Although Colress had been elated when he went to bed, his sleep was fitful and unpleasant. He dreamed of floating pulses of many colors, including hues he had never seen! However, instead of being fascinated and excited by the unique phenomena, his heart beat fast. He turned away. The colors spread farther and closed in around him like two folding wings of a Swanna. Colress hid his face in his hands and tried to flee.
The ringing of his cell phone woke him up. He fumbled in bed and reached for the phone. Sunlight filtering in from his hotel room's balcony made his eyes hurt—surely that was what had caused his odd dream! He answered the call.
"As I tried to say before I was rudely interrupted, I have pressing questions for you," Ghetsis said.
Colress took his glasses from the nightstand. The lenses were dusted with sand from Blush Mountain. "How unkind of you to tell me you have pressing questions when this is my first time hearing from you in years!" Colress said, amused. "I suppose I must triangulate your position myself, if you refuse to inform me..."
Ghetsis breathed in. Colress expected him to huff in annoyance, but Ghetsis coughed instead. "I was expecting you to waste my time, and I see you haven't disappointed me." Ghetsis's voice sounded even raspier than it had been the night before. Highly curious.
"Marvelous! I hope to not only meet, but exceed your expectations!" Colress set the call to "speaker," which let him go about his morning routine as he talked. He went to the balcony and opened the curtains and the sliding glass doors. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, letting them adjust to the morning light. He anticipated the smell of salt and marine pokémon carried by the gentle sea breeze, and there it was as always.
"I'm being held against my will in an insane asylum in Unova," Ghetsis said.
Colress's eyes flew open. The sun on the waves momentarily stunned him. "W-Well then, I must inform you that the correct term is 'psychiatric hospital…' or are you attempting a 19th-century rest cure? You certainly sound like you have tuberculosis! Perhaps you belong in a sanatorium instead!"
Colress pictured Ghetsis rolling his eye. "The detergents they use here are so toxic… I am being poisoned out of 'kindness.' The other patients cannot detect it—their senses are all but gone!"
"Your environmental allergies are flaring up? Why, even mere compounds must despise you!" Colress paused to breathe on his glasses, fogging up the lenses. He wiped the sand from them with a little cloth. "Have you asked for an acceptable hypoallergenic alternative?"
"I've requested one many times over, but they always refuse me!" He added, more quietly, "It is useless."
"I see…" Colress checked his glasses. The lenses were still dirty, despite his best efforts. "Well then, I'm certain the Shadow Triad will break you out shortly!"
A slight crackling came through the speaker. Colress was about to check the state of the call when Ghetsis spoke again, "...I thought that someone so intelligent would know better than to leap to a conclusion. The Shadow Triad abandoned me months ago." No particular emotion tinged his words.
"I don't understand…" Colress ran through a series of potential scenarios in his mind, but could not make the pieces fit sensibly. "Surely that could only happen if… no, no... that's not possible." He began to pace. What was there still left to do in this cavernous hotel room before leaving to conduct further research? Suddenly, he realized he was not clean himself! What an obvious detail to forget—how embarrassing. "Well now, I'm certain you'll break yourself out shortly and painstakingly exact your revenge!" he said, returning to he sprightly tone he reserved for his rival.
"Why are you behaving like it can't possibly be true? Use that big head of yours. Life is a series of changes." Ghetsis huffed. "Your mercurial nature ought to have alerted you of that fact."
"Life may be a series of changes, but they were so set in their fanaticism—and 'mercurial?' I have not changed, even though it's been such a long time…" Colress walked out onto the balcony and rested on the guardrail, which was curved like the ocean waves he could see lapping at the shore of Brooklet Hill to the east. Closer to the Tide Song was Paniola Town, where Colress had given a Breeder a device he had developed to count the number of times wild pokémon called for help. He was using telemetry to see the data she was unknowingly collecting for him, but even those findings yielded no results. Although Alola was known for its friendly atmosphere—to the extent that wild pokémon assisted each other constantly—his research remained stunted. "...Although! Now that I think about it, I have reached even greater heights in my endeavors since we last spoke! Perhaps you are right, and I should not be so taken aback by this development!"
"Of course you've only become more successful since that time…" Ghetsis was obviously frustrated, but Colress could not determine whether or not this statement was intended to be sarcastic.
"Indeed, it was to be expected—thank you very much for the compliment!" Colress's angular grin returned. "Oh, how is your nonfuctioning arm?"
"In order to preserve the rest of my body, it had to be amputated soon after my defeat," Ghetsis said matter-of-factly.
"Ah, that is fortunate! It might have brought you down entirely had it been left unchecked."
"Myah-ha-ha-ha…" Ghetsis laughed softly. "How touching it is to see your deep care for me."
Colress gripped the guardrail and puffed out his cheek in exaggerated annoyance, though he knew Ghetsis could not see him. "W-What kind of scientist would I be if I allowed my prior star test subject to simply expire?"
"I'm your star? How sweet of you to say," Ghetsis said. "I was kind enough to answer your intrusive questions, and now you must answer mine in return. I would sincerely appreciate your cooperation."
This cloying tone Colress recognized from Ghetsis's speeches. Thus, it was only fair to respond in kind! "Now, now, please be a gentleman and allow me to freshen up. You have been rather intrusive into my daily routine, you see. Call me again in the afternoon, please!" he said in a sing-song voice. "Next time, let me know that you're planning to speak to me so early in the day! It is only courteous."
"And is it only courteous to insist on making me wait for several hours just because your attention span is so dreadfully short...?"
Colress ignored the insult. "Calling me in several hours works for me. It's a date!" He burst into giggles as he hung up, cutting off Ghetsis's sputtering. He left the balcony and sat down at his room's little vanity. His hair was disheveled, but his eyes were wide with energy and he was grinning like an Alolan Meowth. Colress felt like he was looking not at himself, but some clone who had been socialized into unorthodox ways. Ghetsis would probably describe the situation as unheimlich. Colress quickly put on his calm smile and made sure his eyes were half-lidden before he left to wash.
In only an hour, Colress flew to Poni Grove, the Altar of the Moone, the Lake of the Sunne, and Paniola Ranch. He searched for the Ultra Recon Squad to no avail. But according to a Dancer in Ula'ula Meadow, a strangely-dressed person with blue hair like a waterfall had been wading through the flowers with a Furfrou in tow, wondering at being able to see such rich color for the first time. Colress waited through the Dancer's raving about the beauty of the pokémon's La Reine trim and learned that Lieutenant Soliera and her Captain had heard of the President's son's choice to train in Kanto and Johto and had followed suit. To Colress's confusion, he did not even have to put effort into smiling at that news. He would have predicted disappointment to well up in him! He recorded his odd response in his notes.
Humans, pokémon, and even extraterrestrials who were not pokémon were all so transient. It was so frustrating that his own research was only yielding the same results in contrast! Could there be an unknown factor—something aside from bonds and trust—that allowed for such progression and degradation? Something that he still lacked? No, no, that was impossible. Yet he remembered that image of Lillie trapped in those translucent, airy clothes that weighed her down and confined her. She was the perfect case study—that was it! He would measure her power! He flew to the Battle Tree, where only the strongest trainers, including himself, showed their mettle. When he had discussed Necrozma with Professor Kukui, he had boasted about the skill she showed at that facility. Yet Colress had not yet faced her—a perfect opportunity to record his first impressions!
He flew to the Battle Tree and walked down the path between the rows of flapping banners. The sun was directly above Alola now and the shadows were small and dense. He spotted the lustrous hair of Lillie immediately—there she stood in front of the rewards desk, in friendly conversation with none other than the Champion. Lillie was nodding and speaking effusively, her sunkissed ponytail whipping around. Colress quickly began hitting buttons on a PC, as if he were in the middle of creating a new roster of pokémon. He continually glanced over at Lillie, waiting for her to part ways with the Champion so that he could face her in isolation. But instead, she and the Champion began to walk away together, still chatting.
Colress had to act fast! He logged out of the PC and moved to block the only path that led away from the Battle Tree. "You there!" he called to them. "Miss Lillie and Moon, or should I say, Champion Moon? It is good to see you again."
"Mr. Colress! Hello!" Lillie's face lit up. "Thank you, thank you again for helping us stop Team Rocket!"
Moon smiled, her eyes obscured by her oversized sunglasses. She and Lillie ran up to meet Colress.
"I was glad to have such a unique opportunity." He turned to Lillie. "Miss Lillie, if it's not an inconvenience, may I ask for a favor in return? For one as energetic as yourself, it should be easy!"
Lillie and Moon shared a look. "And what might that be, Mr. Colress?"
"As you know, the theme of my research is, 'bringing out the potential of pokémon through trust and bonds.' Alola embodies my study, and I have been battling powerful trainers here in order to study their bonds with pokémon. And thus I wish to battle you and see you bring out the power of your pokémon!" Colress mirrored the children's smiles. "I am drawn to trainers with Z-Power Rings, for instance, and I see you have acquired one. You have surpassed everyone's expectations!"
"Of course!" Lillie said. "Moon, I'll make sure your pokémon don't get hurt." She and Moon reached for their pokémon.
"Stop." Colress took his left hand off his console and held it out instead. "Ah, that is to say, it is difficult to study the abilities of individual trainers in a Double Battle! I would like to battle you and you only, Miss Lillie! The Champion has already faced me in battle—and was quite impressive, I might add!"
"She is!" Lillie looked over at Moon and then back to Colress. "But… Mr. Colress… my pokémon are all fairy-type, and I'm more interested in healing than in battling…"
"Go for it!" said Moon. Her excitement was palpable, yet her poker face stayed on. "You've faced all your trials alone, so it's no different."
"I guess you're right…" Lillie's hands curled into fists. "I'll make sure to show you my full power, Mr. Colress! Come out, Ribombee!" She sent out her Ribombee, who performed a mid-air curtsy.
Colress looked past Ribombee and kept his eyes trained on Lillie. "Just as I expected! Your pokémon clearly has a higher Speed stat than other members of its species!" He recorded this data. Perfect! Lillie was his perfect subject! He sent out his Porygon-Z, who spasmed and twisted its head all the way around. "...I'll put my trust in you, Porygon-Z," Colress said as an afterthought. It was worth seeing a battle between Lillie and an opposing pokémon who did neutral damage to her own as a control test before he added additional stimulus.
"Use Light Screen!" Lillie said. Ribombee held out its arms and shimmering panels materialized in front of it.
Colress grinned in anticipation. "Tri-Attack, if you will." Porygon-Z summoned three spheres of different colors which whirled around its body. It shot them toward Ribombee, but the attack was dampened by the screen. Colress's training may have heightened Porygon-Z's Special Attack, but the move was not enough to knock out Ribombee, who shook but stayed airborne.
Lillie picked at the straps of her backpack. "Ah… Mr. Colress, is your Porygon-Z all right? It looks like it's panicking."
"She's right. I have a Porygon-Z, and it doesn't act that way," said Moon, who was standing behind Lillie and watching intently.
Colress's mouth opened slightly in dull surprise. "Oh? As Professor Kukui's assistant, you should know that Porygon-Z is a pokémon born of a glitched system. Every individual of the species behaves erratically—their behavior may be unique and unpredictable." Hoping they would refrain from halting the battle, he added: "I thank you for your concern, however!"
"That's what you say, and of course I studied it, but… the way it's looking at me..." Lillie was carefully watching Porygon-Z and its wide, spinning eyes.
"Be assured, I have been researching pokémon for many years. I know how to show them respect and love." Colress closed his eyes, striving to speak gently and not curtly.
"I'm sure you're right, Mr. Colress… oh! I almost forgot about our battle! Ribombee, use Reflect." Lillie nodded to Ribombee, who had been regarding Porygon-Z with searching, sparkling eyes—whether the refraction was from the noonday sun or fluid was unclear. However, one key detail had been made apparent—Lillie suddenly showed her true colors as an unruly, inexperienced, and forgetful trainer. Colress felt his excitement fade rapidly.
After another uneventful turn, Lillie ordered Ribombee to attack with Pollen Puff. Ribombee brought out a glittering ball of pollen, so bright it looked radioactive. It pulled one arm back before hurling it at Porygon-Z. The ball exploded into yellow particles that scattered in the wind when it made contact. Porygon-Z kept shaking, and beeped in confusion. The move did not even do enough damage that using Recover was necessary, Colress noted. After a brief exchange of moves, Ribombee cried out and fell to the ground, unconscious. It was a frail pokémon despite Light Screen, and Porygon-Z's Ability boosted the power of its moves. It was an embarrassing display.
Lillie returned her pokémon and spoke to its Poké Ball. "I'm sorry, Ribombee. I'll heal you up as soon as I can." Her expression hardened. "Go, Clefairy!" She threw a Heal Ball and Clefairy fluttered onto the grass. It looked as determined as its trainer. "You know what to do." Lillie gave her pokémon a soft smile, and it nodded. She did not even specify which move it ought to use! She was so immature! Despite its trainer's incompetence, Clefairy moved closer to Porygon-Z and sang a few sweet notes that carried in the breeze. Porygon-Z stopped twitching and dozed off.
Colress held in a sigh and withdrew Porygon-Z and replaced it with Metagross. This battle was a waste of precious time—and imagine if it went on so long, Ghetsis called him in the middle of it! It would be interesting to use his coat to catch Lillie's and Moon's faces on camera were they to hear him pick up a call from the very man who struck Lillie down… unfortunately, that would be far more trouble than was worth instigating!
Lillie and Moon stared at Colress.
He had forgotten the battle himself! Perhaps Lillie's bad habits were catching? "Ah, Metagross, Mega Evolve and use Meteor Mash!" Metagross was consumed by rainbow-colored light and cried out as its body reconfigured itself. It turned back to Colress with the lights in its eyes blazing red, and Colress just cocked his head and smiled in reply. Mega Metagross, unable to refuse, targeted Clefairy. Blue stars flared from one of Mega Metagross's arms and it struck Clefairy with a hooked blow. The Reflect did nothing to shield it from the punch, which had been boosted by Tough Claws. Clefairy fell backward, flailing its arms and peeping loudly. It slipped into unconsciousness. Yet another disappointing result.
Lillie looked down and kneeled before Clefairy. She gently stroked the curl of fur on its head before withdrawing it. What was the purpose of such an action? Colress made sure to record it for later analysis.
"You know, Mr. Colress, I only have one other pokémon who can battle. I just recently became a trainer," Lillie said.
Only three pokémon?! How could he have thought Lillie was an ideal case study? "I see! That still works for me. Having many pokémon alone isn't what makes a pokémon trainer. It is showing care for the ones you do have, and you certainly excel in that area."
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Colress!" Lillie giggled bashfully. She sent out her final pokémon—a Comfey, a pokémon notorious for healing itself and others. Lillie revealed her Z-Ring and crossed one arm over the other while Comfey rocked back and forth. The ring and Comfey shone like green morning sunshine, and Comfey's arms were holding a bouquet of sparkles—it was preparing to use Z-Grassy Terrain, which would boost its Defense and draw out the battle even further!
This could not be allowed to continue! Colress's eyes looked hard as he grinned down at Mega Metagross. "Okay! Use Explosion!" Mega Metagross's eyes went dark. It fell to the ground and one after the other, beams of light shot from its metal shell, which vibrated so fast it sounded like it was roaring. The energy exploded and Comfey was consumed inside the blast radius. In an instant, both pokémon were knocked out cold. Colress was victorious, as expected.
As Lillie withdrew Comfey, Moon ran to her side. "You did your best, Lillie! I could see your full power," she said.
"Thank you, Moon. I know, but it's too bad that my pokémon had to get hurt. You and your pokémon never let that stop them, though, and I know it's all part of being a strong trainer." Lillie put her Poké Balls back into her Bag and re-tied its pure white bow. "But to be honest, Mr. Colress, wasn't using Explosion excessive? Your Metagross didn't have to faint at all!" Lillie's eyes were big and her brows were knit with concern, but she was not angry or petulant. Colress tailored his response based on this detail.
"Oh, Mega Metagross even uses Explosion in the wild when it preys on other pokémon. It is an instinct inherent to the species. There is no need to worry!" Colress said.
"I thought Mega Metagross only uses Explosion in the wild when it is desperate and there's nothing else it can do to win, Mr. Colress." Lillie's face took on a pinched look. It was time to bring this excursion to a close.
Colress nodded. "But if trainers believe in their pokémon, as I do, their pokémon partners give everything they have! That is what my Mega Metagross demonstrated." He turned away. "Thank you for facing me in battle today, Miss Lillie. You are a sharp, compassionate trainer with a bright future!" He walked away from the Battle Tree and heard Lillie and Moon talking with hushed voices, calling Colress "strange" and "eccentric." However, their tones of voice were light with amusement, which indicated that they had no harsh judgment reserved for him.
He passed the sign and walked across the wooden bridges. Waterfalls and streams rushed by underfoot. That battle had yielded no useful results despite Lillie's incredible transformation, and it was clear that she was nothing more than a novice. Yet Colress kept his head held high—he remembered that Ghetsis's defeat had set him on his path to test trainers and their belief in and bonds with their pokémon, and perhaps studying him would reveal a path ahead.