Author's Note: Over a year ago, I wrote a one-shot with a similar premise to that of this fanfiction. However, after over six months of planning that included analyzing USUM, reevaluating the characters and their relationship in canon, and rewriting my Colress essay, I decided to write a brand-new, multi-chapter story from scratch! I hope everyone enjoys it!
The sun over Alola blazed as Colress approached the entrance to the Aether Paradise. He knew the VLFS was mainly white so that its high albedo would keep the pokémon inside at a reasonable temperature—an excellent creative decision—yet it led to a blinding exterior. Colress felt a swell of pride at the memory of choosing an optimal glare-proof coating for his glasses lenses and creating his temperature-regulated Achromatic Wearable Console. Such preventative measures allowed him to travel anywhere in Alola as he pleased. Today, his goal was to conduct specific field research—the Aether Foundation had a unique bond with the pokémon it kept housed, and the research conducted within it was even more interesting. After Colress had been able to influence and observe the events that took place within the Foundation, it was especially important for him to conduct a post hoc analysis of the information that emerged! His subjects responded mostly as expected, though exciting new data emerged in media res. Changes in the subjects had to be recorded all the way through their development so that he could determine the full significance of the impact of the events.
Colress approached the cavernous entrance to Aether Paradise's loading area. He observed employees heaving boxes filled with assortments of mechanical parts. Colress made a show of smiling and nodding at the workers. He turned back toward the entrance and Aether President Lusamine strode into the light, with Guzma following close behind her. Based on the way they held themselves high and surveyed the area, Colress deduced that they were supervising the work. When Lusamine saw him, she tensed up slightly. She nodded to Guzma before approaching Colress.
"Oh, President Lusamine, it is good to see you again!" Colress exclaimed, as if he had only just noticed her. "And Guzma. I am always curious to see how you are learning to bring out the full power of your pokémon."
Guzma just went, "Tch," and looked away.
"Colress… I am glad to see you, as well," said Lusamine. "I wanted to express how grateful I am that you assisted us in returning my Paradise to normal after that… Rainbow Rocket incident. And your incredible device that allows poor Necrozma to regain its light, through the legendary pokémon's help—lovely!"
Colress was brimming with pride. He closed his eyes, remembering Necrozma's blinding fusion. "Yes, drawing out the true power of Necrozma was no easy feat, and the sight of it in the Champion's team is very interesting!" When he noticed that Lusamine and Guzma were not saying anything, he added, "And to do so through trust and compassion was key—indeed, it was the only way."
Lusamine smiled sadly. "Of course, it is the only way to keep the ones you love safe. That is why I've ordered the renovation of the Aether Paradise! Thanks to the efforts of our young Champion, I've learned that my past methods were shameful, and I must use my new knowledge to reshape the Paradise so that we can better care for—"
"Get to the point, Ma'am!" said Guzma.
"Call me just Lusamine now, Guzma." She looked askance, toward the building. Cool air from inside rushed around her, causing her shell-like hair to sway. "Colress, it has come to my attention that you saw my… my… collection. I must assure you that I am no longer so cruel, and that my dear employees are developing a way to safely thaw and release those poor pokémon."
"Ah yes, I remember your Trophy Room," Colress said, typing on his console—this was an intriguing, though not unexpected, interaction with a key figure in this area of interest. "Of course an intelligent trainer such as yourself would learn to stop utilizing such inefficient methods."
Lusamine quirked an eyebrow. "'Inefficient?'"
"I am surprised that you do not understand, considering your status as my scientific peer," Colress said. "If one is to preserve a pokémon subject in a single state for an indefinite period of time, the pokémon should be at its full potential! It's far less useful otherwise..." Colress could not help but smirk. "Why, some of your specimens were far from even evolving!"
Lusamine and the Aether Employees nearby were shocked. After a moment, however, Lusamine motioned toward the scandalized employees and gave them a polite, glowing look, and they continued their work.
"Heh, I knew you were a creep!" said Guzma.
Colress's mouth opened slightly in dull surprise. "Excuse me? You'll have to forgive me if my criticism strayed into rudeness, but I certainly did not intend to insult President Lusamine." Despite his apologetic words, he was unable to keep his usual smile from returning.
"Heh heh heh…" Lusamine held her hand in front of her mouth as she laughed. When she lowered it, she revealed her lopsided grin. "Guzma was referring to the misguided nature of your objection. But I'm not surprised that you'd say such a thing. After all, I'm not the only one here who is experienced with selfishly freezing things!"
Guzma looked between Lusamine and Colress, clearly unsure what was going on. Colress's smile remained. "I'm afraid you have been misinformed, President Lusamine," said Colress. "I was forced to do so by a terrible man—Ghetsis. The Ghetsis of this world, that is!"
Lusamine shook her head, which sent deep shadows playing over her eyes. "Hmm. My research suggests that you joined that wretched villain's team willingly."
"That is true. However, I had no idea the lengths Ghetsis would—"
Guzma cut him off. "Yeah, but… if you're smart, you must've known what you were getting into! I did when I got into bed with Lusamine!"
Lusamine pouted at Guzma's turn of phrase but kept her sharp eyes focused on Colress.
Sensing that this situation required a new strategy, Colress paused in his typing and bowed his head slightly. He looked down at the spotless white surface that extended in every direction. "It is true. I joined Team Plasma of my own accord because I longed to see different sides in my pursuit of scientific truth. It was wrong of me to act in such a manner, as a trainer a few years ago kindly demonstrated to me… I now know that pokémon can only reach their full potential through trust and their bonds with trainers!"
Guzma stormed off as Colress talked, leaving only Lusamine. She smiled ruefully. "Ah. Well, touring Aether Paradise and researching the methods of my employees and their care for pokémon will certainly benefit you. Enjoy your visit." She quickly walked after Guzma, with a spring in her step. Colress thought she looked like someone inwardly laughing at some private joke.
While Colress found these unexpected results unfortunate, he knew they were unlikely to have any ill effects on his plan of action. The Ultra Recon Squad, who he very much wished to speak to, no longer trusted Lusamine or Guzma after Lusamine attempted to use the machine—the one Colress himself designed—for her own selfish purposes. Thus, it mattered little if either was predisposed to distrust him. More importantly, the attitudes of any humans would no longer matter if he achieved his newest goal! He walked into the Aether Paradise building, where the pale grey wall panelling around him and cool air rushing over his head as he entered made him nostalgic. He smiled to the secretary as he passed the front desks and approached the elevator. The Conservation Area was an excellent spot for conducting research on the bonds between humans and pokémon. But when he reached the elevator shaft, the triangular platform was not present.
Soon the control panel lit up, and the platform rose up from the basement floor. The newly-appointed Branch Chief, Wicke, was giving Intern Faba a long-suffering smile as he struggled to carry a single box. Colress moved to stand out of their way and observed them discreetly.
"Urrgh… why must you give your irreplaceable Intern this grunt work?" Faba winced. "Making him carry this… memorabilia—it is disrespectful, isn't it?!"
"I-Intern Faba, please don't lift with your arms! Lift with your—eep!" Wicke looked away as Faba dropped the box on his foot and shrieked.
"So this is how true indignity feels," said Faba. "Ms. Wicke, please, let me go to the medical room! What if I've broken my foot?"
Wicke looked left and right, which Colress knew meant she was embarrassed to be seen with Faba, but was far too polite for harsh words. "That box was rather light, and your boots are steel-toed—oh, of course. I will take it off your hands."
Faba grinned and nodded profusely, before running off the platform, leaving the box where it was. Wicke sighed softly in amusement. She stepped forward and noticed Colress, who had been waiting patiently through this exchange.
"Ms. Wicke!" Colress exclaimed, as if pleasantly surprised. "Excuse me—Branch Chief Wicke! Congratulations on your recent promotion." Colress heard Faba stop running and felt his glare, but kept innocently smiling at Wicke.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Colress." Wicke sheepishly adjusted her glasses. "It was certainly unexpected though, wasn't it? But a lot of good has come from the disaster you helped all of us set right, as I am sure you can see."
"Yes…" Colress stopped paying attention to her words. A gleaming, framed photograph lying on top of the objects in the box caught his eye. He walked up to the box and unthinkingly took the photo into his hands. A young, blonde girl in an elaborate, bell-shaped dress stood stiffly in the center of the composition. Her hands were close to her body, as if she was praying for sanctuary. She was frowning, and the hat she wore—which was far too large—cast a dark shadow over her defeated eyes.
"A grand transformation, isn't it?" Wicke asked.
"O-Oh, indeed! Excuse me for picking this up without asking." Colress glanced at Wicke before returning to gaze at the photo, bewildered. "This is Miss Lillie, is it not?"
"Yes." Wicke's voice carried a sad note. "This photo was taken only a few short years ago. However, Miss Lillie's life would forever change when she decided to risk everything to protect her pokémon friend… and when she would meet the young Champion and Master Hau. Of course, I'm sure you already know what wonders friendship can do considering your research, Mr. Colress."
Colress put down the photograph, "Yes… just as the bonds pokémon share with their trainers cause them to unleash their full power, Miss Lillie utilized her bonds and underwent incredible change," he said flatly. He paused to consider how much of his new focus he should reveal. "Well then, Ms. Wicke, currently I am researching the possibility of new worlds! The Rainbow Rocket incident caused me to realize the importance of researching different worlds in order to harness the power to travel between them for a just cause! Have you seen the Ultra Recon Squad members as of late? They could be of use to me."
Wicke shook her head. "I'm glad you're looking into the subject, but I haven't heard from them in some time… they left Aether Paradise to continue investigating our world. They could be anywhere in the region, I'm afraid. Maybe you could talk to the Champion instead, however—she knows a thing or two about dimensional travel!"
Colress's smile thinned slightly. He recorded this new information using his wearable console. "Splendid idea! I will be sure to take your advice." This was not the result he had been hoping for. The Champion's experience with facing off against evil leaders and her eternally determined look suggested that she was far less naive than the alien Ultra Recon Squad. "For now, please allow me to continue conducting research on the bonds between pokémon and trainers in the Conservation Area."
The full moon beaming down on Blush Mountain made the dry, golden grass appear a pale green, and made the craggy red earth a deep violet. The soft rustling of the grass was the only sound, and Colress stepped lightly in order to avoid making any noise himself. He could not afford to be spotted before entering the Geothermal Power Plant. He kept close to a dark cliff face, and before he reached the fence beside the mountain outpost, he activated his newly-developed invisibility device. This nighttime field research doubled as an excellent opportunity to determine whether or not it fooled security cameras! He slipped behind a metal barrel and sent out his Magnezone, which appeared in front of the fence after a flash of light. The Geothermal Power Plant attracted several rare species of electric-type pokémon, so Colress knew that his Magnezone being caught on film would not expose him.
"Now, use your magnetism to unlock the gate. I put my trust in you." Colress smiled as his Magnezone turned around in confusion before it recognized its trainer's EM field. "Go on!"
Magnezone spun back around and slowly turned its anterior magnets. A clink resounded throughout the area and the gate was pulled open, the gap just wide enough for a human to enter.
"Marvelous!" Colress made his way inside the usually-closed-off part of the power plant. As soon as he stepped inside the compound, Magnezone closed and locked the gate, putting everything back to its usual state.
"My trust in you helped you achieve your full potential!" Colress beamed. He withdrew his pokémon and made the trek toward the Geothermal generator that lay at the site's heart. The cooling towers loomed over it, glinting in the moonlight. The moon was so large and bright that its illumination overpowered any star that would otherwise be visible. The rushing and whirring sounds emanating from the giant steam separator made the entire mountain seem like a giant, dormant pokémon.
Once Colress reached the generator, he exclaimed to nobody, "How interesting! Will the electromagnetic fields stimulate my pokémon's latent power and increase its strength, or act as a disruption?" After logging his hypotheses, he sent out his Metagross. "I trust that you will be an ideal test subject, Metagross! I believe in you and your computing capabilities!"
Metagross swiveled this way and that, stomping its heavy feet. The lights in its eyes alternated rapidly between glowing scarlet and a faint blood red tone. It cried out, its call distorted.
Colress recorded this finding. "Oh, it appears to be a disrupting force, at least for the—"
Metagross cried out again, loudly.
"You there! How unkind of you to be so unruly when I'm filing away info! Please, be respectful to me as I am to you." Colress smiled widely at his pokémon and took a few steps closer to it. As he did, his shadow fell over Metagross, the bright moon above causing it be immensely dark.
Metagross went quiet and froze, though its eyes kept flickering in distress.
When Colress finished typing up the information, he held out his Key Stone. "Now, to ensure that you are at the peak of your potential! Will the added stimuli of Mega Evolution and electromagnetism increase your power, or will it shut down your four brains? Inform me!"
With those words, Metagross became encased by a shell of rainbow-colored light. It emerged as a Mega Metagross, but instead of the powerful, ringing call its species normally made, it screeched, like two pieces of steel grinding against each other. It repeatedly jabbed its arms out and used Bullet Punch on nothing.
"Splendid! This energy is incredible! Now, an appropriate target is required!" Colress yelled, forgetting he was in a restricted area. "Beheeyem, I have faith in you," he said, as it was only proper to do so. He took out a Poké Ball and sent out his Beheeyem, which appeared in the air beside Mega Metagross.
Mega Metagross let out a metallic growl and regarded Beheeyem with a piercing glare.
"How interesting! Mega Metagross no longer recognizes Beheeyem, and perceives it as a prey item!"
Beheeyem quivered and backed away. It held out its hands, and its fingers began flashing different colors.
"Stop. Do not use your psychic powers to calm Mega Metagross." Colress's eyes narrowed. "I don't understand the reason behind my pokémon's undisciplined behavior..."
Beheeyem obeyed and lowered its arms, but continued shaking.
"I see… you are frightened! But Mega Metagross previously struck you during the control test, so you should already be prepared!" Colress grinned. "In any case, the experiment can now progress as planned. Mega Metagross, use Meteor Mash!"
Mega Metagross pulled back its upper right arm, which lit up a fiery blue and sent out sparks like shooting stars. Beheeyem curled into itself, which did nothing to lessen the impact. The Meteor Mash hit it like a comet and it rocketed into the air. Just before it slammed into a cooling tower, Colress withdrew it and it was sent back to its Poké Ball, unconscious.
Colress withdrew Mega Metagross as well. He simply stood alone for a minute, listening to the echoing sounds of machinery and taking in the mountain landscape once again. The underground steam sighed. "Oh… the attack was no more powerful than before," Colress said, finally remembering to be quiet. "Perhaps there were unknown factors, or the electromagnetic interference lessened its strength. I was aware of the possibility." He suddenly felt rather silly, standing in the middle of the empty plant. Perhaps his misbehaving pokémon were to blame.
He hung his head as he left the compound and walked back to the base of Blush Mountain. Though there was nothing interesting to encounter in this area, it did not feel right to immediately return to the Tide Song Hotel. The thought of the hotel room was somehow both empty and constricting at once. Instead, he continued to stroll through the fields. When he looked east, he could see beyond the shore. An oscillating white stripe of reflected moonlight cut through the black sea. Colress then looked up high, to the void that was usually speckled with stars. Why was it that even in Alola, a region where trainers could make their bonds with pokémon visible, where there was an entire organization dedicated to goals similar to his, he could not bring out the full power of his pokémon? Why could he not replicate Lillie's results? He had tested that trainer from a few years ago, and he had proven that trust and bonds allow pokémon to reach peak potential. Yet, his own studies yielded lackluster results. If this pattern were to continue, he would have to accelerate his plans to investigate new worlds and leave this one behind.
A beeping noise brought Colress out of his thoughts. He stopped pacing and made a surprised sound—his cell phone was ringing! He checked the caller ID and noticed that the call was from an unfamiliar number. He swiped the alert off the screen and answered it. "This is Colress the scientist."
Nothing but faint, labored breathing came through the phone's speaker.
"Excuse me, but is this a prank call?" Colress asked.
"...I know everything seems like a joke to you, Colress, but of course not," said Ghetsis.
"Oh!" Colress's eyes widened and his phone nearly fell to the ground. He swiftly caught it, but his eyes remained fully open. "Well then! I would say, 'it has been a while,' but in reality I can't seem to escape you these days!" he said brightly.
"So you did interact with that version of me from the other world… excellent," Ghetsis was speaking softly—a rarity for him. "I—"
Colress inundated him with questions. "You're certainly speaking quietly tonight! Did defeat help you master your indoor voice?" Colress's curved smile transformed into an angular grin. "How is your unstable mental state? I suspected the rumor I heard that claimed you had become a vegetable was untrue, and I see was correct, as expected! Where have you been hiding for all this time? Oh, and my contact information has been public for quite a while—why have you suddenly called me now? I suppose it is like you to interrupt me at the precise moment I'm conducting important research and everything has been proceeding without issue!" Suddenly, the moonlight playing on the water looked so interesting, and the contrast between the darkness and the light was quite impressive—he had failed to notice only moments before! It was very odd.
"After you betrayed my Team Plasma, why would I have rushed to contact you?" Ghetsis asked.
"'Betrayed?' How rude!" Colress noticed that Ghetsis had chosen not to respond to his other questions, and filed that information away for later use. "An accurate statement would be that I 'chose several different angles from which to study'—I'm always thorough in my research!"
Ghetsis let out a raspy sigh. "I should have had the Shadow Triad throw you off the Frigate when given the chance."
Colress giggled. "Oh, please. You don't have it in your nonexistent heart to do such a thing and you know it. But do not feel unproductive! You are very fortunate!"
"What do you mean? That I'm blessed to have you pester me once again?"
"Precisely! You see, my research into bringing out the potential of pokémon has been proceeding marvelously. This place now has little to offer me. Recent events have led me to believe that I would be better off studying other worlds and the potential they hold!"
"How terrifying. A demon like you ascending to some higher plane of existence? But on the subject of other worlds—I called you because I must ask—" Ghetsis coughed, which he muffled. "There's someone coming. You'll hear from me again soon." He hung up. Colress heard nothing but the grass moving in the wind and the distant waves.
"Oh, I'm certain I will!" Colress exclaimed to no one. Ghetsis had always been the perfect plaything—using someone like Lusamine to test Necrozma's reaction to fusion paled in comparison to using Ghetsis. Turning around, claiming to despise him, and making him a scapegoat was always exciting! Ghetsis was so hated, he could tell him anything and the information would never be believed by anyone else! Even better, he was powerful, ambitious, and interesting in his own right! Colress eagerly awaited his call. He pranced along the rocky outcroppings and his fingers twitched, as if he was typing in the air.