Hey all welcome to another chapter. Thanks to Antex for the review as usual. Thanks to Hello 12 for the favorite/follow. I do not own Pokémon.

CH 26, Stolen Light

Aether Paradise:

Gary and Gladion were sitting in a small meeting room going over the latest data they had received from their field agents.

"Our scouts recently picked up some weird activity on Poni Island," Gladion said placing a stack of papers on the table.

"Ultra-Beast activity?"

"We detected a wormhole opening, but nothing came out of it."

"Meaning that something went in right?"

"Exactly, we also detected an energy signature that matched that of Solgaleo."

"Solgaleo, doesn't it belong to Alex?" Gary asked worriedly.

"Yes, I had reason to believe Team Rocket nabbed him, but this is even more concerning," Gladion looked down at the table with a stiff expression," Team Rocket shouldn't have such an easy time taking control of a legendary, especially one that's loyal to Alex."

"Maybe they didn't take control of Solgaleo."

"What do you mean Gary?"

"Team Rocket may have brainwashed Alex himself." Gladion did not want to admit it, but Gary had a point. It definitely sounded like something Team Rocket would do. If they had actually done that, it would just serve to make everything else much more difficult. Gladion knew that Lillie would not like that, he knew all too well how much she loves him.

"It's just a theory but we should consider all the possibilities," Gary said trying to reassure the now distressed Gladion.

"I know Gary, I didn't mean to space out. Would you be willing to do me a favor?"

1 Day Later, Poni Island:

Gary was stationed at Poni Meadow decked out with all kinds of equipment. The site he was at was where they had detected Solgaleo's energy the other day. They were hoping that maybe some evidence had been left behind, however he had found out nothing new yet.

"It seems we are not alone Dolossi." Gary was startled by the voice and turned to see two oddly dressed people, one male and one female.

"Uh who are you two exactly?"

"We are the Ultra Recon Squad, we are pursuing the creature that stole our light," the man answered.

"What do you mean your light was stolen?" Gary asked unsure of what the man meant.

"The sun has gone dark and the light will not return, the same is destined to happen to this world," the woman answered.

"What stole your light?"

"Necrozma, a creature as dark as shadows, wherever it goes the light is sure to disappear."

"Where did Necrozma come from?" Gray asked taking notes at this point.

"It came from deep in Ultra Space, we know not where it was born, how it was born or what its true power is. We only know it came from the deepest part of Ultra Space, a place we dare not venture into."

"Why are you telling me all of this?"

"You are a researcher are you not?"

"Well I am, but I'm just a stranger to you," Gary answered.

"I believe we can trust you unlike that crimson haired boy."

"Crimson haired boy?"

"Yes, to think he had control over Solgaleo, he and his female companion were quite troublesome."

"What do you mean?" Gary asked the girl.

"They were attempting to capture Ultra Beasts for some less than good purposes, they do not know what they are getting themselves involved in."

"But why would Alex misuse Solgaleo?"

"He claimed to be an admin of some group known as Team Rocket." Gary paled at the woman's words. The brainwashing had just been a theory, but something else wasn't right. Crimson hair, something didn't sit right with Gary. Even if he was brainwashed the difference in hair color was an odd distinction.

"Do you know where they are now?" Gary asked with a hint of hopefulness.

"No we don't and this is where we part ways." Gary had to shield his eyes as there was a bright flash of light. As he opened his eyes he saw that the two strangers were gone. Gladion was not going to be happy with any of this news.

Meanwhile in Ultra Space:

"Are we there yet?"

"For the last time no we are not Felicity!" Alex and Felicity were currently flying through Ultra Space rounding up Ultra Beasts, which the pinkette found rather boring.

"Ugh this sucks, I wanted to go on a date, not a mission."

"What this isn't your idea of a romantic outing?" Alex asked sarcastically growing tired of Felicity's complaints.

"No, let's just get this over with."

"Don't worry we're just about done," Alex said as he released a small drone," we've rounded up enough Ultra Beasts, now we just see if this drone can stay in one piece here for observations."

"Do you hear something Alex?"

"What do you…" Alex was cut off by a loud noise and looked behind him to see some sort of large dark Pokémon behind him.

"What the heck is that?" Felicity asked out-loud not knowing it was Necrozma.

"I don't know, but it's coming right at us!" Solgaleo sensing the danger dodged the charging creature. Alex could've sworn the creature locked eyes with them before disappearing into the distance.

"Was that an Ultra Beast Alex?"

"I'm not actually sure, but whatever it was I have a really bad feeling about it."

Team Rocket HQ, Holding Cells:

Deep in the basement of Rocket Headquarters Looker was getting acquainted with his new surroundings. He had been there for some time now and was starting to formulate an escape plan. He had heard that Guzma was being held as well in a different area of the base, getting to him would be difficult. They had confiscated all of his possessions but he had managed to sneak some stuff in, he was an ace detective after all. He pulled a small pair of tweezers out of his sock and was able to use them to pick the lock, so much for being securely locked up.

Looker slowly exited the cell and locked it behind him, but not before leaving a small disc in the cell. Once he was out he pulled out a tiny remote from his other sock and the disc activated projecting a hologram of him. Hopefully that would buy him some time.

He made his way up to the next floor that served as storage for research projects.

"Can you believe that the experiment actually worked?" Looker hid behind a nearby crate as he avoided the sight of two grunts.

"I know, the boss found the perfect way to get the champion to work for him." Looker had known something was off about Alex and was now closer to the truth. As soon as the two grunts were gone he continued but stopped a few moments later when he saw a door that was not locked. Feeling curious Looker entered the room which he discovered he was alone in. He made sure to close the door behind him before looking around.

There were all manners of equipment in the room along with large pods. As he looked he discovered most of the pods were empty. However, he stopped dead in his tracks when he came across the last pod. Looker could see someone inside of it so he walked over to peer into it. However, he stepped back in disbelief when he looked inside.

"It can't be…" Looker trailed off in disbelief as he began to see how he could open the pod.

Hooray for cliffhangers, the answer will become clear soon. Thanks for reading and see you all next time.