Chapter 53: The Aftermath

Within the hour, Global Police Agents had the whole island surrounded. While Giovanni and Archer had managed to escape, the remaining grunts were rounded up and hauled off to prison, including Petrel, Proton, and Ariana. Faba was nearly foaming at the mouth as he was dragged away. Ash and company were being checked over for any injuries, which they weren't apart from a few scratches.. However, Gladion and Lillie barely said a word, Lillie nearly catonic after seeing her mother disappear to save her life. At the moment, she just stared as a group of agents attempted to pry open Nebby's prison. After a while, Looker came in.

"Excuse me, but my commander would like to have a word with all of you."

Nodding, the group made their way into the office that was being used as the temporary base for the GP. When Ash saw who Looker's boss was, his jaw dropped to the floor.

"Anabel?"

"Hello, Ash. Long time no see."

Ash's friends looked on in shock as Ash and Anabel caught up.

"Miss Anabel, you know this young man?"

"Of course I do. After all, how can I forget the challenger that gave me my best battle in my entire career as a Frontier Brain?"

"But what are you doing with the Global Police?"

Anabel laughed before telling he story.

"Well, you know about my Psychic abilities, right? Well the Global Police hired me many years ago to help settle tension between Pokemon that threatened nearby cities. They were so impressed by my empathetic abilities that I found myself raising through the ranks rather quickly."

Her face fell.

"Then came the day... I was out in the field here in Alola, trying to calm down tensions near the Ruins of Conflict, when all of a sudden I got the most unusual feeling. It was a feeling of pain and despair. Then, the sky darkened and a crack appeared. The most unusual creature I had ever seen emerged from it. It was a towering... thing that appeared to be made out of living electricity. Despite my best efforts, the thing seemed immune to my psychic abilities. All of a sudden, I just...collapsed, the effort of trying to put the beast at ease had drained me of all my energy. I nearly died."

A shocked gasp rang out through the room.

"When I came to, I was in the hospital with my superior looking over me. Fortunately, my team had found me and quickly escorted me to safety. According to him, they had managed to repel the beast, and it fled back through the barrier."

Anabel sighed sadly.

"I was glad that no one else was hurt, but I knew I couldn't continue working. What if next time no one found me in time? I would be dead, and whatever I was fighting would run rampant. As soon as I was discharged from the Hospital, I put in my letter of resignation. After that, I led a quiet life until my old friend Scott came looking for strong trainers to lead his Battle Frontier. And the rest is history."

"But why come back now?"

Anabel closed her eyes, reflecting on the events that brought her to this point.

"Even though I had retired from the force, I still kept in contact with the organization. When I heard about Team Rocket's plans for The Ultra Beasts, I knew I had to step in. Whether i lived or not, I couldn't live with myself if I let these freaks destroy the world for their own machinations. The chief knew well my reputation, and put me in charge of the mission. Once Looker alerted me that Team Rocket was in the final phases of their plan, I knew I had to act fast. I only wish I could've gotten here sooner."

Ash put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Don't beat yourself up over it. You're only human."

Anabel smiled, hiding her blush. Before anyone could say anything else, a scientist came in with urgent news.

"Forgive the interruption, but we've cracked the containment unit on Cosmog."

"Nebby!"

Lillie burst out of the room and ran to the laboratory, the others in hot pursuit. But before he could follow them, Anabel held him back.

"Ash, I know you want to what's right, and that you'll want to help defend Alola from the Ultra Beasts. But I beg you, please stay out of it."

"I'm sorry Anabel, but I can't. I've seen what happens when people let these things go on a rampage unchecked."

"What do you-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Lillie's scream cut their conversation short. Running towards her, they found her slumped over Nebby's prison, crying.

"Lillie, what's wrong?"

Lillie rose up, revealing Nebby. Or at least, what they assumed was Nebby, as he looked almost completely different.

"Something's wrong with Nebby. He...he's not moving."