The following week was a flurry of activities. Akala was buzzing with excitement as decorations adorned the streets, and booths were set up on the path to the Ruins of Life. Bushels of colorful and fragrant flowers garlanded the Ruins, and offerings of food were piled up on the wooden platform of the inner chamber. A wooden stage was set up near the Ruins overlooking the vast sea. Dancers swayed and glided with the heart-thrumming traditional Alolan music. People, locals and visitors alike, crowded the path to partake in the festivities.
"I got to say," A man spoke up amidst the beating of drums. "Alolan festivals are more lively than Kantonian ones."
"It seemed you have already taken a liking of our region, Professor Elio." The Kahuna of Akala said as she led them through the crowd. Olivia has met up with Gladion and Lillie at the entrance of Konikoni City. Gladion was attending in his mother's steed, and Lillie decided to tag along. At the President's request, Moon's father went with them to experience Alola more.
"What's not to love?" Elio said and gestured at their surroundings. "You could see an important piece of the culture and history of Alola in this festival alone. Unlike in Kanto, the historical and traditional significance of the festivals has started to dull. It is an unfortunate effect of continuous modernization."
Olivia laughed heartily. "Now, we know where Moon got her wits from."
Elio paused in front of a booth selling wooden carvings with familiar symbols that he had read from available historical books. He picked an odd crescent-shaped carving with a circular extension at the inner part that seemed to be punched from one side.
Olivia looked at what caught the attention of the researcher. A smile quirked on her lips at the familiar symbol. "Read about it in a book, Professor?"
"Ah, yes!" His eyes glittered in intellectual excitement. "This is the symbol of the Moone and its emissary. I haven't done extensive research about it yet, but I will do so once I get to visit the Altar of the Moone." He inspected the carving. "Incredible, noh? Such a simple image that held a region's worth of history. Truly fantastic."
"It is." Olivia agreed. "It is." And it is even more fantastic to know that your daughter once wielded the power of the beast of the Moone. She glanced to the Aether siblings, who were checking out a food booth across them. From where she was standing, she could see a glimpse of a purple tucked in the folds of the younger Aether's skirt.
She turned back to the professor. "Are you going to buy it, Professor?"
Elio placed the carving reverently back on the table. "No. As wonderful as it is, I am looking for something better for the two most wonderful women of my life."
Olivia smiled. "Whatever it is, I'm sure they will love it." She called out to the siblings and gestured to the path. "Come. The Ruins of Life is this way."
"Big Brother? Is something the matter?"
Gladion reluctantly peeled his eyes off at the gathered crowd and to his sister's worried green eyes. Moon's father was standing beside them. Olivia has to separate ways to oversee the final preparations for the last event. People flocked the sides of the wooden stage as they watched the fire dancing led by the Fire Trial Captain, Kiawe. Torches were already lit at both sides of the path leading to the Ruins before the sunset earlier. The day was drawing to a close, and so was the festival.
"No. It's nothing."
A lie. Since arriving at Akala Island, he felt eyes watching him. It came and go, but whenever he looked behind his shoulder, no one seemed to be seeking him. Yes, the press is present, but they seemed to be more intent on covering the whole festival than him. The only time they approached him was for a short interview - where his mother is and what he thought of the festival. His answers were quick yet straightforward, and they did not ask for anything more.
Lillie seemed to buy it and looked back to the stage. The beat of the drums was already fading as the fire dancing reached an end. Pillars of fire roared at the night sky as Kiawe and his Alolan Marowak companions ended the performance with a final stunt. The spectators cheered and clapped loudly as they bowed and left the stage.
Olivia climbed up, and the crowd silenced to hear her speak. "Alola ahiahi, people of Alola, as well as those who have come to visit us from other regions. We are grateful that you have come to join us in this important celebration, and we are more thankful that the gods have granted us this very day. Tonight, we celebrate the guardian deity of Akala, Tapu Lele, and its blessings that bring healing to the region of Alola."
"Thousands of years ago, four sibling kings ruled the four islands of Alola. The king of Akala became the herald of Tapu Lele and wielded the deity's powers to protect his beloved island. When the beasts from other worlds came to invade Alola, the king and Tapu Lele fought them together and saved the island. The king may be no longer, but I, the Kahuna of Akala, has taken his place as those before me. To show our gratitude to the guardian deity, I invite you to one last event. A Pokémon battle against our very own Champion of Alola!"
The crowd roared excitedly and chanted as Hau joined Olivia on the stage. Hau grinned as he waved at the crowd. He paused as his eyes landed on Lillie and gave her a wink. Gladion rolled his eyes. He might have accepted that his sister and the Alolan Champion have been dating for years now, but he wished they would tone down the public display of affection. Because of them, he became the subject of people's attention as one of the 'Top Single Men of Alola'. First place since Ilima got snagged, according to Lillie.
"Now, who would be given the honor to challenge our Champion?"
Gladion flinched as the piercing gaze that was directed to him returned. He turned around wildly as his hand gripped Silvally's Pokéball tightly. It wriggled slightly on his hand as the chimera sensed its Trainer's alarm. Who? Who did that come from?
His eyes darted to and fro the crowd — the mass of moving heads and arms blocking parts of his view. The cheers of the public as the challenger was picked drowned in the ringing of his ears. He felt Lillie grab his arm and saw her lips moving at the corner of his eyes, but her voice filled with concern seemed far away. Moon's father seemed to notice his sudden distress and asked what it was.
Gladion's lips failed to answer as his green eyes finally met them. Two fiery eyes the color of lava from Wela Mountain and the setting sun. He was standing at the edge of the crowd, watching them intently and never breaking his gaze. His lips moved slowly, forming three words.
They are coming.
The second after the mysterious person mouthed those words, the crowd's cheering transformed into terrifying screams. The public scrambled and scattered as a shrill cry erupted from the heavens. Hau and Olivia barely managed to dive to safety out of the creature's range as it landed down on the stage. Gladion pulled Lillie protectively in his arms as they stumbled away from the crowd and into the safety of the trees. Lilie patted her skirt frantically and breathed in relief at the familiar, round bulge in her pocket. Gladion peered from where they had hidden. Olivia and Hau were standing not far away from them, facing what used to be the stage. Looming over them was a creature Gladion thought that he would never see again.
"That is…!"
The towering mass of living stones shuddered. Multiple bricks flipped disjointedly as its eyes pulsated in sickly purple. Above it, the Ultra Wormhole that has silently disgorged the Ultra Beast pulsed in the same color. UB Assembly writhed as if it was on the verge of collapsing before letting out an unholy screech. Its arms extended and lashed out to Olivia, who barely ducked out of the way. Hau grabbed one of his Pokéballs and called for Crabominable. The Pokémon slammed its claw into the ground as spires of glowing rocks blocked the incoming arms.
"Big Brother, what's happening?" Lillie asked, clutching her older brother's sleeve. "Why is there an Ultra Beast here?"
"I don't know!" Gladion gritted his teeth. "Lillie, I want you to call Mother and tell her about the situation." He reached to his belt and pulled out Silvally's Pokéball. "We will need that Beast balls. For now, we will do what we can to buy time."
Lillie pursed her lips and nodded. She rummaged into her pocket and pulled out her phone. Her hands trembled as she typed and waited for the call to connect. Gladion wasted no time and joined into the fray. Hau could only hold out for long, having the lesser experience of hunting down Ultra Beasts between the two. Olivia's Midnight Lycanroc following up Crabominable's attacks as his Trainer directed Professor Elio and the last of the crowd out of harm's way.
"Silvally, use Multi-Attack!"
Stakataka screeched as it stumbled back at the impact. Gladion slid next to Hau, who grinned at him and gave him a thumbs up. "Thanks for the assist!"
"Don't celebrate yet!" Gladion reminded him. "It isn't over."
Olivia ran up to them, her eyes narrowing at the Ultra Beast. "What's an Ultra Beast doing here, Gladion? I thought all the Ultra Wormholes that Necrozma opened had been closed years ago!"
"Maybe it's one of those that escaped back then?"
"No." Gladion scowled. "We made sure that we captured and sent all of them back. Me and…" He trailed off and shook his head. A frown deepened in his features. "I doubt Looker and Anabel would overlook something like this. Even so, it's been years! We should have known sooner if there's still left."
"Guys!" Hau called out. "It's coming back up!"
Gladion turned his attention back to the Ultra Beast. The Ultra Wormhole was still open above them, swirling in purple light. Something feels off. The Ultra Beast's eyes flipped in and out erratically as it shuddered. Its Beast Aura flared to life into a chilling, purple light. It stomped against the ground as psychic power began to build up around it.
"Tsk!" Gladion pulled out the Dark Memory and threw it in Silvally's direction. The disk inserted itself into the drive on its head, and Silvally's feather crest and tail turned black. The artificial Pokémon launched itself to block Stakataka's Zen Headbutt. Stakataka lashed its leg out again and slammed against Silvally, sending it skidding to the ground.
"Crabominable, Ice Hammer!"
The monstrous chunk of ice slammed against the Ultra Beast, sending it sprawling to the ground. Olivia ordered her Lycanroc to follow up with Stone Edge. Switching with Fighting Memory, Gladion commanded Silvally for one last Multi-Attack. Stakataka tried to dodge but was too weak to get out of the way. The impact sent a shockwave, making the three Trainers reel back as dust and smoke exploded like a sandstorm atop Memorial Hill.
Hau coughed as his irritated eyes blinked against the falling dust. "Is it…is it over?"
Gladion narrowed his eyes at the shape of Silvally staring down at the fallen beast. "Yeah…seems like it." The artificial Pokémon looked quite smug as he trotted back to its Trainer. Its fin-like tail wagging in triumphant glee at dealing the last blow.
Gladion scratched it behind its ears (something he discovered it loved so much because of a certain someone years ago) before approaching the Ultra Beast cautiously. Hau stood back as he watched with apprehensive eyes. Olivia crossed her arms with a huff yet kept a watchful eye in case the otherworldly creature decided for one last counterattack.
"We need to capture it," Gladion said. He looked up and narrowed his eyes at the swirling Ultra Wormhole. "But first, we need to close that. I'll get Lillie to call out Lunala."
"It's Nebby," Hau stated what is considered a piece of common knowledge among them. "It got a nickname, you know."
Gladion glared at him. "Nebby, Lunala, it does not matter. It's still the same Legendary Pokémon." He called back Silvally and stalked away. "I'll get Lil-"
BOOM!
A loud clap of thunder stopped him in his tracks. He sharply looked up and saw the Ultra Wormhole now swirling faster. White and purple lightning crackled at the edges of the hole, and the wind began to pick up speed. Dust and leaves swirled around them in an invisible twister.
"What in the -?"
The three watched as a seemingly invisible force picked up the Rampart Pokémon like a ragdoll and lifted it upward to the gaping hole in the sky. The Ultra Wormhole swallowed the otherworldly Pokémon and promptly shrunk and closed like a flash in the television screen. A last peal of thunder echoed throughout the sacred hill, and the sky cleared as if nothing had happened.
