator. Mallow uses Water-types with her signature being the Starter Popplio. As for Sophocles, he's an Electric-type user with a mischievous little Togedemaru."

"And I'm guessing that because of Bounsweet, you use Grass-types, right?" lana nodded in the affirmative. "That's really cool! My Grass-types are all Starters. Bulbasaur, Bayleef, Sceptile, Torterra, and Snivy."

"You didn't get Chespin?"

"Nope. That one went to Clemont. Believe it or not, Clemont, Serena, and I all got the Starters directly from Professor Sycamore himself. Chespin's the only one who hasn't evolved. Serena chose Fennekin as her first Pokémon and it evolved into Braixen."

"Yeah, you think quite a lot about Serena," lana said in a joking manner. She then saw Ash head to bed with a sad smile on his face. Pikachu slept at the foot of the bed. "Ash, can you do us both a favor?"

"What's that?"

"Can you turn over onto your stomach please?" Though finding it odd, Ash complied. lana took off her shoes and got on the bed to straddle his back. That's when the young trainer got a feel of his new friend's hands massaging his shoulders. Ash gave a pleased moan, loving the way her hands felt. "Feeling better? I can keep going if you want."

"That...ngh...feels good." As soon as she got done with his shoulders and back, she wrapped her arms around his torso. "lana?"

"I know you miss Serena. That's why I want to make you as happy as I can. What good would I be if I didn't at least try."

"You're just fine, lana," said Ash. "Thank you."

"Look, when the time comes that you and Serena cross paths again, let's hope it's for good. I won't get in the way. In the meantime, try adding 'bachelor' to your resume and consider me or Lillie. She's a lovely girl too. She even has that same innocence that Serena's got." She saw the downcast look on his face. "It's just a suggestion. Goodnight, Ash." She stayed there all night, cuddling with her friend since she wouldn't be able to that much starting tomorrow in the morning he saw the way she was then woke her up and said if it is okay with your dad I well stay here with you she said really he said yes now let me go talk to him he did and said if you let me stay I well help you in the restaurant he said you can stay

ash said thank you then went and told lama the news she s0aid that is good

I'm doing it again. I'm staring at Ash. I don't know why I keep staring at him. It all started when he first appeared. He looks so cute and all. His denseness is also cute as well, but a pain in the ass. I tried spending time with him alone, but are pokemon get in the way as the others as well. *Sigh* if I only could find a way to get us alone.

lana put her head down and sighed. She wanted to be alone with Ash and tell him how she feels, but with his denseness and others interfering, she never had a chance. Soon the bell rang and class was over. lana felt someone tap on her shoulder, so she look up to see Lillie and Mallow

"Ready at my place?" Lillie asked with as smile as lana tilted her head in confusion. She than remember she was going to have a sleep over at Lillie's mansion.

"Oh yeah. I forgot," lana said with a sheepish smile as the other two sweat-dropped.

After going to lana house to pick up her pajamas and sleeping bags. The three girls were in Lillie's room and started gossiping.

"So did you girls check out Ash trainer page?" Mallow asked as lana and Lillie shook their head.

"Well it's interesting. I thought he was just a regular trainer, until I saw his accomplishment," Mallow said as she took out her laptop and open it up and show it to Lillie and lana. It was Ash trainer page. Showing them what he accomplish. The two were surprise what they saw.

"He has a Charizard that defeated a Articuno!" Lillie exclaimed. "Forget that! That little Pikachu defeated a Latios!" lana said as she was amazed that her crush has strong pokemon.

"It's amazing that we are friends with an amazing trainer," Mallow said as she close her laptop.

"Speaking of Ash..." Mallow started as she looks at lana. "lana, you should ask him out on a date." lana blushed.

"Oh yeah. lana has a crush on Ash! I forgot!" Lillie said as she looks at lana with a grin.

"Ash and lana kissing on the tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Lillie sang as Mallow joined her.

lana blushed and yelled, "SHUT UP!" As the other two laughed. "Sorry lana. We're just teasing you," Lillie said as lana puffed her cheeks.

"Jokes aside, you should really ask him. You two seem perfect for each other!" Lillie exclaimed as lana raised an eyebrow.

"And explain why we are perfect for each other?" lana asked as Lillie grins at her. "Well for once, you two personality are the same. Plus, you two really love your pokemon to the extent," Lillie said making lana look the other way and blushes. She hates being tease by Lillie and Mallow.

"It's not like Ash likes me..." lana thought as she sighs.

"ACHOO!" Ash sneezed. "Must be getting a cool," He said as Kukui, who was sitting next to him, laughed.

"Or someone talking about you!" He added as Ash grumbles.

"Yeah right. I don't believe in that," Ash thoughts looks at the TV. He was watching a battle between two trainers in the indigo conference. One of them has green that reminds him of lana.

"lana...the girl I have a crush. I can't wait to ask her out on Monday. I wonder if she will say yes?" Ash thought as he closes his eyes.

"Maybe she will say yes..." Ash than fell asleep as Kukui sighs when he hims snores.

"Well class! That is the end of today's lecture. I'll see you tomorrow," Kukui said as everyone packed up and left the classroom.

lana, Lillie, and Mallow are walking towards the exit of the school and talking, "Hey!" until Ash yelled at them to get their attention. Ash ran at them and stopping in front of lana.

"Sorry, but can I borrow lana for a sec?" Ash asked as Lillie and Mallow look at each other, giggling.

"SURE!" The two exclaimed as they push lana towards Ash. lana blush, being so close to your crush will make you do that.

"TAKE CARE OF HER!" Lillie and Mallow shouted as they left, leaving Ash and lana alone, of course their pokemon left them alone as well.

"Um..." Ash couldn't say the six words. lana stood there, wondering if Ash needed something.

"Willyougooutwithmetonight!" Ash said quickly with a blush making lana raise an eyebrow.

"I didn't quite get what you said," lana said as Ash sighs.

"Will you go out with me tonight?" Ash asked as lana blushed.

"Um well I um..." She couldn't find the courage to say yes.

"Oh. Okay. I am sorry I wasted your time," Ash said as he starts walking away until lana grabs his hand.

"I didn't say no. I just wasn't expecting you to ask me so suddenly, but yes. I'll go out with you tonight," lana said, making Ash cheer up.

"Great! I'll pick you up tonight!" Ash said as he calls over Pikachu and then leaves a blushing lana.

"WAIT TONIGHT! THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET READY!" lana shouted as Lillie and Mallow walks towards her.

"Hey! I saw Ash yelling she said yes. Did anything happen?" Lillie asked, but the blush on lana's face made her grin.

"I believe lana was just asked out by Ash," Mallow said with a grin of her own.

"Yes! He did ask me out, but for tonight. I don't know if I am able to get ready by then," lana said, making Lillie and Mallow look at each other.

"MAKE OVER TIME!" The two shouted as lana wined.

Bounsweet was watching her best friend/master getting worried over date. She wonder why humans can do like what pokemon do. Find a mate and get it on and get it over with?

lana was not liking what Lillie and Mallow are forcing her to do. They were at her home and was finding anything for lana to wear on her date to Ash. "How about this?" Mallow show Lillie a bright yellow dress.

"No. Too bright. How about this?" She was holding up a blue tank top and short shorts.

"No too raveling," Mallow said as the two continue to debate on which one she should wear. lana, whom was sitting on her bed, was just looking at a short sleeve white rose pattern shirt and blue jeans.

"Can I wear this one?" She shows them the clothing. Lillie and Mallow look at each other and form a huddle to discuss about. This made lana confuse as the two got out of their huddle and nodded at lana. lana sighs and went to her bathroom to change into the clothing of her choosing.

Soon lana came out wearing the white rose pattern shirt and jeans.

"Oh my Arceus! lana you look cute!" Lillie exclaimed as Mallow nodded, agreeing with Lillie.

"Thanks!" lana said cheerfully.

"Now! Let's do your make up!" Lillie said as lana shook her head no quickly.

"No! I hate make up!" lana said, making Lillie disappointed.

"Well you got 3 hours till your date. What are you going to do?" Lillie asked.

"Get Kukui's homework done before the date," lana said.

"Oh, well then have fun! Mallow let's go," Lillie said as she drags Mallow out of lana's house, making lana confused.

"Oh well. Time to do homework," lana said as she grabs her backpack and took her folder out.

Three hours has past since Lillie and Mallow left. lana was nervous about the upcoming date with Ash. It's their first date together and she doesn't want to ruin it. She than heard knocking from her door.

"That must be Ash. But I'm not ready yet, I need more time. I'm still too nervous," lana thought as she walks to her door. She opens it to see Ash with a bouquet of flowers.

"Hi lana! Um...these are for you," Ash said as he hands lana the bouquet of flowers. lana blush as she sniffs the flowers, taking in their sweet aroma. She looks at Ash and blush.

"Th-thank you Ash. Their beautiful," lana thanks him as she went to put the bouquet of flowers in a jar she has. Soon they head out.

They walked side by side, in an awkward silence, not knowing want to say to one another.

"Man, this is awkward. What I do I say to him? Do I compliment him? Should I wait for him to say something? This is very complicated," lana thought as she kept glancing at Ash.

"Should I say something? I never been on a date before so what do I do?" Ash thought as he notice lana looking at him.

"Um...do I have something on my face?" Ash asked as lana blushed.

"N-No!" lana shouted as Ash tilted his head in confusion.

"Ok," Ash said. The two continued to walk in silence.

"So lana...", Ash broke the silence, "you look beautiful." lana blushes.

"He keeps making me blush too much! I don't know if I could handle it," lana thought.

"T-thanks. You look handsome," lana said, notice what Ash was wearing. He was wearing a dark blue long-sleeve dress shirt. He was also wearing dark blue jeans and black shoes.

"Thanks," Ash said with a smile.

"So we're we going?" lana asked. Ash looks at her with a grin. "It's a surprise," Ash said as the continued to walk in a comfortable silence.

"No way! You got us a reservation at Hau's!" lana exclaimed. The two arrived at a fancy restaurant in a mall.

"Yep! It wasn't easy, but let's say I will be running errands for Kukui," Ash said as lana raise an eyebrow, but ignore it. The two went inside and went to the receptionists.

"Hello Welcome to Hau's restaurant! Do you have a reservation?" The waitress asked as Ash said, "yes, under the name Ketchum." The receptionist checks her list and found Ketchum.

"Follow me to your table," She said and led them to a table by a window. The two sat there as the receptionist said, "a waiter will be with you soon." She than left, leaving Ash and lana alone.

The two look away from each other. Not knowing what to do.

"So...", Ash started, "How you've been?" He asked as he thought, "That's the best thing you could come up with?" lana looks at Ash.

"Um...good," She said as lana thought, "is that all you could come up with?" Ash sighed.

"Ok. Look, this is awkward alright. Let's just try to talk to each other," Ash said as lana nodded. Soon the waiter came.

"I am Javier, your waiter this evening. What do you two would like to drink?" Javier asked.

"Water!" lana said and I well have the coffee ash said

"Yes, well I am going to go fetch your drinks," Javier said as he left the two.

"So Ash. How long have you been a trainer?" lana asked as Ash grins at lana.

"Since I was ten, so about 6 years," Ash said as lana gasped.

"That long! How many regions did you travel?" lana asked as Ash thought about it.

"About seven," Ash said as lana envy Ash. "I'm so jealous of you! I always wanted to go and travel the regions, but my parents want me to go to school," lana said with a pout as Ash laughed.

"Maybe they want you to get ready for your adventure," Ash said as lana shook her head.

"Maybe, but I still want to travel," lana said.

Well maybe I'll take you to another region after we graduate the pokemon school," Ash said as lana eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Would you please!" lana exclaimed as Ash chuckles.

"I promise," Ash promised lana as lana grins at him.

Soon Javier came back with their water and coffee and asked them if they are ready to order. Both Ash and lana order a medium rare steak with toast on the side. Javier than left to deliver the order.

"So lana, have you been out of the Alola region?" Ash asked as lana shook her head no.

"Nope. Alola is the only region I been to, and live there as well," lana said with a small chuckled. Ash chuckles and asked, "so why did you say yes?" lana was confused.

"I mean, isn't it weird that guy you know for a month asked you out on a date?" Ash asked as lana shook her head no.

"I don't think it's weird. It just means that we get to know each other more. To be honest I was surprise you ask me out. I thought you don't like me that way," lana said with a sheepish smile.

"Well too tell you the truth, I have a crush on after a week we met," Ash said with a sheepish smile as lana .

Soon Javier came with their food and set it on the table.

"If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask," Javier said as he left the two.

"Well let's dig in," Ash said as the two eat their steaks, while talking at the same time.

After the two ate dinner, they went to a park in Hau'oli city to take a stroll. They saw a bunch in front of a pond and sat down. lana laid her on Ash shoulders and smiled.

"Ash...", lana started, "I had a great time. It was awkward at first, but soon we talk like we usually do. It was the best first date I ever had," lana said as Ash looks at lana.

"I'm glad that you had a great a time. I thought I was going to ruin it," Ash said with a sheepish smile as lana giggled.

"You? I thought I was going to ruin it," lana said as Ash chuckles.

"Ash," Ash looks at lana as his eyes widened. lana is kissing him, but soon he return the kiss. As they kiss the moon as the moon lights shines upon them.

See you later Ash!" lana waved before she ran out of the school, heading home. Ash watched her as she go, recapping her earlier conversation of today.

"So Ash, what are you doing today?" lana asked him during their lunchtime. He had just finished telling a story about one of his previous travels, and after he was done, she asked.

"Oh well I don't think I have anything to do today. I was thinking of doing some light training with Pikachu." Inadvertently as he said that, he scratched the bottom of Pikachu's neck, making it coo. He looked at lana and she could tell she was conflicted about something before she spoke up.

"Why don't you hang with me after school?" It was a simple question that his usual dense self would of thought, but lately his denseness has been wearing off a bit. He could tell that question had a bit more meaning, nonetheless he said yes.

She looked relieved, but he didn't know why. He put that question towards the back of his head and continued to eat the load of food he had in front of him. Another question popped up into his head. Why didn't she invite anyone else?

He later found out that Kiawe had to help at his farm. Sophocles was always busy after school. And Lillie had to take care of Snowy and has some event that her mother is hosting and she had to be there. Everyone but him was full for the day. She probably wanted us to hang out since everyone else is busy. Yea! That's it. Just friends wanting to hang out.

Though he felt himself cringe when rolling over the word friends. Not too long ago he realized what crushes were. A feeling of wanting to be with someone romantically. The girls had too explain it too him, which was embarrassing for all there. More specifically for lana and Lillie. Lillie always blushes and he was confused as to why lana blushed almost more than Lillie.

After understanding what a crush meant, he possibly thought he might have a crush on the green haired beauty. Ugh, this is the weird thoughts I'm having. She was pretty in his book. Very pretty. But he set those feelings aside and he knew this was just two friends hanging out, right?

It felt harder to walk and he realized he was walking and sand, meaning… he was home. Well temporary home since he was a guess in Kukui's home. He ran up to the house, went inside and threw his backpack on the couch. lana wanted to hang out, soon. He didn't have much time to relax before he had to head back outside and go to lana's house.

He sat on the couch, ready to watch a bit of television before he headed out. Pikachu curled in his lap and he softly scratched Pikachu as he watched the show. He couldn't focus on it, only thinking about hanging out with lana.

What if she wants to hang out because she has crush on you, a part of him said. She only wants you to hang out with her, because everyone else is busy, the other part scolded him. The two sides started to bicker, giving him a massive headache.

"Shut up!" His head went silent but Pikachu stared at him weirdly. He sighed, his buddy probably thinks he's crazy. Maybe he was. Someone else also heard the words he said.

"Ash, are you okay?" Kukui looked concerned and looked for someone that Ash maybe yelled at. He knew Ash isn't a person who typically would yell or get angry at someone like that, but Ash still yelled and he was wondering why.

"Um no actually." Ash considered asking Kukui about this. He was older, wiser, and definitely knew more about this since he was married. Kukui raised his eyebrows raised at his response.

"Kukui can I ask for your opinion on something?" Kukui's eyes raised even higher at his question, but a held a slightly serious face. Ash knew that he knew this wasn't a joking matter.

"A girl asks you to hang out, not inviting anyone else because everybody is busy. What is uh… the girl's... 'intentions'" Ash quoted his fingers on the word intentions. Kukui took a few seconds to think of a response, before he answered.

"One of two things. Since everyone is busy, she wanted someone to hang out with, but usually people will just wait for the next day when more people are available. Or she wanted to spend some alone time with you and knew that everyone was busy today." Kukui's answers were exactly what he was thinking, so the answer wasn't much else.

"Here's an idea to see if she like you. Flirt with her." Kukui said it as if that would solve all his problems. Flirt with someone? How do I do that? So he asked.

"How do you flirt with someone?" He asked his guardian, who stared at him shockingly, but shook his head. Kukui face contorted to a small smile.

"How can I forgot that I'm talking to one of the densest people of all time. Well to flirt you uh... Um…" Kukui was thinking of an easy way to explain to Ash that a guy flirts by being mean to the girl. If he said that he would have to be mean, he won't do it. He had another way.

"Actually instead of really flirting with her, make her blush, and do that by either complimenting her, or sometimes touch her." This was a much easier expMallowtion than to explain his previous thought.

"So I can check if she blushes?" Ash still didn't understand the concept but Kukui had a smile on his face still, not bothered by his incompetence.

"Yes, but I'll also show you're interested." He tried to peach together what all that meant and slowly he had an idea what Kukui meant. He looked up at the clock at the wall and gasp.

"Uh Kukui I got to go. I don't want to be late. Stay here Pikachu." Pikachu nodded and laid down on the couch.

Kukui watched Ash run off the beach to the path and out of sight. You got this lana.

"Pika Pika!" Ash started to slow as Pikachu yelled at him. He had ran for quite some time and he was quite exhausted.

"Yeah you're probably right. lana doesn't want to see me all sweaty and out of breath." He smirked as his bud and scratched him behind the ears as he walked. He wondered what they will do. She only said to hang out, and later she said at her house.

He'd finally made it to her house. The house was primarily green on the outside, but he knew it was mainly brown on the inside. The house connected with their restaurant, meaning her dad could just walk downstairs and open the restaurant (I don't know if the restaurant is also connected to their house or not, but in this story it does).

He went up to the house door and knocked. He heard people not far away, probably eating at her dad's restaurant. He heard movement inside the house before the door opened revealing lana.

"Aloha Ash!" She a cute pose and stepped back, allowing Ash to enter.

"Aloha lana! How are you doing?" She closed the door behind him and sat on the couch, begging him to sit with her.

"I'm doing great now that you're here." lana said it so casually that it slightly confused him, but he did see a faint blush on her cheeks.

"Uh.. oh.. Okay." He sat with her and she giggled, seemingly to enjoy his stuttering. Complimenting her or sometimes touch her. He slowly pressed his shoulder on her's and he peeked his eyes to see if she had any reaction. She had a glassy look on her eyes.

"So what are we going to do?" Her eyes reverted to normal after the question and she thought of a response. He noticed that she didn't move away from his but it almost seemed she moved closer. His stomach grumbled and he blushed and put his head down. lana laughed out loud while he scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"How about I make you some food." She got up and wink at him before she skipped to the kitchen. He stared at her in wonder and slight amazement. She was acting different than what she'd act on in school are with everybody. She winked at him, skipped, even her voice was sounding unusually playful.

He got himself and made his way to the kitchen to see lana already cooking, all her ingredients and supplies out. She looked at him and playfully shoved him away.

"You can sit down and wait for the food to be finished." The aroma was almost too good for him to sit down, but he grudging did so at the dining table. The aroma went into the dining room and his mouth watered.

"So Ash, you got any crushes?" If he had any liquids in his mouth he would of spit it out from the question. Why was lana asking that question he wondered. But she asked it so casually that he needed to answer it or it'll be weird.

"Um well… kinda I guess." He saw lana's head slightly twitch in the slightest but she made a good job in hiding it. She walked his way with a bowl of soup in her hands. He looked behind her and saw more ingredients that wouldn't be used in soup.

"Here ya go. Course number one since I know this soup won't be enough." She again winked at him and set it down. Pulling her hands back, her hands grazed his as he put his hands on the bowl. A faint blushed appearing but quickly disappeared. He started to have his burning out soup.

"You know it's best to crush on someone who knows who to cook." She said all of a sudden. He stared at the back of her confusedly. She seemed to felt his confusing gaze and responded.

"Well because you have such a appetite, you need someone who's good at cooking." She came back with now a bowl of pasta in her hands. She set it down and kept her hands on the bowl as his hands came onto the bowl. Their fingers touch and neither pulled until lana seemed to have a clear blush. She took the other bowl and made her way back to the kitchen. Readying one more dish.

"lana I really enjoyed your soup, now Imma enjoy this." He had a hunger look on his eyes and he started to devour the pasta. Unbeknownst to him, lana blushed from the compliment and she held a prideful smile.

Her cooking really was good. He loved her food, absolutely loved it. He wanted it all day, everyday.

"T-Thank you Ash." A slight hiccup her voice that he raised an eyebrow to. She couldn't see it as she was making another dish. He was almost done with the pasta.

"Someone who can cook really amazing for you and would cook for you all the time. You should be crushing on a girl like that." lana's words were hard to understand for him. She looked back at him and saw his confused look adorned on his facial features. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"She walked to him with what it seemed to be, the final plate. Steak, real delicious looking steak. But his focus wasn't on the steak, his focus was on her as she set down the plate, his hands came on top of hers. She took a breath shakily and she looked kind of nervous.

"Y-you know what they say. The way to a man's heart is through the stomach." At that moment it all clicked to him. Her wanting to hang out, the playful attitude and voice, which was her being flirty, her cooking for him and the words she said about who to crush on. She was applying herself the whole time.

She was blushing and looking at the ground, but his hands were still on her hands and she didn't move them. He'd never seen lana like this and he knew what to do. He took his hands off her and slowly stood up. She sadly sighed and turned away, thinking he was rejecting her. She put an arm on her shoulders stopping her, and he forced her to turn around.

She looked up at him, a blush still gracing her face. She was acting nervous, his hand still on her shoulder. He took a step towards her, closing the distance. She didn't move but her breathing was shaky.

"Well luckily lana, you knew the right path." Her eyes widened at the statement before he kissed her. She was frozen in place, but after a couple of seconds she kissed him back and wrapped her arms around his neck, and he did around her back. They seperated after a couple of moments, both breathing kind of heavy.

"Wow." They both said. They both laughed and rested their foreheads against each other's. The smile at each other, and Ash rubbed lana's back. They held each other for quite some time before lana playfully pushed him off.

"Eat your food before it gets cold." She had a goofy smile on her face as she said that.

"Alright girlfriend." She froze and he had a smirk on his face. She glared at him but he laughed.

"Imma enjoy this." lana didn't know if he was talking about the food he was about to eat, or their new relationship.

Looks like The Way to a Man's Heart is Food, and good thing she had her infamous lana's Specialty Cooking

The tropical weather that's the Alola Region shined brightly, especially on Melemele Island. However, the scene at Professor Kukui's house was anything but picturesque. Pikachu draped a damp towel on Ash's head as the professor, Rockruff and Ash's Rowlet looked on in concern. Knowing Pikachu's work to keep Ash comfortable on the couch, one conclusion entered his mind. "A bit ill, Ash?" he assumed.

"I just don't feel so good..." a weakened Ash muttered.

"I don't need to feel your forehead with Pikachu having a towel on it to tell that you have a fever." Rockruff barked, its concern understandable. "You don't want to catch what Ash has, Rockruff." The Puppy Pokémon whimpered, fearful to sharing the illness. The professor's cellphone rang and he answered. "Professor Kukui..." A pause. "Yeah, Ash won't be attending today. Illness..." Another pause. "Just thought I'd let you know, Samson." He hung up. Rotom, Ash's living Pokédex in Alola, flew to Kukui to know who called.

"Was that Principal Oak?" it asked.

"Yeah, ironic since I was about to call him about Ash's fever." Rotom flew to Ash and observed his condition.

"I'm not too familiar with humans but if this is a fever, I'd say it's a safe call."

"You think, Rotom?" moaned Ash.

"I'm not programmed to think, Ash. Just observe and collect data to share." Ash smacked his hand onto his forehead, splashing drops near Rotom. "Take it easy. I don't wanna get wet." Ash simply slumped down on the couch. Afterwards, Ash's classmates and Pokémon entered the professor's house to see Ash. Seeing Ash's flushed face, they realized the trainer visiting from Pallet Town wasn't in good condition.

"Ash?" called Lillie. Ash opened his eyes, his body barely responding to any urge to move.

"Hey, guys..." he greeted. "Sorry about today's classes..." The girls knew this wasn't anything he could control.

"Hey, it happens," lana eased. "No need to feel bad about it." Sophocles placed Togedemaru down and removed the cloth to feel Ash's warm forehead.

"Troubling..." he studied. "His pale face is a concern, and his core temperature is estimated at 104º. His lethargic speech and motor skills pose problems. With this much consideration..."

"He's sick, Sophocles," snapped Kiwae. "That's all you need to know."

"Then allow me to say so!" Ash clutched his head from the yelling.

"Would you two simmer?" shouted lana. "He's already in bad shape." The boys calmed down and apologized.

"Sorry about that," Kiawe mulled.

"Our bad..." Sophocles sighed. Mallow and Lillie helped Ash back to the sofa pillow.

"Just relax yourself, okay?" requested Lillie.

"Yeah..." Ash groaned. "Could you guys look after my Pokémon?"

"Of course," Mallow agreed. "We'd probably would ask for the same thing in your place."

"Thanks." Togedemaru embraced Pikachu softly, both worried about Ash. Although Professor Kukui's house only had Ash inside, lana pondered to a way to help her new friend's ailment.

'His fever is like the time I got sick,' she minded. 'I remember what Mom gave me. I just hope Rowlet can follow human instructions after its stint with the Pikipek and that Toucannon.' Bounsweet picked up on lana's thoughts. She heard her Pokémon's wail. "Sorry, Bounsweet. Lost in my thoughts. Anyway, I have an idea on how to break Ash's fever." Rotom heard lana's ploy, flying over to interfere.

"The best solution is to let Ash rest and drink plenty of fluids," it advised. lana didn't want to follow instructions.

"Turn yourself off, Rotom. You need to know how some people think."

"But I told Ash that I'm not programmed to think!" lana entered the kitchen and scavenged through.

"Let's see… White herb, check… Tiny mushrooms, check…" She heard the refrigerator open. She found Rowlet grabbing a can of lemonade. "Hey, run that to Ash and come back, ASAP." Rowlet listened and flew the lemonade to Ash. He woke from the flapping of Rowlet's wings.

"Thanks, Rowlet," Ash praised before opening the can. A sip winced Ash. "So cold..." Rowlet flew back to lana that had a list written down.

"I have everything except for a Rawst Berry." Rowlet irked its head in confusion. Turning to Rotom, lana wondered if Rotom had an image it could show. "Rotom, you have a Rawst Berry in that database?"

"Let me search it," Rotom hoped. It closed its eyes and bars zoomed through its screen. "Found it!" A blue strawberry appeared on Rotom's screen. Rowlet gawked to the picture and squawked in a frenzy. "Rowlet says that he remembered a few Rawst Berries the flock of Pikipek and Trumbeak in the nests when he joined Ash." lana pounded her open hand, a cure to Ash's illness nearing.

"Rowlet, go to that nest and see if you can have a Rawst Berry." Rowlet nodded before flying out the window. "Rowlet cares for Ash so I believe it'll find that Rawst Berry to use." Looking at the pile of items, she wanted to go over the checklist again. "Okay, aside from the Rawst Berry, I got a couple of tiny mushrooms, some white herb, fresh water, miracle seeds… I seem to be missing something but what is it?" lana began to work on the items, the solution unknown. Meanwhile, Rowlet flew down to Pikachu who was playing with the other Pokémon.

("Rowlet, is Ash okay?") he asked.

("Friend is,") Rowlet beaked. ("Friend wants a Rawst Berry for friend. I need some help.") To Pikachu, he wondered why someone wanted the Grass Quill Pokémon to find a certain berry.

("I guess I can pitch in.") Togedemaru squeaked in concern for her new friend.

("Will you be back?") she asked.

("I can't abandon my partner for a long time.") Togedemaru bobbed her body before Pikachu jumped on Rowlet to find the Pikipek flock. 15 minutes passed when the two Pokémon found the flock which Rowlet originated from.

("Despite you traveling with a human, you dare return?") questioned Trumbeak. Pikachu hopped down to discuss with Trumbeak and Tucannon.

("We came for a Rawst Berry for my friend.") That's when a Pikipek came flying to the nest. Coincidentally, it carried a few Rawst Berries in its beak. It landed in a nest, much to Rowlet's and Pikachu's shock.

("Got an extra Rawst Berry if any Pokémon wants it!") the Woodpecker Pokémon announced. Pikachu and Rowlet reached the Pikipek, grateful for its luck.

("Thank you very much! We need it for my partner!") Pikipek snickered to the praise.

("Happy to help!") Pikachu snagged the Rawst Berry but that's when he noticed Rowlet missing. Trumbeak found the wayward Rowlet to a cubbyhole full of sweet honey. It fired Leafage and scooped each leaf with some honey before packaging it up and flying back to Pikachu.

("Next time, tell me.") Rowlet shrugged to the scorn, oblivious to Pikachu's warning. Regardless, Pikachu boarded and Rowlet carried the items as far as possible, over Bewear carrying Team Rocket away.

"Let go of me, Pinky!" she scolded. Ignoring the villains in trouble, Rowlet and Pikachu returned to Kukui's home where lana seemed to struggle with her concoction.

"I know I need the Rawst Berry but what else?" she tried to remember. That's when the Pokémon announced their presence.

("lana!") squeaked Pikachu. lana turned to the noise where Rowlet and Pikachu brought the berry she needed.

"Rowlet! Pikachu! You got it!" As Rowlet landed, he dropped the dime pouches of the sweet honey. Hearing the drop, lana picked one up and sniffed it. Her mind dove into enjoyment. "This is it! The Sweet Honey! I knew I was forgetting something! Rowlet, you're a lifesaver!" Rowlet playfully winged away the compliment, not a big deal to it. lana mixed the ingredients for her remedy.

("I'll be getting back out there with the rest,") Pikachu excused himself. Bounsweet and Rowlet allowed the Electric Mouse Pokémon to go. With the ingredients on hand, lana finished her concoction.

"It worked on me. I know it will work on Ash." She came to the living room where Ash had been partially awake. The fever drained his normally limitless energy. "Ta da!" Ash turned to lana with a cup of what seemed like a bluish sludge smoothie.

"lana?" he weakly noticed. "Why aren't you and Bounsweet out with Pikachu?"

"Come on, Ash! I'm not letting your illness off! I recalled my parents giving me this when I had a fever like you do… which is why I made this!" Ash looked inside, finding the smoothie-like drink.

"I hope it's edible? What did you throw in?" lana began to get a little impatient.

"Don't be a scared Litten." Ash shrugged his shoulders but lana wasn't leaving until he drank it. At first sip, his eyes bulged. Reading his facial reaction, lana stole the cup as Ash hacked to the drink.

"So bitter!"

"Like heck I'd give you something too sweet, otherwise the medicine wouldn't work." Ash had to stomach this concoction, literally. He was forced to swallow his pride and the drink, nearly choking at times. Finished, Ash juggled the cup which lana caught.

"Oh, man… Awful..."

"All gone. Now you can relax." Ash took some deep breaths to the bitterness of the drink.

"I hope to not taste anything that bitter again..." lana giggled, hoping she would not make another one for as long as Ash stayed with her.

"I'm gonna check on everyone and be back in an hour." She left the room as Rowlet flew into the room and looked on. As night began to fall, Professor Kukui, lana, Lillie and the Pokémon returned to check Ash's progress. A feel to the forehead prompted good news.

"Fever's breaking!" studied Kukui. "And colors' showing again. I'd say whatever lana gave you worked like a charm."

"That's great, professor," Ash sighed in relief.

"And you're sounding better. That's one crisis we could do without." Lillie knelt to Ash, happy to know he'd be okay.

"Is there anything you need?" she asked.

"Other than rest, not really," Ash shook off. "What we need to do is get you to get along with Pokémon." Lillie jumped to the thought.

"It's one thing if it's Kiawe's Tortinator but Ash's Pikachu is adorable to hug," lana pointed out. "

"I can handle a Pokémon!" she denied. "It's my obligation not to at the moment!" The others laughed a little to Lillie's refusal. lana saw Ash's face smiling and Pikachu back with his partner.

"Lillie, could you tell my mom that I'm staying at Professor Kukui's house for the night?"

"Not a problem!" Lillie got to the phone as Rockruff pawed Kukui.

"I suppose you need supper," he read his Pokémon. After needs were met, night fell. Everyone but lana slept. She looked over Ash sleeping better than before, the illness about faded away. She felt his head once more, temperature normal.

'Ash, I'd rather have you in my family,' she minded as she unbuttoned herself. 'A ball of energy when healthy, a great respect for Pokémon… I practically fell for you from the moment you arrived at the school.' Her denim overalls fell to the ground near Ash's bed. She wore a strapless pink swimsuit as she slipped under the blanket and rubbed her arms against Ash, waking him up.

"lana?!" he gulped. lana giggled to the reaction.

"I can't sleep wearing anything denim." Ash wasn't worried about what she wore or removed.

"Okay, but what are you doing in my-" Instead of letting him talk, lana kissed him on the lips, stopping his talk. Ash felt the lips meeting, succumbing to her sweet scenting love.

"I've wanted to do this after our surprises. Goodnight… honey." A leg and her arms wrapping around Ash, lana fell asleep, her body cuddling on his. Her warmth eased Ash to sleep, a smile painting his face. The morning sun climbed to indicate the morning. Pikachu, Rowlet and Bounsweet gawked to see Ash and lana in the same blankets. Kukui climbed the ladder and Rotom floated to find the Pokémon before Ash and lana in the bed together.

"Well, this is interesting..." he stuttered in thought.

"Is this something humans do?" the Electric/Ghost-Type Pokémon asked.

"I'm afraid it's something you won't find in the Pokédex, Rotom." Now Kukui had a dilemma, not because he had to wake Ash and lana for school… but how to tell the rest of the two in a more caring of a relationship.

It was the end of another school day in Alola. lana decided to drop off Ash at Professor Kukui's place on her way to the mansion. While on the drive there, Ash and lana struck a conversation while Pikachu and Snowy were asleep. Now throughout the day, lana hasn't been feeling well, but she's been able to make do. Once they arrived, Ash and Pikachu got out of the car and waved bye before the car drove off. When she made it to the mansion, after greeting Hobbs and giving him her bag and hat, she walked in, hoping to lay down and try to shake off her uneasy feeling. The next morning, Ash arrived at the mansion, wanting to walk to school with lana. Hobbs opened the door, telling him that she still hasn't woke up yet. When he was offered to come inside, Ash went upstairs, wanting to see if lana was alright. He slowly opened the door to her bedroom as he and Hobbs quietly walks in. lana groans as Hobbs says quietly," Ms lana, it's time to wake up and prepare for Pokemon School." But when lana sat up and gave an exhausted groan, Ash and Hobbs could easily tell that something wasn't right. Both were surprised as lana weakly opened her eyes to see them. When she tried to say something, she ended up coughing pretty hard. It was plain to see that lana was sick, really sick.

Ash looked on with worry as Hobbs calls for the maids to bring medicine, ice packs and a bucket ( for just in case ). While waiting for the items to come, lana attempted to try and stand up, wanting to fix up her appearance at least, even if she was to stay in bed. Shaky and unsteady, she could only stagger to her feet before Ash rushes in to catch her and usher her back into bed. Soon, everything was delivered as Hobbs poured out the medicine. He gives it to lana so she can take it, but lana was a little resistant about it. She has never been a fan of taking medicine, especially if it was bitter. Ash asks if he could try and give it to her, with Hobbs soon letting him, warning him to be careful, not wanting him to get sick. When Ash tried at first, lana still remained persistent on not taking it. When Ash remarked that it would help her feel better, with Pikachu chirping in agreement, lana soon gave in and took the medicine. She soon layed back into bed, groaning in exhaustion and sickness. Hobbs admired his courage and kindness to lana as he watched him care for lana as he would usually everyday.

When Hobbs went to see if the ice packs were ready, Ash stayed and kept an eye on lana. While he watched her, lana laid and sighed in boredom. She has never liked getting sick. It was boring and since she was stuck in bed all day, there was nothing much to do. Luckily, Ash could tell how she felt because he pulled up a chair and started telling lana stories about his past travels. They were very entertaining to hear as lana listened in with an occasional coughing fit or a sneeze fest every now and then. Hobbs soon comes in with an ice pack cold and ready. As it was placed on her forehead, lana sighed in content as it was the first thing that felt good all day while stuck in bed sick. He then goes to help the chefs prep something for lana to at least attempt to eat. Ash says that he'll help as he follows Hobbs to the kitchen, leaving Pikachu with lana.

While in bed, lana looked over at her vanity, it gave her an idea on how she can fix her appearance while remaining in bed. She asks Pikachu to go to her vanity and pick up her hairbrush. Pikachu tilts his head as he walks over to the vanity. Looking around the top table, he finds her pink hairbrush and picks it up, walking back to lana with it. As lana sits up again, placing her melted ice pack on her nightstand, she ends up in another nasty coughing fit. Pikachu's ears droop down as he watches with worry. Still holding the hairbrush in its tiny paws, Pikachu gets an idea. As lana is soon able to clear her throat, Pikachu tries to motion his idea to her. Seeing by the confused expression on her face, Pikachu knew that he was going to have to show his idea. He jumped onto her shoulder, still holding the hairbrush now in one of its paws, he used his free paw to hold a bit of lana's hair and moved the brush along it. Understanding what Pikachu was trying to do, she sighs in content as Pikachu kept it up for another few minutes. Soon, he finished as he went back to the vanity and placed the brush back before going back to his spot. lana smiled and wanted to pet Pikachu, but stopped, not wanting to get Pikachu sick.

Hobbs and Ash soon come up with a bowl of hot chicken soup. As Ash gives it to lana, who was anticipating to try it, her stomastomach rumbles, making her feel a bit uneasy. Ash decided to spoon feed her, thinking it might help. He sits right next to her, bowl of soup in hand, steadily spoon feeds lana the soup. lana could only blush as this kept up until the bowl was empty. lana then smiles and lays back in bed, falling asleep with a light and really soft snore. As Hobbs watches her rest up, he then looks and sees Ash has sat in the chair and fallen asleep with Pikachu asleep on his lap. He could only smile as he sees them look so cute together.

Today was a rainy day in the Alola region. The skies were cloudy and gray, the trees were facing downward, and the people stayed indoors.

And we have Ash Ketchum, absent from the Pokemon School due to an above average fever that struck him in the morning.

"Ding-Dong!" The doorbell of the cabin rings.

"H-hey Pikachu!.. Can you do me a s-solid and open the door? Must be P-professor Kukui." Ash said with an additional cough at the end.

"Pika Pika!" The electric mouse companion said.

The door opened to reveal a white garment and a blonde with a big white hat with a white raincoat on.

"H-hey Ash." lana said "You feeling okay? The Professor told us about your fever." lana said saddened by her classmate.

"N-no it's" *cough cough COUGH*" Ash said with a couple more coughs and a choke at the end.

lana rushes to Ash to pat his chest.

"Easy does it. There you go." lana said even more worried for her classmate.

"It's n-nothing." Ash says trying his best to stay positive. But lana knew the classmate was bluffing.

"Ash. Tell me what's wrong? I'm here for you..." lana says trying to get her classmates affection.

"It's p-probably just a strep t-throat." Ash said. "Do you k-know where the Professor is?" 3

"He's still at the Pokemon School. He gave me a pass for an early dismissal to check on you." lana said.

"W-well that's nice of you" Ash said to his classmate.

"Anything for a friend. That's what you taught me." lana said

Suddenly. The telephone began ringing.

"I'll get it." lana says with a smile and wink to her classmate.

"Yes Professor?" lana said. "Oh! Okay. Alright." lana then hung up the phone.

"What'd the p-professor say?" Ash said.

"Oh, he'll be home a bit later tonight around 11. He's got some researching and dinner to do with Professor Burnet." lana said.

"Oh. Well I g-guess that's okay." Ash said

lana goes to check Ash's forehead.

"Ash... you're burning up!" lana says with fear.

"I'm gonna go get some medicine at the poke mart. I'll be back in 5 minutes. Okay?" lana said.

"S-sure." Ash said weakly.

lana puts on her jacket, but leaves her hat for some odd reason, and walks out the door.

While waking down Route 1 in the rain, lana begins to think.

"Why do I feel so, weird around him? He's just a friend.." lana tells herself.

"Or am I thinking about it the wrong way.. is this good?"  8

"So many possibilities.. but what am I thinking? Is he something more?"

lana reaches the pokemart which had very few people in it, 1 buying some great balls and another drinking some coffee.

"Hi there! What can I do for you?" Says Nurse Joy.

"I c-could use some cough medicine please." lana says giving a half smile.

"Oh. You feeling a cold? I can't blame you, the weather is crazy! Always sunny in Alola, R.I.P" Nurse Joy says with an ironic chuckle.

"N-no it's.. for a friend. He's feeling a bad strep throat."

"Oh man, that's bad." Said Nurse Joy. "Here, I'll get the medicine, it's in the back."

"O-oh alright."

lana begins to wander around the store. Looking at some random objects and knick-knacks. She takes a look at the pokeball section, only to find something amazing.

"Woah." lana says amazed. "It's a customized Pikachu Quick Ball. I bet Ash would love that!" lana says nodding her head.

"Alright! Here's your medicine young lady." Nurse Joy says with a bow.

"Thank you so much! May I also purchase this?" lana said.

"Sure! That'd be an additional 30 poke dollars please." Nurse Joy said.

lana  searches through her mini purse only to find an unfilling quota of 25 poke dollars and 25 cents.

"I'm s-sorry." lana says getting a bit teary eyed.

"Hey, no need to feel sad. Tell me, why do you want the quick ball?" Nurse Joy says reassuringly.

"It's f-for that sick friend I bought the medicine for, he l-loves pokemon so very much. It's the least I could do for him." lana says with an uncontrollable blush.

"Something tells me that this "friend" is, well more then a "friend". Nurse Joy says laughing.

"I d-don't know at this rate. My head is saying all these thoughts and doesn't know which one is true." lana said with a sigh.

"Let me tell you something." Nurse Joy said. "I'll let you have that quick ball for the price you currently have."

"T-thank you so much!" lana said with a bow.

"And, for that "friend" of yours, speak your heart to him. Don't let your fear own you! Tell him the truth." Nurse Joy said smiling.

"Thanks Nurse Joy." lana said walking out of the poke mart with a wave.

"What my heart is telling me." lana repeats a good 3 times.

lana comes back to the cabin to find Ash watching some Pokemon Baseball on tv.

"Hey L-lana." Ash said "Did you get the m-medicine?" Ash says weakly.

"Right here." lana says with a warm smile.

Ash takes the medicine lana poured and feels a little drowsy.

"Hey A-Ash I also got you this." lana said holding her hands out with the Pikachu quick ball.

"Woah! That's a-awesome lana. Thank you so much." Ash said putting the quick ball on the table. "I'll capture the best pokemon with that pokeball!" Ash said affirmatively.

And with that. lana goes to the counter to grab some water, turning back, she says a tired, beautiful ash preserved with some drool, sleeping like a baby on the couch. And lana makes a move.

In lanas Head: Ash, you're more than a friend. And I want it to be that way. lana said in her head.

lana begins taking off her main outfit wearing only a short sleeved tee with some tiny pajama skirt and begins walking toward the couch Ash was sleeping on.

lana then begins to lay on the couch next to Ash and cuddles up with him. Holding her arms around his body, and wrapping her legs around his. She felt the most comforting, warm sensation with Ash.

"lana?" Ash said." "W-what are you doing?" Ash says confused.

"Sssh.." lana says puting her index finger over his mouth. "Just rest.." lana said straying her hand on his hair.

lana then gives Ash a warm, kiss on the cheek. And Ash realizes this while turned around. He blushes instantly. And falls asleep.

lana then begins to doze off, and eventually fall asleep with Ash in her arms

The next day ash said he was gonna go train for American ninja Warrior an Hour later lana came looking for him and found him doing the course of American ninja Warrior one year later he was ready to compete so he went to New York and competed in American ninja Warrior he made it up the 18'foot wall And won $10000 and said I dedicate this win to lana