The ship’s horn bellows as it pulls into the Hau’oli City harbor, steel groaning against the dock as the sea laps hungrily at its hull. The journey had been long—twelve days at sea, a restless mix of salt-stiff winds, the endless churn of waves, and Blue complaining about how boring the whole damn trip had been.

“Finally,” Blue breathes, stretching as he steps onto solid ground. “Twelve days on a ship with you two and I was this close to throwing myself overboard. I mean, come on, Red—did you have to spend half the trip just staring at the ocean?”

Red, a step behind, simply adjusts the strap of his bag as his answer.

The three of them move through the dock, weaving past workers unloading crates of goods from Galar and Sinnoh, tourists lugging bags twice their size, and the occasional trainer eyeing their Poké Balls like they’re waiting for an excuse to battle. The Alolan sun is merciless, beating down in shimmering waves, and Blue tugs at the collar of his jacket with a muttered curse.

“You’d think I’d be used to this after all the times I’ve been here,” he grumbles, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Nope. Still hate it.”

They walk on, past the bustling marketplace and the open-air cafés, the scent of grilled Magikarp and malasadas thick in the air. The resort isn’t far—just along the edge of the beach, where the sand turns soft and golden, stretching towards a pristine, sunlit horizon.

“Alright, let’s get one thing straight,” Blue says, turning on his heel and pointing a finger at both of them. “I know we’re here to train at the Battle Tree, but this is also vacation. I’m talking poolside drinks, actual sleep, maybe even some sightseeing. You—” he jabs a finger at Red, “—are not gonna disappear off into the mountains like a cryptid. And you—” his gaze shifts, eyes narrowing slightly, “—you’re not gonna go full Champion-mode and challenge every trainer you see, got it?”

Red exhales through his nose. It’s not quite a sigh, but it’s close enough.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it, no fun allowed,” Blue mutters, rolling his eyes. “Let’s just get checked in before Red decides to run off to Mt. Lanakila or something.”