Who I Am - Lightning99

Chapter 44:

Aether Paradise

Lillie contacted Kukui on Ash's behalf after the Grand Trial. Unfortunately, he was booked up with apparent jobs and matches – for some strange reason, accidentally saying 'matches' distressed him into an incoherent ramble – so he couldn't assess Lycanroc for a few days. He assured Ash that he would visit when he could.

Ash, having finally completed his Akala trials, spent the waiting time resting. Resting and pondering, because there was still a lot he needed to resolve, externally and internally.

"Ash, what are you going to do now that your Grand Trial is finished?" Brock asked on an evening several days later. Clemont had just finished detailing a conversation he had had earlier with Bonnie to the pair and Hau, the only ones in the lobby except for Nurse Joy, whose head was nodding at the edge of consciousness.

"I'm not sure. Mallow mentioned some ideas for us to do as a group, so I might look into those."

"I see. In the meantime, my… practical interview, shall we say, went rather well. I was offered a chance to tour Aether Paradise tomorrow. Would you like to accompany me? Of course, you are also invited Clemont, Hau."

"We're allowed?" Ash asked.

"Yes, Mr Faba said I could bring a few friends if I wanted."

"I'd love to join you, thank you," Clemont said. "I have looked into them, and they have a lot of state-of-the-art technology. It would be inspiring to see it up close."

"Oooh, I wanna come!" Hau added, and Brock chuckled.

"Alright. We're leaving at about five in the afternoon, when Mr Faba is heading back, so meet me here at about half four."

"You got it," Ash said.

Before long, Nurse Joy's fatigue seemed to invade the group and they departed to their rooms for the night. Lillie was sat cross-legged on her bed watching her Pokémon egg, which was nestled on some pillows in front of her, with a book in one hand when Ash entered his. They exchanged a few pleasantries and a smile, and Ash prepared for bed. It was as he left the bathroom ready to perform his best impression of a zonked-out Snorlax that an idea came to him.

"Lillie, Brock has been invited to this place called Aether Paradise tomorrow, and a few of us are going with him. Would you like to join us? There's a lot to learn there, apparently, so I thought you might like it," Ash asked. But it was a question he immediately regretted when Lillie's book slipped through her hands, her pale complexion turned ghostly, and her eyes became distressed. Ash became alert. "Lillie? Are you alright?"

"Huh?" Lillie asked, and colour returned to her cheeks, a calm to her eyes. "Oh… I'm ok. Sorry, Ash."

"What are you sorry for?" Ash asked, shifting to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Oh, umm… I'm–I'm ok. Sorry, Ash, but I won't be able to join you. I have plans for tomorrow."

"Ah. No worries," Ash said, and he slipped into his bed. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Lillie said, but Ash could tell that she wasn't. And that made him more worried about her than ever.

Ash kept an eye on Lillie through the night. When she slipped into a peaceful sleep, he finally let the worry dissipate and allowed the allure of a nice lie-in in the morning, an event that was as rare for him as Sheer Cold hitting since he had embarked to Alola, to lull him to sleep.

Brock, for the first time in a while, found himself pacing. He could not stop hypothesising every way this afternoon could pan out. He was about to witness the workings of a like-minded, successful, and influential organisation, after all, and he had to impress them. But there was so much that could happen, so much that he might see, that it was hard to stay calm.

"Hey, Brock, were you waiting long?" Clemont asked as he, Ash, and Hau descended the stairs together. Brock could not help his relief when Ash's hat landed on his head, covering his improper bedhead.

"Not at all, you're right on time," Brock said, and they set off to their meeting place: the Hano Grand Resort.

Ash, Clemont, and Hau were discussing one of Clemont's newest ideas for an invention the whole way over, but Brock could not pay attention. He stared at the road ahead, ruminating on what he would say, with how much confidence and professionalism he was to carry himself.

"Woah…" Ash suddenly exclaimed, drawing Brock's eyes from the pavement. They fell upon the Hano Grand Resort.

Brock knew it was yet another hotel, and he had seen it from afar, but its splendour was much more miraculous than that of the Tide Song Hotel. A spotless, sparkling front plaza facing out to sea greeted them – on the water rested a pristine white boat. The hotel itself looked like a miniature castle with three spiring buildings, and it was backdropped by vibrant green mountains and flanked by a packed golden beach that hugged the side of the island. One glance at the fancy, luxurious décor and Brock knew it was the main resort people visited in Alola.

As intrigued as they might have been to survey more of the resort, they did not have a chance to venture further than the doorway. Faba met them there, pushing his glasses higher and taking in the four of them.

"Ah, Mr Harrison. I see you have brought some friends," Faba said.

"I hope that is alright," Brock said.

"Of course," Faba said. "Yes, it's a pleasure."

"Umm… We've met before," Ash muttered.

"Now then," Faba said, ignoring Ash, "You are aware, we are visiting Aether Paradise, yes? Just as the name suggests, it is a veritable paradise for Pokémon that floats far out in the sea surrounding Alola. It is an artificial island, made entirely by human technology, for the conservation and protection of Pokémon! Are you ready to depart?"

"Yes, sir," Brock said.

"Good, good. Then you'll come with me. Aether Paradise will amaze you!"

Faba marched ahead of them toward the boat docked just at the edge of the island. As they followed, Brock heard Ash sigh.

"Something about him doesn't sit right with me…" he said.

"You're just saying that 'cause he ignored you," Hau said, laughing.

"Maybe."

"Come along. I have to return rather promptly," Faba called to them, hopping onto the boat.

The four followed him on. They were cruising along the ocean more than a little bit faster and smoother than they had in Kukui's rickety old boat mere moments later. Ash and Hau lounged back on the comfy seats, glancing out of the window, and enjoying the trip while Brock and Clemont threw speculation back and forth as to what they were going to see. Brock would have asked Faba, but the man assumed a posture of self-importance, so it didn't seem wise to bother him.

"Can you believe a big hunk of iron like Aether Paradise can float in the sea?! I can't wait to actually go inside myself!" Hau exclaimed as the building appeared, a speck in the sea.

"It's amazing some of the things that can float in the sea…" Ash muttered, throwing Brock a side-ways glance. Brock chuckled, nodding.

When Aether Paradise was close enough to make out, Brock and Clemont joined the other pair in staring out of the windows.

The island was one huge, white facility, its surface gleaming under the Alolan sun. The front plaza was the only part of the exterior with some small amount of greenery, and it was bustling with Pokémon and people in the recognisable Aether Foundation uniforms. The main facility was one giant, square building with hundreds of windows, each tinted blue and shining. For a human-made island, it was quite a spectacular feat.

Instead of docking on the outer platform, the boat sailed around to the back of the island and inside. Large white shipping containers lined the walls of the dock, and a few workers were walking around with clipboards. In the distance, a lift was ascending with some people and a Sudowoodo riding it.

"Here we are. This is Aether Paradise," Faba said, stepping out of the boat when they stopped. "Aether Paradise is a facility created for the conservation of Pokémon. It has been outfitted with all of the latest technology for this purpose. Throughout the facility, we work on learning more about Pokémon, caring for them, and developing new items for the benefit of Pokémon, such as new Poké Balls. Yes, all for the sake of Pokémon conservation."

Brock saw Ash frown.

"You will not be able to use any of your Poké Balls within Aether Paradise. A jamming signal is broadcast throughout the facility to prevent them from functioning," Faba continued. "If you will follow me to the lift."

Faba moved on, and Brock and Ash caught each other's eye. Ash shook his head. Brock took that as a sign not to question him.

The lift descended as they reached it, carrying a curvaceous woman with voluminous purple hair and pink, wide-rimmed glasses. She, too, was wearing an Aether Foundation uniform. Like Faba's however, hers was unique. It had golden markings on it and consisted of a shawl-like jacket stopping at her waist and a pink jumper. If Brock were to guess, she and Faba must be higher-ranked staff members.

"Excuse me, Mr Faba…" the lady asked in a gentle voice.

"Yes, excuse you!" Faba replied, rather haughtily. "What is the meaning of that form of address? I have a title for a reason! How else will anyone know how important I am?"

The lady nodded. "Yes… Branch Chief Faba…"

"Now, I have a potential employee to give a tour of our labs and facilities to. However, I cannot allow ordinary citizens to view our labs. So, show these children around the upper floors while I show Mr Harrison here our work. Come."

"Oh uhh," Brock said as Faba stepped onto the lift. Brock glanced at the others.

"Go for it, Brock. We'll see you later," Ash said.

"Yes. As much as I would like to see the facilities, I understand," Clemont said. His sad smile betrayed his words, but Brock noted the sincerity in them.

"I will see you all later, then," Brock said, and he stepped onto the lift. The next moment, barriers raised around them, and he and Faba were shooting upwards.

Brock was thankful the lift ascended quickly because the dismissal of his friends had left him unwilling to speak with Faba for a brief moment. But that was not the only cause. The harshness with which he regarded that lady forced Brock to reassess the man's character. He had thought he was simply dutiful and self-assured, but Ash's frown made a lot more sense now.

There was something else that felt off about Faba, but Brock could not yet decide what it was.

Brock discarded his doubts as they stepped off the lift. The floor was split in two, each half secluded behind a wall of glass and a single door. As people moved in and out. Brock glimpsed surgical rooms and some playfully decorated ones through the doors on either side.

"Here is the floor on which you shall be working should you wish to join us," Faba said, stepping into the centre of the room. "On my left are the rooms in which our staff operate on injured Pokémon, and on my right are the recovery rooms. Before we let the Pokémon back out into the wild, we ensure that they are properly recovered either here or in the conservation room upstairs. We are a Pokémon conservation facility, after all."

Brock nodded. "I see."

"If you'll follow me," Faba said. He led Brock into one of the surgical rooms. It was kitted out with similar technology to a Poké-Centre, only some of it looked much more advanced. "Here is one such room. I assume you know how to work with such equipment, yes?"

"Yes, sir," Brock said. "I think I have a good grasp of everything in here."

"Excellent! Now, follow me this way," Faba said.

Faba guided Brock all over the floor, asking the same question in each room they visited: did he know what everything was and would he be able to use it. Brock answered yes, every time. In spirit, he could only thank the Nurse Joy in Viridian City for teaching him so well. When Faba was finished with what felt like a test rather than a tour, they returned to the lift.

Faba spun on his heels and flicked his glasses. "I like what I have heard. I would implore that you join us, Mr Harrison."

"Just… just like that?" Brock asked.

"Indeed. I saw your skills previously, did I not? All that is left is for you to accept a job here at our Pokémon conservation facility. You are quite talented."

"Thank you, Mr – Branch Chief Faba," Brock said. But he could not say anything more for a hint of doubt returned, and a frown nearly broke through his grateful expression. That notion of something about Faba being… odd resurfaced for a moment.

"Ah, and you address me by my title! Even better! Surely, you shall join our Pokémon conservation efforts?"

"Umm… Thank you. I appreciate the offer greatly. Could I have a little bit of time to think about it?" Brock asked. Before he had met Faba that morning, he would have accepted immediately. But now, something was holding him back.

"Yes, yes, of course. Now, that is not your tour done so quickly. No, no. If you will follow this gentleman," Faba gestured a man who stepped around the corner, "to the labs just a floor below here. I am sure you will enjoy seeing what we are working on. Sadly, I must head to work. But yes, think about it. Think. You would be invaluable to our Pokémon conservation efforts."

As Faba led him back to the lift, Brock realised what was bothering him about Faba. It was how often he mentioned their Pokémon conservation efforts. Why did Faba sound as if he were trying to convince himself that that was their goal?

"Something about that guy bothers me…" Ash muttered as Faba and Brock disappear upstairs.

"Phew…" the purple-haired woman breathed. She turned to the remaining trio and bowed gently, smiling. "Welcome to Aether Paradise. My name is Wicke."

"Alola!" Hau said at the same time Ash and Clemont said, "Nice to meet you." They give her their names in turn.

"Ah, you are Ash?"

"You know me?" Ash asked.

"Indeed. One of our employees on Akala Island told me about you and Brock helping them. And of course, I heard that you took Stufful with you. Thank you very much!"

"Oh, no worries. You seem much nicer than that Faba," Ash said.

"Now, now," Wicke said, chuckling. "Let me show you around. The main entrance is up above us, beyond the labs Brock and Faba are visiting."

"Don't you mean Branch Chief Faba?" Hau asked.

"Of course, of course," Wicke muttered, but she didn't correct herself. Ash couldn't help chuckling.

The lift descended and they headed upstairs, stopping on a railed-off platform in the centre of a lobby. Some people were stood by the lobby desks, rejuvenated Pokémon at their feet. On the other side of the room stood a large opening, through which Ash could vaguely see the outline of a mansion-sized building.

"This is the main entrance," Wicke said. "People make their requests for aid and any other such inquiries here."

"I see," Clemont muttered.

"Oh?" Wicke muttered, tilting her head towards Ash. "That emblem… Ash, are you a trial-goer?"

"I am, yeah. So is Hau."

"That's right!" Hau said.

"I see. And forgive me, but how old might you be?" Wicke asked.

"I'm sixteen," Ash said.

"Still fifteen here," Hau said.

"Me too," Clemont added.

"So, you started the challenge a little older, then?" Wicke asked.

"Yeah, I'd have started earlier, but I was a kid then. I'm glad I started now. My goal is to beat my gramps. He's way too strong right now, but because I'm older, I think a bit more, y'know?" Hau said.

"And Ash and I only came to Alola a short while ago," Clemont said.

"Ah, that makes sense. How… how lovely for you. I wish she would have met you…" Wicke said, whispering the final comment. But Ash heard her. He frowned. "I suppose all children must yearn to take a journey of their own choosing, especially when they are your age. Though you are hardly children anymore, are you? Now, would you like to see the conservation area upstairs?"

Without even waiting for a response, Wicke pressed the button and they ascended. This time, they emerged into a large, open room with a glass-domed roof. Walkways elevated from the ground weaved over and between sections of healthy flora, boulders, and streams, their beds lined with rocks. Pokémon bustled on the grass, in the trees, and beside the trickling streams, illuminated by the sun's golden dusk glow that leaked through the skylight roof. The atmosphere was tranquil, the sounds of all sorts of Pokémon somehow harmonious. The environment rested Ash's nerves, but his mind was still focused on what Wicke had said. It felt like there was a deeper meaning there somewhere.

"Aether Paradise is a haven for all Pokémon. For this reason, the use of Poké Balls is strictly forbidden within the conservation area," an automated voice spoke as they arrived.

Hau bounded forward, shouting in awe.

"Wow!" Clemont said, stepping forward also. "This is much more advanced than Professor Sycamore's lab."

"We keep any injured or endangered Pokémon here. We also provide support to Pokémon that need a little extra protection. Like Corsola, for example. They are quite terribly overhunted by a Pokémon called Mareanie."

"My gramps is always saying that nature's got its cruel side, sure as it gives us blessings," Hau said.

"Can the Aether Foundation really protect all the Pokémon that are out there?" Clemont asked.

"Nature does have its own balance, of course. It can be difficult to judge just how much we humans should try to affect that, can't it?"

"That's pretty amazing! The Aether Foundation seems awesome. But why'd you bother setting up a branch in a place like Alola?" Hau asked.

"I couldn't say… It's hard to know for sure what our president is thinking sometimes," Wicke said. Ash found himself frowning again. A genuine look of concern crossed Wicke's expression at those words. It was gone with Extreme Speed. "I believe President Lusamine is in the conservation area now. Would you like to meet her?"

"That would be amazing. Thank you," Ash said.

"Follow me," Wicke said. She led them around the various artificial environments in which various species of Pokémon mingled. Ash admired the scenery, appreciating the projected sense of security and conviviality until they arrived in a little outcrop and Wicke gestured to where the President stood.

Lillie. When his eyes rested on President Lusamine, Ash thought only of Lillie. It was the blonde of Lusamine's long, curved hair and the snow-white of her skin, features that so resembled Lillie, that made him think so. It was Lusamine's slim figure and the regal, elegant way she carried herself, too. She was an attractive woman, and there was no denying Lillie had inherited her beauty. Ash could only assume that Lusamine was Lillie's mother.

But there was one difference. The bright emerald of Lillie's eyes whenever he spoke to her seemed dimmed in Lusamine's.

"My sweet Pokémon… I promise I'll keep you safe…" President Lusamine said to a few Pokémon stood before her. They cooed to her words. "I'll protect you with my love…"

Yet again, Ash frowned as if the action was enforced upon him by the very building.

"President Lusamine, I have some people who would like to meet you," Wicke said, stepping forward.

Lusamine faced them, and Ash was even more certain that Lusamine and Lillie were mother and daughter. When she spoke, the smooth politeness in her voice was merely a mature version of Lillie's. "Ah… And who might these be?" Lusamine asked.

"This is Ash, Clemont, and Hau, ma'am. Ash and Hau are involved in the Island Challenge," Wicke introduced.

Hau and Clemont were quick to greet her, but Ash stalled while attempting to process his supposed realisation. He eventually greeted her too, but he was subdued because Lillie's hesitance to join them in their visit to Aether Paradise dashed to the forefront of his thoughts.

"It's a pleasure. Welcome to Aether Paradise. The Aether Foundation's own private island," President Lusamine said. She smiled, then, her long lashes beautifying her expression further. "I am the president of the foundation. But please, just call me Lusamine. I am so glad that there are people like you who aspire to learn more about Pokémon.

"Unfortunately, there are also those unfortunate people who harm Pokémon for their own selfish reasons or even for profit." Lusamine spread her arms out wide. "And that is why I am here. I will be like a mother to all of those poor Pokémon and shower them with love." Lusamine's smile brightened even more. "Even Pokémon from distant worlds, far from the Alola region, are worthy of my love."

"Wow, Miss Lusamine! I don't know how you do all this! You're, like, not even that much older than us!" Hau said.

Lusamine giggled, covering her mouth with her palm in a most proper manner. "Oh, you sweet boy! I'm already over forty!"

Ash was not as surprised as his companions. That revelation only made his theory more plausible.

"You are?" Hau paused. "Wait, what?!"

"Oh, you!" Lusamine said. "The right style does wonders, you know. And Hau, your style is a bit wanting, hm? I'll have to take you out sometime and help you pick a smashing outfit. You too, Clemont, dear. But you, Ash… Yes, yours is quite fitting."

"L-Like what you wear?" Clemont asked.

"Honestly, I don't think anyone else could pull off your kind of look, President Lusamine," Ash said, chuckling. Then, a quick thought came to him, a seed of mischievous intrusion that could confirm his theory. "Well, except maybe Lillie…"

Lusamine's face flitted through several expressions in a matter of seconds: obvious surprise, to understanding, then to something akin to pity, finally hardening on a certain authoritative strictness that only a mother could wear. There was some ominous air about her, but her surprise alone was enough to confirm everything Ash wanted to know. But he did not intrude any further. For Lillie's sake.

Was this, then, the reason Lillie didn't want to go to Aether Paradise? Did it have something to do with why she was not as ok as she claimed she was? A complex fusion of joy, anxiety, and curiosity grated against Ash's heart at the possibility of uncovering the secret he knew Lillie was hiding.

"Oh, don't you worry," Lusamine said, and her tone seemed to have reached absolute zero. But that cold was expertly masked as it seemed neither Hau nor Clemont had noticed, oblivious and unarmed with the revelation Ash had made as they were. Ash began to wonder if everything Lusamine had said thus far was a masquerade.

First Faba, now Lusamine. Why did everything feel off about Aether Paradise?

"You just leave everything up to me," Lusamine continued. "Trust me – children would all be much happier if they'd only listen to the adults around them."

Ash's speculation was confirmed at that moment. Something was going on between Lillie and Lusamine. He decided to change the subject immediately. Any further prying would be inappropriate.

But as Ash made to change the subject, the ground shook beneath them, rustling the flora and enforcing cries from the Pokémon. The artificial quake lasted only a few seconds, long enough to render the tranquil atmosphere eerily silent.

"What was that?" Wicke asked.

The air itself wavering as it does as a consequence of Psychic, only on a larger scale, followed the quake. Ash felt his consciousness sway slightly, and his body tottered with it. Then it stopped. It happened again, then a third time. Ash looked around. He was not the only disoriented one.

After a few more bouts of dizziness, Ash noticed a specific area of the outcrop where it seemed the air was pulling in on itself. He watched it as best he could through the strange phenomenon.

Then the sound of glass shattering deafened the conservation area. In the exact place where Ash was staring, the air fractured, and a varicoloured cylinder outlined by white lines that sprawled outwards like the roots of a tree formed.

Ash felt his body become paralysed. His eyes were wide open. His eyebrows were high. His heart was tensed. It seemed Clemont was experiencing something similar because up close, the cylinder looked like a wormhole, but whatever it was, it was the same as the one that had appeared in the sky before Pallet Town had been reduced to rubble.

But this time, the sky did not become an endless, starless night. Instead, a creature floated out from within. It was roughly human-sized, and its body was like white jelly, a mesh of tendrils forming what looked, strangely, like a cape or hair. Some of the tendrils were looser and mimicked arms and legs. On its head was a semi-translucent bubble marked with blue stars, under which was a wavy rim with a blue outline that flared upwards. It floated up like a bubble, then down, hovering in front of them, almost humanoid.

Was it a Pokémon?

Lusamine was the first to move. She stepped forwards. "You are—" she breathed, excitement and disbelief tangled in her breath. "Finally, I have found–"

The creature replied in a watery cry.

Ash moved next, spurred by the reappearance of the mysterious wormhole in the sky. He stepped in front of Lusamine, and Pikachu jumped from his shoulder.

"Miss Lusamine, stand back!" Ash said. "Whatever that wormhole is, it's dangerous!"

The creature cried again, pulling two of its tendrils together like hands.

"You poor creature…" Lusamine whispered. Ash stared at her, frowning again, vehemently this time.

"That thing isn't right… Go, Dartrix!" Hau called, stretching his Pokéball out, but nothing happened.

"You cannot use Poké Balls here!" Wicke reminded them.

"Argh!" Hau shouted. "Ash, distract it! We've got to get everyone outta here!"

"Right," Ash said, and he stepped an inch forwards with Pikachu.

"Wait–" Lusamine started, but Hau and Wicke ushered her backwards.

With another cry, the creature leaned back, its movements as smooth as a sailing cloud. Much like with a Totem Pokémon, some strange aura flared around the creature's body – this one was red, though. The creature unleashed what looked like a Venoshock.

"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Ash called. The two moves collided, cancelling one another out. But, despite Pikachu's experience and power, they barely equalled one another. "Again!"

Pikachu attacked, but the creature glided through the air, dodging it like a sentient bubble commanding the wind.

"Volt Tackle!" Ash called. Pikachu dashed forwards, backdropped by a shriek of 'Stop!' from Lusamine, and landed a powerful hit on the creature's bubblehead. Pikachu hit with such power that the creature soared almost as far back and high as the domed roof. When the creature floated back down, a spark of electricity went along it, preventing it from using whatever move it had planned.

Ash called for another Thunderbolt. This one hit, but the creature retaliated with another Venoshock. It struck Pikachu this time, and it hit with enough force to send him skidding back into the railing. He scrambled up, but his ears were folded over, and his cheeks were glowing purple with poison. This was not a normal Pokémon.

"Electro Ball, then Thunderbolt!" Ash called. The Electro Ball was easily evaded, but Ash thought where he wanted Pikachu to aim Thunderbolt and he aimed at the same place. The creature floated into Thunderbolt's path. Strangely, Ash noticed red sparks within the Thunderbolt again.

This time, the creature floated onto the ground for a moment. When it glided upright again, its body began to faze in and out of corporeality. It flickered for a few seconds before floating back into the wormhole, which then promptly vanished.

"No…" Lusamine muttered through the stunned silence as Ash crouched by Pikachu, who was struggling with the poison. "…It was here. It was so close… I need to get it back…"

"Lusamine?" Ash asked.

"Miss Lusamine! Are you ok?" Hau asked.

"Is everything alright?!" Ash suddenly heard. Brock bolted around the corner, looking out of breath. "I felt the rumbling. Did something happen?!"

"Everything is fine. You do not need to worry about a thing. Wicke," Lusamine said, turning. "Please see to it that they are returned to wherever they wish safely."

"O-oh! At once, ma'am!" Wicke said.

"Wait–" Ash said.

"I will check that none of our poor resident Pokémon came to any harm," Lusamine said. "And I need to speak with Mr Faba to see if he knows what happened."

With that final word, Lusamine left.

Wicke turned to them. "Well then. Shall we?"

Whatever just happened was a complete whirlwind, but they listened. As they followed Wicke away, as Hau relayed what happened to Brock, Clemont shakily questioned the whole ordeal sharing terrified glances with Ash, and Brock explained his job opportunity, Ash considered everything he had seen, and Lillie and Lusamine. Something wasn't right about the Aether Foundation.

Lillie spent most of that day cooped up in her room regretting and questioning why she was incapable of expressing her problems to Ash no matter her overwhelming desire to do so and his equally overwhelming desire to help her. She had another chance to explain herself last night, but the mere mention of Aether Paradise, her former home, had deterred her. It had even made her want to convince them not to go for the chance they were to meet her.

But, after some consideration, she realised this could be a favourable chance. If Ash were to make the connection, he could start the conversation, and then she might have an easier time opening up. That was the hope she clung to.

"Ash isn't here? Great!" Lillie heard Dawn say while she descended the stairs to get a healthy snack Mallow had made earlier – she needed something to settle her anxiety. The next moment, Lillie flinched, yelping when Dawn nearly headbutted her.

"Lillie! Sorry. I was just about to come and find you," Dawn said.

"It's alright. Do you need me for something?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to come for a walk with me. I'm getting some food and going to the beach. There's… something I need to talk to you about."

Lillie knew what that something was: her emotional reaction to Ash's story. She knew Dawn would not have forgotten about it. The imaginary call of her comfy bed and Pokémon egg upstairs, which she had left Mallow to look after for a little while, was a much more compelling way to spend her time, but Lillie nodded even if the thought of discussing this worsened her already shaky nerves. She followed Dawn outside anyway because she needed somebody to talk to and, feelings wise, she could not talk to Ash or Mallow.

As Dawn suggested, they purchased some snacky food at a café and ate as they wandered along the beach which was relatively vacant as the sun began to set for the evening. A few stragglers were left. A smiling mother and her daughter stole Lillie's attention before Dawn started talking.

"This is random, but do you think those performers in Konikoni City, Ida and Kanoa, would take on an apprentice?"

"Do-Do you mean yourself?" Lillie asked.

"Yeah. It's something I've been considering. It's nice being here in Alola, but I'm not really doing anything right now. Their performance was unique. I think that was the Alolan style. If I can learn it, I think I can make my performances even better."

"That sounds like an excellent idea. They seemed to be rather laid-back. I'm sure they would not mind helping you."

"You think so?" Lillie nodded. "Alright. I'll go for it!"

"If you are nervous to do it by yourself, you could ask Lana if she would like to join you. She said after the performance that she was impressed by their Water-Type capabilities. Being a Water-Type trainer herself, I think Lana would benefit from it."

"That's a great idea! Thank you, Lillie," Dawn said.

"Ah. You're welcome," Lillie said. She felt her cheeks rising in a smile. She and Dawn had not spoken much yet, especially not one-on-one. It felt like she was making another new friend.

When they reached the end of the beach, Dawn gestured to a flat, dry rock among a pile the waves had been crashing into and they sat down, watching the sky.

"Thank you again, Lillie. But that… was not exactly what I wanted to talk about," Dawn said eventually.

Lillie took a deep breath and forced herself to look Dawn in the eyes.

"I wanted to ask about your reaction to Ash's story and… sorry if it's personal, but your feelings…"

"I-It's ok… I…" Lillie did not know what to say. She considered her words for a moment. Dawn did not pressure her.

Lillie could not say anything. She froze up, as she did every time she tried to talk to Ash. But this was different because what she wanted to tell Ash was significantly harder to talk about and, if she was honest, a part of her wanted to express this side of her feelings, to discover what it all meant. Mallow was the first person she had opened up to about her fear of Pokémon, Ash was the only person she wanted to open up to about anything else, but now maybe she could open up to Dawn with the one thing she could not talk to either of them about. So, she took a few deep breaths and mustered all of her courage. She finally spoke.

"H-Hearing the story of what happened between Ash and the girl he… and hearing that he could still…" Lillie couldn't say the word, but Dawn nodded anyway. "It hurt. I-I don't know why, but it did."

Lillie could have cried from the relief finally saying something gave her. To have someone to talk to seemed to be more freeing than she could have anticipated.

"I could tell," Dawn muttered, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"What does it mean?" Lillie asked.

"I… I think you are the only one that can answer that, Lillie."

"But I've never felt this before…"

"Then, let me ask you something, Lillie," Dawn said. "Are you in love with Ash?"

"L-Love?!" That was all Lillie could say before her embarrassment and nervousness set her cheeks aflame and frayed her nerves. Hearing Dawn's light laughter was mortifying.

"I knew you would react like that," Dawn said. "But I mean this genuinely now, Lillie. How do you feel about Ash?"

"I…I don't know," Lillie said.

"Just speak your heart," Dawn said.

So, she did. She opened the lock, and everything tumbled out.

"Ash… He's… For the first time in my life, I have somebody that I feel completely comfortable around. Somebody I can trust with all my heart. I can be myself around him and I don't have to worry about anything. I… want to spend all of my time around him. I am happy when he is, and whenever he is sad, I feel the same. He is making the biggest effort to help me through my struggles, even more than I am willing to make sometimes. I have not known him for long, and Ash has already changed my life and I cannot thank him enough for everything he has already done for me. But I…I've never felt this before, so I don't know what it means. Am I just relying on him? Is all of this normal with friends?"

"I don't think that's normal with friends, no," Dawn said.

"T-Then is this what falling for somebody is like? I have never experienced it before. I'm confused. And I'm scared of finding out. Ash has been through so much, so if it turns out that I have f-feelings for him, how will that affect him? The same thing that happened with Mallow could happen again… And how could I do anything to hurt Mallow in that way? If I do feel something for Ash, it would feel wrong… I don't know what to do…"

Dawn sat in silence as Lillie's ramble settled. Little tears had appeared in the corners of her eyes.

"I can't say for you, Lillie, but this sounds like more than a crush. It sounds like love…" Dawn said.

"I… I love Ash?" Lillie asked.

"That is for you to figure out. But I will say something," Dawn said. "There is nothing wrong with it if you do. You are not betraying Mallow. We don't choose who we fall in love with, not really. Feelings are kind of like that. And if you do love Ash, maybe you could be the one to help him truly heal. You just have to be a bit more confident in yourself."

"You think so?"

"I do. Now come on, wipe your cheeks and let's head back. I didn't mean to make you so emotional…" Dawn said.

"It's alright," Lillie said, wiping at her cheeks and taking Dawn's hand. She pulled her to her feet. "I… I think I needed this. Thank you, Dawn."

"We may not have spoken much, but what're friends for, right? Sometimes, it's easier opening up to someone you're not too familiar with," Dawn said.

Lillie smiled, and they headed back. The whole way, which was thankfully quiet, Lillie thought of everything both she and Dawn had said. Was she in love? Could she really be the one to help Ash heal? Was all she needed a bit of confidence?

Lillie did not stop thinking even as she sat alone in her bedroom, on her bed, staring around the room deep in thought as nighttime covered Alola. That was when her eyes landed on a bag placed at the foot of the bed. It was the bag that contained the clothes she had bought with Mallow a while ago. The clothes that were more Mallow's style, clothes for a more confident person.

Lillie sat up a little straighter. She eyed the bag for a long time, considering Mallow's remark of being confident in picking it out and Dawn's earlier words:

You just have to be a bit more confident in yourself.

Before she could convince herself otherwise and her overactive mind could stop her, Lillie closed the curtains and took the bag into the bathroom. She changed into the new outfit and stepped back into the main bedroom in front of the mirror.

It started completely fine. She turned side to side, admiring something different, feeling the breeze and some strands of her hair tickling her belly. A surge of something rebellious, something confident did hit her, but then her mind threw forward those overpowering doubts, and she froze. Embarrassment and sadness consumed her. She couldn't do it.

But as she decided to change back, the door clicked open.

Ash stepped inside.

Hi!

I have finally finished everything that was busying me! So, I should be able to write a bit more!

I took a fair bit of inspiration from this part of the game for this chapter because some of the dialogue fitted what I wanted to convey very well with just a few tweaks. We're gradually starting to see a bit more of some other characters' stories.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think!