Chapter 31 Aether Paradise
As Ash and Lillie are about to leave with Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet, they find Hop and he says, "Aue! You're Kahuna Olivia! I'm Hau from Iki Town! You've gotta let me battle you!"
Then he notices Ash and Lillie and he says, "Oh, hey, Ash and Lillie! Guess what? This weird green guy from Aether told me to come to Hano Grand Resort once I finished up with my grand trial here on Akala. Crazy, right?"
"Even you as well?" Lillie asks with shock.
"Ooh, the Aether Foundation? I'm not sure what he wants with you, Ash, but why not go find out? If you don't want to keep him waiting, then Charizard should get you there in no time. The Hano Grand Resort lies just over the bridge near the Dimensional Research Lab."
"We have been there before." Ash says. "So we know where it is."
"U-um! Since my mom is going to bring me to Ula'ula Island, I think I'll stay here. I'd like to see how Hau's battle goes, too." Lillie says. "Even though I hate to see Pokmon get hurt...But I know that both of your Pokémon are dedicated to battling beside you two."
"It's fine, Lillie." Ash says. "You are dedicated as well."
"I may not be as strong as my gramps, Hala... But I can still raise Dartrix and the rest of my team to do their best!"
"You're just Hau, right? And what's wrong with that! Who cares if you're Hala's grandson? Now show me what Hau can do!" Olivia says as Hau just smiles.
After Ash and Pikachu head to Hano Grand Resort, they find Faba there and he says, "So you've come at last. Ah. But forgive me. I have yet to introduce myself. You may call me Faba. I told you before that I would show you someplace astounding, right? Well, that wondrous place is...Aether Paradise!"
Ash already knows everything from Lusamine and Lillie, and he also knows that how the Aether Paradise is taken over by the evil Lusamine, and he just doesn't want to mention it.
"Let me tell you about Aether Paradise. Just as the name suggests, Aether Paradise is a veritable paradise for Pokémon that floats far out in the sea surrounding Alola. It is an artificial island, made entirely by human technology, for the protection of Pokémon! Of course, I'm an adult who keeps his promises. So I will prove to you that all I've told you is the absolute truth with a tour of Aether Paradise. You will come, won't you?!"
"Of course I am going." Ash says.
"Good, good. Then you'll come with me. Aether Paradise will amaze you." Faba says.
"Wait! Take me, too!" Hau, Olivia, and Kukui also rush towards them.
"Oh? Even Kahuna Olivia has come to see you off?" Faba asks with an interesting look.
"As a kahuna, I look after all the trial-goers who come to my island. They're like my own children. Not that I've got any—I've never even gotten married." Olivia says. "Listen up, you two. Your greatest opponent is always yourself. Your greatest allies, the Pokémon beside you."
"Thanks, are you coming, too, Professor?" Hau asks.
"I've got my own business to attend to. You go see all the amazing tech that Aether's developing and tell me about it later, yeah?" Kukui says. "That's right. I'll see you on the next island...Ula'ula Island, yeah? Then let's meet up at Malie Garden!"
"Yup! It's goodbye, Akala Island! Though I guess we can come back anytime we want to, huh?" Hau says.
"Then let us enjoy an adventure upon that grand vessel that will take us across the high seas! By which I mean to say, the ferry." Faba says as they all head to the Aether Foundation ship.
"Can you believe a big chunk of iron like Aether Paradise can float in the sea?! And it's all cuz of the Pokémon holding it up. Did you know that, Ash?" Hau asks.
"I know." Ash says, still worried about what is going to happen.
"Awww... I thought I finally had one upon you." Hau frowns. "Ho, I can't wait to actually see inside Aether Paradise for myself!"
After the ship leaves, Lillie is with Aurora and Lusamine, the good one, and Lillie says, "I am still worried for Ash..."
"He will be fine, he can take care of himself." Aurora says.
"And even there is a problem there, I'll have Wicke help him out as well." Lusamine says as Lillie can only nod.
After the ship arrives at Aether Paradise, they can see a lot of cargo boxes around the basement, and Faba says, "Here we are, you two. This is Aether Paradise."
As they see how a Sudowoodo and a Yungoos getting into the elevator with a member of the Aether Foundation, Faba says, "Aether Paradise is a facility created for the conservation of Pokémon. It has been outfitted with all of the latest technology for this purpose. Downstairs, our teams work on developing new Poké Balls and more. Yes, all for the sake of Pokémon conservation."
As Faba notices Ash's Pokeballs, he adds, "Though you will not be able to use any of your Poké Balls within Aether Paradise. A jamming signal is broadcast throughout the facility to prevent them from functioning."
As they get to the elevator, they find a woman waiting for them. She says, "Excuse me, Mr. Faba..."
Faba is a little annoyed and he says, "Yes, excuse you! What is the meaning of that form of address? I have a title for a reason! How else will anyone know how important I am?"
"Yes... Branch Manager Faba..." Wicke says.
"Now, I must go speak with the president about our conservation efforts on Akala... Show these children around, and then take them to meet the president as well." Then Faba leaves them alone, and Ash can only sigh in relief, much to Hop's confusion.
"Phew..." The woman named Wicke has the same expression as Ash as well. "Welcome to Aether Paradise, Ash and Hau. My name is Wicke."
"Alola to you, Wicke." Ash says, learning that she is one of the good people in this corrupted Aether Foundation. Hau asks, "Wait? You know who we are? How'd you know that?!"
Wicke says, "One of our employees told me about your meeting on Akala Island. And of course, I heard how you helped protect the Pokémon there, too, young Mr. Hau. Thank you very much! Let me show you around. The main entrance is up above us."
As they enter the elevator, she asks, "Shall we zip right up there?"
As they get to the first floor of the Aether Foundation, they can see a lot of trainers looking around with employees at the reception desks. Wicke says, "This is the main entrance. You can have your Pokémon taken care of at the reception desk there if they need it."
Pikachu is amazed at how the other Pokemon is doing as he is running around. Wicke says, "Ash? You and Hau are both trial-goers, aren't you? Are you hoping to become champions? I suppose... You must be around 16, then?"
"Yeah, I am." Ash says. Hau says, "I am 11. I took the first chance I had to join in the island challenge once I turned 11! 'Cause, someday, I really want to be able to beat my gramps...but he's way too strong!"
"How...how lovely for you. I suppose all children must yearn to take a journey of their own choosing when they get to be about your age. Though you're hardly just children anymore. Trainers are like parents to their Pokémon!"
After Pikachu comes back, Wicke says, "Ash. Hau. Would you two like to see the conservation area upstairs? We'll zip right up!"
Now they are on the second floor, they can see a lot of Pokemon roaming freely in here, and Wicke says, "Aether Paradise is a safe heaven for all Pokemon. For this reason, the use of Poke Balls is strictly forbidden within the Conservation area."
"Wow!" Hau is amazed at the sight.
"We keep Pokémon that have been targeted by Team Skull here... And we also try to support Pokémon that need a little extra protection." Wicke says. "Like Corsola, for example. They are quite terribly overhunted by a Pokémon called Toxapex. I hope you don't mind if I read a passage from my Pokédex."
As she reads the Pokedex, she says, "Toxapex... Toxapex crawls along the ocean floor on its 12 legs. It leaves a trail of Corsola bits scattered in its wake."
"Yeah. My gramps is always saying that nature's got its cruel side, sure as it gives us blessings." Hau says. "But can the Aether Foundation really protect all the Pokémon that's out there?"
Wicke nods and says, "Nature does have its own balance, of course. It can be difficult to judge just how much we humans should try to affect it, can't it?"
"That's pretty amazing! The Aether Foundation seems awesome. But why'd you bother setting up a branch in a place like Alola?!" Hau asks.
"I couldn't say... It's hard to know for sure what our president is thinking sometimes." Wicke says. "If you'd like to meet President Lusamine, she should be here in the conservation area now."
Ash turns to Hau and says, "Hau, can I have you promise one thing?"
"What is it?" Hau asks, still feeling too relaxed compared to Ash. Ash sighs, "Listen, no matter what, don't mention Lillie in front of the president, and don't mention anything and treat her like a stranger."
"Why? I mean. Didn't we meet at Route 5? She should have known us, right?" Hau asks.
"That is different Lusamine." Ash says. "This one is probably an evil version of her. If you tell her anything I told you, then let's say we are going to be in trouble."
"If that's what you think, okay. Wow, there are even Pokémon that got done in by Team Skull, huh?" Hau says as he rushes to see other Pokemon, and Ash can only facepalm as he doesn't know if Hop listens to him.
After getting to the Aether Foundation, they find Lusamine and she says to a Starmie, Meowth, and a Grimer, "My sweet Pokémon... I promise I'll keep you safe... I'll protect you with my love..."
As Ash comes with Hau and Wicke, she says, "Ah...You must be Ash and Hau. Welcome to Aether Paradise. The Aether Foundation's own private island. I am the president of the foundation. But please, just call me Lusamine. I'm so glad that we got to meet."
Ash is feeling weird after seeing how she really looks like the good Lusamine, but he can feel a different aura from the woman, or should he say Giratina's body.
"I'm glad there are people like you, who travel the islands to learn more about Pokémon... But there are also those unfortunate people who harm Pokémon for their own selfish reasons or even for profit. And that is why I am here. I will be like a mother to all of those poor Pokémon and shower them with love. Even Pokémon from distant worlds, far from the Alola region, are worthy of my love."
Hau says, "Wow, Miss Lusamine! I don't know how you do all this! You're, like, not even that much older than us!"
Ash sighs in relief as he knows that Hau is acting as he requested. "Oh, you sweet boy! I'm already over 40!"
"You are?" Hau says, but then his face turns into a shock, "Wait, WHAT?!"
"Oh, you! The right style does wonders, you know. And, Hau, your style is a bit wanting, hm? I'll have to take you out sometime and help you pick a smashing outfit." Lusamine says with a chuckle.
Ash remembers how Serena doesn't like her mother changing her clothes as she always picks the opposite, and Hau says, "L-like what you wear? I don't think anyone else could pull off that kind of look! Except maybe Lillie..."
Ash widens his eyes as Hau mentioned Lillie in front of the woman. And as he looks at Lusamine, she just blinks for a while, and then she says, "Oh, don't you worry. You just leave everything up to me. Trust me—children would all be much happier if they'd only listen to the adults around them."
Ash thinks, "Instead of you, Lillie is much happier as she listens to your good self..." Just then, the floor is shaking, and the Pokemon are starting to panic.
"That tremor... Did something happen on the lower floors?" Wicke asks.
And much to their surprise, a wormhole appears in front of them and some sort of Jellyfish Pokemon flies right out of it.
And I stop here for now, as you can see, Ash and Hau meet the evil version of Lusamine, and what will happen to them? I hope you like this chapter.
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:
Alola Dex: Dartrix, Torracat, Brionne, Trumbeak, Gumshoos, Raticate (A), Butterfree, Ledian, Ariados, Pikachu, Raichu (A), Charjabug, Sudowoodo, Blissey, Snorlax, Slowpoke, Wingull, Kadabra, Persian (A), Magnemite, Grimer (A), Arcanine, Drowzee, Hariyama, Smeargle, Crabrawler, Gengar, Mismagius, Drifloon, Crobat, Diglett (A), Noivern, Fearow, Rufflet, Vullaby, Primeape, Delibird, Hawlucha, Oricorio, Cutiefly, Whimsicott, Lilligant, Psyduck, Gyarados, Barboach, Machop, Gigalith, Carbink, Lycanroc (Dusk), Tentacool, Finneon, Wishiwashi, Corsola, Mareanie, Cloyster, Bagon, Herdier, Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Sylveon, Mudbray, Wigglypuff, Tauros, Miltank, Masquerain, Araquanid, Fomantis, Shiinotic, Parasect, Poliwag x2, Goldeen, Milotic, Alomomola, Talonflame, Salandit, Cubone, Kangaskhan, Magby, Stufful, Steenee, Comfey, Pinsir, Oranguru, Passimian, Noctowl, Goodra, Castform, Wimpod, Starmie, Sandygast, Tyranitar, Cranidos, Shieldon, Titouga, Archen, Trevenant, Nosepass, Pyukumuku, Chinchou, Zygarde, Metagross, Pangoro, Torkoal, Krookodile, Garchomp, Glalie, Vulpix (A), Scrafty, Clawitzer, Lapras, Crawdaunt, Scizor, Heracross, Dragonite, Aerodactyl, Cosmog
Kanto Dex: Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Pidgeot, Raichu, Sandshrew, Nidoran(F), Nidoran(M), Vulpix, Oddish, Venonat, Diglett, Meowth, Geodude, Rapidash, Farfetch'd, Doduo, Kingler.
Johto Dex: Meganium, Typhlosion, Feraligatr, Bellossom, Steelix, Donphan
Hoenn Dex: Sceptile, Blaziken, Swampert, Swellow, Gardevoir
Sinnoh Dex: Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Staraptor, Floatzel, Rhyperior, Yanmega, Gliscor, Gallade, Dusknoir
Unova Dex: Serperior, Emboar, Samurott, Liepard, Unfezant, Zebstrika, Seismitoad, Leavanny, Gothitelle, Ferrothorn, Hydreigon
Kalos Dex: Chesnaught, Delphox, Meowstic, Aegislash