"That will get you a couple nights here," the elderly motel manager says as she counts the wad of cash in front of her.

She locks up my deposit and shuffles to the back wall to get the keys.

I sign my name in the guest book, taking a quick glance at the previous names, none of them look familiar.

"Looking for someone?" the elderly woman questions suspiciously, putting her hands on her hips.

"I'm meeting some friends here...just seeing if they have checked in yet," I reply.

"Nobody has stayed here in days," the woman sighs, "Business has been slow lately...the only person staying here doesn't even pay!"

"Doesn't pay?" I ask, who does that sort of thing?

The woman points out the window.

Outside there's an old man setting up an old, tattered tent. At his side is a beautiful Ninetales, holding anchoring rope in its mouth.

He stops for a minute, clutching his chest in pain. He presses a hanky against his mouth and lets out a violent cough. He turns toward the hotel and quickly shoves the hanky into his pants pocket. Our eyes meet and I recognize him from the side of the highway a few days ago.

"That's Gordon," the woman says softly. "He's an old classmate of mine from way back. I offered him a room, but he refused it because he can't pay for. I wish he would just take it, we used to be very close, you know!"

"Why is he homeless?" I ask, feeling sorry for the guy.

"He used to be a sailor, but several years ago, there was an accident...he hasn't been able to work much since. He slowly lost all of his savings and his wife left him. Eventually, he lost his home and has been on the streets ever since. Anyway, he's harmless, you don't have to worry about him. He's never bothered anyone!"

"Well, if that's the case, maybe I better go help him with his tent, looks like he could use a hand."

"Bless you child!" the woman says with a deep smile.

The string of bells jingle as the door closes behind me. I slip on my sunglasses and let Arcanine out of its ball. He wags his tail in excitement and spins in circles before darting off towards Gordon's Ninetails.

Ninetails perks up its ears and circles Arcanine. The two Pokemon start a game of chase in the parking lot. Gordon lets out a chuckle and extends his hand towards me. I give his hand a firm shake, smiling warmly at the old man.

"Well, those two really hit it off!" he says in a deep, scratchy voice, "Better keep 'n eye on those two! Don't need 'ny unwan'ed eggs!"

I giggle and watch the two Pokemon play for a few moments. I think he is right. I haven't seen Arcanine this excited about another Pokemon before, he seems to be showing off to her.

"My name is Moon by the way. Would you like some help with your tent?"

"Ha! Well, since you asked! I'm not as young as I used to be. Name's Gordon by the way," he replies, winking at me from behind his bushy eyebrows.

With two of us, the tent goes up quickly. We sit on the bench for a bit and watch our Pokemon play. Gordon lets out a groan as he stretches his legs.

"Pokemon really are somethin' aren't they?" he chuckles, "I found ol' Ninetails as an egg in an abandoned nest. Why she was abandoned, I don't know, but I coun't just leave the egg all alone. I took it with me, and kept it in m' shirt. Looked as fat as a Snorlax! Had no idea what was in there, but I kept it warm day n' night until the day she hatched. That's my baby over there, that's for sure. I don't have much to give 'er, but she loves me anyways."

Gordon grunts and scratches his scruffy, grey beard. He reaches into his fanny pack and pulls out a deep purple stone. The old man spits on it and polishes the surface with his shirt.

He examines the stone for a few moments before handing it over to me.

"It's a dusk stone I found out on Lake of the Moon. That's me saying thanks for helpin' me with m' tent. You look like a Pokemon trainer, I bet you'll be able to find a use for it," he says, giving me a pat on the back.

I hold the stone up to the sky, it twinkles in the bright sunlight. I reach for Misdreavus's ball and call her out. She spins in circles and loops around the air above me.

"Misdreavus! Look what I got."

Misdreavus glides down and peers curiously at the stone. She inches closer and closer, mesmerized by the stone. She lets out an excited screech and reaches for the stone,a blinding light surrounds her as she evolves into Mismagius.

"You look so beautiful," I whisper to my Pokemon.

It glances at me for a second and smiles before returning its attention to its reflection. After self-indulging for a few moments, it returns itself to its ball, singing joyfully as it vanishes.

"What! Misdreavus evolved?" Hau shouts from the far side of the parking lot.

Lillie squeals when she notices the transformation, "So pretty!"

They rush over to congratulate me.

After a few moments of catching up, I introduce them to Gordon. We chat for a bit before heading to the motel office to check them in.

Lillie and Hau seem closer than ever.

Her eyes sparkle every time they find themselves landing on Hau. He gently takes her hand and watches over her. Their presence with one another has evolved from coy, to snug and affectionate. There is comfort to be found between them.

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Lillie asks, lightly grabbing at my wrist as we walk across the wide deck of the motel.

"Not yet, I was hoping to catch up with you though! I know it's only been a few days, but I feel like a lot has happened!" I reply, giggling a bit.

Lillie blushes and side eyes Hau, her lips and cheeks turn a rosy shade as she smirks. Judging by the look in her eyes, her and Hau are a bit more serious than they were when I left.

"Alot has happened, actually," she whispers as she squeezes my hand.

"I really wish we could talk about it right now, but I promised Acerola I'd meet her in Tapu Village this afternoon. We are getting close to figuring out where Nebby came from, I just know it! I'll be back tomorrow before noon," she says, steadying her wiggling bag.

"Okay, sounds good. Is Hau going with you?"

"No, It's a straight shot from here so I think I'll be fine on my own. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I should probably leave though," she says.

"Okay, well let us know when you get there. Tomorrow, you're mine!" I exclaim.

"Sure thing! Can't wait!" she replies, flashing a toothy grin.

Hau and I watch her disappear down the road as we sit out on the deck.

My phone begins to vibrate from deep inside my purse. I rummage all the way down to the bottom of it and flip it open, hoping it's Gladion.

"I can't stop thinking about you Moon, I wish we weren't so far apart! Don't forget about me! Miss you lots!!! -Joey"

I rub my forehead, not knowing how to reply to the message. Hau must have sensed my disappointment. He leans in, trying to peek at my screen.

"Why the long face?" he asks, leaning in closer.

"Not who I wanted it to be," I respond, showing him the message.

"He's really got it bad for you, doesn't he?" Hau says, handing the phone back, "But, then again, so do you huh?"

"It's even worse now," I sigh, staring down at my phone.

"What do you mean?" he asks, inquisitively.

"I saw him again, and this time, stuff happened...and now, now I just don't know what to think."

"Is everything okay?" Hau asks quietly.

I take a deep breath and explain to Hau everything that happened with Gladion. It feels so good to talk about him. Honestly, I can't seem to digest the feeling I have. Hopefully Hau can give me some insight.

"...he hasn't talked to me in over two days. No follow up text or anything! It's driving me crazy...I felt like we had something, but apparently not? I don't know?" I explain, my hands shake nervously when I recall the time I spent with him.

"Wow! Well, have you tried texting him yet?" he asks, curiously.

"Well..." I stammer, "I guess not."

"So, don't you think he could be thinking the exact same thing right now?" he questions me.

"Well, now that you say it like that!" Hau's made a very good point, and it's making me very anxious.

"Maybe he's just as nervous as you. Wouldn't surprise me if he's scared...He seems kind of strange sometimes, but you know him much better than I do!" Hau chuckles, patting me on the back.

"I bet he's head over heels for you, and probably scared shitless! He probably didn't think that dark, dead, heart of his could feel anything! But, then you came, and swept him off his feet. Bahaha! Moon, how could he not like you?"

"You really think so?" I whine, feeling a bit relieved.

"I know so! Just text him first girl!"

I glance over at him nervously.

"You got this! If Joey can send I miss you texts, you can too!"

We both burst out laughing. Poor Joey!

I type several messages, only to erase the texts...over and over again. Nothing I type seems to be right.

I look over at Hau and he just shakes his head.

"Just say something!" he laughs.

"I had a great time camping with you! If you decide you get sick of Team Skull, come and find me! ~Moon~"

I quickly press the send button, leaving no time for me to change my mind.

"Okay, done!" I say, slipping my phone back into my purse.

"See, not that hard," Hau says, sympathetically rubbing my back, "I bet he-"

Hau gets interrupted by the sound of my phone vibrating.

I anxiously claw through my purse for it. One new message from Gladion <3 rolls across the screen. I hold my breath and open the message.

A picture of a Team Skull Grunt bent over with his butt crack hanging out appears on the screen, at the bottom, a caption.

"Be there in 5! -Gladion"

"Oh my..." I mutter, closing my eyes tight.

Another text pops up.

"I wish...I'll find you as soon as I can. I'll be in the area for a while so don't run off on me! -Gladion"

My heart flutters wistfully as I type my response.

"I'm waiting... ~Moon~"

A few seconds later, "Soon, I promise. -Gladion"

Hau must have noticed the grin on my face, he leans back and plays with the couple of hairs on his chin, grinning softly.

"So...is he your boyfriend now??" Hau asks, bright eyed.

"I don't know. We haven't used those words yet, but he sure doesn't want me going anywhere. He's camping out nearby, he wants to see me soon. I know he likes me, and I like him, but we don't hang out like you and Lillie do. I'm going crazy thinking about him, I don't know how to handle it, he seems so distant" I explain, nervously pacing the dusty gravel.

Hau stands and playfully wraps his hands around my waist. He swings me around for a second then messes up my hair.

"Sounds like you're in love!" he says with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Well, Um..." I stammer.

"Isn't it great?!" he exclaims, "Just wait, soon we will be going on double dates!"

"Double dates?" I giggle, for some reason I don't see Gladion coming around for that.

Hau pauses for a moment, he suddenly gets a real serious look on his face.

"So..." he says, lifting his eyebrow, "What are you going to name your children?"

"Fuck off!" I shout, smacking him on the chest.

He backs away while huming Here Comes the Bride.

Hau's phone begins to ring. He slips his hand into his pocket, pulling it out to check the screen.

"It's professor Kukui!" he gasps, quickly answering the call.

Hau turns his phone on speaker mode so we can both talk with Kukui.

"Alola Hau! Oh, is that Moon I hear too? Great! I was going to call you next! Anyway, can you guys meet me in Malie City tomorrow afternoon? I rented a boat and want to bring you somewhere interesting. Does that work for the both of you?"

I nod and Hau tells him we will meet him there.

"So, were exactly are we going?" Hau asks Kukui.

"Aether Paradise. There's someone I want you to meet there. Tell Lillie she's welcome to tag along if she wants. See you kids tomorrow!" the professor exclaims before hanging up.

Hau looks at me and shrugs.

"Have you ever heard of this Aether Paradise place?" I ask.

"Nope! Guess we'll find out what it is tomorrow," Hau laughs nervously.

"Well, it's been awhile...Let's battle!"

"