Lillie was in the town square of Hau'oli City in Alola. She was looking at the sky when Leaf and Khoury arrived. They started talking and went to a cafeteria. Once they were there, Elio entered with a stack of books. Various big volumes covering a variety of fields, all for her. She loved the gift and kissed him as a thank you.

- Thank you guys. You have really made this day…

- Perfect? That's what were you going to say? - said a raspy female voice

The blonde turned around to find Selene at the entrance. Shocked, she tried to see his friends, only to find that they were gone. Some kind of void was covering the place. Instinctively, she started to run away. The dark skinned girl flew behind her.

- So who's the coward now! Ayayay! The little criminal can't resist a little bit of darkness, eh? And that's how you want to save your mom? What a girl!

- Stop, stop! What have I done to you?

- To me? To yourself! To your family! To Ne…

- Selene, stop! - the darkness was coming closer to her as the once beautiful city became twisted and bizarre. Like something out of the horror movies she liked to see in secret.

- Ohh, so you're scared. Miss Perfect can't resist some chaos? Let's see what she can resist.

As she said so, Lillie found herself unable to move. In front of her appeared Lusamine. Selene had vanished.

- Hi mom, are you ok?

- How disappointing

- Mom?

- Calling me mother? I don't have any children! Certainly not any wretched children who would run off and reject my love!

- Wh… what are you doing? Why are you here? We are trying to save you!

- Saving me? Tell me how. Oh wait You, you can't! You don't even have the strength of a Trainer. The only thing that you've ever done on your own is steal someone else's research material!

Lillie remembered those phrases. Her mother had said them to her before. And for every word she said, she became more monstrous. Tentacles appeared from her hands and a bubble of goo covered her head. Lusamine was slowly turning into how she looked inside the tank, but worse. Like the first time she saw her like that. In the Ultra Space.

- But…

- No excuses, brat! You think that you can save the day? No, idiot! You only know how to get yourself and those you love in a big mess. Really, you always impress me. In how you can look uglier in my eyes every time we see each other.

- I'm not ugly! I'm not ugly! - said the blonde terrified as the darkness covered her. He could only hear the combined voices of her mother and Selene now.

"Ugly"

"Hypocrite"

"Stupid"

"Disappointing"

"Traitor"

"Useless"

"Idiot"

- Lillie, Lillie. Wake up!

The blonde opened her eyes. Khoury was next to her and looking at her was Elio's Pelipper. She immediately hugged the pokemon, noticing his worried expression. They were in an old wooden cabin. Unlike her sunny dream, it was raining outside and still at night.

- Khoury! What happened?

- What happened to you?! You were screaming a lot!

- It… it was nothing. Just a very bad nightmare.

Khoury looked at her incredulously. He didn't have the heart to tell her what he heard…

- But where are we? Where are the others? - said the blonde before he could say anything - I remember we were in the sky and…

- Well, stuff got bad after that. Big time bad. But don't worry, they're fine. We had to separate, however. I had an accident, but this little guy saved me.

Khoury moved away. Lillie saw a small pink pokemon, that kind of looked like a bald cat, playing with their bags' contents. It juggled their pokeballs using psychic energy. The creature looked at her and hid inside Khoury's bag.

- Hey no no! She's a friend. Sorry, it easily gets scared. Lillie, this is…

- Mew Mew! - said the creature as it came closer to the blonde, smiling

- A Mew! But that's a Mythical Pokémon. How did you…?

- Mythical? Like those in Matori's office? Had no idea. And it just appeared. I don't know how or when he met us.

- I knew him from my books. Scientists say he's one of the earliest, if not the earliest Pokémon. But it's the first time I see one in person - after saying so, Mew came closer to play with her - Hey, you are so cute and soft! Like a plushy!

- I know, right? It's really friendly once it's comfortable. Smile! - said Khoury, taking a picture of the two

- Hey, thanks! Send it to me later.

While Lillie played with and fed Pelipper and the others, Khoury went to check their surroundings. The girl was designing a new plan in her head. Lillie was talking to herself, when she noticed that Mew understood her.

- Do you, little guy, know Elio or Leaf?

The little Pokémon nodded happily to the second name.

- And, by any circumstance, do you know where they are?

- Mew… - said with a sad tone

- But you found us, alright? Can you find them?

- Mew - said as it teleported and returned from the corner of the room

- I guess that's a yes, buddy. I think they may be around Mount Silver or Victory Road. We were planning to arrive somewhere around there

- Mew Mew Mew!

- Yay! - Lillie celebrated. The pokemon cheered too - Can you go look for them, please? - she asked

Mew then disappeared, with a joyous "Mew!". The blonde then went to pick up her things. She found it strange that, despite the state of the house they were in, it still had operating electricity. She also found the table familiar. "Huh, it also has running water" she realized. "And there is something on the layout. It's like I've been here before. Wait a minute, this metallic drawer, it's the same as those at the base." She then looked at the window and noticed she could see the Pokemon Tower from there. "Oh no"

- Khoury, we need to get out of here right now! - exclaimed the blonde - This is a Rocket hideout!

- Of all places to end up with… - said the guy returning from the outside - Everyone, return to your pokeball. Pelipper, our bags please

The Pokemon stored them up in his mouth.

- I have the bags. Mew, if you are somewhere, come help us please! - exclaimed Khoury as both escaped.

The two ran away from the house through the only road there was. They were on the outskirts of Lavender Town and went north. The road involved traversing the Rock Tunnel, a deep cave that cuts the route in half. It was deep and easy to get lost in. Reasoning that it was the one that was part of the route to where Zapdos resides, as well as the place with the lesser chance of encountering a policeman, they took it.

During the whole walk they only talked the necessary minimum. It's not that they weren't really friends or that they only hung out due to Leaf. Rather, it was due to what Khoury heard. Words like "mom", "ugly" or "imperfect" still resonated in his head. He couldn't suggest a conversation topic without ending up thinking about it. She didn't know what he might have heard, and was fearful of that. She also thought that, in hindsight, that might have given Leaf reason to be suspicious in the first place. For the blonde, remembering those dreams scared her. She feared what others may think. They were in the middle of their walk when a purple gas started forming around them.

- Khoury, watch out!

But it was too late. The gas reached them and both fell asleep. Soon, the Weezing who produced it came towards to check. Emitting a cry of alert, a Psyduck came and made guard around them, trying very hard to look menacing with no success.

- Wakey, wakey - said a male voice

- Err… what? - Lillie asked, still sleepy

- Is that you L.. - was saying Khoury

- Stop joking, R-Lillie-6743. Raise now, R-Khoury-6740. Stand in front of your superior right now - added a serious, female voice

Just then the two recognized whom they were talking: James and Misty. And they didn't seem exactly happy to see them.

- Villasol, give me a report on the whereabouts of Greenwich and Quilla - ordered Misty

- And, shall I guess, birdwatching didn't go exactly as planned. Is that right, Sakihama?

The two then proceeded to explain what they had gone through. Except for the pink friend they had made. Their superiors listened to them with attention and took some notes.

- But, you don't have any clue of the whereabouts of your friends, right? - asked James

- Indeed - said Lillie disappointed - But we have an idea of where they are.

- Where? That's important information. Lost agents are a risk for our organization. - said Misty

- One of our plans was heading towards Mt. Silver. We have a clue that Moltres lives there - explained the blonde

- If that is so, there's only one way to enter the mountain - said James - Let me make a call - added as he changed his voice to that of an old man. Khoury found it familiar, but couldn't remember from whom.

- Listen grunts. You must return to the base with us. This wasn't what we agreed to before your last mission.

- No, please! We want to help! - begged Khoury

- Not to be impolite, Commander Waterflower, but since Team Flare is clearly going for a facility in your city, shouldn't you be evacuating it or something? - asked Lillie

- I'm a Gym Leader, not the Mayor. But you have a good point. If there are casualties, they would be more likely to be blamed for Team Rocket. I shall go and pull some strings. But never address me like that again, or any superior for that matter.

- Perfect - said the blonde

- And what about us?

- The other thing is more important. Look, you can proceed, but under your own risk. We both are busy so don't expect for us to come and rescue you.

- We won't fail this, sir - both said as James returned

- So, are you letting the younglings go? - he asked - Quite impressive, twerpette

- Hey! - said Misty angry, pressing the button on James's teleporter. She was going to move too, but waited - Guys… - she said, speaking with a calming tone that the two had never heard from her

- Yes, madam?

- Stop with the formalities for now. I want you to do me a personal favor. If you stumble upon Ash Ketchum, please don't hurt him. It's… personal.

- Okay, Commander Waterflower - said Lillie confidently, despite not quite having an idea of what was going on

- Thank you, you two. I hope luck follows you - said Misty as she teleported away.

The two kept walking towards the exit. Now Lillie guided the path. Khoury followed her, looking at his rocketgear with concentration. It kept this way, until he almost tripped on a rock.

- Watch out! - she said, holding Khoury with an arm and saving his mobile device with the other

- Th… thanks

- Don't look much at that screen! Oh, you are looking at the 'gram, huh? Are you looking for pictures of your Greeny at the beach?

- Whaaaat? - said Khoury, taking his hands to his head in exasperation

- N… nothing nothing. Nevermind - the blonde blushed and gave him back his Rocketgear. Even if her friend didn't see him that way, Lillie and Elio still believed that the two would make for a really good couple.

- I'll make it like this conversation never happened. Anyway, I was looking for something else. Check it out - the guy with dark green hair showed her an old Ash Ketchum fanpage, owned by some guy named Stephan. He then scrolled down until he found it. Between a picture of a pikachu surfing and one regarding Samuel Oak's sudden passing there was another one. It was one of Ash with his then recent Orange Islands champion trophy. In the background, there were two people celebrating alongside him. A tall, dark skinned guy and a short orange haired girl. Khoruy zoomed on the image and Lillie saw it better. The girl traveling and celebrating alongside Ash. It was Misty. Lillie gasped.

- So, let's better do what she says - she said

- Perfect

The two kept walking and eventually found the exit. The rain had stopped and the sun had come out again. From then it was just a straight line upwards and then going down the river. The two decided to make a quick stop in the local Pokémon Center to heal their partners, but decided not to when they found a food truck called "Flarein' Tacos" parked in front of it, with lots of trainers waiting in the line. Realizing what this meant, they rode on Pelipper and quickly flew the route to the entrance of the Power Plant.

The building was a big, dilapidated structure. It clearly had seen better days, but didn't see use after most of Kanto and Johto switched to renewable. Nowadays, it was only visited by curious tourists, vloggers and the occasional health inspector with the wrong address.

- Beware, Khoruy. They might be waiting for us

- Yes. Look at all that purple goo on the floor. Better not to step on it.

- Of course. It's too much to walk around it. What if it's toxic? But wait! Look, on the roof.

- Those pipes! I think I know your plan. We just need to reach them to move across them like if they were bars. Onix, help us reach them please!

The Rock Snake Pokemon emerged. Khoury had to move aside, to not get hurt by him.

- Since when did you own an Onix!

- You really were distracted in the cave, were you? He was sleeping and blocking our path, so I caught him quickly. Anyway, climb and let's go for the first pipe.

The two started moving, holding tight from them to not fall into the goo. The hallway was too narrow to ride Pelipper. Also, the Water Bird Pokémon was very tired, so they let him outside to guard. They advanced into the maze-like power plant. Most of the machinery was obsolete and the walls were heavily damaged from corrosion.

The two weren't talking again. At one point, they started hearing loud noises coming from a secondary hall, so they went in that direction. Lillie was thinking about their encounter with Mew. She wondered how it found them and hoped it could reach their friends.

- Torb, torb!

- Lillie, watch out!

Lillie looked up and saw that a Voltorb was looking straight at her from a pipe next to hers. It started screeching loudly and charging energy.

- It's gonna explode! - Khoury exclaimed

Lillie propelled herself forward and jumped off the pipe just before the Voltorb made a small explosion. Khoury grabbed her and managed to prevent her from falling to the ground and getting hurt.

- Thank you - Lillie smiled as she let herself out and hanged from Khoury's pipe

- That's what friends are for - the green haired guy smiled - But let's keep moving

- You're right. Someone might have heard the noise. Look at those cabinets. I think we might get down and jump to the floor.

The two moved over the place the blonde mentioned and managed to touch the floor again. They saw a room full of computers and decided to enter to investigate.

- Over here! Do you think we might turn on these computers? - asked Lillie

- They seem more modern than those in the hallways… but some cables are missing

- Let's look for them then. I'll check in these boxes and you in the desk over there.

- You're in charge, Miss Perfect

Lillie stopped walking towards the boxes. She turned around and looked at Khoury with a completely serious stare.

- What did you just call me?

- No, no nothing. It's from an old telenovela, Magearna la del barrio. Didn't they broadcast it in Alola? - improvised Khoury, just realizing what he had said

- Don't joke with me, Khoury Sakihama. Where did you hear that phrase? - Lillie looked angrier than ever

- You… you said it

- What? When? Oh… I see - her expression now looked melancholic - I understand. What did you hear?

- You were speaking. About yourself. You were saying… horrible things

- I… I… Forget it, right? Let's just move on that we have no time

Lillie immediately walked away from the room. Khoury tried to speak to Lillie several times, but she refused to acknowledge him. He wasn't sure about what to say in case she answered, but didn't want to leave that topic hanging either. For her part, the blonde tried to stay focused. She didn't remember what she had said and wasn't excited to know either.

Several exposed wires were a threat for them. They checked in other rooms, but most of them had nothing of use and looked like someone had already gone through them. Khoruy managed to find an interesting object, which she tried to show to his friend. Lillie just said a serious "not now". Eventually, they heard a loud thunder noise from deep in the building, followed by a loud squawk. Knowing what this probably meant, the two ran towards the center of the building. But it wasn't necessary to get there to know.

- Sakihama! - Lillie yelled from a room she entered

- What happened? Look, I…

- Stop talking. Look at the screen!

Lillie had found the security room. Many cameras weren't working but the one showing the central courtyard still showed a bad quality image. In the middle of the large open area, they could see Zapdos in all of its mighty glory. They could see that he was fighting against a Delphox and a Pangoro. A female figure could be distinguished. It was a slim woman with short golden hair. She wore black and red, alongside orange sunglasses. They could see Team Flare's logo in her belt. It was the one she knew as Yvonne. While the two couldn't hear their commands, they saw that her Pokémon engaged in an elegant fighting style, almost as if they were in one of her performances. But that didn't stop them from engaging in violent attacks.

- Look at those moves. Like if she was a ballerina…

- Do you want them to discover us? Move quick and shut up, you idiot - whispered Lillie before putting her hands in her mouth, realizing what she had said

- To move where guys? - interrupted a female voice. The two turned around. It was Aria. - Hello! Long time no see - she greeted them with a friendly gesture.

- But… What are you doing here? - exclaimed Khoury

- You think that that little battle that we had was going to be my end? Ha! The King rescued me in minutes.

- You will pay for what you did!

- Oh, the Alolan princess. How are you, girl? The usual mommy issues? - mocked her

Lillie wanted to explode in fury, but contained herself. "Perfect, perfect, perfect" she thought.

- Don't talk to her like that! - exclaimed Khoury - Faraday, Thunder!

His pokemon attacked but Aria avoided the attack with a quick move.

- I see someone wants a rematch, huh? - she said, picking up a whistle from a pocket of her Team Flare uniform. She used it, but nothing happened. Soon, loud noises could be heard. Lillie looked at the cameras. The purple goo was moving towards the room they were in. She could see what looked like eyes at some points. It was clear now. It wasn't some random toxic goo. Those were Muks.

- Do you think I was coming alone? I'll never let you two mess with my Queen's plan. The… - was monologuing Aria when a pile of empty boxes fell upon her. She was so distracted that didn't notice Passimian sneaking behind her and pushing them.

- That will give us some time. - Lillie commented

- Lillie, go stop Yvonne. I'll contain her and whatever comes

- But Khoury…

- I can. I'll reach you once I finish with these jerks.

- Hey, don't talk to me like that! - said Aria, starting to regain consciousness - I'll make you pay!

Lillie nodded and ran away. From looking at the cameras she knew exactly where to go. Using Snowy, she also created ice walls in all of the other corridors in case Aria or someone else had more surprises prepared for them. She was nervous. "What could I do? What has he heard? Mom… she was…"

While thinking about all that she made it to the central yard. It was completely empty. Lillie ordered Snowy to use blizzard, trying to detect any possible trap left. Nothing happened so she entered to investigate. She was in the middle when she felt like someone was looking at her. The blonde immediately tried to call Onix, but it was too late. A Pangoro had caught her and held her tight.

- Ahhh! Let me out, you…

- Bonjour! Don't be mad with my pokemon, young lady. Or you'll make me mad with yours - said a female voice from behind her. The woman walked towards her. Lillie recognized her perfectly. It was the one she used to call Yvonne.

- R-Lillie-6743. Lillie VIllasol. I think we never talked that much. Serena Fleurant. Nice to meet you!

Lillie gave her a death stare

- What happened, mademoiselle? The meowth ate your tongue?

Lillie kept silent.

- I guess someone doesn't want to see her mother again…

- Don't mention her, you monster! - exploded Lillie in anger. She tried to punch and kick her captor, but the pokemon didn't react to it.

- Hey, hey! Don't attack him. Or you might get to know his new big brothers. - She opened two pokeballs with Team Flare's logo on it, summoning Articuno and Zapdos. Upon seeing them, Lillie stopped moving. She knew she was on the losing end.

- What do you want? - she finally spoke, looking at the floor

- What do YOU want? Why do you want to stop the change?

- The change?

- Yes. The fusion of Ultra Beasts and Humans could result in better people. We believe that. In perfection. And I'm pretty sure that you know a lot about that.

- You…

- What? Do you think that I don't know? Team Flare knows, mademoiselle Villasol. We know you…

Yvonne kept talking to her, but the blonde wasn't hearing. Suddenly, tons of memories came flowing to her head. But they weren't the nice ones, like that time that she, Elio and Selene visited the Festival Plaza Theme Park. Those memories were of the bad kind.

When she was five and a half, she was having a tea party with her plushies…

- Mister Snuffybuffy, could you please serve some tea to Miss Jellydidlles? - was saying the blonde as she carried her Polteageist plushy and "served" tea to her toy Fromatis

- Wow, this is delicious! You really surpassed yourself with this cookies, Captain Oceantale (Quaxly)

The captain was going to tell all the guests about his most recent adventure in the deep seas, when suddenly someone stormed into her room. It was her older brother, Gladion.

- Mom's coming, sis. She's looking for you

- How's she?

- Run for the hills, sis. Run for the hills - exclaimed her brother as he ran to hide in his room. It wasn't long until she heard a loud voice yelling "LILLIE VILLASOL, SHOW UP AT THIS MOMENT"- The innocent girl went towards her mum. She already knew that making her wait was bad if not worse than whatever she had done now.

She was heading toward the stairs, when she stumbled upon her mother. Lusamine was holding Lillie's little Cleffa with one hand. And had a face that could be described as anything but friendly.

- Mommy!

- Mommy nothing, Lillian. I found your pesky Cleffa wandering inside my laboratory again.

- Mom, but Fifi is very curious…

- Look - said her mother with a serious tone - I don't want to see your little friend walking alone in the house ever again. Ever. Understood?

- Yes, mom

- And what were you doing, daughter? I see that you are wearing your teatime dress. Did you finish your chores?

- Yes mom. I was playing.

- Don't forget that you should always inform me when you are going to change clothes. Never without my authorization, Lilian

Lusamine walked towards Lillie's room, with the little blonde following her. She started inspecting the table and everything on and around it. Her daughter looked at her from the door, shaking her legs.

- M-hm, the tablecloth is properly placed. And the plates and cups, oh yes. And your room is impeccable. My little Lillie, this is… oh what's this? We have talked about the correct placement of the cutlery, Lilian

Her daugther nodded. Her Pokemon hugged her leg

- I'm sorry…

- No no no. Next time that you have an activity, everything has to be perfect. A lady like you cannot have the luxury of making mistakes like this one. Never forget it. Don't disappoint me.

And her mother left the room and went back to her laboratory. Lillie sat down alone in her room, she felt really sad. Gladion entered soon after

- Hey, lil sis. Everything's gonna be okay. Hey, what was Captain Oceantale going to tell everyone?

The little blonde looked at him with tears on her eyes

- I think I don't want to play right now…

Lillie now remembered her nine-year-old self. She was playing in a park close to the Aether Foundation, her mom's building, with a girl her age named Mallow. They were playing hide and seek when Lillie's watch started emitting an alarm.

- I found you! Better turn off that next time - the dark skinned girl laughed

- No. I'm sorry. I have to go home now. Come back, Fifi

- Urgent? Noooooo. It was nice playing with you

- Yes, let's meet another day here

- Great idea! And hey, why don't you come to my house someday. My parents know how to make delicious malasadas

- Eena! - her pokemon, a Traseena, exclaimed

- I'll ask my ma. But I really have to go. Ba-bye!

The blonde came back running to the the main hall was her mother giving an interview to the news.

- And as you can see, this new zone, the "Poképark" will provide housing and food for abandoned pokemon across Alola. And with zero carbon footprint to boot. We are using…

- Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! - came running Lillie and hugging her

- Sorry, Alexia! This is my little daughter, Lilian…

- I'm Lillie! - said the little blonde as she smiled

- …Lillie. Isn't she the cutest thing around? - said her mother pinching her cheeks

- Sure she is - commented Alexia, the reporter, while Todd, her photographer, took a picture of mother and daughter together - Maybe we could make a piece about your family life someday, Ms. Villasol.

- That would be lovely! Gladion and her would be really happy. But, we have to continue with the report. Please - the mother pointed to one of her employees who passed by - accompany him to the Biodome where Branch Chief Faba will explain to you more about the science behind our newest discovery.

Once the news team left the room, Lusamine dragged her daughter to an empty conference room and locked the door behind her

- Mommy! I made a new friend in the park! She said that…

- Five minutes. You were five minutes late.

- But mommy, it was just a little time. You know, it's only half an hour a day I have to spend outside unsupervised…

- And it will be fifteen minutes from now on. Ten if you start crying. We have rehearsed this. Your brother and you weren't supposed to appear until the end of the interview. But as usual, little Lillie ruins everything.

Lillie tried to contain the tears

- You didn't even keep yourself clean. Look at you, all dirty. Imperfect. As usual, you have disappointed me again. Now stay here, Lilian. Let's hope that at least your brother is smart enough to learn how to keep his cue

- Y… y…. yes, mother

Without answering. Lusamine locked the door behind her, for what could have been more than six hours.

When Lillie was seventeen, she was at home reading Fifi's favorite novel, The Fault in our Staryus, to her. She had finished her homeschool lessons, her daily research at the Aether Foundation and was finally enjoying some time for herself. Suddenly, she noticed her mother approaching and was angrier than usual. Immediately she put her Clefairy back to her pokeball, corrected her posture and put the feet down off the sofa.

- Good evening, mother

- Mother nothing. You knew right? You knew for sure

- Know about what, mother?

- Stop joking, Lilian. I am not in the mood. Now start talking about what you and your brother did or else…

- I swear I know nothing, mother. Could you explain to me please?

- Glad.. Aghh! I can't even say his name. The boy who also lived here, sneaked into my lab and stole it. My most ambitious project. The most important thing in my life. That darn boy. I should have known from the beginning…

Lillie couldn't contain it anymore

- Stop, Lusamine! DON'T TALK ABOUT MY BROTHER THAT WAY ANYMORE!

- You dare to raise your voice that way to your mother? You should be ashamed of yourself

- Ashamed me? Me? Says the woman who finds no difference between her children and two random employees…

- Shut up, you idiot! I only want the best for you. A perfect daughter, is that much asking? But it seems that you always find a new way to disappoint me, Lilian.

- Look, I get that you dislike the name dad chose for me, but this is too much! My name's Lillie, accept it once and for all!

Lusamine took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

- Lilian is more elegant. Perfect for a lady like you

Lillie didn't say anything. She went upstairs while hearing her mother yelling at her once again. By that point she was used to it. But this time it was different. It was the last straw. She went to her bedroom and locked the door. Gladion wasn't the only one with information about what was really going on in the Foundation. She picked up the papers that she hid under her mattress. "Ultra Beasts 22.3 - Project Cosmog". She started packing her things. She knew that it was time to pay a last visit to the foundation…

- … and that's how we will save the world with the power of the Ultra Beasts. - Yvonne finished talking to her just as Lillie stopped remembering

- Huh? Excuse me, I think I didn't hear anything…

- Wow, you Team Rocket guys are evil, aren't you? Not even good manners! Well, requesting pardon from your captor takes a lot of value. I guess I won't electrify you… yet. In summary: we want your help

- Me? You know I'll never help you, monsters

- And you prefer helping your mother. Is she really that good?

Lillie had a moral dilemma. Was her mother really worth saving? After all these years of abuse, was she really going to go that far for such a horrible person? Did she deserve it? All the memories that came to her head… Team Flare had nice goals after all. They actually wanted to help people. Maybe not the right way, but with a few adjustments to their ideology…

- Pa, pa, pa! - exclaimed Lillie's partner, escaping from his pokeball

- Huh, Passimian?

- Contain that Passimian, Delphox!

Pangoro tried to grab the pokemon, but he used some quick punches to contain him. With a somersault, he moved to the other side of the area and found an Aromatisse doing strange mannerisms with her hands. She immediately shot a Focus Blast against her. The pokemon was shocked by the surprise attack and flinched. Taking advantage from the distraction, Lillie made a quick jump and released herself from the opposing Pangoro. Once she fell to the ground, she felt a big headache. It was a big commotion inside. It was like someone had messed with her head. Which was quickly confirmed by Yvonne, who was talking in her communicator

- Aria, operation Dream Eater failed. Proceeding with stage two

- You really wanted to convert me to your side? - exclaimed the blonde furious - I will show you what I'm really made of! Onix, Rock Tomb!

- I won't let you put yourself between me and my perfect world! You'll never defeat Team Flare's Queen. Zapdos, Thunder!

A huge battle ensued. The attempt of brainwashing made Lillie more willing to go all out on her enemy. But she also feared that Khoury might be going to something similar. Fifi contained Aromatisse, so that it couldn't aid in the fight. While fighting, she continued having memories. But there wasn't nobody trying to control her this time.

The blonde remembered when she was twelve and returned crying to her house. She went running to her room from her daily park visit. A minute later, her mother came in

- Darling, what happened?

Lillie kept crying

- Hey, look at me. Did something bad happen in the park? Whatever it was your mom is here to help you

- Th… the boy - said Lillie while sniffing - I accidentally made him fall off his bike. Tried to introduce myself and apologize. B… but he told me that… THAT I AM HORRIBLE! And his friends… they kept laughing at me… and calling me things…

Lusamine patted her daughter's head, trying to comfort her

- Oh my Li…llie, you must not have to believe those things. Have a napkin. Just look at your mirror. What do you see?

- A… an ugly girl and her mother

- No. That's not what I see. I see a strong, confident, young lady. And next to her her daughter, better than her in every way and with potential to do great things

Lillie looked at her mother and smiled.

- You will be successful in everything that you want, Lillie. Never forget it

- T… thank you, mother

While Lillie was doing that, Khoury was busy as well. In the hallway, he had to contain a fully recovered Aria and her Muks.

- Gabite, Dragon Charge against Muk 2! Faraday, Tundershock against Muk 3!

- How dare you call them that! Don't hear them, girls! Aliana, Toxic Wave! Celosia, Tackle him!

Khoury's attacks clashed with the enemies', sending both members back. Once Khoury returned to the fight, he could hear Yvonne's message.

- Brainwashing my friend? - said Khoury in anger - You truly don't have standards. Gabite, dragon claw?

- And so what? I'll be the victor anyways! Bryony, Toxic Charge!

- Don't you mean your Queen? - asked Khoury. He had come to find something suspicious about all

- Huh! I will convert you and your friends into my servants anyways so I guess I can tell you. You see, Sakihama, the thing of being the second in charge is that everyone always puts its eyes on the leader

- Quags, Hydro Pump. Wait, so you're the mastermind behind this?

- Of course! You arrest those two lovebirds, and we'll put someone else in charge. Hmm… wonder who to put? There's an array of options: Selene Quilla, Gladio Villasol or… I know! Marina Kristensdóttir. What do you think about that, Sakihama?

Khoury was surprised upon hearing that name. "They really have taken their time to research us" he taught. Even if he hadn't heard that name in years, it still was important in a way for him.

- And what will happen to your King and Queen? - said the guy, trying to sound like he still has his chill - Wouldn't you try to save them?

- Ha! Those losers have received their karma. From being the saviors of Kalos to now being remembered as those who made Team Flare resurge from the ashes. The ironies of life, aren't they? Oh, lord Lyndsare, you'd be so proud of Amelia and me…

Suddenly, another Muk broke into the battle. This one was way bigger than the others

- Oh, Xerosic you finally arrived! Now, as we planned

The new Muk went towards Gabite. It started trying to eat him. Gabite defended himself ferociously with Dragon Claw, but it wasn't enough. In seconds, the enemy pokemon had absorbed him. Khoury couldn't resist shedding a tear. He had been his partner for all his life, and felt miserable seeing him go that way.

- You really thought that a Team Rocket fool like you could defeat me? Ha! Now hand your pokemons over here. Huh? Xerosic are you alright?

The Muk named Xerosic started emitting light from his mouth. It became brighter and brighter. Five seconds later, a pokemon had emerged from the inside of the enemy. Gabite was no more. A powerful Garchomp had taken his place.

- Oh yeah! Let's show her why Team Rocket is made out of! Use Outrage!

- Chomp chomp!

Garchomp did as intended, sending the enemy pokemon across the walls of the facility, eventually stopping in the yard where Lillie was having her fight. The two enemies followed the path of destruction. They found themselves in the midst of the battle between Lillie and Yvonne. The blonde and her pokemon did her best to avoid the attacks of the enemy's legendary birds, managing to strike a few hits in the process. Luckily, Garchomp arrived just in time to contain a Thunder directed to Passimian, taking advantage of his immunity. The two friends were overjoyed to see each other alive and well, and the battle resumed, now a two versus two.

After about half an hour of combat, both sides were exhausted as much as their pokemon. Garchomp and Onix had created a sandstorm, which caused Yvonne to retreat her Zapdos as she was at a disadvantage. Now her Articuno launched ice attacks on them. Khoury pushed Lillie aside as one was really close to hitting them

- Th… thanks - said Lillie - Hey, I have to…

- No worries, Lillie. We can discuss it later. Better watch out that the icicles are as big as a carrousel

Lillie blinked, surprised at her friend's observation.

- Not the first thing I would think of but alright. Let's finish these girls.

But there was nobody to finish. While they kept attacking, nobody was giving orders on the other side. The last order they could hear was Aria ordering all her pokemon to roar. It was her strategy to conceal what had truly happened.

Upon hearing the word "carousel", Yvonne had stopped attacking. She stood still and started looking at her surroundings. She felt a strange sensation. The last thing she remembered was assisting in that photoshoot in Kalos and now she was there. With different clothes. In the middle of a sandstorm. And Ash, who accompanied her, was nowhere to be seen. She quickly found Aria, wearing different clothes than her usual attire.

- Aria? Is that you? Where are we? - Yvonne asked confusedly - And… wah! Why am I wearing Team Flare clothes? And you! And who are those guys?

Yvonne was getting more and more anxious, but her "partner" didn't answer. She pulled a whistle which made her Aromatise run towards her

- Hypnosis and dream eater - she said coldly

The pokemon made as intended before Yvonne could figure out what was going on. In a matter of seconds, Yvonne opened her eyes again. She reacted quickly since it was not the first time that she or Amelia had to brainwash the King or the Queen again.

- Team Flare Queen Serena is awake. I apologize for my mistakes

- Good job, Serena. Continue with the operation. Sylveon, Moon Blast!

- Oh no you won't! - exclaimed Lillie - Snowy, use…

- Fifi!

- Huh? Come back Fifi, come back!

She carried her Clefairy to safety, with both of them avoiding the attack. Only for her pokemon to come back running to the middle of the battlefield because she had lost her crystal.

- It's our opportunity. Destroy them! - commanded Yvonne and Aria at the same time. Delphox attacked with Flamethrower. Muk with Toxic waves. Sylvain with Moon blast. All aimed at the small clefairy. But before they could hit, everyone was thrown against the walls. A Heat Wave came from outside the room and expanded away. The powerful shock was enough to distract the enemy pokemon from attacking, as well as sending the trainers and pokemons against the walls.

- Serena, you know what this means right? - asked Aria

- Yes, Madam. Moltres is with us. Time to retreat - said Yvonne as both made all of their pokemon return to their pokeballs

Aria and Yvonne started escaping. Lilie tried to chase them, but both Khoury and her were tired and injured

- It was quite fun, but you seemed stronger in the Academy - said Yvonne before accidentally tripping on Fifi's crystal - Hey watch out! Oh, look at this perfect woman. And those two idiots - said serena as she looked at the mirror crystal before throwing it again

The rockets were finally able to stand up. They made their respective pokemon return, congratulating them for their hard work. Even if severely underleveled, they had done their best.

- Hey, Lillie. I wanted to apologize… I shouldn't have joked with that - apologized khoury the first chance he had

- Oh, it's about that… My young years weren't the best, you know? My mother was… abusive, to say the least. With my brother and me. And it triggered bad memories when you said the phrase. I'll try to control myself better next time… I'm really sorry for offending you

- It's fine, pal - he said hugging Lillie - You don't have to control yourself. It is fine if you feel like that after what you told me. I never met my mother myself, and I'm aware that those situations can be pretty hard

- You… you never mentioned that. I am really grateful for having friends who accept me for who I am, you know? Elio, Leaf, Selene, you… it makes me happy after all these years. But it wasn't like she was a complete monster, you know? There were moments… where she showed a heart. That she was capable of caring. After our encounter in Ultra Space… something changed on her. I think she was finally seeing the error in her ways. That's why I haven't given up on her, despite everything that happened. I've always firmly believed that people can change for the better

Khoury nodded and smiled. With a whistle he called Pelipper, who bought their first-aid-kit with him. The two started treating their injuries while discussing what to do next. They had to be ready to chase Team Flare to Cerulean City, where Lillie assumed they'll try to go after her mother. Their moment was broken when they heard a loud noise coming from the other side of the courtyard.

- The flares might have left a trap - said Lillie as she pushed Khoury behind some old machinery to hide

- If it's a bomb, better to run away - suggested Khoury before seeing what it really was- Oh my!

It actually was the crystal. It was shaking heavily and emitting beams of light. The three hid behind one of the old computers to not get blinded. Then a loud explosion came. They could see that shards of the crystal had ended in the walls. Khoury came out of their hiding place to see. There now was a woman where the crystal layed. She looked older than Lillie or her friends, probably in her late twenties or early thirties. She had short golden hair and blue eyes and wore a blue ribbon across the neck. She looked like an older Yvonne.