Rotom informed Alex that her next location was in Heahea City. She felt like it had been ages since she was last there... She nearly walked over the entire island. She followed Rotom's map to the large building with a steel, solid fence around it. Standing at the glass doors, waiting outside, was Lillie and Nebbie. "Hey, Lillie!" Alex called out, rushing towards her. She hadn't seen her in quite some time!
"Go, Nebby! Use... use Splash!" Lillie shouted to Nebby. The Pokemon turned, looking at her with a face that said it had no idea what she was saying. Lillie chuckled shyly. "I was just acting like I was Alexandra." She sighed softly and walked closer to the little Pokemon. "You... you always seemed to end up getting hurt, Nebby. Seeing that pained me just as much as if I was the one being hurt. But if I could become as strong as Hau and Alexandra are... then maybe things would be different..."
Oh my, that's so cute! Alex blushed, squeezing her arms against her chest tightly. She felt like she forgot how adorable and sweet Lillie was.
Nebby glanced over and saw Alex, and cried out to her. It started to float its way over to her, and Lillie turned to see where it was headed. "Oh!" she said when she saw Alex and walked over to stand beside Nebby. "Um, oh, Alexandra, hello," she said nervously, blushing lightly. "I feel like it's been a while since we last met."
Alex nodded. "Yeah, I was actually thinking the same thing."
"Th-there's a laboratory here that studies the dimensions, did you know?" Lillie mumbled, gesturing to the building behind her. "And the professor is waiting to meet you!" Did the professor here know Kukui then? He was the one who mentioned it.
"How... how were your trials? It must be quite trying to do three in a row."
Alex sighed. "It was really tough, actually..."
Lillie giggled shyly and shook her head. "I would think so... but still! You made it through all three! I think that explains it. The reason you look so content and understood by Dartrix there, I mean."
Alex smiled warmly. "Yeah, I guess that's true, huh? It was hard, but my Pokemon and I conquered the trials, and we're closer for it." Lillie smiled as well, and the two walked into the building.
The two took the elevator up and Kukui was there waiting for them. He walked to the next room and waved. "Hey there, honey!" he called to a woman there.
The woman glanced over with a smile. "Oh, hi!" Lille was over with her. The two approached Alex and Kukui.
"This here's Professor Burnet," Kukui explained. "She runs the Dimensional Research Lab, yeah... And she's also my wife!"
Alex widened her eyes. This was his wife? She was so pretty! "You're Alexandra, right? Lillie told me about you," Professor Burnet said. "She said you were the reliable sort. Three months ago... I found Lillie lying on a beach. Cosmog in her bag was also unconscious." Lillie was just... unconscious on a beach? What happened to her, then?
Professor Burnet looked around. "Hm? No Hau today?"
"Hau? He's out doing his own thing," Kukui replied. "But he'll be the real deal someday... He could even become a kahuna, just like old Hala before him!"
"You really think so?!" Hau shouted and rushed into the room.
"Whoa-ho! Well, yeah, I really do," Kukui said with a grin.
"Good to see you again, Hau! It's been a while since I last saw you," Burnet said.
"Anyhow, I brought Alex here because I wanted you to tell her about some of the mysterious phenomena here in Alola," Kukui said, turning to his wife.
""I'd be happy to! The mysteries of Alola, huh? Then you've got to mean..." she paushed, "the Ultra Wormhole!"
"The Ultra Wormhole? What is that?" Alex asked.
"It's extremely rare, but sometimes a hole opens in the sky over Alola," Burnet explained. "It appears that this rift leads to a different and unknown dimension. The reason that people think there may be a mysterious dimension is because of the legends of fearsome Pokemon appearing from the Ultra Wormhole." Nebby mumbled a small cry.
"It's very weak as proof, but I can't ignore it," she continued. "There is also plenty of evidence already in the Pokedex for the existence of different dimensions, right?" Alex cocked her head to the side. Did it?
"Fearsome Pokemon...?" Hau mumbled, looking to Kukui for an answer.
"Even normal wilde Pokemon sometimes attack people, right? But the Pokemon that appeared from the Ultra Wormhole went way beyond that," Burnet said. "They were called Ultra Beasts... and they were feared. If the stories are to be believed, the guardian deities of the islands fought desperately against them. But like I said, it's all legends and folktales. It's hard to know how much is true. But I would be very happy if I could somehow unravel the mysteries of the Ultra Wormhole by studying the dimensional disturbances! We've recorded several known relationships between Pokemon and different dimensions in books. You can find them on the bookshelves in this lab."
"I might take a look at those books then," Alex said. She glanced over at Lillie and walked over to her. "Hey there, Lillie... What did Burnet talk about? When she found you?"
"You want to known what happened three months ago? Well, I'd wanted to learn more about Nebby... I mean, about Cosmog, so I decided to come speak to Professor Burnet. But I got lost along the way... and ended up wandering about until I collapsed on the shore..." She glanced over to Burnet, who was speaking to another assistant. "She listened to my story, staying up all night to hear it all. And then she even got her husband, Professor Kukui, to lend me his loft to stay in... And she told him to help me investigate Nebby's origins, too. Professor Burnet has been so kind, and she's still helping me try to find a way to find a way to get Nebby back to its own home..." Alex looked over at Nebby, who was floating contently at Lillie's feet. "She's been like... like a real mother to me."
Alex smiled. "She does seem really nice." She left and went over to one of the bookshelves. "Brozong..." she mumbled, opening one of the books. "'It brought rains by opening portals to another world. It was revered as a bringer of plentiful harvests.'" She flipped through the book. "'Giratina. This Pokemon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.' I remember hearing that it lived in an alternate dimension... 'Palkia. Its total control over the boundries of space enable it to transport itself to faraway places or even other dimensions.' So this dimensional Pokemon theory is in Sinnoh?" She put the book back and went over to Burnet. "So the idea is in Sinnoh, too?"
Burnet nodded. "We've recorded several known relationships between Pokemon and different dimensions in books." Alex nodded in thought. It was an interesting idea... Would she ever be able to see an Ultra Wormhole herself?
Alex walked over to the elevator to leave. "How about it, Alex?" Kukui was waiting at the elevator. "If Ultra Beasts are really out there, I wonder what kind moves they can use..." He grinned. "You've finished all three of Akala's trials. Woo! And now comes the big match against Olivia- the island kahuna! It's the biggest and baddest trial of them all here on Akala- the grand trial! "
Burnet and Lillie approached as well. "Good luck!" Burnet said. "Olivia's house is passed Diglett's Tunnel. It's in Konikoni City!"
Lillie nodded. "I still have some things I want to talk to Professor Burnet about, so I'll stay here." So Lillie would be safe, at least."
"Being able to go to more places really make it feel like you're growing along with your partner Pokemon, huh? It's pretty great!" Hau added.
Alex nodded and smiled. "I totally agree." Alex left the lab; it was time for her to go to Diglett's Tunnel to face the grand trial. She stepped outside and her eyes widened. A glowing slit appeared in the sky, and vanished just as quickly. "Wh-what was that just now?" Alex gasped. It looked like... a crack in the sky?!"
"Hey, Alex!" Hau called, coming out from behind her, making her jump. "So you've made it through all three captains' trials, yeah? Then you should go meet Kahuna Olivia! She lives in the town passed Diglett's Tunnel." Hau passed, looking thoughtful. "Diglett's Tunnel is... let's see... From here, it's kind of near the PMC! It's easy to walk right passed it, though, so keep your eyes peeled!" Hau ran off. "Now it's malasada time for me!" he shouted and disappeared around the corner.
Alex's eyes darted her eyes up to the sky again, but it was its usual calm blue. Nothing unusual at all... Alex shook her head. Was it possible she just imagined it? Who knows... It was time to reach Konikoni City for the grand trial.
Just before the Pokemon Center, a path cut straight into the mountain. "This must be Diglett's Tunnel," Alex said to herself and went inside.
It was like a deep and ongoing cavern. The Diglett really dug all of this out? "This is amazing!" she gasped, looking up at the tunnel ceiling. The just cut right into the mountain!
She walked deeper inside and saw Olivia talking to a pair of Aether Foundation people. The two Aether people nodded and left. Olivia turned towards the entrance Alex came in and saw her on the path. "Hmm? Oh, Alexandra, wasn't it?" Alex nodded. "This cave is really something, y'know? It's overflowing with these Pokemon called Diglett, and they are getting out of hand. Mediocre trainers can't even get through! So, how's your island challenge going? Let me see which crystals you've earned." Alex dug into her bag and showed her the crystals she got from Lana, Kiawe, and Mallow. "Ooh, look at you, Alex! Nice work! I see you've even passed Mallow's trial."
Alex nodded. "Of course!"
"It's about time you had some fun with me! The Diglett have settled down, too. If you are as strong as you appear, you should be able to make it through this cave. At the other end of it, you'll find Konikoni City. That's where my shop is. I'll see you there!" Alex nodded and began to explore the tunnel.
Alex went deeper into the tunnel and saw the two Aether employees stood in the path. The girl huffed. "With Olivia in charge, we've finally managed to make some headway with the Diglett. "
The man looked over and saw Alex. "Oh, Alola!" he caleld out to her. "We're members of the Aether Foundation. We work to support Pokemon conservation. It seems like Team Skull was responsible for the Diglett in this cave getting so riled up and bringing them to the surface." Alex sighed. Those idiots again...
"Oh, team Skull is this group of troublemakers, you see... They seem to delight in interfering with trainers and their Pokemon. "
"Yeah, I've encountered them quite a bit..." Alex groaned.
"Diglett normally live in elaborate systems of underground tunnels that take years to dig out," the man explained. We're here to ensure that they return to their tunnels and let people pass through here without having to fight so many Pokemon."
"Some of the Diglett are still stuck on or near surface, though, so be careful!" the woman added.
Alex nodded. "I will do my best." The Aether employees nodded and continued deeper into the tunnel.
On one of the paths, a pair of Team Skull members were squatting there, blocking it. "Ahh, no way..." groaned the male member. "Just when things were startin' to heat up, yo, I got surrounded by Diglett and beat up, yo! Yo, since when can Diglett use Beat Up?!" The pair stood up. "I'm so mad now that I want to beat up on some fools. Don't be mad 'cause you were the fool who was dumb enough to be here right now." Alex rolled her eyes.
"Alex!" Hau called and ran up to her. "Aue! I was wondering who you were playing around with without me, and it's Team Skull!"
"Of course," Alex grumbled. "Who else would waste my time so much?"
"You want some?" the grunt barked at Hau. "That's how we say hello! Nice knowing you, punks!"
"Yo, step off! Enough with the beating up, yo!" the girl shouted.
"We may not be trying to take over the world or nothing, but we're still hard as bone out here!" The two grunts took off.
"See you on the flip side!" Hau called after them and waved. Alex sighed and shook her head. "Man, Alex, when I fight with you... It's like even my Pokemon feel more at ease! You really are some kind of trainer."
Alex smiled. "Yeah, I feel the same way. My Pokemon really seem to enjoy fighting with yours as well."
"That's it! I've just gotta give you something!" Before she could protest, he gave her more healing items for her Pokemon. "Now I'm gonna go have some more fun with those Diglett! See ya!" He excitedly ran off into the tunnel.
Alex finally found the sun shining into the cave. The exit! Alex ran into it and into the new area. The first thing was a building to her right. A man in a brown trench coat walked out of the building and looked at Alex. "Oh?! A trial-going trainer, you are?"
"Uh... yeah..."
"Look is my name. I travel the world, and many lands do I visit for... my own private reasons." Alex narrowed her eyes. What was that supposed to mean? "Alola is a nice place and so very peaceful. Most ideal for a vacany. I was just in Konikoni City, where I got a most unusual stone at Ms. Olivia's shop! No one here is so terrible as to try to create a new world... or liberate all Pokemon from their trainers. Yes, peaceful indeed..." Wait, I thought Team Skull stole people's Pokemon? He folded his arms. "Though concerns I have about those reported sightings of the infamous Pokemon mafia..."
"What? Pokemon mafia?"
"Ah, forgive me for keeping you! I will give you this Thunder Stone if you forgive my rudeness. I bought three without thinking!" Looker held out a Thunder Stone to her.
"Oh, thank you!" Alex happily took the stone and put it in her bag.
"Do have a good adventure, my trial-going young trainer friend!" Looker nodded and walked away.