And here we are folks, Aether Paradise! The happiest place on earth...primarily because it has a lady who has a squid fetish...the Pokemon world is weird. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 14-Paradise?
After what felt like hours on the choppy waters of Alola, the small boat finally docked in Aether Paradise. The small group of three got out of the boat and already Collin could feel how cool it was compared to the heat of Alola. Hau was looking around with amazement across his face.
"Wow! This place is huge!" he cried. His excitment got the best of him and he tried to make a break for it, before Faba blocked his way.
"Calm down boy! The Aether Paradise isn't a playground!" he said sternly. This calmed Hau down right away.
"S-S-Sorry sir! It's just this place is so cool!"
"Indeed. I suppose I should get the introduction out of the way. Welcome to Aether Paradise. It has been outfitted with the latest technology to created a conservation for Pokemon. On the main floor is the reception and the Aether House, home of Lusamine Aether, president of the Aether Foundation. The top floor is Pokemon Conservation Area. And finally, the floor below us is Research and Development." The last part caught Collin's interest.
"What are you currently doing in R&D?" he asked.
"Well most of it is classified information, but I can confirm we are currently developing a brand new Pokeball. Though it might be years from now for it to be out in the public."
"Ah. Shame, I'd like to know more about it." said Collin.
"Maybe one day my boy." he said with a smirk on his face. "Shall we continue our tour?" asked Faba.
"Yes sir!" replied Hau and the three continued their way along the docks. When they got to what looked like an elevator, a rather busty woman wearing glasses appeared in front of them.
"Excuse me...Mr Faba..." said the woman. This infuriated the man for some reason.
"YES EXCUSE YOU! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT NOT USING MY TITLE! I HAVE IT FOR A REASON YOU KNOW!" he shouted. "HOW ELSE WOULD PEOPLE KNOW WHO I AM?!" Collin and Hau were shocked at the man's angry and weren't sure what to think of him now.
"...Yes...Branch Manager Faba..." said the woman weakly. Faba calmed down to his normal self now.
"Now I must speak to the President about what has happened on Akala Island...and your behavior towards your superior. Make yourself useful and show these two around. And have them meet the President too." he said, walking into the elevator and went down into R&D. The woman seemed to finally seemed to calm down.
"Phew..." said the woman. "Welcome to Aether Paradise Collin and Hau, my name is Wicke." she said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you-wait how do you know our names?" asked Collin, worried about them finding out his past.
"Oh, one of our members brought you up when you drove off Team Skull." Collin breathed a sigh of relief.
"And what about me?" asked Hau.
"Oh we know about the Grandson of one of the Kahuna's of Alola." she said with an even brighter smile.
"Wow! I didn't think people would know about me!" he said.
"Indeed. So would you two like to see the Conservation Area?" she asked.
"Yes please!" the two males said.
"Well then, let's zip right up!" said Wicke, guiding them to the elevator and pushed a button, allowing it to go up. Collin wasn't feeling to comfortable after what Faba said to Wicke. It didn't sit well with him at all.
"Sorry Miss Wicke, but does Faba say that to you all the time?" asked Collin as the elevator continued it's way up.
"Oh no. He's just embarrassed because there was people around. Don't worry about it." she said with a smile. But it was a smile that Collin knew was fake, however he decided not to pry for now as they continued their way up to the Conservation Area.
When the elevator stopped, Collin and Hau were greeted by flora and fauna of all sorts. The place really lived up to it's name as a paradise. Wicke coughed to catch the boys attention.
"Welcome to the Conservation Area. Here, we keep Pokemon that were targeted by Team Skull and other people who abuse Pokemon. Also it for those Pokemon who need a little extra protection to keep them alive and well in Alola." explained Wicke.
"Wow. That's amazing!" said Hau, looking at some Corsola.
"It's great to have a place like this. It's a wonder no other region has something like this." said Collin.
"Well we are hoping to expand our brand in the future so that every region can have a Conservation Area for all Pokemon in danger or abused. It's truly amazing." she said. There was a phone ringing and Wicke answered it and hanged up just as quick. "I've just been informed that President Lusamine is in the middle of the Conservation Area. If you follow the path here, you'll meet her no problem."
"Thanks Miss Wicke." said Collin and the two boys followed the path they were told. When they got to the middle, they saw a blond haired woman, looking at some Pokemon.
"My sweet babies. I will keep you safe." she whispered until she noticed the two boys behind here. "Ah! You two must be Hau and Collin. Welcome to Aether Paradise." she said.
"Thank you for having us Madam President." said Collin formally. Lusamine could only giggle.
"Oh no need to be so formal Collin. Just Lusamine will do."
"Aether Paradise is so cool Miss Lusamine. It feels so futuristic!" said Hau.
"Thank you Hau. I'm glad you're enjoying your visit here." she said calmly. "I can already tell that you two take good care of your Pokemon...but I'm sure you are aware of those people who attack Pokemon and abuse them. I can't stand it."
"I agree. People like that deserve to be in jail. No good comes out of abusing Pokemon." said Collin, thinking back to his past.
"Indeed. That's why I'm like a mother to all these Pokemon. They are like my children." she said.
"Wow! All of this and so young too!" said Hau.
"Oh you sweet boy. I'm already forty years of age!" she said giggling at the shocked face of the young man. "I do have to say Collin, your style is pretty fashionable." Collin looked at his black shorts and shirt confused.
"Oh um...I just threw these on me. I'm not really one for fashion." he said.
"That just means you're a natural! Hau, your style seems to be waiting. I'm sure we can find something amazing for you to wear."
"You mean it?!" said Hau, who was jumping up and down.
"Oh yes. Leave it to me. Children are much more happier when they listen to adults." she said. This comment felt off to Collin but his train of thought was cut off by a sudden rumble.
"W-W-What's that?!" cried Hau. A flash of light appeared in front of the small group and with looked like a wormhole appeared.
"An Ultra Wormhole." said Collin, amazed. A creature seemed to come out of the wormhole. It had no eyes and multiple tentacles coming out from it's head. Despite the lack of emotion, it looked like it was ready to attack. "Hau, protect the President! I'll deal with this git!" said Collin, getting his Pokemon ready.
"Oh? Did you come from another world? You poor creature." she whispered as Hau used his body to protect her. Collin stood his ground and prepared to attack.
"GO DARTRIX!" he shouted and the Pokemon came out. "Use Razor Leaf!" The leafs shot out and attacked the creature, but they seemed to bounce off. "What?!" he shouted. Without warning, the creature shot rocks, which looked like Ancient Power and one shot Dartrix. "DARTRIX RETURN!"
"Collin! I think it's too powerful! Your Pokemon could get hurt!" shouted Hau.
"GO SALANDIT!" he shouted, not listening to Hau and throwing out another Pokemon. Just like before, the Pokemon attacked and it did nothing, and was knocked out in one hit. "GO CRABRAWLER!" Like before, tried to hit but to no avail and was knocked out completely. "DAMN IT! GO PRINPLUP!" shouted Collin in a last attempt to attack. "USE BUBBLE BEAM!" Once again, no luck and the creature dodged Collin's attack. The creature used Ancient Power again and connected with Prinplup, knocking him out as well. "NO!" shouted Collin, returning Prinplup to his ball. With on final attack, the creature aimed for Collin.
"COLLIN!" shouted Hau. It looked like it was over for Collin, when suddenly the creature and it's attack disappeared. Collin was still stunned by the attacks the creature dealt to his Pokemon, until Lusamine spoke up.
"I need that Pokemon." she said.
"Miss Lusamine?" asked Hau. Lusamine then had a wicked smile across her face. A very uncomfortable, wicked smile.
"That was an Ultra Beast that came from the Ultra Wormhole, an unknown dimension to us. It looked like it was suffering." Her smile grew wider and it seemed only Collin noticed. "I can't bare to see it in pain. I will have it...I will love it!"
"Uh...Lusamine?" asked Collin. She snapped out of it and looked flustered
"Oh...um...thank you Collin. And thank you Hau. I don't know what could have happened if you two weren't here." she said. Collin wasn't convinced she meant that. "Wicke, I think we've taken up enough time for these two. They are on their Island Challenge, are they not?"
"O-OH! Yes Madam President. They are about to go to Ula Ula Island." confirmed Wicke.
"Very well. Let's do these boys a favor and send them have a boat send them to Ula Ula Island."
"Yes Madam President. Come along you two." she said as the group made their way back to the elevator.
"Man that was scary...and awesome! I can't wait to tell Professor Kukui and Lillie what happened!" said Hau. Collin noticed Lusamine stopped for a second and he looked at her face. Briefly, he saw the same wicked grin that she gave when talking about the Ultra Beast. When they got to the elevator, Lusamine stayed.
"I'll need to report what has happened here to Faba. And Wicke, once you get back to the lab, tell the staff that they are on their greatest duty yet. Protection of the Ultra Beasts!" she said.
"Yes Madam President."
"Good. As for you two," she said looking at Hau and Collin smiling. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your Island Challenge. Good luck!"
"Thank you Miss Lusamine!" said Hau as the elevator went down. Wicke turned to Collin for a second.
"Allow me to heal your Pokemon as a thanks for protecting the President. You really got yourself into a lot of danger there young man." she said while healing his Pokemon.
"I'm use to it. Still, I didn't think an Ultra Beast would be that powerful. I best be on my guard in case another one appears."
"Well let's hope another one doesn't come." she said as the elevator stopped at the docks. "Over here you two, this boat will bring you to Ula Ula Island." They walked over to said boat.
"Thanks for the tour Miss Wicke!" said Hau.
"It was my pleasure. Also, please regard what happened as an accident. We really don't want people to come here during such a busy time." she said.
"No problem Wicke." said Collin.
"Thank you. Enjoy the reest of your Island Challenge!" she said as the two got onto the boat and it set sail to Ula Ula Island.
While on the boat, Collin was looking out the window at Aether, lost in thought. Until Hau got him out of it by his chewing.
"Oh man I needed a Malasada after that. A tour of Aether and seeing an Ultra Beast? Man that was amazing!"
"Mmm." said Collin, not really paying attention. Hau looked at him with a face of confusion.
"What's wrong? Upset that your Pokemon got injured?" asked Hau.
"It's not that Hau...well kinda but I had a check with them and they are healthy. So that's not a problem really." he said.
"Oh, well then what is it? You don't really look well."
"Something is off. Like, extremely off." said Collin. This confused Hau even more.
"What do you mean?"
"Have you seen Lusamine when she talked about the Ultra Beast? She had this creepy smile on her face."
"Well maybe that's what she's like when she sees something that interests her." responded Hau.
"I thought that at first too, but when you mentioned Lillie back there, she showed the same creepy grin." said Collin.
"Well I didn't see it."
"That's because you were jumping up and down. It's not just that. The way Faba acted around Wicke didn't sound like a one time thing."
"I guess you're right on that. But what does this have to do with Lillie?" asked Hau.
"I'm not sure just yet. I need to think about it more. But knowing that she has Nebby by her side, I think she's in serous danger right now." Hau could only scoff at Collin.
"You worry too much. Look I know you have done this in the past but I doubt it's that bad. You need to relax man." said Hau.
"I hope you're right Hau. Shit just doesn't feel right." he said, looking out the window again.
"Again, you worry too much. Just do your Island Challenge and get with Lillie." he said with a teasing voice, making Collin look at him. "Oh come on Collin. The two of you were all over each other in Diglett Tunnel."
"Shush Hau!" he said, blushing. This only made Hau laugh and he continued to eat his Malasada. While his comment distracted him for a second, Collin went back to thinking. Everything wasn't right and his brain went into overdrive. He felt a storm was coming, and it wasn't going to be pretty.
That's it for that chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. These next few chapters are going to be my most difficult ones yet so I hope you don't mind if I sometimes take breaks from them if I need to. As always, reviews and comments of any nature are welcomed and as always, I'll see you in the next chapter. Cheerio!