A few weeks have passed since defeating Hapu and finishing the Island Challenge. Next week I am going to Hoenn with Caleb to see the Hoenn League Tournament and I'm budding with excitement. I haven't told Carl I am coming, which has lead to a bit of an awkward time between us but I think we'll be fine when I surprise him.
I've spent most of the last few weeks training to get ready for the Alolan Tournament in a few months. Caleb and I agreed that we wouldn't battle but we've helped each other a little. As for our relationship, basically everyone who should know knows about it. It's going pretty well and has played a role in me being happier than ever.
Today I'm delivering a bunch of berries to a shopkeeper in the city. He is in the mall and ordered a bulk order for 30,000 Pokedollars, which is insane. He should make quite a bit but damn. I'm also going to Kukui's to give him a couple as well.
Mom and Vanessa's business is obviously going really well. My mom has quit her boring job in the city and is now doing this and she is enjoying it. However, the demand for some of the rare berries has declined so she and Vanessa agreed to cut back on them and introduce new and different berries. This'll help increase the demand of berries no longer being sold so they can be sold for a better price sometime in the future. Caleb and I help out by delivering. It's good for me cause I get to meet some people and make a quick buck.
There's an aura of excitement in Hau'oli City. Each day it grows as the people get excited for the Alolan Tournament this summer. The attention may be on the 5th island currently being created and worked on, where the Tournament will take place. However, each of the islands know it'll be there chance to shine and show what makes Alola great. Each of the Kahunas have agreed to having a festival during the week of the championships. It will peak during the 4th day with massive celebrations. Nobody will be working.
The island, Polū Island, is finished. However, the buildings are not and won't be for a couple months. It's going to look amazing and have some of the top-of-line technology thanks to the collaboration with the Aether Foundation. The island has even opened up to Ceremony planners to prepare for the Opening Ceremony the night before the Tournament.
Caleb and I have talked about teaming up for the Doubles Tournament but we aren't sure. We haven't exactly teamed up in battles that much. However, we are pretty compatible together and our Pokemon like each other. His Pokemon are as much mine as they are is and vice-versa.
When I arrive at Kukui's place, Caleb is already there. He's training Kommo-o and Incineroar with Kukui. When they spot me the training is put to a halt.
"Ah, Cousin! You have my berries?" Kukui asks.
"Yup. Mom threw in an extra sitrus berry for you."
"She's the best. Give her my utmost gratitude, please."
"Will do, Professor."
Professor Kukui turns around and walks into his home so Caleb and I follow. I look at Caleb and wink at him. I turn around and see Skitty laying on the floor.
"Come on, Skitty. Get your ass up and get inside!"
Skitty growls and gets up. He takes his sweet time as we enter the home. After being in the home for a few moments we hear a light bang on the door. Kukui walks over and opens the door and Skitty is down below scowling at me.
I may or may not have let the door close on him.
"Next time, walk faster," I say chuckling. Kukui picks up Skitty and rubs its head and gives him a Pokebean.
There is a flurry of knocks on the door startling Caleb and I.
"Who in the world could this be?" Kukui exclaims.
It's Liko and he looks extremely tense.
"Professor! You have to come quickly. It's urgent."
"Woah woah. What's going on Liko? Where's Burnet?" Kukui asks trying to calm Liko down.
"The Altar of Sunne and Moone. Guzma broke out of prison and is there now. He has Necrozma."
Kukui muttered something under his breath and took a deep breath.
"We have to go now. Salamence will bring us there," Liko said.
Liko told Caleb and I to come along too. When we walked outside Mary was there with her Dragonite. Skitty and I went with her while Caleb joined Kukui with Liko. I wanted Skitty to go in his ball but he didn't even though he hates heights and we were about to fly.
I waited until we were in the air to ask Mary why she was here. She told me that she had bumped into Liko a few weeks while ago and he called her.
As we flew towards Poni Island Tapu Koko flies near us. He looks over at me and then dashes away.
At the Altar, Guzma is standing atop with this large black Pokemon or Beast I'm assuming is Necrozma. Tapu Koko and Tapu Fini are standing besides Hapu and Professor Burnet.
"Oh look, the Calvary is here." Guzma mocks. "Thankfully, I'm not alone."
Behind a tree, Faba appears. His grin spreads from cheek to cheek as he tosses a Pokeball and lets Nihilego free.
"You may have 2 Ultra Beasts but we have two Guardian Deities and plenty more on our side," Kukui yells as he sends out his Snorlax.
Meanwhile, Professor Burnet sends out her Hydreigon. Caleb and I look at each other and nod. I send Decidueye and he sends Kommo-o out.
A Braviary comes out of nowhere and Gladion lands on the ground and sends Silvally and Kartana out.
"Did you guys forget about me?" he asks with a smirk. He looks at Guzma and says, "You just won't stop."
Guzma laughs as Gladion tells Kartana to attack. Kartana and Necrozma share a few blows before they stop.
That's when the other two Guardian Deities fly in. The numbers are not in Faba or Guzma's favor but they don't seem worried, which has me concerned. However, the number of Pokemon here is insane and makes me wonder if the Legendary Pokemon are frustrated with this conflict here.
That's when Guzma takes two black Pokeballs, like the ones used to get the Ultra Beast but different, and holds them up.
"No. How do you have those?" Gladion asks astonished.
"What's wrong Gladion?" I ask.
"Those are the new balls we've created. Their capture rate and ability to institute trainer control is near perfect for the Ultra Beasts."
The gravity of his words strike all of us. This means that someone within the Aether Foundation has been helping Guzma and Faba. Then I recall the times I was told that Guzma had powerful people working with him. Of course Faba wasn't the only one. Gees, how did I let that go over my head after what happened in Po Town. How did we all let it go over our heads if we knew?
I hear the sounds of shoes clicking on the floor behind me. I turn around and see her walking towards us. Gladion turns and see her. She has the same black ball in her hand that Guzma has.
"No?! Wicke?" Gladion exclaims as she walks past him towards Guzma and Faba.
Faba lets out an erratic laugh.
"This must be done, Gladion. For the betterment of the Aether Foundation," Wicke says calmly.
Gladion shakes his head, "You can't believe that."
Wicke closes her eyes and throw the ball. The Ultra Beast that has come out of it is the largest of the Beasts I've seen. Guzma then tosses his two.
Liko informs me that the 3 new beasts are Celesteela, Buzzwole and Guzzlord.
This is not good.
"What are you trying to do?!" Kukui asks.
A loud roar is heard in the clouds that begin to turn grey. We all look up as lightning ripples across the sky. I think I'm about to find out how the Legendary Pokemon feel about this clearly untenable situation.
"That." A high pitch, one I've never heard, says. A women in white comes out from behind the large statue near Guzma.
What is with people coming out of nowhere? Do this people have to be so damn dramatic?
"Mom," Gladion says dumbstruck.
"Shit. This just got real," Liko whispers to me.
No kidding. This is insane.
"Hello, my dear Gladion."
"W-why mom?" he struggles to say.
"To make the world better with the power of Lunala and Solgaleo." Another loud roar rips through the air just before Tapu Koko attacks Necrozma.
A large explosion rips in front of us, a little too close for comfort. Tapu Koko continues to fight against Necrozma as the other Deities also let out an attack on the Ultra Beasts.
Lusamine begins to laugh as the battle explodes in front of us. Then a large blast of fire blazes through the clouds and lands in the middle of the damaged Altar.
A Pokemon lands in front and roars.
"Solgaleo," Caleb mutters. "Holy shit."
Lusamine smiles and tosses a black ball.
Another Ultra Beast? Gees, how many of them are there? I ask Liko what the name of this one is and he tells me it is Pheromosa.
The Beast is standing in front of Solgaleo as a gripping silence and pause to the fighting enters the air.
"Hyper Beam!" Lusamine yells causing of a few of us to gasp.
The attack hits Solgaleo but it continues to stand still. Then it lets out a large blast and hits Pheromosa.
Guzma orders Guzzlord to use Fire Blast on Solgaleo when a dark colored Pokemon appears out of nowhere and takes the hit before he reaches Solgaleo.
"Yup, that's Lunala," Liko sarcastically says. "There are 1 too many powerful Pokemon here."
I ignore him. "Decidueye, use Brave Bird on Guzzlord." Decidueye quickly lifts off and hits Guzzlord directly.
Solgaleo and Lunala rip an attack through a couple of the Ultra Beasts causing them to faint. However, Lusamine is undeterred. She orders Pheromosa to attack again. That's when Tapu Koko charges and tackles the Ultra Beast. The Four Guardian Deities surround the Ultra Beast and attack it with a beam of light. However, it doesn't seem like they are hurting it. Pheromosa is immobilized, however.
That's when Lusamine's Pokeball sparks and causes her to drop it in pain. The Pokeball then explodes to the shock of Lusamine who screams in anger.
"NO! Get up Pheromosa. Attack the wretched Deities!"
After a few moments the Deities stop doing what they are doing and Pheromosa stands up. It looks at Lusamine who is now smiling. Then it looks at the Guardian Pokemon and ascends to the clouds where a portal opens. Pheromosa goes through the portal and doesn't come back.
Then the Guardian Deities do the same thing to the other two fainted Ultra Beasts, but Guzma and Lusamine order an attack on the deities. Solgaleo and Lunala defend while Kukui and Hapu attack.
For a moment I break concentration with the fight and spot Gladion on his knees. I walk over, ignoring the loud noise, and place my hand on his back.
"Are you okay?" I ask knowing fully well that he isn't.
"All of this happened under my nose. The Pokeballs, Wicke and my mom. I thought she was better."
"It's not your fault Gladion. You are a good person."
"Yeah and it's gotten me nowhere." He sounded just like looked; defeated.
"You're wrong. You have taken the Aether Foundation out from the crap your mom caused. You are here fighting for the good."
He continues to look down, gritting his teeth. I fear I'm not getting through to him when we hear a loud scream up ahead.
Nihilego is standing above Lusamine, who is screaming in agony. Nihilego tries to descend but something happens causing it to stop. Then Lusamine collapses to the ground after letting out one loud yelp.
"No!" Gladion yells as he jumps to his feet and runs over to his mom.
A loud blast rings out as Solgaleo attacks Nihilego causing it to faint.
I approach Gladion who is on his knees crying. A couple more blasts occur as the last opposing Ultra Beast tries to fight back.
"Is she...alive?" I ask Gladion.
He rubs his eye and looks up at me. "Yeah. Nihilego tried to connect with her again."
"Um what?" I ask thoroughly confused.
"Last time. Um Nihilego and my mom became one. Their minds became one. They didn't completely disconnect 4 years ago, which led to my mom's deteriorated mental state."
A silence grips the Altar as Gladion talks to me. Caleb and Kukui approach us slowly. Then Guzma tried to approach us but Gladion got up and punched him in the face.
"You did this. Your insane desire destroyed her."
Guzma didn't say anything as he rubbed his battered cheek.
"No," Wicke said quietly. "This was all your mom."
Gladio shook his head and pointed at Wicke. "You. You played a role in this too. She is unconscious because of you."
Wicke wiped away a tear. "It wasn't supposed to end up like this, Gladion. I only followed your mother's orders out of respect. Respect for you."
Gladion scoffed. "Yeah, how?! She could've died."
"I'm aware, but it was the only way to get close to her, to know what was going on."
"Bullshit."
"She's right," A deep voice says.
Hala walks up the steps and approaches us. "I had a feeling that this was going to happen again. I approached Wicke. She was to get close to your mother and let us know anything important. That's why this morning I came to this very place and called on Solgaleo and Lunala with Hapu." Hala reached into his pocket and pulled out two orbs.
Then he mentioned how Professor Burnet's research on the Ultra Beasts led to the theory that Nihilego and Lusamine to still be connected in a way.
Meanwhile, Nihilego stands up after the Guardian Deities do this "Ritual of Freedom," as Hala puts it, and flies off into the portal. All of the Ultra Beasts in the battle are now "home."
Gladion is stunned to learn this news, as we all are. Hala walks over to Lunala and tells it to help Lusamine. A light is cast from Lunala over Lusamine. Everyone stands around and waits to see what will happen.
When the light disappears Lusamine wakes up. She looks at Gladion and begins to cry.
"I'm so sorry," she says as she hugs Gladion.
Caleb grabs my hand and grips it tight as we watch the emotional scene unfold.
"Well that was enough action for a lifetime," Liko quips garnering a couple laughs including from Lusamine.
Lusamine slowly rises to her feet and walks over to Ms. Wicke and grabs her hand with both of hers. "Thank you my dear friend for watching over me and my son."
Wicke simply nods her head and smiles.
Lusamine then looks over to Faba and Guzma and says nothing. I can't read her mind nor the look she gives but Guzma seems to understand. His eyes looks away and his once rigid shoulders drop slightly. A few officers arrive due to Hala giving them some notice and take Faba and Guzma away. Then Hala and Hapu thank the Guardian Deities. When they leave so do the Legendary Pokemon, Solgaleo and Lunala. I watched in awe as they left.
"I'm so sorry for this," Lusamine says regrettably. "Again. I don't know how I will make it up to all of you, but I will try."
"It's okay," Caleb responded.
Kukui interrupts the moment and asks Faba and Guzma how they got a hold of the Ultra Beasts.
"Simple. Faba had Nihilego. Using Nihilego he was able to open portals to get some of the Ultra Beasts. Wicke did the rest. She gave us the new Pokeballs and even stole the Pokeballs that contained a couple of the Ultra Beasts Gladion caught."
Gladion looked shocked. "How come I didn't know they were stolen?"
Wicke took a deep breath. "I replaced the balls with empty ones.
Gladion looked at me with guilt painting his face.
After a few moments have passed some began to clear out, leaving how they came, until it was just Lusamine, Gladion, Caleb, Liko, and myself.
"Wicke told me that you two have befriended Gladion." She looked at Gladion with that mother's look and said, "Thank you."
"Mom..." Gladion said before I interrupted him.
"No thanks required. It's been my pleasure." I looked at Gladion who looked at me straight-faced and nodded.
A brief moment of silence gripped us until Liko broke it by saying, "Well, I'm hungry."
"You read my mind an hour ago," Caleb cracked.
Liko, Caleb, and I said goodbye to Lusamine and Gladion and left on Liko's Salemence. Liko brought us to the beach at Hau'oli City so we can get Malasada.
As we ate we began to talk about little stuff like the Tournament and what we just went through. Then Liko brought up Mount Lanakila in passing. In doing so he talked about how only a few people go a chance to face the Elite Four there before the decision to pause it and move the place to hold the battles.
I kinda wish I could face the Elite 4, but I think the whole Tournament is a better idea. I asked why they didn't have a Tournament at first and Liko said there were concerned that there wouldn't be enough people so they went with an Elite Four.
"So you two are going to Hoenn next week, right?"
"Yeah. Going back to where I was born and raised," I reply.
"Oh, that's awesome. Have you ever seen Groudon or Kyogre? What about Rayquaza?"
Caleb gave me a tepid look before I responded.
"No. They haven't been seen in over a decade."
Liko was disappointed. He told us if we did see them to take a picture for him. In my head I'm like "If I see them I'm going to take a picture for myself." Then I realized something.
"Dammit. I didn't take a picture of Lunala or Solgaleo!" I placed my head on the table disappointed in myself. Caleb and Liko chuckled.
"Next time," Caleb said.
"Psh. Better be when I'm sunbathing on the beach and not when I'm trying to save Alola from crazies," Liko quipped.
"When you're trying to save Alola?" I question jokingly.
"Piss off."
We all laugh getting a couple looks from people in the restaurant. That was our cue to leave and so we did.
Liko brushed his hair to the side and yawns. "Alright well, I'm warped. I'll see you guys tomorrow or whatever."
Caleb and I nod and wish him a good night. On the way home Caleb and I walk slowly enjoying the breezy evening wind. When we reach the fork in the road that leads to Iki Town or the Outskirts we said goodbye.
This time next week, we'll be in Petalburg City. It terrifies and excites me at the same time.