A/N: This is the second to last chapter for the first part of this story. The second part will mainly take place in Kanto. Thanks for reading!

Selene's Team: Sun, Michio, Valerie, Luana, Mahina, Nebby

January 22

It was a relief to arrive back on Ula'ula Island. I checked my Pokémon into the Pokémon Center and then took a quick nap. I felt much better after some sleep and journaling. Then I realized I had not eaten much all day, so once my Pokémon were healed, I bought all seven of us food at the cafe. It was still early afternoon by the time we finished.

I added Mahina and Nebby to my team, switching them out with Yuki and Zygarde. Then I headed to Aether House to meet up with my friends. Acerola and the others were happy to see me. I gave them the short version story of my recent adventures. When I asked about Hau, Acerola said he had left the previous day to take his Ula'ula grand trial. I hoped he planned on stopping back at Tapu Village before heading off to Poni.

I grew restless waiting for him, so I decided to set off for the base of Mount Lanakila alone. Once again, I could go no further than the construction barriers at the beginning of the path. However, this time a sign has been posted that stated the Pokémon League would open on February 18th, 2017. Less than four weeks away.

"The three month anniversary of your move to Alola," a voice said from behind me. "Pretty sweet, isn't it?"

My heart leapt with excitement, and I spun around to face Hau. "It is!" Reacting out of emotion, I flung my arms around him and pulled him close.

Hau laugh as he hugged me back. "I missed you too." We broke apart, and he flashed me a grin. "You were successful in your mission?"

I nodded. "We made it to Ultra Space and saved Lusamine and Guzma. Oh, and get this: Lillie and I played these flutes, and Nebby evolved into the legendary Pokémon Solgaleo!"

Hau's eyes grew wide. "No way! We've been hanging out with a legendary Pokémon the whole time?!"

I chuckled. "Looks like it. And after we got back, Nebby decided he wanted to continue traveling with me." I smiled proudly.

"Woah, that's incredible! You'll be tough to beat now."

"I guess so." I had not considered it that way, but I supposed it was true. Nebby's new form was certainly strong. "Anyway, how have you been holding up? Had any adventures of your own?"

"I just completed all the trials on Ula'ula! Now I've just got to make it to Poni. Did you complete your island challenge? Do you know who the last kahuna is?"

I smiled. "I did complete my challenge, and I arrived on Poni just in time to see Hapu named the next kahuna!"

Hau whistled. "You certainly caught all of the action. I'll be off to visit her next. What are you going to do until the Pokémon League opens?"

I had still not given the question much thought, though it did not seem I had many options. "I'll just have to keep training so I'm ready. I'll probably go home and see my mom tomorrow."

Hau nodded. "Good idea. I'll leave tomorrow as well, so do you want to hang out today? I bet you could use some fun and relaxation." He grinned.

I could not think of a better use of my time. "You've got that right. Let's do it!" I felt light and serene as we walked back to the town side-by-side. It was great to be with my friend again. We had a lot of catching up to do.

The next day, I gave Hau a ride to Malie City on Charizard. Then, of course, we had to stop for malasadas. We chatted as I walked him to the harbor to see him off. Just as we approached the dock, Michio decided to let himself out of his Pokeball.

I stared at the Sylveon in confusion. "What's going on?"

Hau grinned. "I think he found a friend."

I watched as Michio bounded forward, stopping at the feet of Gladion. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been waiting for you," Gladion said. He bent down and scratched Michio behind the ears. "Lillie is looking after our mother at the foundation. They're both doing alright."

"Hey!" Hau exclaimed, pointing straight at Gladion's wrist. "Is that a z ring?"

Gladion stood up straight and nodded. "Officer Nanu gave it to me back on Poni. He also gave me a single z crystal. He said Selene and I should have a battle." He stared at me intently. "What do you say?"

I blinked. "A battle? Here? Now?"

"Do you still want to get stronger?" Hau asked.

Gladion appeared to consider the question for a moment. "I will always want to become stronger, but the immediate danger has passed. This would be a battle for the experience of it... for fun."

"Sounds like a great idea to me!"

I smiled. How could I turn down something like that? "Alright. I accept. Come on, Michio." The Sylveon bounded to my side, and then Gladion and I moved apart to give us room to battle. Hau stood on the sidelines to cheer us on.

It did turn out to be a fun battle. I finally got a chance to battle all of Gladion's Pokémon. Besides Null, he also had a Crobat, Weavile, and Lucario. It was Lucario who knew the z move, and it totally wiped out Luana.

Hau appeared impressed with Null's new powers, many of which seemed to be water-based. "It's so cool how Null evolved!" he said with a grin. "A brand new Pokémon! Does this one have a different name?"

Gladion paused his actions against Valerie to look at the teen. "Yes. He broke free from my mother when he evolved, so he also broke free of the name she gave him. He is now called 'Silvally.'"

"Silvally." I nodded in approval. "I like it."

"Me too!" Hau said. "I can't wait to see what Silvally can do."

There was a faint smile on Gladion's lips as he returned his attention to the battle. It turned out Silvally could do a lot. Valerie was my last Pokémon, and even her toughness was not enough to overcome the Pokémon.

Gladion appeared surprise at the results. "I won." He reached out to rub Silvally on the head.

"Selene lost?!" Hau exclaimed, his eyes bugging out of his head.

I smiled. "It's alright, Hau. Everyone loses sometimes." And it did not feel like a total loss. It had been fun, so there was success in that. "Gladion was totally in sync with his Pokémon. They've got an amazing bond." Just witnessing that was something special.

"The two of you were right all along," Gladion said. He had returned Silvally, and he stared at the pokeball in his hand. "After all this time of trying to become stronger... Our bond was the answer."

"Of course it was!" Hau said. "And it's more fun that way too. You and Selene were both awesome."

"Congratulations, Gladion," I said. "You finally beat me."

He nodded. "Thanks. I learned a lot from this battle... I understand more about you. I know why you of all people could save Lillie. Why you could save Cosmog... and Alola."

"Well, that's good... because I haven't figured it out myself."

Gladion gave me a small smile. "You will in time." He paused. "Lillie wanted me to tell you something. She wanted me to tell you... that you're the best Pokémon trainer in the world, Selene."

This comment had me blushing. Why did these siblings think so highly of me? I shuffled my feet and looked away. "Yeah, well, I'm still trying to get stronger."

"I'm working to become stronger too," Hau said.

Gladion nodded. "If you two are going to get even stronger, then I guess I can't let down my guard yet. We've all got a long way to go."

"What are you going to do now, Gladion?"

"Back to the foundation to take care of the mess that is left." He sighed and shook his head. "You're going to Poni, but what about you, Selene?"

"I'll be training for the Pokémon League," I said. "I might travel around the island to check things out a second time."

"That sounds like a good idea," said Hau. "I might do that too."

"Good luck," Gladion said. "Feel free to stop by the foundation anytime... both of you. Lillie would appreciate it." He paused. "And so would I."

"Then it's a promise."

Gladion nodded. "Good. Take care."

The moment felt bittersweet. We were all going our separate ways, and who knew when we would see each other again? "Goodbye, Gladion. You too, Hau." I pressed my finger against my ride pager. I could not take much more of this.

"Goodbye, Selene!" Hau. "I'll see you in a few weeks!"

All I could do was nod. Charizard arrived, and I climbed onto his back. Soon, Hau and Gladion were specks in the distance. This part of my adventure was over. It was time to go home.

I forgot to alert my mother to my plans. I found her preparing lunch as I opened the door and entered my house. She turned around and opened her mouth to speak, but she froze as her eyes landed on me.

I smiled. "Hello, Mom."

"Selene?" She dropped the spoon she had been using to stir the soup, and it clattered to the floor.

"I'm back - for a little while at least."

Finally, she snapped out of it and rushed to greet me at the door. "Selene, it's so good to see you!" She squeezed me a little too hard, but I did not mind.

"It's good to see you too."

"Meow?"

"Meow!"

I looked past my mother to see two Meowth enter the room: the Alolan Kiku and my mom's Kanto Meowth. I smiled as I bent down to pet them. "I hope you two are doing well. You seem to be getting along."

Mom chuckled. "They certainly are. You must be hungry. Let me finish making lunch, and then we can talk about your adventures!"

"Sounds great to me!"

It was a plan. I spent the day reconnecting with my mother. It was refreshing to get everything out verbally. She was very understanding, of course, and proud of my actions. I did not realize how far I have come until she pointed it out to me.

Tomorrow I will begin my second exploration of the islands. I do not yet have a strategy for the Pokémon League, so I will train all my Pokémon. Together, we will make it to the top.

Selene