Pokémon Radiant Sun


So…I have had a terrible problem with keeping chapters shorter than they need to be with this story. So this one will be somewhat short for once, but no less awesome. When I started this story, the chapters were supposed to be 5,000 words or less with each weekly update. Now I'm doing at least 7,500 words every update, with maybe one or two exceptions.

So yeah, here's a normal chapter. Not really, since it's well over 5,000 words, but its fun to pretend.

On the plus side, I've finally gotten around to reading a few new fanfics as of late. If you've got a chance, check them out. I've got the ones I've managed to get to, I still have many more to read, saved as favorites on my profile. So send some love their way if possible. Especially for my fellow authors in the Pokémon archive!

We've only got a chapter or two left of Heahea before Sun ventures towards the Water Trial, and towards a character we're all very excited to see. Also, I'm pleased to say that this arc will not focus on solely Sun, which may not be news really but it's something I will wholeheartedly say now. This arc will focus on all of the main cast, showing things like Hau's journey, Team Skull, Gladion and other such things.

Also, in regards to USUM, my stance on whether or not I'll include things from the two games is...Honestly, still a maybe. At this point, it looks like it'll be a much more in-depth story than what we received in Sun and Moon. As of now, the only thing that can absolutely tell you is that the Epilogue of the story will be likely different than what I had planned, thanks to some of what I've seen with Necrozma and how it acts within the game's trailer. Anything else? It's up in the air. If I can include it or make references to some things, I may, but I just don't know right now, sadly.

I'll have more to say once I've played and beaten the game for myself. The next few chapters wouldn't be changed anyway, so I'm not too concerned.

Shoutout to the folks who've reviewed since the last update, which includes Consumer of Fantasy, Sai Og Sus, Madame Rodoshe, Anasazi Darkmoon, Cottonmouth25, BraviaryScout, TheDragonLegend, skyguys, Gokan123, AKhaos, BouncingFish, Infinite Nexus, a new guest reviewer known as Burku and a new reviewer that goes by Forgotten Slacker. Thanks for the support and wonderful feedback. Last chapter, despite taking a bit of a risk, seemed to turn out very well according to you all. I'm glad you all enjoyed it.

Let's keep this train rolling!

Enjoy.


Chapter 36: Out of the Past


"So what next?" Sun asked as he and Lillie continued their trek through the city. Lillie seemed to be in great spirits after their battle, as her smile hadn't diminished in the slightest.

"I don't really know. My meeting plan failed through. I suppose I'll get some shopping done and hang out around the city before heading back to Professor Burnet's Lab." Lillie explained before she looked at Sun.

"How about you?" Lillie asked.

"I was going to hang out with you for a little bit, but I do need to get going…" Sun then realized what he was saying. He didn't want to leave Lillie. He enjoyed spending time with her too much. But…it would be selfish of him to ask her to come with him instead of working on her own research for Nebby.

"Well…If you're going to resume your journey, we can shop today and prepare you for your trip." Lillie replied cheerfully, bounding forward with a slight skip in her step. Sun chuckled at the sight, seeing his friend in such a good mood. He was proud of her and what she had accomplished today. She had won a Pokémon Battle, despite not being a Trainer. And seeing her own pride in herself and what she had done made Sun feel nothing but happiness.

Sun swung by the Pokémon Center to purchase some basic medicine, food, and pick up the TM for the move Protect. He taught the move to Oliver, since he had not taught his starter a TM Move up to this point. After that, he and Lillie went clothes shopping.

After all, Sun had managed to ruin a few of his old outfits from his trek around Melemele Island. Lillie just enjoyed browsing, despite her never actually buying much of anything. Sun wondered about this, but decided it wasn't really his business. Sun scanned through the colorful store, somewhat bored but forcing himself to remain attentive, knowing this was an important errand. He decided to try to be both practical and fun while picking out his clothes, with some success.

He did however get much amusement out of Lillie trying on different sunglasses and posing in a mirror in the corner of the store, where she thought she was out of sight. At least until she caught Sun looking at her. Of course, the shy girl began blushing like crazy as she hastily put the sunglasses back on the stand and knocked the whole lot of them over. Sun smiled, shaking his head, and went and helped the poor girl out.

As time went on, Sun realized that Lillie also greatly enjoyed having Sun model the clothes he was buying in front of her. He had bought a few shirts and a pair of black cargo shorts, which cost him an arm and a leg, but as he modeled his outfits in front of his friend he felt the smile of approval she wore on her face was absolutely worth it.

"How do you get so much enjoyment out of me getting dressed up, Lillie?" Sun asked as he changed back into the clothes he had arrived there in.

"Oh, you know…Hau is kind of a broken record when it comes to his own clothes, as much as he gives me grief for wearing white dresses all the time. You like to wear different things and have no qualms about trying new clothing out, so…I like to experience that with you. Besides, a girl's opinion on these things is a must. You have good taste, too." Lillie stated, sounding like she was grinning at him. Sun stepped out of the changing room and saw that she was indeed smiling in amusement at him.

Sun didn't quite believe her line of logic, but if it made his friend happy, he didn't mind all that much. However when he offered to be a judge of her in a dress or any outfit that was in the store, the girl turned down his offer. She wasn't comfortable being in anything except her particular dresses. Some habits were hard to break, according to her.

"Come on, try something out. Like…these new colored contacts! Look at these!" Sun said as he gestured to a pair of contacts on display that showed off a beautiful baby blue color. Lillie, to Sun's surprise, did look interested in the contacts for a few moments before she considered it.

"I'll get them then, if it'll satisfy your curiosity, Sun." Lillie said, fishing out some money for the new contacts.

"You are most gracious, Princess." Sun said sarcastically, sticking his tongue out at Lillie.

"Pew!"

"Nebby, I don't need you agreeing with his sass." Lillie sighed, paying for the contacts.

"Pew."

"You tell her, Nebby."

"Between you two, I have no idea who will drive me insane first."

"Hau."

"…Touché."


The duo emerged from the clothing store with Lillie sporting bright blue eyes now. Sun personally thought that her original eye color was better, but he was the one who had made the suggestion and she went with it. Besides, blue wasn't a bad color for her.

"So, what do you think?" Lillie asked inevitably, once they had made it a ways down the sidewalk.

"It looks good. Your original eye color is better, but this is a nice change." Sun said honestly, making Lillie chuckle softly at that.

"Well, it is something different that doesn't clash with my dress. I can wear these contacts with any of them." Lillie said as she walked ahead of Sun, who slowed down to tie his shoe. Lillie glanced back at Sun for a moment, noticing he was lagging behind. As a result of this, Lillie failed to see what was in front of her and crashed into someone very solid, making her fall flat on her butt on the ground with a yelp.

"Oh…That hurt…I'm sorry for running into you. Are you…okay..?" Lillie trailed off, her words dying in her throat as she looked upward. As her brain processed what she saw, she let out a horrified gasp.

Towering above her was a massive monster of man, clad in a pair of ripped jeans stained in blood and dirt. The man's boots were metallic and leather with skulls decorating them, as did the thick and tattered black jacket the man wore with even more tears on it. The man's face was covered in scars and lacerations, some of them bleeding freely much to the horror of the two children. The man was bald, with two hazel eyes that were bloodshot and narrowed down to slits. A tattoo of a Mightyena was visible just below his neck, the jaws of the dog depicted wide upon as it howled upwards.

Lillie couldn't help but stare helplessly upwards into the face of the terrifying man, whose face contorted into a horrifying scowl that made Lillie almost scream if she hadn't been so scared. A fresh drop of blood splattered onto the ground right in front of her, trailing down the man's chin from the bloody slash on his forehead, but the man didn't seem to care.

"You best watch your step, little girl. There's lots of dangerous people on this island. You know that, right?" The man hissed, gritting his teeth in barely restrained fury, his entire body trembling as he restrained himself from lashing out further. Sun was suddenly standing in front of Lillie, glaring up into the face of the man.

"Oh…Think you can protect her from big, bad mister Jack? You've got guts, kid." the man snorted with amusement, shaking his head as a rough cough escaped him, his rage dissipating to Sun's surprise. "That's funny. I'd break your neck without a second thought. Heh…Haha…Ah, I needed that laugh right about now. Thanks for that, brats."

Jack, to Sun's surprise, backed away and moved around the two of them, limping down the road and drawing looks from everyone down the street. Sun watched the man leave for a while before he turned around and extended a hand to Lillie, helping her up. Lillie threw her arms around Sun, hugging him tightly. Sun returned the hug, even as Lillie let out a shuddering breath into his ear.

"You're okay…it's okay Lillie…" Sun murmured, even as the girl continued to quake in his arms. Sun pointedly ignored the looks passing people on the sidewalk gave him, instead focusing on making sure Lillie was alright. That was all that mattered to him.

"I'm so sorry Sun…I…H-he didn't even do anything and I'm…I was so scared…" Lillie whispered, unable to stop the tears forming in her eyes and she shook in terror.

"It's okay to be scared. It's perfectly natural." Sun replied quietly as he held his friend in his arms. The two held the embrace for a long while until Lillie managed to finally calm herself down. Lillie separated from Sun, wiping her eyes with a shaky sigh.

"Let's get inside some place and have some lunch." Sun suggested to his friend. Lillie nodded, and with that the two of them managed to find a local restaurant where they enjoyed a cheap but tasty lunch of sandwiches and tea. The distinct Kanto-style cuisine made Sun a little homesick, but he was happy to have a taste of his old home in his new one. Lillie eventually managed to calm down as they ate, though her mood was now subdued.

"So, there's no chance of me catching you a Pokémon and having you tag along with me?" Sun asked Lillie with a small smile as they finished their meal. The girl seemed surprised at the question, but to Sun's non-surprise she shook her head.

"As much as I ended up enjoying myself back there, I don't…I have other things to worry about Sun. I have to keep an eye on Nebby and even then, I'm also not entirely comfortable with Pokémon Battles. Pokémon getting hurt in battles still bothers me. I spent my entire childhood watching over Pokémon that were injured or abused get treated. I can't just turn my back on all of those experiences…" Lillie explained, looking down at her cup of tea.

"But I can't deny the rush of joy I felt out there when I finally got into it. I felt such a deeper connection to Oliver, Penny, and you. I felt stronger…I've always wanted to be better, Sun. More confident and just…I…" Lillie sighed, shaking her head.

"What's wrong?" Sun asked, concerned.

"For once in my life…I didn't feel powerless. It felt incredible being out there with you. And then we won…I've never won at anything before. Did you know that? Ending such an intense battle with me winning…with you? It was wonderful. It made me want to battle again…But then I remember what my mother told me about battling. How senseless it was and that it was beneath a proper lady like me. I remember my time back home and realize that me becoming a Trainer shouldn't happen, and it makes all of this hard to think about and…" Lillie sighed, taking a calming breath. So many conflicting emotions were swirling around her head right now, it threatened to give her a headache.

"As much I'd like to…I can't even begin to entertain the idea of becoming a Pokémon Trainer, Sun. Not with what's at stake right now. I have a job to do…I have to save Nebby before things get bad. I can't let them win. If they do, then Nebby may be lost forever." Lillie explained softly, her expression becoming somber. It made Sun worry even more about her.

"Lillie…who's after Nebby?" Sun asked quietly.

"I can't say. I can't tell anyone else, Sun. The few people I have told already know too much…If they found out where I am…if she heard the faintest whisper of my whereabouts, there's no telling what she'd do to get me back. Who'd she hurt to get her way. And then…Nebby…" Lillie cut herself off, shaking her head furiously, fresh worry and fear on her face. Sun could tell that Lillie was absolutely horrified of whoever was pursuing Nebby.

"She won't get Nebby, whoever she is. They'd have to get past you, which won't ever happen. And before that, they'd have to get past me and Hau and Professor Kukui and everyone else who's watching out for you." Sun said comfortingly, making Lillie looked up in disbelief.

"How can you say that? You don't know what she's capable of! She could wreak untold havoc on Alola if she wanted too, and that's not taking into account what she'll do once she gets her hands on Nebby!…I can't let her unleash those monsters, Sun!" Lillie said, her voice increasing in volume and panic. Sun rose to his feet and pushed in his chair, with him beckoning Lillie to follow him. He calmly walked out of the store with Lillie watching him. She followed a moment later, looking somewhat confused but still upset.

"Sorry. Everyone was looking and I know you don't like the attention." Sun apologized, beginning to walk down the sidewalk. Lillie sighed deeply, trying to keep herself calm.

"I just…Ugh, I'm sorry Sun. I shouldn't have thrown all of that you." Lillie muttered, hating the fact that she had lost control of her emotions like that. She usually kept things like that bottled up. And she had said so much…she didn't want anyone to pry because it'd just make things worse. Sun had enough to worry about anyway.

"Don't worry about it. You trust me enough to tell me what's bothering you so…Yeah, don't worry about it." Sun shrugged, offering his friend a smile. Lillie sighed in response, but gave Sun a weak smile as well.

"How do you do it? Hold back all that pain and…emotions? You're able to smile through it all and it's just…I don't get it. You're so strong." Lillie asked Sun, whose smile vanished. The boy looked ahead, thinking about her question. The girl realized just what kind of question she had asked her friend, and was about to tell him to disregard it when he answered.

"I smile because if I can keep smiling, then I can make it through the pain. Before all of…this, I used to be a really happy kid, Lillie. But recent events have showed me that there's a lot of dark and bad things in the world. I'm not so happy anymore. Not after what my Dad did to me and Mom." Sun replied calmly, to Lillie's surprise.

"But I'm getting off topic. Lillie, even if you're suffering…Even if you just want to curl into a ball and cry your heart out, you just have to keep going. Smile through the pain. Don't bring others down. Try to help them as much as you can. Try and forget. That's how I've been managing. It helps that I have my Pokémon, my Mom, Hau, and…you. People who support me. People who care about me…I have to be strong for you all."

"But…I'm not okay, Lillie. I haven't been okay for a while." Sun replied honestly, laughing hollowly as he walked ahead of his stunned friend, who couldn't hold back the shock on her face as she heard her friend speak.

"And he's always worrying about my well-being…" Lillie thought sadly, smiling wanly as she caught up with her friend.

"Well…I think you're very strong, Sun. I wish I could be half as brave as you are," Lillie said quietly.

"You are, Lillie. You just don't see it. One day you will." Sun said simply, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Lillie had the suspicion that Sun wasn't feeling talkative, so she led them to a nearby park she recalled was nearby and the two of them sat and enjoyed the afternoon, with Sun's expression relaxing as time went by.

Lillie fidgeted with her fingers, contemplating what to do…she had started all of this, hadn't she? If she hadn't gotten upset, they could have continued to have a wonderful afternoon, basking in the joy of their victory. Instead, she had once again ruined something…

"No. I made this mess…I'm going to fix it." Lillie thought, a glint coming to her eyes as she gathered her courage. Lillie scooted over to Sun and wrapped an arm around his chest, giving him a one-armed hug as she pressed herself close to him. Lillie tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach and her ear tips burning, instead focusing on her friend, much like he had done for her earlier.

After what seemed like an eternity, Sun wordlessly returned the gesture, putting his arm around Lillie and hugging her back tightly, trying to show how much he appreciated her with a single gesture. Lillie and Sun separated and just watched the clouds, glad to enjoy a bit of peace with just each other.

Lillie's head inevitably drooped and she nodded off to sleep, lulled to a doze by the warm weather and the sound of the ocean nearby. Sun gently scooted closer to her and nudged her head until she was resting on his shoulder, her breathing slow and soft. Sun felt a smile tug at his face as he looked up into the bright sky, feeling more of his gloom fade away as he felt a flutter in his chest.

It was a beautiful day outside and he had Lillie with him. What was there to be sad about?


"You think we should have waited for Sun and Lillie?" Demi asked, shifting her bag to her other shoulder. Hau shrugged, grinning as per usual. The duo had won another Double Battle together, and were feeling pretty good about their trek so far.

"Nah. They're too busy being awkward and antisocial. I'm gonna get a head start on Sun and finally surpass him!" Hau cheered, hopping up on his feet before he charged ahead.

"Someone's excited today. I guess that's why we mesh so well. LET US GO ONWARD!" Demi declared, laughing as she chased after the energetic grandchild of the Kahuna, sharing in Hau's dream of proving herself to her family. The duo ran down the path, laughter ringing through the forest path.


"So…what do you think Demi and Hau are up to?" Sun asked Lillie as they hopped up from their spot in the park. Lillie had dozed for a time and woke up well-rested while Sun people-watched. He didn't really see the appeal, and wondered how people like Mister Oliver did this as a hobby. Maybe it was an adult thing.

Regardless, he enjoyed the peace and quiet and oddly enjoyed Lillie laying on him. Just being so close to her made Sun feel warm and happier, so he hadn't felt the need to move while Lillie slept, since it had improved his mood quite a bit and got him out of yet another slump.

He owed his friend so much for that.

"Hehe…Maybe they're already at the Trial. With their enthusiasm I wouldn't be surprised." Lillie laughed quietly as they exited the park and began walking down the main street of the city.

"They're probably sprinting off into the distance while yelling incoherently." Sun commented as they continued down the sidewalk.

"They also seem to be getting along very well. I wonder if they…no, that's silly. It's also none of my business." Lillie said quickly, shaking her head.

"What?" Sun asked.

"No, I shouldn't. It's rude to gossip." Lillie said, shaking her head.

"Lillie, I'll take your hat and wear it askew the entire day if you don't tell me." Sun joked, making Lillie laugh quietly, though she did adjust her hat more firmly on her head.

"Well…I wonder if the two of them are interested in each other. They spent a lot of time together at the beach and even when I talked with Demi on her own, she expressed some attraction to Hau. Maybe while out and about they'll…start dating…" Lillie trailed off, a little smile on her face.

"I myself am rooting for it. Hau is such a wonderful friend, and has such a unique spirit. He deserves to find his soulmate. He'd be happy with a peppy girl like Demi. They work well together." Lillie mused quietly, looking off into the distance.

"That's…wow. It kind of works, though. Hau's an awesome guy. It kinda makes sense that he'd end up with a pretty girl that's just as hyper as he is." Sun remarked, but his smile faltered when he saw the odd look Lillie gave him.

"What?" Sun asked his friend.

"Nothing. Just…I don't know, it feels weird hearing you call other girls pretty. You've only ever called me that…even though I'm really not." Lillie said softly before wincing internally. She really needed to stop venting her thoughts to the boy she was currently…there really was no way around it.

Lillie had developed a massive crush on Sun.

There wasn't any other word for it, and she was forced to face the facts. She admired the boy so much and was taken with him in a way she hadn't ever felt with anyone before. Sun made her feel wonderful and happy. He always supported her, even at her worst moments, and he was patient and kind and Lillie adored that in him. Despite everything he had gone through, he selflessly helped others and was a friend to all Pokémon. Add onto that the fact that he was quite handsome in her eyes and Lillie finally had to admit to herself that she was smitten with her dear friend from Kanto.

Lillie forced her expression to remain neutral, even as she realized her own attraction to her closest friend.

"Ahem…Um…" Sun pulled at his collar, suddenly feeling rather hot and uncomfortable. Lillie had kind of put him in a little bit of a spot, now hadn't she? And once again, she was being down on herself. He really wished she could see what he saw in her, because to him she was definitely pretty. How did she not see it?

"Just because I called you pretty first doesn't mean I can't find other girls pretty…" Sun said defensively, wondering where this had come from. "However, I will say you're much prettier than Demi. Um…if I'm being totally honest...you're the prettiest girl I know, Lillie." Sun said awkwardly, feeling his ears burn at the admission as he rubbed the back of his head.

Lillie tilted her hat downwards, letting out a small squeak. Her face was practically crimson in embarrassment, her mind reeling as she tried to process that bit of information and…was she really the prettiest girl Sun knew!?

Despite her efforts, Lillie could not hide her reaction from Sun. The boy realized the girl was embarrassed and couldn't help a smile coming to his face. He decided to have a bit of fun with this. After all, she did look adorable when she was flustered.

"Oh? Does Princess Lillie liked being called 'pretty'?" Sun asked her teasingly, stepping closer to her with a wider smile appearing on his face. Lillie let out a little peep at the question, looking away from Sun but making no move to distance herself from Sun, who was grinning now. How was it he was friends with someone who managed to make everything she did cute?

"All girls like being called p-pretty, Sun." Lillie shot back, giving him a light shove. Sun allowed the push to send him away, with the boy laughing quietly. Sun did walk back over to his friend, giving her a hug that made her stiffen in surprise before she relaxed, the two of them walking together very closely.


"How do they not see their attraction to one another?" Sina stated in awe, almost dropping her smoothie.

"They are quite young still. Maybe they're each other's first crush? I don't know for sure, but I do know that they're both special." Dexio shrugged, sipping his tea from their vantage point on a nearby roof.

"Any news?" Sina asked Dexio.

"No, oddly enough. No Team Skull activity. I'd like another display from the boy to determine if he's worthy of the Zygarde Cube, but…maybe entrusting the entirety of the reformation of Zygarde is too much a task for one person." Dexio mused quietly, making Sina look at him.

"Perhaps…I guess we'll just keep watching then."


Sun held the position for a few moments before letting go.

"Better?" Sun asked, seeing Lillie put and cross her arms. The girl stuck her tongue out at him, and after Sun laughed at the display, she gave him a small smile.

"Better…Mmm…What about you Sun?" Lillie asked, her voice curious. Maybe a bit too curious for Sun to be comfortable with. This had really turned into an odd conversation. Part of him enjoyed it, but the rest of him was worried that Lillie would catch on to his own attraction to her. He was still clueless as to what all these feelings and emotions he held for the girl were. His mother, when he asked about that, told him he'd have to figure out his relationship with Lillie on his own. Apparently he was doing well enough with that already.

"I don't know…I'm just starting to even acknowledge girls like that. Having a Dad who wanted me to learn nothing except running a business and advanced academic stuff kind of made me really bad at knowing how this stuff works. I doubt any girl my age would be interested in me anyway…I've got too much baggage and I'm too socially awkward." Sun admitted with a dry laugh. Lillie watched the boy with a sad smile, shaking her head very slightly so that Sun couldn't see her denying what he had said.

"I don't…I don't think that. You're too hard on yourself. You have a lot of qualities a girl would like." Lillie said quietly, looking up with her smile widening as her blush faded.

"Maybe…I'll probably sort out this as I go. With everything going on, I don't want to sit on a chair and just figure out this stuff." Sun admitted, shrugging. As much as he enjoyed spending time with Lillie, he also wanted to get back on the road and start conquering the Trials yet again. She couldn't really go with him all around the Island, but…well, maybe they'd sort something out later? He would just enjoy the time here with her for a little bit longer.

"Yes, I see…that…" Lillie trailed off, tilting her head in confusion. Sun followed her gaze and was likewise confused.

A small distance away from them, within the middle of the intersection in the nearby street, there was something…off. The air was shimmering with a strange distortion and shuddered, warping the area around it. As if the space itself was being pushed aside to make room for…

Something else.


"Professor Burnet! Our readings regarding the space in Heahea City! They're…they're going haywire!"

"What is it? Another Ultra Wormhole!? The Aether Foundation said that-"

"No ma'am…I think it's something else entirely! This seems to be a distortion within the very fabric of time itself! It doesn't make any sense, but the readings are too intense for it to be anything else. Look!"

"This is so strange, and quite alarming. A distortion within time?...Wait a minute. I…Contact Colress. Now!"

"What?"

"GET HIM HERE NOW!"

"Honey, what is it!?"

"It's here, Kukui. Just like Colress suspected. It's-"


Sun and Lillie both let out yells as the space in front of them exploded forth, sending a shockwave across the street and kicking up a fierce wind that howled and tore at the children. Sun clutched Lillie in his arms as the girl wrapped her arms around his chest, even as the windows all around them shattered and car alarms went off from the force of the shock-wave radiating from the strange growing vortex that was forming before their very eyes.

Suddenly, the indistinguishable shape grew into a large half-circle, a tunnel of sorts Sun realized. A gateway. Within the strange tunnel was a swirling collection of blue and green lights, and even then Sun couldn't see very far within the tunnel without his eyes starting to burn. He then saw strange wisps of yellow smoke creeping forth from the vortex.

"S-sun…What is this!?" Lillie asked, sounding horrified. Sun took a fortifying breath and composed himself into a more relaxed expression, trying to keep Lillie calm by showing he wasn't scared.

"I don't know! Just stay close!" Sun yelled out, reaching for a Poké Ball even as several people on the street backed away. The citizens screamed in horror as the strange tunnel continued to expand, sending out more smoke. Several yellow shimmering rings flashed into existence in front of the gateway, distorting the air further. Suddenly a figure began to form within the depths of the tunnel.

"Did she manage to summon one of those monsters? Did…Did I fail somehow?" Lillie despaired, even as the figure before them gained distinct shape before exiting the depths of the vortex, appearing properly before them.

It was a green pixie-like creature with a teardrop-shaped head. It was rather small, with clear wings fluttering behind it as it slowly hovered in the air, its small arms crossed. The vortex behind the creature suddenly turned an even darker shade of blue, making the creature sigh. And then…Lillie and Sun heard a voice.

"If throwing her though the Passage of Time doesn't do the trick, then I'm officially out of options…Now, where am I? I felt something familiar…so why am I in a place I've never been to before?" The Pokémon said softly, its thoughts branching outwards and brushing against Sun and Lillie's minds. Sun was snapped out of his daze as he noticed Rotom Dex shuddering slightly as it popped out of Sun's backpack, floating beside him.

"Rotom, what is that?" Sun asked the device, who was processing just what was going on. Rotom Dex then turned its full attention to the Pokémon floating off of the ground and its eyes widened in horror.

"I…S-sun…That's…" Rotom sounded absolutely horrified, a small alarm ringing from the Pokédex as he slowly floated behind Sun. Sun was surprised at this and was worried by this response. The boy looked back and forth between the strange floating Pokémon and Rotom Dex, preparing himself for the worst.

"Rotom…What. Is. That. Thing?" Sun asked firmly, feeling a small sense of horror slowly creeping into him. It looked familiar, but he couldn't figure out why. Rotom finally gathered its courage and began to speak.

"Zzzt…zz…Celebi. The Time Travel Pokémon. This Pokémon came from the future by crossing time. It is thought that so long as Celebi appears, a bright and shining future awaits us." Rotom managed to say, shaking in midair as Lillie's eyes widened in wonder.

"Amazing…I've read about Celebi, back at Professor Burnet's Lab. It has many powers regarding nature. It's a protector of forests, while also holding the unique power of purification." Lillie said breathlessly, amazed at their luck. Sun however, couldn't help the cold feeling inside of his gut. This sounded very familiar to him…

Rotom's next words brought a crushing realization to Sun.

"WARNING! WARNING! SHADOW POKÉMON DETECTED! SHADOW POKÉMON DETECTED!" Rotom screamed as Celebi slowly turned around, a cruel smile creeping onto the creature's face. A flickering series of black spheres of darkness formed above the legendary, even as the creature's evil gaze turned to the two children directly in its path of destruction.