Chloe sat quietly atop Tyrantrum's back, petting his thick hide as he napped a bit, still groggy. As soon as morning came around, everyone was up, and Chloe fixed a bit of breakfast for them all. A few of the pokemon were still sleepy, and decided to rest in the warmth of the sun. Gladion and Hau were standing by, watching the few pokemon that were awake and socializing. They were hoping that Kahuna Hala would be arriving home at any moment.

Chloe had several worries in the back of her mind. What if Hala comes back with Guzma? After our argument before, I really don't want to see him. I mean, I guess it has been a few years since I've been home...but Guzma knew that I didn't like his involvement with Aether and his team's treatment of pokemon. So what did he expect? I haven't even seen Plumeria since they disbanded. Wonder what she's been up to. She gulped, imagining Guzma strolling into Iki Town and pulling her into the most awkward situation ever. What should I say to him if he does show up?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a yawn from Hau. "At this point, I don't think Gramps is showing up, at least not for a while."

Chloe sighed. "Well, this is boring. Maybe we should just go, Gladion. Sitting around waiting isn't going to solve anything." In truth, she mostly just didn't want to see Guzma.

Gladion hummed. "Perhaps we should go look for Kahuna Hala ourselves. He shouldn't be too far, we could-" He was cut off by a beeping sound. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an earpiece, placing it on his ear. "What is it?"

There was a small bit of static before a familiar voice spoke from the other end, "Master Gladion! We've got bad news!"

"Faba? What's wrong?" Chloe and Hau looked at the boy, both had puzzled expressions.

"There are reports of Ultra Beast activity around Hano Beach on Akala Island! I was about to dispatch a team to take care of it-"

"Don't bother," the blond interrupted. "A dispatch team won't make it in time. Chloe and I can get there quicker using a pokeride. We'll take care of it. Just keep me informed if anything else pops up."

"Very well, Master Gladion."

The voice faded out, and Gladion turned to Chloe. "There's an Ultra Beast around Hano Beach. We need to get there as fast as possible."

Chloe nodded, sliding down off Tyrantrum's back. "Okay, we'll take Braviary then."

They both returned all their pokemon except the flying type, then climbed onto Braviary's back. Hau went over to the pokemon's side, grinning up at the two. "Good luck, you guys! I'd go with you, but I don't think Braviary could carry me too. But with you two on the job, I know you'll be just fine." He gave a thumbs up. "Go stop that Ultra Beast!"

A slight smile tugged at Gladion's lips. "Thanks. We will."

With that, Braviary spread his wings and took off, heading east toward Akala. Gladion held on tight, his arms around Chloe to hold on. He couldn't be flustered by it this time though, there was too much going through his head at the moment.

"This is so bizarre," the redhead admitted, speaking her mind on the matter. "No more reports have popped up on Melemele, but now they're happening on Akala instead? Do you think it's Nihilego again?"

Gladion nodded, looking over her shoulder at the approaching island. "Most likely. All the reports have been nothing but Nihilego so far, so I'd assumed that's not changing. There must be something going on specifically with the wormholes to Nihilego's world for this to keep happening."

"Let's just hope no more Ultra Beasts start appearing," the girl added. "Then we'd have a real problem on our hands."

It didn't take them long to reach Akala with Braviary's speed, and Chloe directed him down toward Hano Beach. They immediately saw that something was wrong. On the normally peaceful, luxurious beach, people and pokemon were scattering. Screams of terror reached their ears, and upon looking closer, they could see what was causing the panic. A white jellyfish-like creature hovered about in the middle of the beach.

"Nihilego again," Chloe said. "Looks like you were right. Braviary, take us down!"

"Brav, bravi!"

The flying type dove down, landing on the sandy beach. Chloe and Gladion both hopped off his back, and the girl returned her pokeride. Upon seeing it up close, they realized that Nihilego wasn't alone. There was a young boy with it, upper body enveloped by the beast's bell-shaped head while his legs dangled almost lifelessly below it. The child's expression was blank, showing no emotion whatsoever. As if sensing the Ultra Beast, Silvally came out of its pokeball of its own accord, growling at the Nihilego.

"Nihilego is capable of parasitizing people and pokemon," Gladion informed Chloe. "Seems this one has claimed a host already. We need to rescue that kid before we can face it, or we'll put him at risk!"

"I'll try and see if I can calm it down enough to let the kid go," Chloe told him.

Before she could take even a step, Gladion grabbed her arm, stopping her and forcing her to look back at him. "Be careful, Chloe. This thing is dangerous. If anything looks off, Silvally will jump in."

The girl couldn't help but smile slightly. "Aww, you're worried about me? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." She gently tugged her arm out of his grasp, then carefully approached the Ultra Beast. She gave a friendly smile, her steps slow and careful. She could feel the waves of fear and confusion emanating from it. "Nihilego...it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."

The creature made a strange noise, and with the child as its puppet, spoke through him, "Home...I want to go...home..."

"I know you do," Chloe replied. "That's why I'm here to help."

"Lost...I'm lost...everything...scary..."

"No, no, don't be afraid." The redhead told it. "There's nothing to fear, I promise. I'm going to help you get back home. All you need to do is let that little boy go, then I can help you."

Nihilego lowered to the ground, and the boy slowly slipped from its hold, landing on the sand, unconscious. With a smile, Chloe held a hand out to it. The beast floated closer, one of its tendrils reaching toward her outstretched hand. But Gladion spotted something off about it. One of the tendrils started to reel back and glow white. Chloe didn't appear to notice until it was already beginning to swing at her.

"Chloe!" Gladion cried, his body acting before his mind could even think.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion as the girl's crimson eyes widened in surprise, watching as the glowing tendril came into her view. But in an instant, a familiar blond shoved in front of her, taking a defensive stance with his arm raised. Nihilego's attack made contact with Gladion's arm, causing him to wince and groan in pain. Chloe was completely stunned. He...he protected me. With an angry cry, Silvally leapt in, using Crush Claw on the foe, knocking it back.

"Gladion! Are you okay?!" The redhead grasped his uninjured arm, clearly concerned.

"I'm fine," he replied through clenched teeth, clutching his arm. "Silvally, use Air Slash!"

From its crest, blades of air sliced through the air, hitting Nihilego. The creature gave a pained cry before its body faded away, just like last time, as if its presence in Alola was always short-lived before it was forced back to its world again. Silvally then went over to the pair, watching its trainer hiss in pain.

Chloe frowned at the boy. "Are you crazy?! Why in the world did you jump in front of me like that?!"

Gladion gave a pained chuckle. "I don't know why...my body just reacted. I guess after watching both my sister and my mother get hurt by Nihilego, I couldn't stand to see anyone else go through that."

He looked down at the ground, trying to hide the faint blush on his cheeks. The redhead was completely shocked by that. After all their talk about not caring for each other and only in it to stop Nihilego, Gladion went and risked his own safety for her. It made her heart flutter at the very idea that Gladion actually cared about her more than he let on. Maybe...I've been too harsh on him.

She suddenly slapped his shoulder with a frown, making him flinch. "You idiot! You could've really gotten hurt! You had me worried!" She then surprised him with a small hug. "But...thank you..." Gladion stood there, astonished by her abrupt hug.

Chloe was quick to get help at the resort, and the young child Nihilego had parisitized was taken to be treated so he could recover. Fortunately, he was going to be okay with a little time and continued treatment to remove all the toxins from his body. Though Gladion insisted he was fine, his left arm now had a large, swollen bruise from the Nihilego's attack. Chloe only discovered it after she rolled his sleeve up. The resort staff welcomed them and their pokemon to enjoy the beach as much as they wanted as a thank you for getting rid of the Ultra Beast, and knowing Gladion needed it, Chloe took them up on their offer.

Gladion was still completely stunned by how nice Chloe was suddenly being to him. After talking with the resort staff, she had practically forced him to stay and relax a little, telling him that Nihilego could wait. She held his uninjured arm and led him out to the beach, sitting him down on a beach chair. She then got a pack of ice to help the swelling on his arm.

"Here, keep this on the bruise to reduce the swelling," she told him, a small smile on her lips as she gently held the ice pack on his arm.

He still looked surprised by her kindness, and his fingers brushed over hers as he replaced her hand with his own, holding the ice pack in place. "Thanks. You really don't have to do all this though. I'm fine, and we need to go after Nihilego."

He started to get up, but Chloe took his shoulders and pushed him back down into his seat. "Nihilego is gone, and we have no way of finding it again. We can afford a break... Besides, after what you did back there, you deserve to relax a little."

He finally gave in and sighed. "All right, might as well let our pokemon enjoy themselves too." He released his team, letting them enjoy some time to relax or play.

Chloe did the same, letting her pokemon out to join in the free time. "This'll be a nice chance to go for a swim and catch some rays."

She started pulling her shirt up over her head, causing Gladion to stare wide-eyed. "Wh-what are you doing?"

The girl got her shirt off, revealing a Litten-styled bikini top underneath. She looked at him, clearly puzzled by his tone. "Going swimming, duh. I usually wear a bathing suit under my clothes."

She kicked her shoes off, then casually undid her shorts and let them fall to her feet, stepping out of them. The bikini bottom she wore matched the top. The sight made Gladion blush as he stared at her. He never quite realized before just how pretty Chloe actually was until he saw her in that bikini.

(This is the bathing suit she's wearing, the Litten one, not the other two, though they're cute too.)

The redhead took notice of the boy staring at her, looking lost in thought with a red face. "Gladion," she said with a teasing smirk. "How do I look?"

"Pretty," the blond blurted out, causing his blush to darken. "I-I mean cute! No, wait... Nice!" He turned his head away nervously, his bangs hiding his face. "You look n-nice..."

Chloe couldn't help but giggle at how much he stumbled over those words, but she was flattered though. "Aww, thanks."

She turned and walked to the water, her mind going back to the boy's adorable reaction. Not once since I'd met him have I seen him looking so embarrassed. Did he really mean all that? He thinks I'm pretty and cute? She could practically feel his eyes on her as she walked. I guess he is kinda good-looking, plus he did save me back there... Why is that thought giving me Butterfree in my stomach? She shook the thoughts away so she could enjoy her swim, leaving Gladion alone on the beach with the snickering pokemon.