Alex and Rebecca continued strolling through the small Hawaiian town. For Alex, this place was special—it was the setting of a beloved cartoon he had grown up with. The quiet streets, smiling locals, and warm atmosphere all reminded him why Hawaii was often called a paradise. Rebecca shared his mood, soaking up every moment and enjoying the leisurely walk.

The only source of trouble was their two robo-dogs, G.I.R and MIMI, whose mischievous antics seemed endless. Their curiosity and energy were boundless—while Alex and Rebecca were trying local desserts, the dogs managed to bother a random tourist and almost convinced him to join the «Cult of the Emperor.»

Noticing this, Alex quickly rushed over, grabbed both dogs by their heads, and lifted them into the air.

«Apologies for their behavior. They’re just… peculiar,» he said, trying to hide his irritation.

«Oh, it’s no problem! Such adorable children in unique costumes. Though, aren’t they feeling hot in this weather?» the elderly lady replied with a kind smile.

«They’re special ventilated suits,» Alex lied smoothly, doing his best not to reveal the mechanical nature of his «pets.»

The elderly woman laughed and, before leaving, handed each dog a piece of candy. Alex let out a relieved sigh and returned to Rebecca. To avoid a repeat of the situation, he pulled special harnesses out of his inventory. Securing G.I.R and MIMI to his belt with a magical enhancement, he ensured they couldn’t escape again.

When Alex sat back at the table, Rebecca, happily devouring her ice cream, asked,

«What happened over there?»

«Those two tried to recruit a sweet old lady into their cult. They’re on a leash now,» Alex replied, shamelessly grabbing a spoonful of her ice cream.

«Hey! That’s my ice cream! Get your own!» Rebecca protested, pushing his head away.

«You always eat off my plate and drink from my cup, saying it’s okay because you’re my fiancée. Well, I’m your fiancé, so it works both ways,» Alex retorted, not missing the chance to tease her.

Rebecca simply huffed, turned away with her ice cream, and continued eating. Alex just smiled, kissed her on the crown of her head, and kept an eye on G.I.R and MIMI to make sure they didn’t cause more trouble.

Once the ice cream was finished, the couple resumed their walk through the town. Their next goal was to buy souvenirs for their family. Rebecca tirelessly picked up trinkets, justifying it by saying that, with so many relatives, they needed even more gifts. Alex sighed, realizing that without his abilities, he would have long gone bankrupt trying to fulfill everyone’s wishes.

They visited the souvenir market, sampled local dishes, and eventually Alex noticed a small liquor store. Stepping inside, he learned from the shopkeeper about a local pineapple vodka called Pau Maui. Thinking it would make an excellent gift for Loki and her crew, he bought an entire case.

Continuing their walk, Alex spotted Lilo in the distance, walking down the street with her head down. The girl looked sad, which immediately caught his attention. Rebecca noticed her too and tugged on Alex’s hand.

«Hey, Lilo! We meet again!» Alex called out, hurrying toward her.

Lilo, walking along the road with her head bowed, was lost in sad thoughts. She was holding her doll, the one her mother had made for her. (Though I can’t recall if it was her mom or sister who made the doll. Unfortunately, I don’t remember exactly who created it.)

The doll was the last thing left to remind her of her mother. When Lilo heard a voice calling her from behind, she turned her head and glanced up to see who it was. But as she turned, all she saw were legs. She had to tilt her head even further back to see the face of the person calling her.

«Oh, it’s you… The tall guy I ran into at the beach,» she said, recognizing Alex.

«First of all, I’m not a ‘guy’; I’m only eighteen. And second, why do you look so sad? You were happy when we said goodbye,» Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lilo sighed, clutching her doll tighter, and replied softly, «It’s fine… Just don’t worry about it.»

Alex looked at her with sympathy, sensing there was more to it than she let on. Rebecca, observing from the side, gave him a look that clearly said, You need to help her. Alex nodded and crouched down in front of Lilo.

«You know, sometimes all it takes to feel better is talking to someone who’s willing to listen. You’re not alone, Lilo,» he said gently.

Lilo exhaled heavily, releasing some of the sadness weighing her down. For some reason, she felt like she could trust Alex.

«The girls from hula class don’t want to play with me. They said my doll is ugly,» she confessed, showing Alex her toy.

Alex examined the doll carefully. To him, it wasn’t ugly—on the contrary, it had a unique charm that made it endearing. Rebecca, standing nearby, started to get irritated, thinking about how cruel kids could be.

«Your doll isn’t ugly at all. It’s cool and… even stylish. Let those girls—» Rebecca started to say, but stopped when Alex quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

«Cool? Really?» Lilo asked, noticing how Alex stopped Rebecca mid-sentence. Her mood lifted slightly, but her curiosity remained. «Why didn’t you let her finish?» she asked, tilting her head.

«Because my wife sometimes says… things kids shouldn’t hear,» Alex replied, giving Rebecca a pointed look.

«Your wife?» Lilo’s eyes widened in surprise. «You’re only eighteen! And what was she going to say that kids shouldn’t hear?» she asked, the questions pouring out like a flood.

Alex tensed, unsure how to respond. Rebecca, meanwhile, struggled to contain her laughter as she watched his discomfort. G.I.R and MIMI, as if sensing the perfect moment, stood still, ready to explain exactly what Rebecca had meant. But Alex quickly tugged on their leashes, preventing them from speaking.

«We got married because we love each other,» he said with a smile. «And as for the second question… you’ll find out when you’re older.»

«Why do I have to wait?» Lilo asked immediately.

Alex sighed, realizing this conversation might take a while. He was beginning to understand why parents often looked so tired.

«Because some things only make sense when you’re an adult,» he said gently. «For now, just enjoy being a kid.»

Lilo pondered this for a moment before nodding. Her attention then shifted to the strange creatures at Alex’s feet. She bent down and stared intently at G.I.R and MIMI.

«Who are they? Are they dogs? Why do they have such weird faces? Why do they walk on two legs? And why is the pink one wearing a skirt?» A new wave of questions crashed over Alex.

«These are my companions, G.I.R and MIMI,» he replied, trying to answer in one breath. «They are the way they are. And the skirt is to make MIMI look cute.»

«Can I pet them?» Lilo asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

Alex glanced at the robo-dogs, who were still lazily eating their ice cream. They were completely indifferent to the world around them. Making sure they didn’t mind, Alex nodded. Lilo cautiously approached and petted them on their metal heads. G.I.R lazily glanced at her but quickly returned to his dessert.

«Are you going to keep your hand on my face for much longer?» Rebecca huffed, pushing Alex’s palm away.

«If you weren’t trying to argue in front of a kid, I would’ve moved it sooner,» he retorted, rolling his eyes.

In response, Rebecca squinted at him and… bit his hand. Alex wasn’t even surprised—it was just like her. Meanwhile, Lilo was completely absorbed in petting the two robots, enjoying the calmness of G.I.R and MIMI. Alex smiled, seeing that the girl wasn’t as sad as before.

«Maybe we should walk you home? For your safety,» Alex suggested, looking at Lilo.

She furrowed her brow and gave him a suspicious look.

«Are you planning to kidnap me and sell me?» Lilo asked sharply, narrowing her eyes.

Rebecca couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing, watching Alex stunned as he tried to explain himself.

Alex choked in surprise at Lilo’s accusation of kidnapping. Rebecca, unable to stop herself, laughed loudly, enjoying how Alex’s face instantly darkened with irritation.

«Why would I kidnap or sell you?» Alex asked, barely holding onto his composure.

«Well… I don’t know. My sister says strangers often kidnap children,» Lilo declared, nodding confidently as if this were an absolute law.

Alex’s eye twitched nervously. The child’s words were so innocent and simultaneously so firm that he didn’t know how to counter them. Rebecca only fueled his irritation, happily watching his discomfort.

«We’re not going to kidnap you,» Alex sighed, rubbing his forehead. «I’ve got plenty to do without taking care of that. I just offered to walk you home to make sure you get there safely.»

Lilo looked at Alex with suspicion but decided that he didn’t look like a child-snatcher. Nodding, she agreed to let Alex and Rebecca walk her home.

«Well, alright, if that’s the case,» she agreed.

Rebecca squinted mischievously. She was curious to observe the strange dynamic between them. As Lilo led them to her house, Alex, trying to ease the tension, decided to ask the girl about the city. Lilo perked up and began enthusiastically sharing everything she knew, especially about Elvis Presley.

«Who’s this Elvis?» Rebecca asked, curious.

And that was a mistake. Lilo immediately started spouting a wealth of information about the King of Rock and Roll, with so much passion and enthusiasm that Rebecca felt a headache beginning to form.

«Maybe we should stop?» Rebecca tried to cut in.

But Alex shook his head.

«Let her talk,» he whispered, nodding toward Lilo’s beaming face full of joy and excitement.

Rebecca sighed heavily and muttered,

«You owe me for my patience.»

Alex just smiled and, leaning down, gave her a light kiss on the forehead.

By the time they finally arrived at Lilo’s house, the girl’s mood had noticeably improved. However, the door was locked. Lilo sighed in disappointment.

«Maybe your sister’s picking you up from dance and is already rushing home?» Alex suggested, trying to cheer her up.

Lilo nodded sadly. Alex remembered how Nani from the animated movie always struggled to handle everything on her plate.

«You know,» he began, gently stroking Lilo’s head, «your sister probably has a lot on her shoulders. She takes care of you, manages the house, and works. But she’s still your family, and she loves you. Instead of being sad, try to support her.»

Lilo thought for a moment, sitting on the steps, then quietly said,

«But sometimes it feels like I’m not needed…»

Alex sighed.

«That’s not true. She just has a lot to deal with. Try talking to her. Sometimes just understanding and supporting each other is more important than anything else.»

He took a candy from his pocket and handed it to the girl, who took it and listened to him with even more attention. To lift her spirits, Alex told her a story about Rebecca’s brother, Pilar, with whom she constantly fought, but who was still an important part of her life.

Rebecca also added a few stories, making sure to throw in her «favorite» jabs. However, whenever she tried to say something harsh, Alex skillfully closed her mouth with his hand, preventing her from teaching Lilo any bad words.

Soon, Lilo’s sadness vanished. She began to understand how much effort her sister put into taking care of her. Alex felt satisfaction as he saw the girl coming to these conclusions sooner than she might have.

When Nani finally returned home, Lilo joyfully ran to her, making Alex and Rebecca smile.

After a while, Alex noticed a girl running toward the house in the distance. She was tall, dark-skinned, and beautiful, with chestnut hair, but her expression was frighteningly stern when she saw Lilo sitting on the steps. Alex immediately recognized her—this was Nani, Lilo’s sister.

Lilo, noticing her sister’s approaching stern face, immediately jumped to her feet and hid behind Alex, peeking out from behind his back.

«Lilo! How many times have I told you not to wander off alone?!» Nani said loudly, walking up the steps with a strict gaze fixed on her sister.

«Maybe you wouldn’t be late picking me up from dance?» Lilo replied, frowning, peering out from behind Alex’s shoulder.

Alex struggled to suppress a smile, watching the lively exchange of words. He still couldn’t believe he was witnessing a scene from his favorite animated movie.

«And who are these strangers you brought home? I told you not to talk to outsiders!» Nani asked sternly, pointing at Alex and Rebecca.

«They’re not strangers! We met them, and they walked me home while you were missing!» Lilo replied, frowning and pointing at her sister.

Nani started to get angry, clearly preparing to scold her sister. Alex decided to intervene to defuse the situation.

«Sorry, miss. Lilo had nothing to do with this. My wife and I are here on vacation. We met Lilo at the beach and asked for directions, and later, noticing that she was feeling down, we offered to walk her home. When the doors were locked, we decided to wait for you to make sure she was okay.»

Alex’s words made Nani cool down. She glanced at him and Rebecca, initially surprised by their appearance, but quickly shifted her focus to Lilo, who was nodding confidently, confirming the man’s words.

«And now, Lilo, don’t you have anything to say to your sister?» Alex asked softly, turning to the girl.

Lilo hesitated, but Alex gently nudged her forward, encouraging her. Taking a deep breath, she remembered his words about how hard things were for Nani.

«Sorry, Nani… I shouldn’t have run away, and I should have waited for you. I know it’s hard for you right now, and I promise I’ll try not to cause you any more trouble,» Lilo said softly, clutching the hem of her dress and looking at the ground.

Nani was genuinely surprised by her sister’s words. She quickly realized that Lilo couldn’t have come to such a conclusion on her own. Her gaze shifted to Alex, who was nodding approvingly at each of the girl’s statements. Sighing, Nani knelt down and hugged Lilo.

«You never cause me problems. Well, maybe sometimes you’re a little pain… but you’re my sister, and I love you.»

Alex smiled with relief, watching their reconciliation. If they hadn’t made up, Nani might have faced even more difficulties in the battle for custody of her sister.

Standing up, Nani turned her gaze to Alex and Rebecca.

«Sorry I misunderstood you at first. And thank you for helping my sister.»

«It’s alright, chum. Lilo’s a sweet girl, and it wasn’t hard to walk her home. Though now I know everything about Elvis, down to the tiniest detail,» Rebecca responded with a smile, playfully waving it off.

Alex’s eye twitched after Rebecca called Nani «chum.» Nani gave Rebecca a strange look at the unfamiliar word but quickly ignored it.

«Would you like to have some tea? That way, I can thank you properly,» Nani offered, trying to show her friendliness.

Alex was about to decline but noticed the look on Lilo’s face, as if his refusal would be the end of the world for her. Turning to Rebecca, he asked her opinion. She shrugged, signaling she didn’t mind.

«I think we won’t say no to a cup of tea,» Alex replied with a warm smile.

Nani smiled and invited them all inside. She unlocked the door and allowed Lilo to lead Alex and Rebecca to the kitchen to sit down. While Nani was making the tea, there was a knock at the door. Alex immediately guessed who it was: the special agent who had been tracking the aliens and had now transitioned into a social worker. Alex remembered the man because of his unusual and funny name—Cobra Butterfly.

When Nani went out, Alex and Rebecca continued their conversation with Lilo, who eagerly told them about things to do on the island besides sightseeing.

A few minutes later, Nani returned, looking tired and downcast, as if every last bit of energy had been drained from her. It was clear from her face that something was bothering her. Alex recalled that Nani was facing a serious issue: she needed to find a job, or she risked losing custody of Lilo.

«Are you okay?» Alex asked, looking at Nani carefully as she sat at the table with a weary expression.

«Everything’s fine, don’t worry. Let’s just have some tea,» Nani dismissed, trying not to show her worry.

Alex sighed, realizing that perhaps it was best not to press the matter further. He thought about ways to help them, but knew that in the end, Nani and Lilo would manage on their own. What troubled him most was the feeling of guilt for wanting to take Stitch — the one who would become Lilo’s true support and help her emerge from her sad cocoon. Alex decided that he would try to help them secretly once Stitch arrived on Earth.

When the tea was finished and the conversation had ended, Alex and Rebecca stood up to say their goodbyes. They needed to find a place to sleep and, the next day, pick up Stitch. Lilo looked at Alex with sad eyes, as if she didn’t want him to leave.

«Don’t be sad, Lilo,» Alex said, gently ruffling her hair. «You’ll definitely find a friend who will be special to you.»

Lilo nodded, and after their final goodbyes, Alex took Rebecca by the hand, pulling along G.I.R. and MIMI. Nani pointed out a place for them to stay, and soon they made it to a hotel, booked a room, and decided to take a short walk. The couple swam in the ocean, enjoyed the sunset, and then went out for dinner. Rebecca, unable to resist, overate, and by the time they returned to their room, she collapsed onto the bed, barely touching the pillow.

«What am I supposed to do with you, my little gremlin?» Alex muttered with a smile, covering her with a light blanket.

After taking care of Rebecca, Alex glanced at the clock. He tried to remember when exactly Stitch was supposed to arrive. After a moment of thought, he asked MIMI to watch over the sleeping Rebecca while he took G.I.R. and went up to the hotel roof to enjoy the view of the night sky. Alex lit a cigarette, sitting at the edge of the roof, and began gazing at the stars.

Suddenly, the sky lit up with a bright green light, illuminating the entire city. Alex took a drag and smiled, realizing it was a signal: Stitch had arrived. G.I.R., sitting next to him, tugged at Alex’s sleeve, pointing at the falling object.

«That’s your new friend,» Alex said, affectionately ruffling his head. «We’ll pick him up tomorrow.»

G.I.R. tilted his head in confusion but just shrugged. Once he was sure everything was going as planned, Alex returned to the room, changed, and set the alarm, deciding not to rely on G.I.R.’s promise to wake them up on time.

The next morning, Alex was awakened by the persistent sound of the alarm. Trying to fall back asleep, he suddenly remembered that he had to hurry to pick up Stitch before Lilo and Nani did. Waking Rebecca, he faced her resistance.

«Leave me alone, let me sleep some more,» she muttered, rolling over to the other side.

«I’ve got a surprise for you,» Alex whispered in her ear.

Hearing about a surprise, Rebecca became alert and turned toward him. Alex only smiled mysteriously.

«What’s this surprise that’s worth me getting out of bed for?» she asked suspiciously.

«You’ll find out soon. Just hurry up. I promise, it’ll surprise you,» Alex said, using magic to dress himself.

Rebecca began grumbling but got up to get dressed. After leaving the hotel, Alex asked the locals where the animal shelter was. Once he got the directions, he took Rebecca by the hand and confidently headed toward the shelter.

«Why are we going to the animal shelter?» Rebecca asked, tugging on his hand slightly to get his attention.

«There’s a surprise waiting for you there,» Alex replied with a smile.

«Enough with the riddles, spill it already!» Rebecca rolled her eyes, her curiosity beginning to wake up.

«We’re going to pick up Stitch,» Alex said, emphasizing the name.

Rebecca froze in place, her eyes lighting up, and a wide smile appeared on her face. Now, instead of slowly dragging her feet, she pulled Alex to the shelter, filled with joy. Her mood shifted instantly: she started hopping down the road like a child who’d just been promised their dream gift. Alex just smiled, holding her hand tightly so she wouldn’t run too far ahead.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the shelter. As soon as they entered, a girl behind the counter greeted them with a friendly smile.

«Good afternoon! Are you here for a pet?» she asked.

«Something like that,» Alex replied, glancing around the room. «My wife needs a loyal companion, so we’re here.»

Rebecca giggled at his words but decided not to interrupt the conversation. Meanwhile, Alex noticed movement in the far corner of the room. A small blue head peeked out from the ceiling, belonging to Stitch, who was clearly looking for a way to escape. Catching Alex’s gaze, Stitch froze, but seeing that no one was raising the alarm, he carefully continued his maneuver.

«What kind of pet are you interested in?» the girl behind the counter asked.

«I think it should be a dog. Though it’s better if my wife chooses herself,» Alex replied, waving a hand in Rebecca’s direction as she was studying posters on the wall.

With permission granted, Rebecca eagerly went further into the shelter to search. Alex kept an eye on Stitch, who, seizing the moment, silently slipped through the ceiling panels. However, a few minutes later, the sound of gunshots echoed from a distance, and Stitch, as if nothing had happened, returned, hiding in the shadows.

At that moment, the door to the shelter opened, and Lilo and Nani entered.

«Tall Alex!» Lilo exclaimed, pointing at him.

«Lilo, how many times have I told you not to point at people?!» Nani immediately scolded her.

Alex smiled: their interaction was warmer than the day before.

«Did you come for a pet too?» he asked with a friendly smile.

«Yes! I want a lobster with big claws that go ‘clack-clack’!» Lilo announced, gesturing energetically.

Nani sighed heavily, covering her face with her hand.

«Lobsters aren’t suitable for adoption, Lilo. The door to our house isn’t designed for lobsters. Stop being silly,» she said firmly.

«But they’re so cool!» Lilo continued, waving her arms as though they were claws.

Alex quietly laughed as he watched their argument. Meanwhile, Rebecca had moved deeper into the room where the animals were kept, carefully examining each cage, all of which were empty. She regretted getting rid of her cyber-implants, with which she could have easily tracked every living creature in the room.

Stitch, who had been hiding in the shadows this whole time, watched the girl with interest. His gaze landed on a poster of a dog hugging a child, and suddenly an idea sparked in his head. Transforming into something resembling a dog, he cautiously left his cage and began to approach Rebecca, trying to appear as friendly as possible.

Rebecca heard footsteps behind her and turned around to see a strange creature that resembled a dog but was standing on its hind legs. She tilted her head slightly, trying to figure out what kind of animal it was. In a moment, she realized that this was exactly what she had been looking for.

«Well, hello there,» Rebecca said, smiling and studying Stitch closely.

«H-h-hello,» Stitch mumbled, trying to pronounce the word.

Rebecca’s eyes lit up with joy. Without thinking, she scooped Stitch up into her arms, and he, as if nothing had happened, hugged her legs, trying to appear friendly. Rebecca’s smile grew wider as she ran towards Alex, not noticing that another figure was peeking out from the cage Stitch had just escaped from— a creature with pink fur, strikingly similar to Stitch.

«Alex, look what I found! He’s so cool!» Rebecca exclaimed joyfully, bursting out of the room, holding Stitch, who was casually hanging upside down.

Alex turned to her, and his eyes immediately sparkled with happiness. He smiled, recognizing the cosmic dog he had once seen in cartoons as a child.

«I see you found what you were looking for,» he said, watching Stitch, who was pretending as if nothing was going on.

«Yeah! And he even talks!» Rebecca replied enthusiastically, showing off Stitch.

«H-h-hello,» Stitch said, waving his paw.

Alex laughed and petted Rebecca and Stitch on the head. Now they just needed to fill out the paperwork and pay for the adoption. He decided to keep the name «Stitch» to avoid any confusion in the future.

Meanwhile, Lilo, who had also gone into the animal room, found the pink-furred creature—Object 624, known as Angel. She joyfully carried her out, making Alex look on in surprise.

«Hey, wasn’t Angel supposed to show up much later?» he muttered to himself, watching as Lilo and Rebecca stood holding two alien creatures.

Stitch and Angel locked eyes, and suddenly, both growled at each other, which greatly surprised Alex.

«Well, that’s a twist… In the cartoon, they were supposed to be a pair, but here they’re at odds right away!» he thought, quickly dismissing the idea and deciding that this was just part of the new reality.

As they exited the shelter, Alex noticed a laser pointer aimed directly at Stitch’s head. His face instantly became serious. He stepped in front of Rebecca and Stitch, shielding them with his body.

«Don’t worry, Stitch. You’re part of our family now, and we’ll protect you from anyone who tries to harm you,» Alex said, placing a hand on Stitch’s head.

Stitch tilted his head, not understanding what was going on, but sensing that he could trust these people. Rebecca nodded and also saw the laser pointer aimed at Stitch. Turning toward the direction where two aliens were lying in wait, Alex disappeared from his position.

At that moment, the two aliens were lying in ambush nearby. They were Jumbaa Jookiba, a scientist and creator of Stitch and other experiments, and Pleakley, an agent sent to monitor him.

«Where did he go? He was just standing there and then disappeared!» Pleakley whispered in panic, looking around.

«Who cares? I’ve got 626 in my sights, and now he can’t escape,» Jumbaa grumbled, aiming a laser gun at Stitch.

But before he could shoot, Pleakley grabbed his arm.

«What are you doing? You could hit the human!» Pleakley hissed, outraged.

«I’m careful! I only need 626,» Jumbaa shrugged, trying to pull away.

Suddenly, Alex’s voice came from behind them:

«That one-eyed fool is right. If you accidentally hurt my wife or Stitch, I’ll send you both straight into the core of the sun,» he said with a friendly, yet chilling smile.

Jumbaa and Pleakley froze, feeling cold sweat on their backs.

The two aliens, who had been arguing only moments before, tensed as they heard the voice behind them. They slowly turned around and met Alex’s cold gaze, which they hadn’t noticed until he was standing right behind them. The moment of silence made them feel vulnerable — the man had approached so quietly that they hadn’t heard him.

«Who are you?» Jumbaa Jookiba, still holding his laser weapon, aimed it at Alex.

Alex smirked slightly, but his gaze remained serious.

«Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that I know both of you: the mad scientist Jumbaa Jookiba and Galactic Federation Agent Wendy Pleakley. Listen carefully. This is the first and last time I’ll say this. Experiments 626 and 624 are under my protection. If you, your Federation, or anyone else continues to pursue them, I’ll personally send both of you into the core of the nearest star. Got it?»

With these words, Alex slightly tilted his head, as if assessing their reactions. The tension in the air grew. Jumbaa tried to say something, but was met with Alex’s heavy gaze, which seemed to pierce his very soul. Pleakley opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it, frightened by Alex’s last glance.

«Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my wife and a new friend to feed,» Alex added, as though it were just a casual conversation about the weather. He disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared, leaving only the faint rustle of air behind.

The aliens remained silent for a long time. Finally, Pleakley whispered,

«He didn’t use any weapons… Just his voice… How did he do that?»

«It doesn’t matter how! We can still take 626, right?!» Jumbaa replied nervously, his voice wavering.

Meanwhile, Alex returned to Rebecca and Stitch.

«Where did you go?» Rebecca asked, looking at him with a hint of suspicion.

«I took care of a little problem. No one will bother us now,» Alex replied with a slight smile.

He placed his hand on Stitch’s head and, gently patting him, added,

«Don’t worry, buddy. Jumbaa won’t be hunting you anymore. Now, let’s go grab a bite.»

Stitch, still not fully understanding what Alex meant, nodded and then stuck out his tongue toward the direction Alex had just come from, clearly intending to tease the two aliens. Rebecca noticed this and turned her gaze to Alex.

«Are you hiding something from us?» she asked with a sly smile.

«There are two aliens, but they don’t pose a threat anymore,» Alex explained calmly.

Rebecca wasn’t going to let it slide and reached for her grenade launcher in her inventory, but Alex managed to intercept her hand just in time.

«No explosions. At least, not yet,» he said with a smile.

At that moment, Lilo and Nani emerged from the shelter. Lilo was carrying 624, whom she immediately named Lala, and Stitch with his new «friend» were once again growling at each other.

«Well, looks like we’ve got some new additions. How about lunch on me?» Alex offered with a smile.

Nani tried to protest, but after tiring of Lilo’s insistence, she eventually gave in. The group headed to the nearest café.

Stitch, Lala, G.I.R., and MIMI quickly bonded, which surprised everyone. However, Stitch and Lala continued to bicker, and Rebecca considered arming Stitch with a new weapon. Alex, however, put a stop to her plans, insisting that Stitch needed to get used to the new company first.

The two aliens continued to follow them, now dressed in ridiculous disguises: Jumbaa in a hat and mustache, and Pleakley in a women’s dress with bright makeup. Alex occasionally glanced over at them, unable to hold back his laughter.

«These are the most ridiculous aliens I’ve ever seen,» he whispered to Rebecca while the group was deciding what to order.

Rebecca turned her head and saw the pair of aliens trying to pass as humans with their comical disguises. She wanted to laugh, but Alex cleverly covered her mouth with his hand to avoid drawing attention. He asked G.I.R. to discreetly take some photos for memories.

Stitch and Lala also noticed the alien duo and began growling at them. Alex patted their heads to calm them down and gave them some food so the two cosmic dogs would stop paying attention to the aliens following them.

To be continued…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep