Author's note: Sorry for the late update-My anxiety has made things a little messy recently, so I had to take a break. I hope this massive update more than makes up for this, and I hope the next few chapters are worth the wait-a LOT is about to happen!

"…Now that the current state of affairs is clear…I'd like to start by saying that Aether's actions have been taken into account. They've been deemed as necessary for such a situation and, as such, Aether has avoided any trouble with Interpol for now. Such actions are only to be taken in the case of an emergency, and they may have led us to a particularly valuable piece of information."

Not a single unfamiliar face greeted Wicke as she sat near the back end of Aether's conference room, her eyes directed towards the speaker in front of the group. Anabel exuded confidence as she addressed the group, even if two of them couldn't be allowed in physically.

Across from Wicke were two small tablets, one of them allowing Gladion to be present at such a meeting. He lay back in his hospital bed, as if his entire body had been weighed down. To his left was Silvally, who occasionally sniffed at the tablet in front of Gladion, as if there was something suspicious about it that their trainer wasn't seeing.

A stab of grief hit her chest at the sight of Gladion in such a state. Treatment would only make it worse, she recalled. Treatment would only force him to stay at the foundation for far longer, at a time when he could barely keep himself out of even more trouble.

On the other tablet was Faba, who seemed to be eternally scowling at the group. Wicke couldn't blame him at all. Alakazam's efforts to protect him, even if they'd proved to be a hindrance to Gladion and Phoebe, signified that there had been something terribly wrong with their attacker.

I cannot entirely blame Steven, if it was truly him who attacked.

Even Alakazam had shown some skepticism, yet...

The look in Faba's eyes said everything Wicke needed to know. Whatever Faba was planning to say regarding the situation...

No. She could play her cards right during such an event. She had to. Faba's testimony wasn't going to be the only testimony Interpol received regarding such an incident.

Beside the two tablets, Calla sat, her attention shifting frequently between the tablets and Anabel. It wasn't a sign of nervousness, Wicke could tell that much. If anything, Calla simply wanted to ensure that everything would proceed smoothly, that no odd behaviors showed up during the conference.

Both of them were valuable assets to Aether, after all. Even if Wicke hardly ever cared much for Faba, she couldn't help but feel bad, seeing him confined to the medical wing for such a time.

To Wicke's left was Phoebe. She hadn't expected to see the Elite joining in such a private affair, but after what she'd witnessed, there was no reason to hide anything more from Phoebe. She sat straight, though her hands, beneath the table, were clenched into tight fists. As Anabel continued on, Wicke tried to brush away the idea that Phoebe's nervousness was spreading over to her, but it seemed to quietly gnaw away at the back of her mind no matter what she told herself.

Nor could she rid herself of the thoughts that came with the way Phoebe occasionally glanced over to the tablet that showed Gladion.

The two of them had been planning something, certainly. Wicke knew there was no stopping Gladion. Two years after his departure, and suddenly he'd returned to Aether with what seemed like new, animalistic instincts, with the idea that suddenly, fights were necessary in order to keep himself alive throughout the harshest times.

The idea that the world's laws were useless, and that he had to grab whatever he wanted by the horns and tear it down with his own two hands.

Team Skull had taught him well in that regard. They had taught him how to fight, though Wicke could hardly speak of anything else they might have done for him. It was all a mystery to everyone except Gladion, who had never spoken a word about them.

Wicke had only ever known the Skull that had arrived at Aether to aid them that fateful day, of course. The Skull that had stood by the employees, Pokémon by their sides that were far too much for Wicke or her Corsola to handle.

Wicke blinked a few times, quickly, in an attempt to snap herself back into the present situation. Her mind couldn't wander, not when something as important as everyone's present fates were being discussed.

Inevitably, they would speak about Gladion. With how Steven was being treated, there was enough concern for him on her mind, but with the idea that Steven had killed under Nihilego's influence...Just what would they do to Gladion if he was affected?

"...We understand," Anabel continued, "That the brief moment Mr. Stone had with Carbink was enough to pacify him, even as Nihilego seemed to have fused with him. We also understand that the way he and Nihilego are fused is likely far different from how the president was fused with one. With this in mind, the UB Task Force has decided to consider, should the behaviors he showed during last night's incident emerge again, allowing Steven to see his Pokémon again."

Relief washed over Wicke at Anabel's words. She'd had plans to bring it up eventually, of course. To keep Steven away from his Pokémon...Even after everything that had happened, after the possibility of murder was brought into consideration, Wicke considered it a cruel thing to keep him away from them, especially Carbink. (To say the staff was tired of Carbink's constant cries for attention was definitely an understatement.) At the very least, the Pokémon that clearly needed him deserved to see him.

"This being said..."

Suddenly, Wicke felt her chest sink. Always a catch, wasn't there? She'd known something like this was coming, yet hearing it felt like a stab to the heart that she could never have prepared herself for.

"Mr. Stone is still the suspect in a murder trial, and Interpol fears that an escape may be planned if such a thing is allowed. At present, Aether is not allowed to let him see his Pokémon in any situation that isn't an emergency."

Wicke glanced around the room again, briefly. Calla seemed indifferent to what was being said, instead focusing her attention to the screens next to her, as if preparing to be called back at any minute.

Gladion shared this indifference, and it was difficult to tell if he was still awake by that point. Silvally occasionally nudged him to keep him awake, though he barely replied with anything other than a few choice words muttered under his breath.

Wicke found herself smiling, briefly, out of amusement.

They'd have to work on his professionalism later.

Phoebe took a deep breath, crossing her arms idly. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, though Anabel hardly responded to such a look.

For a brief moment, Wicke swore that, out of the corner of her eye, a grin had crossed Faba's face.

Anabel scanned the room before speaking up again.

"Does anyone have any questions regarding this?"

Immediately, Phoebe spoke up.

"If you're allowed to answer this…Has the investigation made any progress since Interpol's last visit to Ever Grande?"

"You should know," Anabel sighed regretfully, "That's strictly confidential material. I'm afraid even the UB Task Force hasn't been allowed to hear much on this."

"…That's what I thought," Phoebe replied, briefly looking away.

"…Will that be all?" Anabel asked.

A lengthy pause filled the room, and Anabel prepared to speak up once more.

"The next topic we must discuss is the treatment of Aether's two employees who may have been affected by Nihilego last night," Anabel proceeded, "Faba and Gladion. Calla, if you would?"

Calla nodded, allowing Anabel a moment to catch her breath before speaking up herself.

"According to the tests we've done," Calla began, "It's unlikely that Faba is affected at all. Gladion, however..."

Wicke's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates, if only for that brief moment. She knew Calla had seen that change in her expression, too. To Gladion, the idea of being infected by Nihilego's venom was nothing short of a nightmare. Wicke knew this. Everyone did. To suddenly see the one who had trusted her so much fall into this…

Wicke shook her head. No, she told herself, Not this time. You won't stand by this time. Not when he's going through this.

There was no room for guilt over any of this. Steven would be fine for the time, so long as Carbink was present. Gladion was the one who needed help at that point.

Wicke wouldn't fail him.

"…We can't tell if Gladion is affected yet." Calla seemed to choose her words meticulously, as if hundreds of times going over what to say at the meeting had done nothing at all to ease her mind. "Several of Aether's employees have made impressive recoveries from Nihilego's toxins. However, said treatment is also taxing on one's system, to say the least. It's what led to our recent staffing problem-none of our employees have been physically able to work, even months after treatment. We're concerned about Gladion's physical state at present, given that there are still physical effects from the time he spent outside of Aether, and given that he's still so young."

Calla paused, as if collecting her thoughts.

"Our other concern is how we're to contain Mr. Stone from here on out," Calla continued, "No matter what tests are done, the results always say he's healthy, even if his transformation suggests that this is clearly not the case. We believe this relationship may be symbiotic, and that it may be a reaction to strong emotions resurfacing. It's why I've been collaborating so closely with Aether's research team, and, should he recover before any further escapes, the team has plans to enlist Faba's help in this."

Wicke could barely focus on Calla's words, not when the idea of Gladion under Nihilego's influence was present in her mind. He'd break himself when he was able to stand again. He'd leave behind the foundation's back, her thoughts on the matter be damned.

An idea began to form in Wicke's mind, and she wondered, briefly, if Gladion would suggest the same. That one trainer, Hau. He'd been there to see Lusamine at her worst. He knew every inch of Alola, and was clearly eager to see whatever he could of the world.

Would he be the one? Regardless of anything that might have been affecting Gladion, if he suggested that Hau join them…Wicke could attest to the boy's strength. The question, though, was whether or not the boy would agree. Alongside that, there had to be other options. He was a child, and even if he was one of the strongest trainers Gladion knew, the idea of seeking out the aid of a child…

Wicke reminded herself, as she turned her attention back to the meeting, that she'd done nothing to stop Gladion.

She'd done nothing to stop this from happening.

She had no right to make any calls on who was sent out for field work regarding the Beasts. Perhaps, though, it was time to see what she herself would be able to do in his place.

The Beasts, and their history in Alola…

Wicke knew it was time to discuss that with Gladion.

She and her Corsola…They had a long several days ahead of them.

"…I must repeat myself one last time: Should this indeed by why Stone transformed, anyone intentionally causing Nihilego to emerge will have to answer to our president," Calla explained, "Thank you. As I'm no longer needed…Ma'am?"

Calla turned to Anabel.

"If this is all I'm needed for, I must return to my post."

Anabel nodded.

"Of course," she replied, "The final thing to cover here…We've sought out the help of Alola's Dimensional Research Lab. Professor Burnet will be arriving in three days, December thirteenth, at exactly three-fifteen in the afternoon. Looker and I will remain in contact as we continue our efforts in Unova alongside the Champion. Are there any further questions regarding the Aether Foundation's current orders?"

Silence, the final silence. Not even Faba spoke up, even if Wicke could have sworn he'd been waiting for his opportunity to pounce. Calla immediately stood, glancing nervously towards the conference room's door.

"…In that case," Anabel concluded, "You're all dismissed. Thank you for your continued support in our investigation."

Wicke found herself remaining long after the room had cleared, however. The open space…To her, it was comforting. The isolation that could drive others to perform such heinous acts was like home to Wicke, though perhaps more Pokémon would have made such a space more ideal.

The table had been cleared. Wicke could practically hear her own heartbeat by that point, but she was focused far too much on one thought:

What would become of Gladion?

"The president wants to see you. I'm terribly sorry if this is inconvenient, but he's very insistent that he gets to see you before you depart."

Phoebe quickly turned away from the docks, coming face to face with someone who had clearly come from the medical wing. This was one of the nurses, wasn't this? Curiosity welled up in Phoebe-No. She wasn't about to start poking into the internal affairs of Aether. No matter how shady things started to seem, she wasn't going to get herself in any trouble with Aether or Interpol.

In the long run, breaking a few rules was going to be necessary. It'd always been necessary. Laws were eternal, but the situations they governed were by no means the same. At some point, something was going to have to be broken, whether it be the laws…

…Or Phoebe herself.

It just wasn't time yet to do that. It'd be a last resort, Phoebe told herself. It'd be a last resort, and it'd happen once she was back in Hoenn, more likely than not.

Phoebe simply bowed to the nurse.

"Of course," she replied, "Lead the way, then. Thank you for allowing this!"

The nurse simply let out a hum of acknowledgment, gesturing for Phoebe to follow her into the elevator. The silence between them stood like a wall, never moving, never broken down, remaining regardless of what anyone said.

Perhaps this was for the better. The nurse stood with a stiff posture, as if affected just as much by the chill that seemed to blow through the lower floors of Aether Paradise. As the elevator moved down, Phoebe felt her legs weaken beneath her, and she couldn't tell if this was simply the injury from the night before coming back, or the crushing weight of the stress and lack of sleep that'd plagued everyone.

The lights of the hallway that led to the medical wing seemed to burn Phoebe's eyes. The nurse simply brushed a lock of violet hair from her face, the bun she'd tied it into quickly coming apart after so much time on her feet. They'd be going through the same motions. The hand print, the voice key, the hallway…And at the end of that hallway lay the Champion Phoebe had missed like nobody else.

It was a fact that hit her all at once as the door opened and the nurse led her in. Steven was there. There'd be no way to reach him, but he was still there after the night prior. It was…A relief, honestly. Just knowing he was still there. Knowing that he wasn't somewhere else in Aether, or even worse…

If they could keep him there, Phoebe would rest easy when she returned to Ula'ula's motel.

It wasn't long before Phoebe realized she'd been so lost in thought that she didn't notice the nurse gesturing for her to enter another room-Gladion's room.

A soft buzz echoed through the room. It was quiet otherwise, and incredibly bare. A tube snaked out from beneath Gladion's bedding, ending at the nearby IV he was hooked up to. The young trainer himself was listless, barely reacting when Phoebe entered. Laying on the ground beside him was that odd Pokémon-Silvally. Phoebe admittedly hadn't heard much about it at all, but she was no doubt curious about what exactly it was and what made this Pokémon so special.

The nurse stepped by Phoebe, looking to Gladion with a gentle smile.

"I'll let you two have a little time to discuss these private matters," she assured, "Either Calla or myself will be checking on you again this afternoon. I'll be waiting outside, then."

Gladion gave a halfhearted nod before the nurse simply left, glancing back before stepping outside and closing the door behind her.

"What a change in attitude," Phoebe commented as she looked back to Gladion, letting out a quiet laugh, "Are you sure that was the same person?"

"Y-You…That's not important," Gladion curtly replied, "I need to ask you about Hoenn."

Phoebe jokingly pouted, briefly, before her face turned as serious as that of the trainer in front of her. His voice had been like gravel, barely audible. He'd been struggling to get each word out, but he'd spoken quickly enough to project a sense of urgency, even if he'd been rather blunt about it.

Shaking her head, Phoebe spoke again.

"Don't start with that," she whispered, keeping a slight lightness to her tone, "You'll learn quickly, like I did…Sometimes, you have to be a little more polite than that."

Gladion let out a snort, and Silvally simply craned their neck upwards just to do the same. Phoebe held back a chuckle at such a gesture-These two really were one and the same.

"All right, I'll let that slide," Phoebe continued, "What did you want to ask about?"

"I need you to keep in contact," Gladion requested, his voice clearing up a little, "I'm still going to go to Hoenn. I'm not letting anyone stop me from that. Until I'm in the region with you, though, I need you to keep me updated on what's going on."

"That's it?" Phoebe cocked her head. "How frequently? I'd already planned to call when I could. I'm not letting something like this hold back the investigation, and I'm especially not letting it keep you out of things."

"…Mmmh…I…" Gladion cut himself off with a soft yawn, before turning away from Phoebe, barely able to keep his eyes open. "…Weekly…At least."

A sigh escaped Phoebe's lips. She could only hope it was just stress affecting Gladion. He looked a mess. His hair had become matted, and he'd been almost completely still throughout their brief conversation.

It was enough to cause anyone to worry. He was…How old? Seeing him in such a state only brought to mind the idea of May being hurt in the same way…

Hoenn needed all its Elites. Phoebe couldn't deny this fact. She was needed back home, no matter how tempting it was to stay in Alola and gather just a little more info.

"I…I'll leave you alone then." Phoebe's voice was barely audible anymore. "Sleep well, Gladion. I'll call when I'm back in Hoenn."

Gladion let out a quiet grunt, and the room's only source of noise was, once again, the buzz of the lights overhead.

Phoebe opened the door and stepped out into the hallway once more, bowing to the nurse who stood off to the side.

"He's asleep…" Phoebe sighed, "Again, I can't thank you enough for letting me visit."

"…It's no problem at all." Hesitation lined the nurse's words as she stepped into Gladion's room and flicked the light off before gesturing for Phoebe to follow her.

A passing conversation echoed throughout the hallways, and the nurse seemed to walk forward with a sense of urgency when she heard it, looking as if she was ready to drag Phoebe back.

Phoebe's one moment of hesitation before following was enough for her to hear a little. Just a little.

Just enough that her heart began to race.

Just enough that she could tell that one of the voices belonged to the doctor that had spoken at the meeting.

That was undeniably Calla's voice.

"…Indeed. While weight was necessary to restrain Null, no human would be able to handle it. It'd slowly destroy them."

"Hm…So what might you suggest, then? I must say, Faba…This is an ambitious project. To think, it's a necessity…!"

"Our team is working on its own way to restrain something as intangible as Nihilego. Similar to the helmet, yes…But capable of shackling a creature no matter what form it takes."

"I see…Forgive me if I'm prying into this too much, but…"

Phoebe felt someone tug on her arm, just as the door to the medical wing shut.

The nurse's eyes were narrowed, but her voice shook for a single moment as she spoke.

"Forgive me. They shouldn't have been discussing such a thing in the open. Now, come. I'll escort you to the docks."

The low hum of electricity seemed to remain even as the real world faded from existence and, in its place, was replaced with the same dream environment that Gladion had found himself in not even a day before. Nothing had changed aside from the sound and a soft breeze gently hitting the back of his neck. The ground beneath his feet felt cool, just like Aether Paradise's floors, providing a sense of familiarity. Though the world remained colorless, the sensations that had hit Gladion gave more life to it than he could have ever imagined.

This time, he realized, he could move in the dream. What there was to explore in it, he'd have to see, but he could move. It was so much better than last time, when the numbness carried over into the waking world. Everything was better, even if he found himself shivering at the chill that surrounded the dream world.

He wanted to run. No, he could run. It was as if his legs began to move on their own when he began to move forward, not knowing what was ahead.

Not caring what was ahead. He was free, and regardless of where he was, he'd take advantage of this fact.

The sea of obelisks remained in the world, and directly ahead of him was one of the broken ones. The massive pillars of obsidian rose into the sky just as they had the last time he'd fallen asleep. Approaching the broken pillar in front of him, Gladion realized that it looked almost as if it'd been sliced in two.

Aside from that, it was completely smooth, like every other object around it.

He found himself examining the broken obelisk closer, running his hand along its cold, glassy surface, before he was interrupted, before the same voice he'd heard the night before spoke again.

Clearer.

Longer.

"Hey. There's nothing to see on these things. I literally made 'em to fill the space."

Gladion practically leapt back, immediately taking a defensive stance. Instinct guided him at that point. Just like Skull had taught him. He'd fight with what they'd taught him, and what he'd learned from simple observation.

He'd be able to fight back.

"W…Who are you?!" Gladion hissed, "G-Get away from me!"

"Easy," the voice replied, "I don't want to hurt you. I'm just here to tell you one thing: Something big is coming to Aether Paradise."

Suddenly, Gladion felt his legs tremble. He was struggling to stand as those words hit his ears. Something big?! Just who was this? What were they even doing to him?

"W-What do you mean?!" he snarled, "Get over here! T-Tell me everything! Where is this?! What's coming to Aether?! What are you planning?!"

"I can tell you're confused," the voice continued, "But I can't explain anything right now. I know you don't trust easy, but I need you to trust me when I say that you want me here with you. Inform anyone you can of this one. Something big is coming."

The last four words echoed endlessly. Gladion's hands were pressed to his ears, and his breaths had become heavy as he tried to block out the voice.

Something big is coming. Something big is coming.

Louder and louder, the words continued, and he tried to suppress a cry of pain.

Something big is coming.

The bloodcurdling screech Gladion forced out of himself echoed through the dream world, still unable to block out the words.

Then, two simple words.

A familiar voice.

…Young master…

Darkness.

Light.

The same hum of electricity.

Wicke, standing by his bedside.

Silvally, holding down his arm and licking it frantically in a desperate attempt to wake him.

"I…Aahhh…"

Gladion could barely force any words out of himself, but a smile crossed his face. Wicke was back, and the concern in her face…He'd never seen anything more genuine before. His arm ached-Even Silvally wasn't able to prevent any damage, it seemed-but he was alive, and only familiar faces and voices greeted him this time.

"Master Gladion…" Wicke whispered, shaking her head, "Are you feeling all right? Calla will be here in a few minutes, so I'm afraid this will be short, but-"

"S-Something…" Gladion gasped, "Something…Happened. S-Stay after this. P-Please…I n-need to talk about this."

Wicke nodded, leaning down slightly and offering Gladion a hand.

He hardly refused the gesture. Immediately, Gladion allowed her to hold his right hand. He wanted to beat himself up in that one moment for being such a child, having to hold someone's hand like this, letting someone take his hand, and having to hold it tight in order to reassure himself that things would be all right.

It felt so hopeless.

"M…Miss…Wicke…"

His dry throat prevented any further words from escaping him.

Gladion simply held onto Wicke's hand for dear life.

Something big is coming to Aether Paradise.

Moon sighed, looking back to the door she'd come in from. The marina was livelier than ever, and she found herself keeping her eyes directly on Grimsley, no matter where the two of them went. They'd warned her it'd be busy, of course, but this busy? She hadn't seen anything like it, not since she and Sun had arrived in Hau'oli City.

A heavy bag was slung over her shoulders. Grimsley, in contrast, seemed to be traveling light; though they carried a bag of their own, it was hardly full, unlike Moon's couldn't tell if they actually knew what they were doing when it came to travel. Clearly, they'd made it far enough in Alola, if their time at the Battle Tree had been any indication, but to see them taking so little when they were so far away from home…

No, she couldn't think about that. So much was on her mind already, not least of all what she was leaving behind.

She wouldn't be gone as long as Lillie had been. She didn't have a thing to tie her to Unova. She'd be back home before anyone knew she was gone, wouldn't she? She'd be able to go home and see her brother again. Battle with her closest rival like nothing had changed, like she hadn't just accepted a mission to fight the Beasts.

Like she wasn't lying through her teeth about leaving the region to train.

"Moon?" Grimsley's voice cut through her thoughts like a knife. "…Take a seat for now, and I'll call you over when you're needed."

"H…Huh? What…?" Moon tried to speak through the tightness that had formed in her throat, but barely anything escaped her.

"I'm giving you space," Grimsley clarified, "You need a moment to yourself. Please, go on."

Nodding slowly, Moon stepped away towards a bench, sitting down and hanging her head, holding her arms to her chest. This time, she wasn't going to cry. She was overwhelmed with guilt, more than anything else, but she was going to be fine.

Time passed.

Voices swirled around her. Concern, occasionally. For the most part, though, all that registered with Moon was her own breathing.

It felt like an eternity before someone managed to get through to her. Specifically, the last person she'd expected to see.

"Hey! Moon!"

If Moon had the room to step back when she looked up, she would have. Looking at her, hands behind his head, looking just as enthusiastic as he ever had, was Hau.

A soft gasp finally made its way out of Moon.

"I…H-Hau! How'd you know about this?! I didn't-"

Briefly, Moon looked back to Grimsley. That brief look was enough for her to catch the wry smile across their face as they watched the reunion, their arms still folded into their sleeves.

"D…Did they tell you about…?" Moon whispered, "I…I don't really understand this…B-But…Thank you for seeing me off!"

Moon leapt up, and with that, her face immediately brightened. Maybe this was what she'd needed. Maybe she'd just needed to see Hau.

But then came the thought of Sun.

"…I'm…I'm really sorry," Moon said, "For not telling anyone. Is Sun here?"

At this question, Hau's sunny demeanor seemed to instantly fade away, if only for a brief moment.

"N…Naw, Sun wouldn't come," Hau admitted, "He's taking this all pretty hard, you know? I dunno how to help him…But I'm not giving up on that!"

"R-Really?" Moon replied, "B-Because, if it's not too much…I wanted to tell him something."

Hau cocked his head to the side.

"Yeah? I can take a message," he continued, "You really think it'll help?"

Moon nodded quickly, feeling the words getting caught in her throat.

"T-Tell him…I'm sorry I left him behind again," Moon croaked, "Please! Both you and Sun…I need you to stay safe while I'm gone, and I need you to keep Alola safe when I can't!"

There was a long, awkward pause between the two before Moon simply sat back down, trying to forget her sudden burst of emotion.

Before anyone else could speak, Moon heard Grimsley's voice.

"Terribly sorry to interrupt," they began, "But it's time for us to leave. Hau? After speaking with your grandfather…I hope we can properly battle someday soon. Until then…Farewell."

"Moon!" Hau called out as Moon stood up, quickly leaving towards the docks, "When you get back, you better come back to Iki Town first! Good luck out there!"

There was something about the way he'd spoken there.

"Good luck out there!"

Moon was sure of it. She'd made it obvious, and he'd put all the pieces together. Hau knew, didn't he? He knew, and…

Would he be getting Sun involved, after everything?

No.

She couldn't let such thoughts invade her mind.

As Moon stepped out towards the ship to Unova, the tang of the sea breeze hitting her nostrils, she found herself reaching for her Decidueye's ball.

She wasn't alone. She'd never be alone. She had her Pokémon, and she'd have every person she was going to meet in Unova from there on out.

She'd be fine. She'd be fine. Hau would do what he'd do. She couldn't control him or Sun.

She could only prepare for what coming home would be like.