Never did Gladion think that he would fight alongside Sun.

Ever since their eyes met during Akala's festival, he promised he would catch Sun and make him spill his secrets no matter what. Now standing side-by-side with his not-really rival and fending off against a parallel version of Guzma and his goons presented him with a new perspective. The Universe or the Multiverse (considering there are many other worlds out there) loves to make fun of him and twist things to borderline frustrating. He prefers simple, and complexities only ruin his day. Much like his still-existing feelings for the former Champion, though he would not admit it out loud.

Gladion felt the air grow cold as a veil of rainbow-colored light danced around them. Shiron cast Aurora Veil just in time to slow down Crobat's Wing Attack while Hau's Decidueye countered the attack with Razor Leaf. Sun's voice rose in volume against the chaotic battle. "Get lively, you three!" He shouted. "Don't let their attacks make contact with your partners if you don't want them to get infected!"

"What is that purple aura even?" Hau asked, covering his face as the aerial battle between the two bird Pokémon whipped up dust in the area. "It's like the aura from the Z-Moves, but it feels weird."

Sun shouted for Cinderace to avoid Golisopod's Liquidation. The Striker Pokémon ducked and kicked the Bug and Water-type Pokémon right on his soft belly. Golisopod staggered back, having received severe damage from the counterattack. "It's the corrupted version of it." He answered. "Just like the Z-Crystals found all over Alola, it is from Necrozma itself, or more specifically, these are parts of it. The only difference was that these were formed after Necrozma lost its light and went to a deep slumber. These remnant crystals hold Necrozma's wrath and pain, which consumes any Pokémon the Z-Crystal's power is directed to."

"Is that why the Pokémon exposed to it went berserk?"

"That's right." Sun nodded grimly. "The anger, pain, and suffering that Necrozma felt - all are transferred to the Pokémon the Z-Crystal is used to." He clenched his fists. "Those Pokémon did not lose their mind because of the power. They lost their mind because of the pain and suffering they were subjected to. Those forced feelings and emotions are not the ordinary kind either. They are of betrayal, and no Pokémon or Ultra Beast is immune to it."

Gladion whipped his head to Sun. "Don't tell me…the reason they're looking for Tapu Koko is that they want to use the Z-Crystal on it?" He hoped he was wrong, but the tightness on Sun's jaw answered his question. "Unbelievable! How could they? This is one of the guardian deities we're talking about!"

"The ship containing the majority of the corrupted Z-Crystals is already in the hands of the Interpol." Gladion wanted to ask how in Arceus' name did Sun know about this, but a glance from the red-eyed Trainer told him to wait. Sun continued. "I expected that there are still a few left on their hands, but considering how the Z-Crystals can only be used once, they must be saving them for an emergency." He glared at Guzma as Cinderace and Golisopod continued their game of Meowth-and-Rattata on the bridge. "Though I don't think this time can be considered as an emergency."

Silvally's Multi-Attack struck a Salazzle just before it fired a Dragon Pulse. Shiron followed up with Tackle before dodging Alolan Muk's Sludge Bomb. "What about those who got infected?" Gladion asked. "They didn't go berserk, but there have been black crystals growing from their injuries. Are those crystals similar to the Z-Crystals?"

"They are." Sun nodded after throwing a command to Cinderace's way. "That's how the Z-Crystals multiply. They use the infected Pokémon and Ultra Beasts as hosts. They are like inorganic parasites. If those Pokémon don't get cured, the crystals will eventually consume and kill them."

"You got to be kidding me…." Gladion gritted his teeth. "Tell me there's an antidote or anything that could help them!"

"There is," Sun replied, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. "There is only one person in the world who managed to create an antidote after many years…and that person is someone you know." Gladion looked at him with a questioning Who? but Sun refused to meet his eyes. "The First Alolan Champion, Moon."

Gladion felt his blood run cold. What…? Moon created an antidote? How…? Why? He opened his mouth to speak, but a pained cry made him turn around, just in time to see Golisopod's claws scoring a hit on Silvally. The Synthetic Pokémon immediately collapsed on the wooden bridge.

"Silvally!"

Before the Hard Scale Pokémon could attack the Synthetic Pokémon again, Cinderace pushed him back with Bounce, blocking his path as he landed down between the two Pokémon.

No...no no no! Gladion tried to run toward his partner Pokémon, but Sun blocked his path. "Get out of my way!" He asked furiously. "Silvally is -"

"Do you think getting hurt too will help Silvally right now?" Sun asked. "Keep your head in the battle, Gladion. It isn't over yet!" He then turned to Lillie and Hau, just in time for Decidueye to knock Crobat out of the sky and the fight. "I'll leave the other two to both of you! Help me create an opening for Gladion here."

"Got it!"

"Cinderace, don't let Golisopod get near Silvally!" From his pocket, Sun pulled out four miniature Pokéballs. The Pokéballs are not anything that Gladion has ever seen. They are entirely white with blue, glowing lines similar to that of a Great ball running on both the top and bottom halves of the Pokéball. He thrust them to Gladion's hands. "Take these. These are specialized Pokéballs. The professor who made them called them X-Snag Balls, but they're still prototypes. Use that to catch those four Pokémon. They may be already caught but catching them again is possible with these Pokéballs."

Gladion scowled at him. "Why catch them again? What for?"

"Oh! I don't know. Maybe to get them cured?" Sun rolled his eyes at him. "Even if we defeat them, they could recover and go on a rampage. Again." He jabbed a finger to Ultra Team Skull. "Those are idiots who forgot that once you used the corrupted Z-Crystals, they will not be able to call back their Pokémon to their Pokéballs until they get cured."

Sun stepped forward. "They may be their Pokémon, but I refuse to see any Pokémon from any world in so much pain." He looked over his shoulder and smirked. "So, better brush those catching skills, Gladion. I'll leave watching my back to you.'"

The older Aether sibling narrowed his eyes and glanced at Silvally. Cinderace was guarding the injured Synthetic Pokémon while cautiously fending against Golisopod's attacks. He wanted to get to his partner's side immediately, but Sun was right. He will get caught in the fight and make matters worse. He pressed the button on one of the X-Snag Pokéballs, and it grew on his palm.

"Don't tell me what to do."

With that, he threw one to the fainted Crobat with a perfect aim. It shook to the side three times before three, tiny stars popped above, confirming the catch.

Show-off. Sun smiled before turning back to his Pokémon. Cinderace has managed to hold off against Golisopod successfully, but he knew that would not last long. Usually, the battle would have already finished by now, given his Pokémon's training and battle experience. Still, with the corrupted Ultra Aura now infused to Golisopod, things have become more complicated. Not far from Cinderace, Shiron and Decidueye are still locked in a double battle against Salazzle and Alolan Muk. The tides of battle are still in their favor, but the red-eyed Trainer knew that would not last long. They need to wrap this up quickly.

"Cinderace, use Pyro Ball!" At his command, the Striker Pokémon kicked a pebble and ignited it into a flaming ball. He kicked it toward Golisopod's direction, but the Hard Scale Pokémon blocked it with his armor plates with ease.

Guzma laughed. "What was that? A fire move?" He mocked. "Ya' think that can hurt Golisopod just 'cause he's a Bug-type?" He glared on Sun. "Are ya' lookin' down on us, brat?"

"Who said that was meant as an attack?" Sun jeered. It was only then that Guzma saw Cinderace closing in as the flames dissipated. A move he has the honor to watch and learn from a particular Bug-type Trainer. Golisopod made a mistake by removing his armored claws in front of his vulnerable spot. "Cinderace, Bounce!"

The Striker Pokémon pushed himself up to the air and kicked powerfully against Golisopod's chest. The Hard Scale Pokémon staggered back, but Cinderace went in for another Bounce before he could recover. "Don't let it recover! Pummel it again with Bounce!"

"DAMN YOU!" Guzma tried to issue an order, but Golisopod seemingly ignored him and tried a different move which Cinderace countered with ease and hit him with another Bounce. It went on for almost a minute before Golisopod was forcefully pushed back at the other end of the Plank Bridge.

Sun knew what was happening. As the seconds ticked by with Golisopod under the influence of the corrupted Ultra Aura, the more the Pokémon will recognize everything and everyone around him as enemies. This is the price you paid for power, Guzma, the curse that you subjected your Pokémon in. Not far from them, Lillie and Hau have successfully taken down Alolan Muk with their partners, and Gladion captured it almost immediately without fail.

"I'd warned you, Guzma, but you didn't listen," Sun spoke. "You're backed in a corner. What are you going to do? If I were you, it would be better to surrender."

"Wh-" Guzma staggered back as if he was hit. He reached out and gripped his hair. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, GUZMA?"

He gnashed his teeth as he screamed. "Shut up! Ya' know nothin'! The President's the only one who recognized my skills. Not those high n' mighty Kahunas! Not those stupid Tapus! I'm supposed to become Captain, but I failed that dumb Island Challenge n' everybody's talkin' 'bout it! I don't care if I have to burn this world. I will do it fer the President!"

Sun gritted his teeth. "OPEN YOUR EYES!" He yelled. "You're being manipulated! Do you really believe that Lusamine thinks highly of you? You're just a tool for her to use! She never saw your potential as a Trainer at all! Are you happy with that, huh, Guzma? Are you happy being used like that?"

"YA' PUNK! DON'T TALK LIKE YA' KNOW-"

"YOU'RE JUST RUNNING AWAY!" Guzma froze, and Sun seized this opportunity to continue. "You and the Guzma of this world are the most powerful Bug Pokémon Trainers I've ever met! So, what if you failed the Island Challenge? Who cares if you didn't become Captain? What's keeping you from taking a better path?"

"Y-Ya' know nothin'!" Guzma stepped back, pulling and tearing his hair. "YA' KNOW NOTHIN'! SHUT UP!"

"Stop hurting yourself! Stop running away! You're never a failure! I know you know the truth, and I know that you want to break free from Lusamine. So, do it!"

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT-"

"GUZMA!" Sun's voice rang loud and clear, even amidst the large THUMP! as Ultra Team Skull's Salazzle finally succumbed to defeat. "Live for yourself! Live the way you wanted and not what others wanted! If you can't forget the past, then break from it. If you can't leave it behind, then face it. You are never alone! Team Skull's your family. You're the Big Bad Boss of Team Skull, SO BE FREE!"

Because this is the only way you can save yourself and become happy. Sun wanted to say, but he pushed it back as Guzma collapsed on his knees. He closed his eyes, barely listening to his frantic heartbeat as the pained sobs and shouts of the Ultra Team Skull leader filled the forest. He only opened them to watch quietly as the grunts surrounded Guzma and hugged him tightly. He said nothing. He does not have to. This is something Guzma has to sort out by himself. But not alone. He has people who genuinely care about him.

Sun glanced at Gladion, Lillie, and Hau, who all were also watching the scene unfold. He felt a pang on his chest and turned his face away. Do not let them see through you. He reminded himself as he gripped the front of his jacket. Not yet. He reached for Cinderace's Pokéball, but a familiar cry snapped her head to attention.

Golisopod was no longer paying attention to Cinderace and lumbered toward Guzma with a few steps. The Hard Scale Pokémon loomed menacingly above his Trainer - all recognition and reason are gone from his white eyes. Guzma pushed back the closest grunts behind him, shielding them from whatever the berserk Pokémon was about to do. He opened his mouth to call his Pokémon, but his voice was spent.

"STOP!"

Sun ran toward them just as the Hard Scale Pokémon raised his claws. He is not going to make it! Before he could reach the bridge halfway, Golisopod brought down his claws with the intention to kill.


If I were being trigger-happy when I wrote this, the alternate scene is Guzma following after Lusamine in her descent to insanity. Probably in another fanfiction.