CHAPTER 25: ULTRA SPACE
Once Murmur had taken Hilbert from Luminus, Hilbert felt a little relieved. However, he was beyond terrified. Ultra Space was a nightmarish world where Hilbert didn't know what to expect. Still, his new Blacephalon friend was kind and caring.
"Is Ultra Space safe?" Hilbert asked Murmur.
"For me," said Murmur, "I'd say most of the time it is pretty safe. Still, it's the wilderness to end all wildernesses. It's like exploring uncharted territory. Ultra Space transcends time and space. You can get from Adhara to Zubenelgenubi in no time."
"Those are stars," said Hilbert. "You can't set foot on a star - you'll burn up."
"Ah," said Murmur, "but stars have planets, many of them rock solid like your world. You possess a great sense of wit."
"I never thought so," said Hilbert. "It's hard for me to understand non-literal language. I have Asperger's."
"That may be so," said Murmur, "but you seem very intelligent. I can sense the intellect of others."
"Can you read minds?" asked Hilbert.
"That I cannot do," said Murmur. "I may be powerful, but I can't do everything."
Hilbert looked into the void of space and gazed at the cosmos. He could see billions of stars and galaxies. He looked through the white wormholes in the distance, where he saw images of Ultra Beasts - Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, and Guzzlord - Pokemon he had never seen.
"This is amazing!" said Hilbert. "I always dreamed of seeing life in other dimensions."
"There is a lot out there," said Murmur. "Even I don't know what lies in the depths of the universe."
"It's so cool!" said Hilbert. "You'll love my world. Just remember to be careful."
"Agreed," said Murmur.
Suddenly, Hilbert and Murmur felt being sucked into a wormhole.
"Brace yourself!" said Murmur.
Hilbert and Murmur were sucked into a wormhole. They found themselves in a vast desert of wet, orange sand. The sky was a bright yellow. In the horizon were mountains, far taller than any on Earth.
"Where are we?" asked Hilbert.
"We're in a very dangerous world," said Murmur. "This is a land of Pokemon the size of mountains."
Hilbert looked into the distance. He sighted a Pokemon of a monstrous size. It looked like a cross between a dragon, a terror bird, a bull, a boar, a hyena, and a jinn. It had nine eyes on its horrid avian face. There were several others of its kind, both mature and juvenile. Even the young ones were bigger than Wailord.
One of the Pokemon's monstrous red eyes laid sight on Hilbert and Murmur.
Murmur felt nervous. Hilbert screamed.
"We better get out of here!" said Hilbert.
The giant Pokemon screamed a horrid, earth-shaking scream and began to stomp towards Hilbert. Murmur quickly ran with Hilbert in his arms, dodging the lasers shooting from the monstrous Pokemon's beak.
"Hurry, it's getting closer!" said Hilbert.
Murmur ran through the desert, looking for a cave. He made sure Hilbert would not fall from his grasp.
Murmur dashed towards a narrow canyon and ran through. It was too small for even a juvenile of this giant Pokemon to get through. The giant Pokemon could not get Hilbert and Murmur, and it stomped away.
"Phew!" said Murmur. "That was close!"
"I know," said Hilbert. "I feel like my heart stopped beating."
"You look weak," said Murmur. "Let's look for a wormhole."
The canyon led to a labyrinthine cave, which Murmur traversed. After three hours of traveling, he reached a mysterious room. It had a mysterious block puzzle, as well as some ruined tools. It looked like someone else had been there.
"Looks like I'll have to rearrange those blocks," said Murmur. "I'll lay you here." He lay Hilbert on an altar.
It took quite some time to get the blocks into the right points, since they were very heavy. Murmur spent three hours of trial and error. Finally, he managed to open a portal.
"A portal!" said Hilbert weakly.
"Don't worry, Hilbert!" said Murmur. "I've got you! Let's go!"
The portal began to speak. It had a voice that sounded both male and female at once.
"Where do you want me to take you?" it asked.
"To Earth!" said Murmur.
"Very well," said the portal.
Murmur picked up Hilbert and jumped with him into the portal.
In the meantime, Hilbert's co-workers at the Aether Foundation, as well as Hilda, were searching for him everywhere.
"Any sign of him?" asked Hilda.
"Me and Kiana checked Lush Jungle twice," said Ricardo.
"We failed to find any sign of Hilbert," said Kiana.
"I checked Wela Volcano Park," said Allison.
"I checked Memorial Hill," said Emil. "It was scary at night. Luckily Wicke was there to help."
"I'm glad to help," said Wicke. "I'm frightened, though. Lusamine is still trying to get the Ultra Wormhole to open. She asked Faba to check the resort, but after an hour, he stopped looking and decided to get some mocha lattes."
"I don't trust that Faba," said Ricardo.
"He doesn't like us," said Emil.
"There's no time for small talk!" said Cesar. "Hilbert's missing!"
"We better not let our guard down," said Hilda. "I called Nanu, and he's gotten his pal Looker to investigate it. They already searched Melemele Island. Looker's going to check Ula'ula Island, and Nanu will check Poni Island."
While Murmur was flying through space, he held on tight to Hilbert. He knew that this was going to get to Earth. Still, it was taking a very long time.
"I will get there soon!" he said. "I'm just glad I don't have to sleep!"
He looked at Hilbert. He saw that Hilbert had not spoken in a while. He was breathing, but unconscious.
After hours and hours and hours of flying, Murmur saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It looked like Earth. Murmur drew closer and closer to the portal, trying to get through. He clutched Hilbert and pressed forward, launching himself in the portal.
At last, Hilbert was on Earth again. He was still unconscious. He was in Poni Plains, lying under a tree. Murmur stayed with Hilbert. As the shadows started to grow long, heard footsteps. Murmur sensed that people who knew Hilbert were coming. Murmur hid behind some rocks.
The footsteps turned out to be Nanu and Hilda.
"Hilbert!" said Hilda, running up to Hilbert. "I was so worried!" She gave Hilbert a hug. "He's unconscious, but still breathing."
"I'll notify Wicke," said Nanu. "We'll need to help get Hilbert back to the Aether Foundation building on Akala Island."
"I'll stay with Hilbert until he wakes up," said Hilda. "Don't worry, cuz! We're here for you!"