(Sun POV)

Lillie and I had just obtained the Moon flute from exeggutor island, and were now on a boat back to Poni Island to finish our mission. I stared down at the two flutes we had obtained. Both of them seemed to radiate a powerful source of energy I couldn't describe whenever I touched them. It was exciting, this whole thing we had gotten ourselves into, but also pretty scary and dangerous. Especially after we learned about Gladion and Lillie's abusive past, and Megan's dark secret. I suppose this isn't as fun as it is nerve-wracking for the three of them.

I heard Lillie sigh beside me, which made me turn my head to look at her. She had her head down, staring into her open back where Nebby slept. I frowned, and lay a hand on her shoulder. She seemed to snap out of her little daze, causing her to look at me surprised.

'Hey... Are you okay?' I asked her.

'Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking...' she replied, sighing again. 'This has been quite the journey, hasn't it?'

'Yeah, especially for you and Gla-' I stopped myself, thinking I shouldn't bring up their past at this time. 'I-I mean... What do you think you're going to do after this?'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean after we get your mom and Guzma out of the Ultra Beast's dimension. Got any plans?'

She stared down at her lap, deep in thought for an answer. It was obvious she hadn't given it much thought, since she had spent most of her time as Professor Kukui's assistant and keeping Nebby hidden. After a bit, she made eye contact with me again and smiled.

'I want to travel.' She said 'I want to learn about all Pokemon as a Pokemon trainer, and learn about the Pokemon there.'

She was serious. I could tell by the determined spark in her emerald orbs as she explained her goals. It was like I was seeing a completely new side of her to the shy girl I met by the ruins. I couldn't help but smile.

'I think that's a perfect path for you!' I exclaimed, giving her a toothy grin.

'Really?'

'Of course! You should do it!'

Her smile grew wider, and a glimmer of hope was now visible in her eyes. 'What about you, Sun?' She asked.

'Well...'

Meanwhile, elsewhere

(Gladion POV)

'Here ya'll go.' Hapu smiled as she handed us each a cup of Tapu Cocoa, which we all gratefully accepted with a thank you. After everything that's been going on I think we deserve a nice warm beverage. Megan was sitting on the couch beside me, brushing my Sneasel's fur. While Rose sat opposite us on another couch.

'You're really good with that Sneasel, Gloria.' Rose complimented. 'What's your secret?'

Megan shrugged, her focus still on the Pokemon sitting on her lap. 'It's a gift, I guess... I've never really known why Pokemon act so calm around me...'

'Sne~' Sneasel smiled, enjoying the feel of the brush run through his fur. I leant over and patted its head, smiling only slightly.

I noticed Rose was glancing at Megan and I thoughtfully, frowning as if she didn't understand something. It was getting rather uncomfortable so I decided to confront her. 'Do you mind, Rose? Staring's rude.'

She widened her eyes, and turned her head to the side as if to pretend she wasn't staring. She didn't hide it well.

'Sorry...' she muttered. 'It's just... how are you two not a couple!'

Almost immediately after she said that, Sneasel let out a slightly uncomfortable growl.

'Oh my gosh Sneasel I'm so sorry!' Megan cried in a panicked tone, dropping her hairbrush and holding her hands up to her mouth. But that wasn't what was bothering me. No, it was the fact her face was bright red.

'What happened?' I asked as my gaze switched from the blushing girl, to the slightly annoyed Pokemon.

'W-Well uh. What Rose said caught me off guard. And I must've tugged in the hairbrush too hard and. Ugh! I'm so stupid...' She groaned, facepalming at her 'stupidity'. 'Rose just because we act all buddy buddy around each other, It doesn't mean we're dating. We're just really Really good friends.'

I felt a slight sinking feeling in my chest. I was practically just Friendzoned. But at the same time I kinda agreed with Megan's words. Yeah we joked with each other and acted friendly towards one another, with a few ups and downs. Like all best friends!!!

'Well that's too bad. You and Gladion would be so perfect together.' Rose sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

'We- Wait what did you just call me?!' I whisper yelled slightly and stared at her wide eyed, so did Megan, causing an almost evil chuckle to come from the girl.

'Gladion. What you think I wouldn't recognise Team Skull's Enforcer? I knew you guys were lying about your name's this whole time~'

My partner and I gulped, and looked over at each other while mouthing 'busted...'

'It was her Idea!' I quickly stated, pointing at the girl next to me.

'Excuse me, Edgelord you were the one to say 'I don't think we should trust her'!' she shot back, glaring at me with her bright blue eyes as she gently placed Sneasel on the ground.

'Well can you blame me for being sceptical about a Team Skull member?!'

'We're Team Skull members, genius!'

'Yeah- Well- I- ARGH!' I snarled, bringing my hand up to my face. I glanced at Rose through my fingers, to find she had a rather amused look on her face. 'What are you smiling about?'

'Oh nothing~ Just that you are so cute when you fight~' she giggled, wiggling her eyebrows.

'Rose!' Megan snapped.

'Haha! Sorry.' Rose grinned, rubbing the back of her neck. 'Now, shall we try our introduction again?'

I shrugged, figuring there really wasn't point lying to her anymore. But that still didn't mean we trusted her completely.

'Well then.' Rose began, reaching her hands over the coffee table for us to shake. 'Hello, my name's Rose Shigami. It's a pleasure to meet you.

'Gladion Aether...' I muttered, reluctantly taking her hand. I could tell Megan was a lot more resistant introducing herself by the way she uncomfortably shifted in her seat and stared down at her knees, her hair covering her eyes.

'Megan?' I said her name softly, resting my free hand on her shoulder making her flinch, but not look up.

'Do you... mind if I don't tell you my last name?' She asked in a voice only just louder than a whisper.

After she said that, I realised that not even I knew her last name. It confused me, why was she so secretive about herself and her past? Was it that bad? I mean yeah I know she's an orphan and had been abused by her older sister. But what about how the Aether Foundation got their hands on her? Did she run away and they found her? Did her sister sell her without her brother knowing? There was just so many things I didn't know about her. Like why there were so many scars on her body, why she was afraid of thunderstorms, and why she didn't want people to know who she was. Maybe I should confront her about this when in private. I want to help her if I can.

'Oh... If it makes you uncomfortable telling me. Then not at all.' Rose reassured her with a genuine smile.

'Thank you...' Megan looked up at her with the smallest side smile, before taking her free hand. 'Nice to meet you, I'm Megan.'

That smile was forced. I could tell by the sadness in her eyes.

'Okay ya'll!' Hapu suddenly came into the room, and walled past us to the door 'Lillie called me to say they are at the docks, so I'm gonna go pick em up. So ya'll try not to break the house while I'm away.' She joked, winking at us before walking out the door and closing it behind her.

...

...

'So... What now?' Megan asked, breaking the silence.

'How about why you guys would make a cute couple~'

'ROSE!'

(Sun POV)

'Thanks again for letting us stay at your place tonight, Hapu.' Lillie smiled as she and I followed the short ravenette back to her house.

'Yeah! We really needed a nice warm bed before setting off to summon Solgaleo.' I added, giving her a toothy grin.

'Y'all don't worry about it. Y'all are welcome at my place anytime y'hear? Besides I have a feeling y'all won't be the only ones staying over.' Hapu laughed as we came to her door. Lillie and I gave her a confused look, not knowing what she meant.

'What?' I asked.

'Oh that's right I almost forgot. Y'all have some visitors.' she told us, before opening the door revealing her comfortable lounge. Well, at least it would've been if it weren't for the three presences occupying it. There were two people standing on one of the couches, arguing. Two people we knew very well. And another person who was laughing her butt off.

'Just admit it, Megan! You're jealous of my awesomeness!'

'Oh yeah I'm totally jealous of your french fry hair and edginess that's to die for! Get real, Gladion!'

'Megan? Gladion? What are they doing here?' Lillie asked Hapu, raising an eyebrow.

'Well, ya see. They wanted to see y'all about some important matters. Which I'll bet have something to do with the legendary Pokémon y'all are trying to summon. So I told them to make themselves at home here and... I think y'all can figure out the rest...' Hapu explained, sweat dropping in the process.

'Yeah I think they took 'Make yourselves at home' a bit too seriously...' I closed my eyes and sighed, crossing my arms as my older friends continued to squabble about Arceus knows what.

'Alright! That's it! You, me, thumb war, right now!' Megan snapped, holding her hand out at Gladion.

'Tch, I'll save you the embarrassment.' Edgelord crossed his arms and smirked, looking away from the girl.

'What's the matter, Frenchfry~? Scaaaared~?'

Bad move, Megan... bad move...

If I've learnt anything about this dude in the time I've known him. He does NOT like to be provoked.

Unless Megan's doing that on purpose to anger him. Yeah, that's probably it.

A rather noticeable tic mark appeared on Gladion's forehead, and he stared daggers at his challenger. 'What, did you just say?' he asked in a sharp, menacing tone. 'I'll have you know I'm not scared of the likes of you.'

'What is that supposed to mean?' Megan growled.

'It just means I'm not scared. That simple.'

'Then having a simple thumb war with the likes of me shouldn't be a problem.' she smirked confidently, her arm still outstretched. Gladion smirked too, but his was a bit overly confident.

'Fine, but don't run off crying when I beat you.' He snickered, and took her hand. Megan's face went blank as she rolled her eyes at his statement. They both positioned their thumbs and said at the same time:

'One Two Three Four, I declare a thumb war!'

Almost immediately, Megan's thumb pushed down Gladion's and prevented it from wriggling out. The match ended as quickly as it began. And the two just stood frozen for a moment.

'You were saying, Edgelord?' Megan asked monotone.

'GUYS!' Lillie screamed, surprising all of us. Gladion and Megan turned their heads to look at her, eyes wide as saucers. She took a deep breath, bawling her hands into fists, before glaring at the two... heh... lovebirds.

'I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS FIGHTING IS OVER, OR WHY YOU FELT THE NEED TO START ONE IN THE FIRST PLACE! BUT HAPU WAS KIND ENOUGH TO LET YOU STAY HERE AND RIGHT NOW YOU ARE BEING EXTREMELY RUDE HOUSE GUESTS! SO GET OFF THE FURNITURE RIGHT NOW AND APOLOGIZE TO YOUR HOST, FOR YOUR STUPID CHILDISH ACTIONS!'

Damn...

As quick as lightning, the two scolded teenagers bolted off the couch and stood in front of Hapu, bowing 90 degrees before saying at the same time:

'We are so sorry for the trouble we caused!'

'It's alright. Y'all didn't break anything so no damage was done.' Hapu smiled. 'Now, it's been a long day. So let me show y'all to the spare bedroom.'

'Yes ma'am!'

I stifled a laugh. I had never seen Gladion act so scared before. And it was of his little sister at that. Nor had I seen him act so childish before.

I guess Megan just brings out the best in him.

Hmm... Megan and Gladion... Noted.

Hapu left the room, followed by a terrified Gladion, a mumbling Megan, a fuming Lillie, a fangirling person who I still don't know the name of, and a chuckling me.

'Psst, Lillie...' I called to my blonde friend.

'Hmm?' She turned to me, raising an eyebrow.

'I think we should get those two together.'

'Who? Megan and Gladion?'

'Yep. You in?'

'I'm so in!'

'Me too!' The stranger cheered, butting in.

'Uhh... who are you?' I asked.

'Oh sorry where are my manners? Im Rose.'

'Sun.'

'I'm Lillie.'

We shook hands, before plotting on how we were going to get Megan and Gladion together.

That's right we're playing Cupid!