A/N: Selene's Team: Sun, Michio, Yuki, Zygarde, Valerie, Luana
January 21, 2017
Dawn came too quickly. Or pre-dawn, I should say. It was still dark when Hapu woke me, but I could see a tiny stream of light on the horizon. I quickly got up and stretched my aching limbs. Lillie and Gladion were already awake. It took a minute for us to assemble at the base of the stairs that led to the Altar of the Sunne.
Hapu broke the silence: "Have you decided who will blow the flutes?"
"Selene and Lillie should do it," Gladion said before anyone else could respond.
I looked at him in surprise. "But we're going to rescue your mother. Shouldn't it be you and Lillie?"
Gladion shook his head. "You have been helping Lillie this whole journey, not me. If this is successful I will still join you, but it seems fitting that you too should make it happen."
"I agree," Lillie said. "Please play with me, Selene."
How could I say no to the both of them? I smiled at Lillie, feeling grateful for her friendship. "Alright. I accept."
"Then it's settled," said Hapu. "Gladion, go with them to observe. I'll stay down here and keep watch... just in case."
"Let's go!" Lillie said.
The three of us ascended the steps of the altar, which was taller than it looks. I was nearly out of breath by the time I reached the top. I took a minute to recuperate and then faced my friends.
"I can feel the strong power of the sun," Lillie said. She opened her bag and gently pulled out the motionless Cosmog. "Nebby... I'm going to make my mother wake up and see reason before I send you back to your old world! I'm going to make her hear me. I'm going to tell her how I feel. Even if I'm not a trainer, I can still do that much!"
"That's all you need to do," Gladion said. "We'll tell her together."
Lillie smiled and retrieved her flute. "The Moon Flute... It feels like it was made to fit my hand. I think I can play it." She examined the altar. Two circles were engraved on either side. "We should stand opposite of each other up there." She started for the left, so I made my way over to the right.
I stood on the altar and gaze out at the horizon. The sun was just beginning to rise. I felt an odd tingling of excitement make its way through my body. Somehow, I knew this had to work. I brought the Sun Flute to my lips. Then, at the same time as Lillie, I played. I never considered myself very musical, but the sound my instrument emitted had an upbeat, flowing melody. The golden and yellow hues of the riding sun presented the perfect backdrop.
Glowing blue energy shot up from the middle of the altar, and Nebby rose to collide with it. I sensed a powerful magic but did not stop playing. The light surrounded Nebby and grew brighter. Then a load roar pierced the morning.
The energy subsided and the light that obscured Nebby faded. Lillie and I removed our flutes and exchanged a look of shock. Cosmog was gone, and in its place was a huge white lion Pokémon.
"Nebby!" Lillie cried, and she raced towards the Pokémon. After another roar, the Pokémon lowered its head and let the girl hug it. "Th-thank goodness you're all right. Please don't ever do that again! You made me worry so much. And I never imagined that sounding the flutes would give you so much power... or let you evolve into the legendary Pokémon!"
Cosmog had been the legendary Pokémon all along? Unbelievable! I jogged over to join them. "Hey, Nebby," I said with a smile. The Pokémon roared in response.
"Solgaleo, the legendary Pokémon of the sun," Gladion said in amazement as he approached. "I never thought Cosmog would actually evolve into it." He appeared hesitant as he stared at Nebby. "Are you sure it's safe?"
Lillie giggled. "Of course he's safe, Gladion. Nebby is our friend! He would never hurt us."
I nodded. "Because friends help each other. We don't have to worry about the destruction of Alola coming from him."
Nebby turned his head and sniffed at Gladion. The boy hesitantly raised his hand and slowly reached out to the Pokémon. Nebby let out a satisfied noise when Gladion stroked his mane.
Lillie clapped her hands together and gave the Pokémon a pleading look. "Please, Solgaleo... No... Nebby. Please. I need to see my mother!"
Nebby let out another mighty roar, and an ultra worm hole suddenly opened in front of us. Lillie, Gladion, and I climbed onto the Solgaleo's back and held tightly onto his fur. Then he leapt straight into the worm hole. The wind whipped my hair back, and my stomach lurched right before everything turned black.
The next thing I knew, a strange world surrounded me. I nearly fell over as I stumbled off Nebby's back. The air felt shallow and… different somehow. We appeared to be in some sort of tunnel lined with strange stones and glowing, multi-colored crystals that created a faint light and an eerie feeling. We were not in Alola anymore.
"How surprising," Lillie said. "It's more beautiful than I would have expected... but the air is so thick here, it almost hurts to breathe."
"We should get out of here as quickly as possible," Gladion said.
I turned to Lillie in concern. "Are you scared?"
She wrapped her arms around herself in a hug and frowned. "I'm not sure... Nebby evolved, and I'm in a different world, and there's just too much that has happened..."
Gladion placed a hand on her shoulder, and she visibly relaxed. "It is a lot to take in, but I know you're strong enough to handle it."
"And you've got us with you," I said. "Whatever we have to do, we can all figure it out together." This place did feel quite intimidating, after all, but my clear mission erased any fear.
Lillie gave us a small smile. "Thank you. We should go now."
Nebby roared, and Lillie interpreted that to mean he could not go with us. So, we headed down the tunnel alone, Gladion and I on either side of Lillie. We had not gone far when we saw a familiar figure standing around nearby the left wall.
"Guzma?" Gladion said incredulously.
"I'm the Team Skull boss, and I've never been scared of nothing or nobody," Guzma said. He had a strange look in his eye, and he wobbled around on his feet. He gazed at us almost as if he did not really see us. "Heck, I live my life making people scared of ME! So, listen to what big bad Guzma has to say..."
Gladion and I exchanged a look. The Team Skull bossed seemed to speak calmly and rationally, but I sensed something deeper below the surface.
"Y'all are stupid!" he suddenly shouted, causing me to flinch. "How in the world did you even get to this place? I've got no idea how you did it, but here you are." He clutched his head and gave us a wild-eyed look. "It's all dark here. got no clue what's going on, but there's beasts everywhere... I tried to catch one of those things...but it possessed me! And that's when it happened. My body, my mind... They started running wild, and I couldn't do anything about it! It was like I became somebody else, and I finally felt what fear feels like! It was terrifying!" He shuddered.
I felt an odd rush of compassion for him. He obviously had bitten off more than he could chew, and it sounded like he had learned his lesson. "I'm sorry," I said softly. "We're here to rescue you."
"And my mother," Lillie said. "Where is she?"
Guzma shook his head. "I may be the Team Skull boss, and I've never been scared of nothing or nobody, but... that lady... she's on another level. She's way far gone! She lost her mind over these ultra beasts. There's no talking to her, no reasoning with her... She's just gone..."
Gladion sighed. "I figured as much."
"That doesn't change anything," Lillie said with determination. "I still have to go!"
"Madness," Guzma muttered.
"We're going ahead," Gladion said. "Don't go anywhere."
Guzma continued to mutter to himself and gave no sign he had hard Gladion. He looked pathetic and kind of sad, but there was nothing we could do for him now. I tore my gaze away and continue through the tunnel with the siblings.
The tunnel seemed to go on forever. Then the ultra beasts came into view. They were the same jelly fish-like creatures that had twice appeared at Aether Paradise. The floated in an eerie fashion, their tentacles gently swaying. Lusamine stood in the center. She appeared at ease except for the creepy smile on her face. The oppressive feeling in the air returned, and I suppressed a shudder.
"Look at it," Lusamine cooed, spreading her arms wide. "The world of my ultra beasts. A world where the only thing that exists is the love between Nihilego and myself. So beautiful... So delicious... This is the real paradise!" Her eyes narrowed as she looked from Lillie to Gladion. "And yet you two! Why must you continue to pester me?! I am sick of you. Sick through and through! Who told you that you could come here, to the perfect, beautiful world of my beasts and me?"
"Think about what you are saying!" Lillie protested. "What about Mr. Guzma? Don't you care what happens to him?"
Gladion crossed his arms and frowned, his eyes steely. "He said you were possessed. You need to snap out of it."
Lusamine scowled. "Just leave. I don't need you here. I don't need you any longer! Look around you. Look at this beautiful world that I've finally come to! You want me to go back to that world? That's what you've come to bother me for? Even you cannot be that stupid!"
Lillie stomped her foot and huffed. "You always do that. It's just like it was back at Aether Paradise. Only thinking of yourself and what you want."
"What...? And why shouldn't I! I can live here in a world filled with only the things that I love! And I will live here!"
"This place wasn't made for humans!" Gladion snapped. "You belong back in the real world."
Lusamine turned up her nose and dismissed us all with a wave of her hand. "I don't care if you are my children or not! I don't care if you were loyal to me or not! I don't care if you're the rarest Pokémon there is in the world or not! If you're not beautiful enough to be worthy of my love, then I don't NEED you!"
A stone dropped in my stomach. It was just as Gladion had described. How could anyone be so cruel? "What about other people? You're saying you don't need them?"
She grinned maliciously. "That's right! All I need to exist in my world are the things that I want to have with me! Everything else is just a bother to me!"
Before I could come up with a response, Lillie clenched her fists and stormed right up to the older woman. "I am the one who is sick of you, mother! Children... Children are not just THINGS that belong to their parents! Pokémon are not just THINGS that a trainer can do whatever they want to! I am alive! Gladion is alive! Cosmog is alive! We are not things for you to collect! We're not made for you to just discard when you get bored with us! That is terrible, mother! You are terrible!"
Lusamine appeared aghast. "Terrible? Me? How am I different from any Pokémon trainer, like your little friend there?" She looked at me with a smirk. "What do you do with a Pokémon you can't use? You remove it from your party, as you please."
I bristled. "My Pokémon are my friends. I can only have six at a time, but I still care for the ones not currently in my party!"
"Selene is an excellent trainer," Gladion said. "She would never abuse a Pokémon, unlike you."
Lusamine glared at him. "Enough with this useless talk. I will never forgive you for stealing my Type: Null from me. Never!" Her steely gaze turned to Lillie. "Or you for stealing Cosmog, Lillie! Back when you were small, you would listen to everything I said, without question. For a time, even you were adorable to me!"
"Children need to learn to make their own decisions," I said. "Even if... even if they make mistakes." Elio's accident flashed through my mind, and I snapped my mouth shut.
"That's right," Lillie said. "I've grown up."
Lusamine shook her head. "You've become ugly. Ever since you met this girl Selene and learned to defy your own mother." She shot me a nasty glare. "Selene! You hateful little trainer! How dare you intrude upon this world that was meant for Nihilego and me? It is not to be borne! And with Nihilego's power, I will show you how wrong you were to come here!"
She tossed a strange Pokeball in the air, and a Nihilego appeared. And then, to my horror, the ultra beast wrapped its tentacles around her and lifted her in the air. When she descended, she had completely merged herself with the creature. Her hair turned black, and there was a crazed look in her eyes.
"Stop this madness!" Gladion shouted. "Whatever you want with Selene-"
"She wants to battle," I said, my narrowed eyes focusing on the red and white Pokeball in her hands.
"I do not think that is a good idea."
I opened my mouth to give an angry remark, but then I saw the concern in his eyes. I softened my gaze and offered him a small smile. "I'll be alright, Gladion. I do not think she will listen to us unless we overpower her, and I'm the strongest one here. You'll back me up if I need it, right?"
He hesitated, but then he nodded. "You can count on me."
I smiled. "Thank you."
"Good luck, Selene!" Lillie said.
I faced Lusamine and took a deep breath. I had a feeling this would be a tough battle.
Clefable turned out to be my first opponent. I called upon Michio, who recoiled at the sight of Lusamine. I found her unnerving too, but the only solution I could think of was to focus on our Pokémon opponent. For most of the battle, this worked. I could not but feel sympathy for Lusamine's Pokémon. They fought hard but seemed riddled with anxiety. I hoped she had not physically mistreated them.
Soon, I was up against Lusamine's last Pokémon, Bewear. I knew something about Bewear from having raised Cuddles, so Sun and I made quick work of him. I sighed in relief when I realized it was over. Sun gave me an exhausted smile and a thumbs-up. That battle had taken a toll on all of us.
"No!" Lusamine shrieked. "I cannot lose. I will not allow it! Nihilego, assist me!"
Dread washed over me when the ultra beast that had been fused with the woman began to react. She rose into the air again, laughing maniacally. Then the long, dark tentacles extended, pointing at Sun and me. I was too stunned to respond. Even if I could, Sun was worn out from the previous battle.
"Selene!" Lillie shouted. "Mother, no!"
I saw the ultra beast poised to strike. Then a dark blur whipped past me. The beast's tentacles produced a blinding light that dispersed almost as soon as it appeared. Finally, I saw what stood in front of Sun to block the attack: Null.
Gladion stood in between Null and me. "Enough."
Lusamine appeared visibly taken back. "You - you would attack your own mother?"
"No, but I will defend my friend." His eyes flickered to Null. "Our friend."
This was the first time he had called me his friend, and despite the circumstances, it brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.
Lusamine threw her arms up in a rage. "You and that worthless creature can't do anything!"
"Do not disrespect my partner," Gladion said in a firm tone. "I do not want to battle you, but I will if you do not back down."
Null suddenly let out a loud yip. I gasped when he started to glow. He was artificially created, so he could not evolve... right? Yet, it looked like that was exactly what he was doing.
"Impossible," Lusamine whispered.
Something crashed to the ground right before the light faded. Null had grown taller, and the fur that stretched from his head down his neck turned silver. Most striking was the absence of the mask he once wore. No, the mask was on the floor, smashed to pieces. A majestic silver crest topped off his head.
"He evolved?" Lillie said in wonderment.
At first, Gladion appeared just as astounded, but then his eyes lit in understanding. "He's returned to his true form."
"True form?" I said.
"After many experiments, Null became uncontrollable and went on a rampage. That mask controlled and dulled his powers. And now he finally trusts me enough to take it off."
I brightened at hint of a smile on his face. "That's awesome, Gladion!"
He nodded, and Null made a happy noise.
Gladion stared up at his mother with confidence in his eyes. "We are not under your control any longer. We are free. Stand down!"
Null stomped the ground, and Lusamine moaned loudly. She clutched her head as Nihilego extracted itself from her. Then she fell to the ground in a heap. Lillie rushed over to her, and Gladion followed a little more hesitantly.
Lusamine lifted her hand to cup her daughter's cheek. "Lillie..." Her eyes flickered to her son. "Gladion... When did you... start becoming beautiful?" Her hand dropped, and she lost consciousness.
The ground began to shake, and dirt and rocks fell from the ceiling as more ultra beasts appeared While Gladion and I returned our Pokémon to their pokeballs, Lillie called out to Nebby for help. The Solgaleo rushed into the cave and roared. We managed to situate Lusamine on his back, and then Nebby raced for the ultra worm hole, picking up Guzma on the way.
The bright, vivid colors from the normal world hurt my eyes, and I reflexively squinted. All of us except Lusamine carefully slid off the legendary Pokémon's back. We were back at the Altar of the Sunne where Hapu watched us in astonishment.
"I was concerned, so I ascended," Hapu said, "and what do I find but the legendary Pokémon... and a strange hole in the sky. However, I'm relieved to see you all unharmed!"
"Hapu!" Lillie exclaimed. Her excitement faded when her eyes fell on Lusamine, who was draped over Nebby's back. "Is my mother...?"
Gladion lifted his hand and grabbed the woman's wrist. "She's alive but exhausted."
"Then she'll need medical assistance," Hapu said. She turned to Guzma, who gazed at the altar absentmindedly. "You there, big fellow. Carry the lady, will you? She is weak, but I do not believe that she is seriously harmed. We should take her to be treated directly."
Guzma jumped to attention. "Huh? Oh..." He scrambled over to Nebby and carefully lifted Lusamine into his arms. He and Hapu descended the altar together after Hapu explained she would wait for us at the bottom.
"Selene, thank you for all of your help," Gladion said. His eyes were clear and bright, and he stood taller as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
Lillie nodded. "We couldn't have done it without you." She turned to Nebby. "Or you, Solgaleo." A bittersweet smile crossed her face. "All I ever wanted to do was to help you get back to your own home... But instead you helped me, over and over. Thank you... Thank you so much!"
Nebby roared and pawed the ground anxiously.
"What is it?" Lille said. "Shall I guess what it is you're trying to tell us?" She paused as if trying to read the Pokémon's thoughts. "You... you want to keep on traveling together with Selene and me... is that it?"
Nebby roared even louder.
"I think you hit the nail on the head," Gladion said. "You three have bonded after your adventures together."
Lillie smiled at Nebby. "That's right. We're family now, aren't we? And I feel the same! We met so many people as we traveled around all of Alola's islands: Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet... Kahuna Hala and his grandson Hau... and of course the hero who appeared to save you when those Spearow attacked - our own Selene. And so many other people, too... I don't know what the world you came from is like, but Alola is pretty great, too. Of course you want to see it all! It's just like Kahuna Hala told us... You can go so many places and meet so many Pokémon and people, and they will enrich your life."
Nebby roared with pleasure.
Lillie's smile fell. "But not with me. I'm not a trainer, Nebby. I can't take you on the adventures you want. I can't give you the fierce battles you want." She took a deep breath and turned to me. "Selene, I want you to face Nebby as only a trainer can. And I want you to give him a ball to call home."
My mouth fell open in shock. "W-what? But you've been talking care of him for so long."
Lillie shook her head and gave me a sad smile. "I know this is what Nebby wants. He doesn't want this journey with you to end. And I want you to grant him this wish!"
I glanced at Gladion, but he raised his hands and took a step back. Then I turned to Nebby. The Solgaleo gazed at me with a tranquil expression. If he objected to Lillie's idea, I suspected he would have let us know. "Alright then. I'll do it."
"Thank you," Lillie said. She stepped back to join her brother on the sidelines.
I remembered the master ball Gladion had given me but decided against using it. If Nebby truly want to go with me, it would not be needed. Instead, I called out Sun for battle. Luckily, his special dark type move was super effective against the psychic and steel type Solgaleo. After he was weakened, I tossed an ultra ball and held my breath.
The ball rolled from side to side and then became sill. My chest filled with elation, and a wide grin spread across my face as I retrieved the ball. I had done it. I had captured a legendary Pokémon. And a friend.
Lillie rushed over and gazed at the ball in my hand. "Solgaleo... No... Nebby. Nebby, you belong with Selene now. She will be the one to raise you... just like any parent should raise their child. She will be your mother now."
I smiled. In the past I may have found the analogy awkward, but knowing Lillie's relationship with her own mother, I found it heartwarming.
"I may not have been able to do anything for you, Nebby, but I'm still glad I took you that day. So go with Selene and see the world! Have battles against strong Pokémon where you can use your full power. Meet other trainers who will make your heart dance with the thrill of it all. That's the kind of world that Selene can share with you!"
"I'll do my best," I vowed, placing my free hand over my heart.
Lillie nodded. "If it's you, Selene, I know I can trust you to raise my Nebby well. Take good care of him! And I... will go to my mother. I need to see for myself that she'll be all right."
"I'll go with you," Gladion said. "We'll have to go at a slow pace, so you should use Charizard to fly out of here. Go back to Ula'Ula."
I blinked. "Huh? Why there?" My island challenge was over. I had no idea what I was supposed to do now, and it was not like I had any time to think about it recently.
"They're building the Pokémon League there, correct? You should find out when it will open. And... find Hau and tell him you're alright..." His eyes darted away for a second but then found mine again.
Right, Hau. That was probably a good idea. "Alright. And you - " I hesitated, unsure of what to say. How could I ask him when I would see him again? Did I have the right?
His eyes held an unusual kindness despite their intensity, and I had the sensation that he knew exactly what I was thinking. "I will see you soon." Then he walked past me and started down the stairs without another word.
"I'll make sure he updates you on our mother's progress once she's stable," Lillie said. "So... goodbye for now." She backed away, but her eyes were still on my ultra ball. "Nebby! Don't always be trying to get out of your pokeball the way you always wriggled out of my bag! And... and don't forget that you're strong now. You'll have to be careful not to accidentally hurt anyone until you get used to your strength! And... and you can't just go running off to some other world anytime without telling anyone. You'll make Selene worry!"
"Lillie," I said gently, "he'll be fine."
She bit her lip and lowered her gaze. "Okay. I'm really... I'm really going this time. Alola!"
I felt a twinge of sadness as I watched her leave, and yet at the same time I was proud of her. I knew how hard it was to say goodbye to a friend. All I could do for her was make sure I gave Nebby the best life possible. I clipped his ball to my belt and then activated my ride pager.
Selene
