Not long after Ash and Sophocles were forced to face that Malasada thief, another day of learning at the Pokémon School was beginning to wrap up for our cast of eight. Kukui was finishing his demonstration on abilities, kindly assisted by eager Pikachu and peppy Togedemaru. Ash and Sophocles of course paid close attention, supporting and encouraging their fluffy little electric performers. Kiawe kept his eyes locked forward as well, as he was respectful to the lesson that the professor was attempting to teach. The rest of the class, however, were a different situation.

The mysterious white egg sat atop of Lillie's desk, and not for a moment did the girl allow herself to take her eyes of it. She wanted to make sure it'd be alright...make sure nothing would go awry before a brand new creature would emerge from within it. All the while, she wondered if she would have the will to be able to touch that new Pokémon that she already wanted so badly to befriend.

As for Mallow and Saki, both of their sights focused on the wooden floorboards. Saki's inner discomfort was growing as the days grew on, her life not becoming any more lenient on the troubled girl. Mallow, she knew for a fact something was wrong with her friend. However, in a rare instance of disorientation for her, Mallow didn't know what to do or where to turn. Her thoughts became overloaded with the constant question of "what should I do to help her?"

The normally poker faced Lana was filled with an unusual anticipation as she tapped her feet at a high pace. She pulled at the cloth of her pants, particularly at the areas that covered her petite knees, while her concentration aimed directly at the clock. Bob, not seated too far from her, couldn't help but to continuously glance in her direction. The atypical behavior she was exhibiting hooked his attention, as if he were a fish attracted by the movement of a lure. He couldn't help but to worry, his heart beginning to lightly shake. Lana was a sweet girl to him... like candy.

This odd scene was ending by the ring of the bell, dismissing the class for the evening. Lana sprout up like a jack in the box, looking down at her Popplio. "Come on, little Poppi. We've got a friend to meet!"

"Pop! Pop pop!" The little sea lion clapped it's flippers in delight, as Lana twisted to face the door and began to dart towards the exit. Her blue little companion loyally followed after her, and soon both were out of sight.

"L-Lana!" Bob was a bit surprised, calling out her name in an uncertain shock. After class has ended, the girl usually invited Bob to walk out with her. Often, in a fairly flirtatious tone. Today however, in a fit of energy, she didn't even say goodbye. Somewhere within his mind, Bob told himself he couldn't sit with this and let it pass. Something may be wrong, who knew! He couldn't spend the rest of the night in mystery, could he? Listening to the urge, he chased her through the school's entrance. Lana reached the rim of the school's property when Bob's hand gripped onto her shoulder.
"Hey, Lana! Sorry if I'm keeping you but...are you okay? You don't seem yourself." Bob spoke his concerns with an apprehensive look, only for Lana to turn back at him with an expression extremely bright and blissful.

"I'm amazing," Lana said in a high pitched singsong voice. "On no, Bibby Bob! I left without a word didn't I? How dare I leave someone so wonderful as you without a word!"

Lana winked at the boy, which along with her joyous tone, caused the ground to seem shaky and unsteady underneath him. He shuddered for an instance, though not repeating the mistake of collapsing with a grunt. That was a good thing, since Lillie was not currently present to help the boy up with a nervous remark in a shrill voice.

Before the boy could string together and spit out a group of words to formulate a response, a voice pleasantly familiar to Lana entered the flowing air.

"Long time no see, Lana girl!"

Bob jumped due to the unforeseen interrupted, but Lana's reaction was far different. She spun around in the voice's direction, a low yet piercing squeal of excitement escaping from within her. With a cute little trot and a whimsical giggle, she threw herself into a hug with someone Bob has never seen. He couldn't quite pinpoint what he thought he was seeing... he would say male. That is, if it weren't for those two gleaming baby blue eyes and the stylish sandy pink hair this person possessed.

"Oh! It's been too long! We have so much to catch up on, too much! The Pokémon school... I've got to tell you about all my time here!" Lana finally released the new pink stranger from a welcoming tight hug, looking up at them with a wide toothy grin. "I don't know where to even start!"

"I wouldn't know where to start, either. Kalos is quite a pleasant place, though I really did miss Alola. All my friends are here. My best gal pal forever is here." The person had a large grin as well, twinkling bright with their pearly whites. Upon hearing their voice a second time, although it did have a slightly feminine air, Bob was able to tell for certain that this person was indeed male. In that time of comprehension, Bob began to feel a ominous wind swirling within his mind. An weight began to form in his chest as saw the pure glee that has come across Lana's face at the arrival of this mysterious boy. A strong distaste flooded into his mouth.

And the distaste continued to grow in his mouth as Lana giggled so carelessly at the boy's words. She did a little tiny hop as she cheered right back to him, "and now my best guy pal forever is here too!"

The two continued to act giddy at their corny declarations of friendship, emanating a brightness that was created due to a jolly reunion. That brightness wasn't contagious in the least, as Bob still felt a weight in his chest as he cleared his throat to catch their attention.

"Oh my! How rude of me! You haven't ever met Bib, have you Li?" Lana turned her head over to Bob, as she gestured for him to come closer to the two. Of course, Bob was uncomfortable, but Lana's inviting motions urged him to put that discomfort to the side. He approached the two, closing the distance, as Lana's dazzling smile continued to shine.

Lana leaned over to the pink haired boy, and whispered a confession. "Isn't Bibby Bob a cutie? I have my eye on him."

The pink haired boy grinned slyly, and nudged Lana's shoulder. He responded with a whisper of his own, with a light chuckle in his voice. "You go get him, Lana. He's not bad at all."

Not able to decipher the barley audible whispers, the bitter taste continued to grow in Bob's mouth. The mystery of their words stung, despite them being in reality positive. He was struggling to keep the unhappiness from being written all over his face, and struggling not to become a wide open book.

"Anyways," Lana said pulling away, then placing a hand of the boy's shoulders. "Robert, I would like to introduce you to a great friend of mine. I knew him for a really long time, Ilima. Ilima, this is a newer friend of mine, and he's quite the sweetie. Robert~"

Ilima brushed a stray pink hair away from his face as he extended his hand out for a handshake. His smile was mild and polite. "Nice to meet you Robert, I am charmed."

Bob hesitantly grabbed Ilima's hand, and shook. "Right... charmed."

Lana could sense a weight in Bob, and she knew there was only one name for it. Envy. Of course, being both a tease and a detective, she decided to put her theory to the test.

"A handshake, a greeting as alolan as shouting 'Alola!'" Lana removed her hands from their shoulders and turned to face Ilima. "But tell me, you just got back from Kalos, yes? Have you ever greeted anyone with faire la bise? If you have... what is it exactly? I'm rather curious."

Bob, having lived in the region of Kalos himself, knew exactly what Lana was talking about. He froze, with his only movement being a few rapid blinks.

"Ah! Indeed I have! It's really simple really. Here." Ilima dusted himself off, and began a quick demonstration. In a classic performance of the french greeting, he quickly leaned forward and rapidly kissed both of Lana's cheeks. The movement was seamless, and the pinnacle of casualness. There was no actual "kissing", per say, but what Ilima did was touch cheeks with Lana while kissing the air. It was not unusual for this French greeting to be used in Kalos, however, Bob's cheeks still burnt red with jealousy. The weight in his chest grew heavier and heavier.

"And that's how it's done," Ilima said with his polite smile. "Faire la bise. It's quicker to demonstrate than it is to explain, but I could give you more details about it if you'd like."

"Thanks Li! No need, I've learned all I needed to." Lana's statement wasn't so much about faire la bise, since she already was quite knowledgeable on the subject. The statement was rather on Bob, and the reaction he gave. She turned away from Ilima and gave him a knowing smirk. "Don't worry at all, Bibby Bob. This isn't an Anime where the girl falls the childhood friend."

Ilima comes to a realization at the investigation Lana has just performed, as once again, he began to chuckle. This one, however, was far louder. "Girl, you are so underhanded!"

"A girl doesn't lose her tricks in just a few months. Remember who you're speaking to," Lana said while beginning to laugh along with him. Bob was the odd one out, still unaware of what exactly just happened and not feeling as blissfully light.

"Smear!" Suddenly, a small, somewhat dog like Pokémon hopped from behind Ilima and grabbed onto Lana's leg. The girl's laughter continued as she picked up the chipper Pokémon, who hopped up and down in her arms and nuzzled her face.

"Uh... what's with the Smeargle?" Bob asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Oh it's mine. Sorry for the shock Robert, but this little guy wanted to surprise Lana. It always took a liking to her," Ilima stated. He opened his mouth to continue speaking, but he was stopped by the sudden surprise of Popplio's flippers grabbing onto his leg with cheerful cries.

"Now aren't you way more merry than the last time we met." Ilima bent over and picked up the small blue seal. "Are you still the same shy little Popplio I met before, hmm?"

"Oh, it sure is! It took a little time for it the be the happy little thing it is now after those big skull bullies messed with it. But now, well, Popplio is cheerful and an amazing friend!" Lana beamed with pride, before turning her statement around and teasing Ilima. "It's your replacement as my bestie."

"Gasp! Oh no! Popplio, looks like we've become rivals!" Ilima playfully grins while he rubs the Pokémon's head. "Anyways, Lana, so your mother told me you have a surprise for me?"

"Why yes! Ilima, we're going to go to my place and have a welcome back party for you! It may not be a surprise anymore but it's still a party!" Lana exclaimed this with a cheerful expression, before it slowly dropped. "But, well, the only people attending are you, me, and my little sisters-"

"I'll go!" Bob shouts.

Lana and Ilima's heads turn, and though their faces were both filled with surprise, they showed Bob welcoming smiles.

"And Bob, if that's alright!" Lana said.

"Oh don't worry Lana, that's perfectly fine. And I'm sure the party will be fantastic," Ilima said with a comforting sound and his token mild smile.

Bob's took a sigh short of relief. Though it was a knee-jerk decision, and though it might have not been the right thing to do, Bob in that instant decided to go through with his attendance so Lana and Ilima wouldn't be alone together. In his heart, Bob was fully developing a true crush on the girl of the color aquamarine. How could he not?... Such a flirtatious and adorable girl.

The group of three entered Lana's home, along with the two Pokémon accompanying him. Bob was quite captivated, he has never been to Lana's house. Being in the house of a girl you like... it plays with your heart! Ilima had quite a different demeanor, as he has clearly been there before. The nervous energy present in Bob was completely absent in Ilima.

The lights were off, making the living room quite dark. The instant Lana flipped on the lights, two short figures jumped from behind the couch.

"Welcome back Sissy's gay frieeeeeeeeeeeend!" Two little girls shouted in unison as one of them threw out confetti from a large bag, while the other loudly clanked two frying pans together. They both were similar in appearance to Lana, similar in hairstyle and the color of their features. They were also almost identical to each other, only small aspects of their appearance differentiating them.

But neither of the three thought of the two twin's appearance as they replayed the words that the girls just said in their heads. None of them thought they just heard that right.

"Girls... what did you say?" Lana asked.

"What do you think we said?" One twin asked, halting her throwing of confetti.

"We said, 'welcome back Sissy's gay-'" the other began to say, lowering the frying pan in her hands.

"Don't say it again! Don't say it again!" Lana said waving her hands.

Ilima's expression was blank, a look that could earn the title 'thousand yard stare.' Bob all the sudden felt all the potential competition forming in his mind pour out through his feet due to the one statement made by two little girls. Both remained quiet, as Lana handled the situation.

"Where on this planet did you two get that word?" Lana asked

"What word?" Both of the twins asked.

"Gay," Lana stated. Despite the potential embarrassment of the situation, she remained her same calm, confident, self secure, yet soft spoken self.

"Oh," both twins said.

"Well, Mom said her boss is gay-" the confetti twin began.

"And we asked what that meant." The frying pan twin finished the statement.

"Mom took forever to tell us-" the confetti twin began.

"But then she told us it meant her boss was happy." The frying pan twin finished the statement.

"So that means-" the confetti twin began.

"Gay means happy." The frying pan twin finished the statement.

"And your friend is back home-" the confetti twin began

"And is happy to be back home." The frying pan twin finished the statement.

"So therefore, you friend is gay!" Both twins exclaimed.

Lana smacked her palm directly into her own forehead. "Girls, that isn't an appropriate word to use. I'll... explain later. Harper, put that confetti bag down. Sarah, put those pans back where you found them. Could you do your sis a favor and get out the cake?"

At the mentioning of cake, both of the twin's eyes began to sparkle.

"We're-" Harper began.

"On it!" Sarah finished.

As both of the girls darted to the kitchen, Ilima broke out into a light laughter. Even his laughter had a somewhat polite air to it, which matched his gentleman like appearance. "Oh, Lana girl, your sisters are just as adorable as I remember them. They're a bit taller though, I could tell. But you're still as short as I remember you!"

Ilima's soft laughter continued at the teasing, while Lana puffed her cheeks like a bloated chipmunk. With slight agitation Lana mentioned, "I grew an entire inch, thank you very much sir!"

Bob did not notice the teasing exchange between Lana and Ilima, as he was still registering the scene he has witnessed between Lana, Harper, and Sarah. He lips curled into a tiny smile, as he said "Mama mia Aye Caramba."

Soon enough, the twins brought the cake into the house's dining room. The dining room was sparingly decorated with simple party decor, mostly pink and yellow in color, with a sparse touch of blue. The five, along with the two Pokémon, settled themselves in their seats as Lana cut and passed out the cake.

"You didn't put any tomatoes in this right? You didn't bake it into the cake? You didn't hide it in the icing?" Ilima raised an eyebrow at Lana with suspicion, while the girl continued to grin nonchalantly.

"Oh Li, you used to be so trusting. Guess I destroyed you trust with the power of tomatoes," Lana said with a continuous mischievous giggle.

"Uh... tomatoes?" Bob asked.

"He hates them. I used to put them in his food as a prank," Lana explained with a frisky smirk.

And so, the group dined on the cake lacking tomatoes. Lana and Ilima began to officially catch up, sharing amusing stories and exciting adventures. Bob stayed mostly quiet through it all, the heavy feeling of envy reforming since he almost felt like a third wheel. Even the twins were more active in the conversation, interrupting constantly to bombard Ilima with questions about his studies in Kalos and Lana with questions about her school life. Laughter was persistent. Lana and Ilima were clearly over the moon to have been reunited with their long time friend. There was a mention that the two have rarely been able to talk due to the expense of international calls, an unfortunate situation. It was a relief for them to once again be able to talk as long as they pleased.

"Are you serious? She said that?" Ilima asked the question through his laughter.

"Yes! I swear on my life! She said that his milkshake brings all the girls to the yard!" Lana was laughing as well, hard enough to force her to wipe a tear from her eye. Eventually, it began to de-escalate. "Ahhhhh... my goodness Li. I missed these talks."

"You missed these talks? Girl, I really missed these talks!" The look in within Ilima's eyes softened, and his voice began to lower. "... I'm so happy to be back here. I was so homesick, you have no idea."

"I could imagine," Lana said with a nod.

"Kalos is beautiful, but nothing like Alola... especially since everyone I care about is here." Ilima once again began to grin, carrying an uplifting manner. As he continued to speak, he picked up his Smeargle, and wrapped his arms around it in a hug. "And now that I'm officially back, it's back to business! Smeargle and I are going straight back to running trials! We wouldn't want to bother Hala anymore, now would be, buddy?"

"Smear!" The Pokémon raised its arms high in agreement. Bob, temporarily putting his jealousy to the side, felt an inquisitiveness overcome him.

"Trials? Hala?" Bob asked.

"Ah, I suppose it's not a surprise you were unaware of my position." Ilima turns and smiles. The shininess of those pure white teeth made Bob feel as if he were about to go blind.

"Ilima is a trial captain," Lana explained. "He oversees the trial that participants of the island challenge must go through. Hala was filling in for you while you were in Kalos, yes?"

Ilima nodded his head. "Yes. Robert, have you been interested in the island challenge?"

Bob held his breath. A trial captain? Is that some kind of high position the boy has? He was barely able to process Lana's explanation or Ilima's question, as his mind was racing with questions about who he deemed as his potential rival for Lana's affections.

And then he remembered a discussion he overheard a group of students having. The Melemele trial captain was previously...

"Wait! Are you... the Melemele trial captain I've heard about? Does... does that mean your the... Pokémon school prince!?" Bob couldn't bury his uneasiness at this realization, as his inner emotions began to expel out against his will.

"Ah, Sissy's other friend has realized-" Harper began, her face stuffed to the brim with cake.

"Sissy's friend is really, really cool!" Sarah finished after wiping the pink frosting off her own mouth.

The twins input didn't exactly comfort Bob, as his face began to twist in his discomfort. Ilima and Lana shared a glance, before Ilima attempted to put Bob's agitations to rest with an input of his own.

"It's just a silly title. It's nothing to ride home about," Ilima said with wholesome modesty. "The only reason I had it is just because I held a few records here and there is all."

"Sissy's friend has tons of records-" Harper began.

"At the Pokémon school!" Sarah finished.

"When he graduated, he held a total of seventeen records!" Both of the twins declared.

Ilima's face reddened with a sense of bashfulness. He waved of their comments with his hands, and made his best attempts to retain his politeness and modesty. "Oh, please. Thank you girls but it really is not a big deal..."

Bob's face was becoming long, turning more and more sour by the minute. Lana emotions were mixed, feeling somewhat flattered and pleased, yet at the same time feeling simply sorry. No one in the room exactly noticed, since Lana never wore her emotions on her sleeves. She remained as cool as the ocean waves as she caught both boys attention with a proposition.

"Sorry to change the subject on you all," Lana flat out lied. Of course, the change was intentional. "But Li. Bibbie Bob~. Why don't we all go fishing? Today is wonderfully perfect for such a thing."

"Ah, just like old times!" Ilima stood up with enthusiasm, in full support of the idea. "Hopefully I don't catch a tire again!"

Lana giggled at the reference to a silly memory, while her two little sisters puffed their cheeks.

"Does that mean-" Harper began.

"We aren't invited?" Sarah finished.

Lana shook her head at the two. "Girls, I want to enjoy some time with my older friends. I'll make it up to you and play with you later, okay?"

The twins cheeks were still puffed, but they knew that no argument could truly be made. Harper turned away and stomped away, shortly followed by Sarah.

Lana slowly scratched her cheek while watching the two girls make their childish exit, before looking back at the two boys. "So, shall we get ready?"

After preparing fishing supplies, Lana, Bob, and Ilima exited through the front door and set out for a relaxing trip! Surprisingly Ilima was the one who took the lead, as he was overcome with anticipation and set course for his favorite lake on the island. Bob was right behind him... his eyes narrow, studying the pink haired boy right before him. Lana was behind them both, carrying what one would consider an absurd amount of fishing equipment that far surpassed the necessity. Both Popplio and Smeargle were by her side, skipping along the same set dirt path.

"Smear! Smear! Gaaaa!" Back in the Alolan sun, Smeargle began to feel energy coursing through its body. It hopped up and down in glee, beginning to dance forward with a hasty tempo, leaving the side of Lana and Popplio. Twisting and twirling about, it found itself far in front of the boys, where it met an unpleasant intervention.

Like a bullet shooting itself into the plot, a net came speeding towards Smeargle's side out of purley nowhere. It quickly entraps the Pokémon in its grip, the poor creature struggling and wrestling underneath it's webbing. Lana and Bob let out a pair of gasps as they staggered backward, all the while Ilima's figure tensed.

Before an immediate action could take place, something tall, and blue, waddled into frame. With it's two long arms, Wobbuffet picked up the small dog like Pokémon currently entangled. It was at that point where Ilima sprinted forward with no second of thought, with a piercingly loud shout. "Put Smeargle DOWN!"

"Ilima, wait! Be careful!-" Knowing what the probable situation was, Bob immediately chased after him. Despite the ill taste he has developed, Bob still couldn't help but to fret for the safety of the boy. Though the concern he felt was warranted, it was not rewarded. Ilima ran right into a trap, stepping right on top of a concealed hole and falling straight in. Bob, who couldn't lower his pace quick enough, ended up tripping right into the hole and landing on top of the petite Ilima.

"Robert... you're... crushing.... Me..." Ilima wheezed out, barely able to breath in.

"Oh! Uh...." Bob slowly slide off of Ilima's back, allowing him to slowly get back on his feet. The two boys gazes shifted upwards, where at the hole's rim, they saw three different figures standing far above them.

"Okay! Okay! What the honest to hell is this!? Who are you assholes?!" The previously extremely polite Ilima cried out at the top of his lungs. Bob was caught by a somewhat modest surprise, his jaw slightly dropping and his forehead wrinkling as his eyebrows raised.

"Did someone ask something? We're here to find out!"

"Noble answers are what we're all about!"

"The beauty so radiant the flowers and moon hide in shame, A single flower of evil in this fleeting world, Jessie!"

"And... uh... "

The signature trio's scripted introduction stopped with a screeching halt, leaving the two boys standing in still silence. James, the one who was supposed to be the one speaking, sweated bullets. He scratched the back of his head continuously, messing up that neat purple hair of his, while his two companions stared directly at him.

"...Come on, James! What's the hold up?!" Meowth flailed his short, thin arms in the air. "We've got Pokémon to steal!"

"Get with it, James!" Jessie chastised. "Just say your lines so we could get on with everything!"

"Um... the thing is...." James took a long pause, wearing the most awkward of smiles. "I forgot."

"...your kidding." Jessie's voice went from cold, to fiery at the flip of a dime. "Why didn't you review your lines like you were supposed to?! I've been reminding you for the past week!"

"I... I have been! See there was something about darkness and what not...." James choked out his words in nervousness, like a child having gotten into trouble.

"Clearly you haven't been! Or else we wouldn't be having this discussion right now!" Jessie retorted.

"I-it's hard to learn so quickly!" James said defensively.

"You had no problem learning the old motto!" Jessie snapped pointing an accusing finger.

"That's just plain not fair! You know the old motto was extremely catchy!" James snapped at her right back.

"Guys guys! This discussion could wait ya noodles for brains! Can't we do what we came here to do?!" Meowth intervened.

Meanwhile, back in the hole, Bob and Ilima exchanged looks with one another. Bob seemed somewhat amused by the conversation taking place above, but it became clear within a matter of seconds that Ilima had no patience for any of it.

"We need to find a way back up there!" Ilima pointed his finger upward. "I don't know who these guys are... but I'm not letting them hurt my Smeargle! And I'm not letting them hurt Lana!"

Bob, thinking back to the incident with Saki not too long ago, knew that Team Rocket weren't exactly harmless as a group. A worried and anxious feeling was making his stomach dance, as he looked towards the sky and thought of how scared Lana might be. And when he looked down, he saw a reflection of that anxious feeling in another person's shining blue eyes. He could only vocalize one thought that came across his mind. "You... really care about Lana don't you?"

Ilima paused, before taking a calculated breath out. "Yeah, how could I not? She's a lovely girl, filled with charms as I'm sure you realized."

Bob gripped his arm with his hand, shifting his stance to the side. "So I guess you're into her, huh? And... she's probably into you too."

"What? Oh no no no, nothing like that. We've known each other since kids. It would feel... odd... to be into each other. Think of it like... being attracted to your own cousin. She feels pretty much the same as far as I know... besides. You're the one she's into." Ilima shook his head while he clarified, before his train of thought returned to its proper track. "Nevermind that for now! She needs help! And so does Smeargle!"

Bob was still digesting to words Ilima has just said, but he knew that he was right. Lana did need help. Or... well. So they thought. Right over their heads, the two witnessed the net Smeargle was entangled in zoom across the top of the hole. Lana used her fishing skills to her advantage, latching onto the net with her fishing hook and reeling it in with her pole, ripping it away from Wobbuffet's hands.

"Wobba... WOBBA! WOBBA!" The blue Pokémon waved its arms to try and alert it's comrades of the situation, but the three were still locked in an argument. Lana wore a strange smirk, one usually exclusive to battlers and battlers alone, as she pointed her hand forward.

"Popplio, give them your best water gun!" Lana shouted with a straight stature and a strong voice. Popplio obeyed Lana's command, aiming at the trio and delivering a blast of water, making them soaking wet.

"... Well... I guess we needed a bath aways..." James said.

"Tell that to the cat Jimmy..." Meowth said.

"Well I surely don't appreciate this-" Jessie paused as she caught sight of Lana, who had the tangled Smeargle resting in her arm . "Hey, how did that twerp get the merchan!-"

Before the woman could complete her sentence, out of nowhere, a giant, pink bear popped behind them with wide open arms. Beware grabbed a hold of the four in one swoop of it's arm, and began to bounce off with them in its grasp.

"....Team Rocket Blasts off with a new bang!"

After assisting the boys with their escape from Team Rocket's hole, untangling the poor Smeargle from the net, and giving a brief explanation to Ilima about the nature of the villains she'd just faced, Lana organized her supplies once again. She wasn't going to let any nasty surprise stop her from having a good fishing trip.

Suddenly, from behind, Lana felt a pair of arms wrap around her stomach which playfully lifted her up. "Oh my gosh Lana girl, you were incredible! You have the true making of a real trainer, I could tell!"

Lana laughed with a troubless, stressless sound and appearance.She turned her head back, and spoke through her endless giggles. "Come on Ilima, cut that out! Let me down!"

With a grin of his own, Ilima placed the girl back on her feet. When she turned to glance at him, she saw him giving her a thumbs up. "Really Lana, you should consider being a trainer. It's so natural within you, it's clear as day!"

"Well... I don't know..." Lana looked to her Popplio, which was now blissfully playing alongside Smeargle. She pondered if the little blue seal, who was once shy and fragile, really would be able to fight alongside her. She pondered if she herself would be able to fight a proper fight, her faith within herself unusually uncertain on that subject.

"I think you'd be great, and I'd think Popplio would be great." As if reading the girl's mind, Bob butted in for his own input. "You've shown your potential! And Popplio showed some confidence too! I'd say you listen to your friend and give it a shot!"

"..." Lana remained silent, before nodding her head steadily. "Maybe I'll consider."

"Now that's what I like to here! Welp, I'm headed home. I'll see you guys soon," Bob said, waving goodbye.

"Wait? I thought you wanted to come, are you sure?" Lana asked

"We really don't mind you coming along, Robert." Ilima stated.

"Nah," Bob said with a smooth composure. "You guys deserve some time to yourselves to catch up. Who am I to get in the way?" Without another word, Bob turned around, continuing to wave with his hand. Soon the boy was out of sight, and the two friends went to have their little fishing trip together.