Calem's Alola Adventure

Chapter 9

By: Gandire

Lana rubs Calem's back the entire trip to Aether Paradise. At Hau's questioning, she says, "It's a trick my grandfather taught me a long time ago. By the way, Calem, did you know that Aether Paradise floats because many pokemon support it on their backs?" She giggles upon receiving a glare from Calem and sticks out her tongue. "Maybe this isn't the best time, huh?"

Hau narrows his eyes and gives a serious expression. "Calem, I would'a never guessed you're into kids."

Calem glares at Hau. He tries to reach for Mawile's primer ball, but his nausea forces him to keep his hands clutched against his chest and mouth. In his heart, he makes a note to push Hau into the ocean, again, the next chance he gets.

Faba guides the three into Aether Paradise. Aether employees and pokemon are everywhere. Surrounding trainers ask the employees questions or watching what they do. Faba says, "Aether Paradise is a facility for the conservation of pokemon. Downstairs, our teams work on developing new pokeballs and more. Everything we do is for the sake of pokemon conservation. Keep in mind, you will not be able to use any of your pokeballs to capture pokemon within Aether Paradise. A jamming signal is broadcasting throughout the facility to prevent them from functioning. Although, the ones currently housing your pokemon will work just fine."

Faba leads them to an elevator where a woman with purple hair greets them. Faba leaves Calem, Lana, and Hau in her care and excuses himself to speak with the president about "conservation efforts in Akala Island."

Wicke introduces herself and thanks them for their help. She then takes them to the main entrance where trainers bring their pokemon to the reception desks to be looked over. She says, "Calem, Hau, the two of you are trial goers, correct. Both of you look 15, a bit older than most."

Calem says, "I'm new to the area."

Hau says, "I just couldn't be bothered to go out on my own. Having a rival like Calem around has been making this adventure a lot more fun than it would have been on my own."

Calem gives Hau a blank stare. He doesn't say anything, but he's certain Hau cares more about picking up chicks than keeping a rivalry against him.

Wicke says, "How… how lovely for you. But I suppose all children must yearn to take a journey of their own choosing, regardless of their age. Though, you're hardly children anymore. Trainers are like parents to their pokemon."

Her hesitation isn't lost to Calem. He says, "Do you have any children taking the adventure."

Concern flashes through her eyes at the question. It's too fast and subtle for Lana and Hau, but for Calem it's a memory flash. That's an expression everyone in Kalos wore after the Final Night.

Wicke recovers her composure and laughs off the question. "Oh, don't be silly. I'm still looking for a husband. Anyway, would you three like to see the conservation upstairs?"

At everyone's agreement, she has the elevator take them up. As it rises, Calem turns to Lana, "Did you go on island challenge?"

Lana nods, "It's the minimal requirement for all trial captains. I completed mine almost two years ago."

Hau says, "Wait, you're almost 13? I swear, I thought you were 11."

Lana's face darkens as she glares at Hau. "I can't believe a rude man such as yourself passed my trial."

Hau chuckles saying, "My bad, my bad."

The elevator reaches the upper floor, an indoor garden with trees, rivers, ponds, and mountains lined with fenced walkways. Wicke says, "Aether Paradise is a safe haven for all pokemon. For this reason, the use of pokeballs is strictly forbidden within the conservation area."

Hau looks around, "Wow, this is amazing!"

Lana also gasps, "This room has everything. Calem, look, look, there's a starmie in that pond!"

Wicke says, "We keep pokemon that have been targeted by Team Skull here… And we also try to support pokemon that need a little extra protection. Like corsola, they are quite terribly over hunted by a pokemon called toxapex. They travel the ocean floors on their 12 legs leaving a trail of corsola bits scattered in their wake."

Calem says, "Nature's biggest rule is survival of the fittest. Those unable to keep up, for whatever reason, die."

Hau says, "Yeah, my gramps is always saying that nature's got its cruel side."

Lana says, "We humans exert that judgment. When we fish, those neither smart enough, nor strong enough, to get away end up becoming dinner. But, can the Aether Foundation really protect all the pokemon that're out there?"

Calem says, "The better question is whether it should."

Wicke's smile doesn't flinch as she says, "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? For example, the former Kalos region was destroyed by mankind so the natural response would be that mankind try and fix its mistake. The pokemon, however, feel differently and attack any human they come across."

Lana gives Calem a worried glance, but he's unfazed by Wicke's comment.

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

"I couldn't say… It's hard to know for sure what our president is thinking sometimes. If you three would like to meet president Lusamine, she should be here in the conservation area now."

As they walk off to search for the president, Lana tugs on Calem's shirt. She speaks in a low voice while glancing towards Hau. "Your thoughtless friend?"

"That's him."

Rotom says, "The preszzzident is in here somewhere, right? Leave no rock unturned to find her!"

She is near the upper end of the garden. Her similarity to Lillie and Gladion is uncanny, her green eyes are identical to theirs. She speaks to some pokemon, "My sweet pokemon… I promise I'll keep you safe… I'll protect you with my love…" Then notices the three with an "Ah…"

The president speaks with Wicke and then turns to face, "Calem, Lana, and Hau, welcome to Aether Paradise. The Aether Foundation's own private island. I'm the president of the foundation, but please, just call me Lusamine. I'm so glad we got to meet. I'm glad that there are people like you, who travel the islands to learn more about pokemon, and who guide your fellow trainers to the next area… Unfortunately, there are also those people who harm pokemon for their own selfish reasons or even profit." She spreads open her arms, "And that is why I am here. I will be like a mother to all those poor pokemon and shower them with love. Even pokemon from distant worlds, far from the Alola region, are worthy of my love."

Calem says, "Even if their presences harms other pokemon."

Lusamine closes her eyes to acknowledge Calem's point, "Even then, they are worthy of my love."

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

Lana says, "So, you weren't being rude earlier. You just need a new pair of eyes."

Lusamine covers her mouth as she chuckles at Hau's confusion. "Oh, you sweet boy! I'm already over 40!"

Hau says, "You are?" His eyes pop open as he steps back, "Wait, what!"

Lusamine again covers her mouth as she chuckles, "Oh, you! 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 as well Lana, the dress they gave you at my hotel was simply marvelous on you."

While Lana gives a bashful smile at the compliment, Hau says, "L-like what you wear? I don't think anyone else could pull of that kind of look! Except maybe Lillie…"

A flash of recognition passes across Lusamine's face at Lillie's name. Calem wants to strangle Hau for mentioning Lillie, but is able confirmation some suspicions thanks to it. The physical resemblance, the way Lusamine said, "Oh, you," and her reaction just now, Lillie has to be her daughter. From the impression he gets of Lusamine, No wonder Lillie ran away.

Lusamine says, "Oh, don't you worry. You just leave everything up to me. Trust me- children would all be much happier if they'd only listen to the adults around them."

Calem says, "Lysander wanted to kill almost every human and pokemon on the planet."

Lusamine chuckles, "Responsible adults. But, you poor thing, you're from Kalos, aren'-" An alarm cuts Lusamine short.

Wicke says, "That tremor, did something happen on the lower floors?"

Above their heads appears a hole surrounded by what looks like cracks created from energy. From it appears a jellyfish like creature. From its posture, Calem says. "It kinda looks like a girl."

Lana trembles while saying, "Ho- how are you so calm?"

Calem's hand slides to his black pokeball, but he lets it go for Mawile's premier ball. "Everything's relative. We've already survived the end of the world."

Lusamine steps forward to speak with the creature, "Did you come… from another world?"

The creature chirps and waves its tentacles.

Hau says, "Miss Lusamine, stand back! That thing's… not right!"

It keeps chirping and moving its tentacles.

Calem says, "It's confused and in pain. It wants to know what it's doing here."

Lana says, "You can understand it?"

"No, just how it's feeling."

Lusamine shakes her head, "You poor creature…"

Rotom says, "Zzz? I've never seen a pokemon like that! A-are we really gonna fight that… that thing?"

Calem looks to Lana and Hau. They're too scared to move or think, much less battle. With a situation this desperate and dangerous, he should be able to manage a battle. "No choice, Mawile."

"Maw!"

The creature chirps and a flaming red aura surrounds it as it swoops down to attack. Calem has no idea on how to respond. It looks like a jellyfish, so could it be a water type? Or maybe it's a poison type? The best way to find out would be to hit it with an attack. "Rock throw!"

Mawile scoops up some rocks into her second mouth from a nearby artificial mountain and flings it at the creature. It dodges most of the attack, but the few bits that graze its tentacles don't seem to bother it. Whatever it is, it isn't weak to rock type.

It then drenches Mawile in what looks to be venoshock. The move jetted from underneath its gelatos head faster than Calem could react to it. The him from before would have recognized the attack coming from the pokemon's preparation. He grits his teeth. The past is past, he has to fight as the him he is now.

The mysterious pokemon used a poison type move. Mawile, part steel, is unaffected, but it does coincide with the possibility of it being at least part poison. "Taunt!"

The creature opens its tentacles as it flies towards Mawile to grab her. "Iron head!"

The creature slams into the ground as it takes the hit. "Again!" It seems to have felt the attack. Best to deliver an unending barrage before it can get back up and counter attack.

Mawile is able to get two more hits in before the pokemon throws itself at Mawile with a headbutt. As Mawile stumbles back, the creature attacks with acid. It hasn't noticed that poison has no effect on Mawile.

"Crunch, ice fang, thunder fang!" Calem calls attack after attack to keep the mystery pokemon guessing and on the defense. It then attacks when Mawile stops to catch her breath. Mawile smirks and hits it a sucker punch, iron head combination. Not what the Calem has in mind, but it works.

The mystery pokemon chirps as it rises back up. What a monster, all that damage and it isn't hurt. But… it's frightened; it's no longer just in pain. It's now frightened of Calem and Mawile. That's when it begins to fade in and out of existence. He says, "Please… just go home." It then twists and contorts in on itself and vanishes.

Lusamine says, "So it's true…"

Calem hears Lusamine's whispering something to herself, but is too overcome from exhaustion to pay attention. With the adrenaline from battle fading, he and Mawile both collapse backward. Seated on the ground, he says, "Great going, Mawile."

Mawile raises a trembling arm as she says. "Maw…"

While Lana hurries to their side, Lusamine says, "That creature we just saw was undoubtedly an Ultra Beast… An unknown being from another dimension that suddenly appears from the ultra wormhole… It looked like it was suffering… Like it pained it to be in this strange place… I can't bear to see that happen! I will save it. And I will love it!"

The conviction in Lusamine's voice give's Calem chills. He's able to stand with Lana's support, "If coming here hurts it, then we should leave it were it is."

Lusamine smiles. "Wicke, these two are still in their island challenge, aren't they? Please deliver them to their next island and Lana back to her own."

Lana says, "Oh, no. I would appreciate also being taken to the next island. I have some business there. I'll return home on my own later."

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

Lusamine says, "I will go to check that none of our poor resident pokemon came to any harm. And I need to speak to Mr. Faba about exactly what happened downstairs. And of course, I will have to start preparing the foundation for our newest and perhaps greatest duty yet: the protection of the Ultra Beasts!"

Wicke turns to Calem, Lana, and Hau, "I'll see you three to Ula'ula Island then."

Lusamine waves them goodbye as the elevator descends for the docks. Wicke provides each of them with gifts as they board: Hau, a large malasadas, "Our artificial island specialty,"; Lana, a formal dress picked out from Lusmine's collection, "It's a bit big, but you'll grow into it soon enough,"; and Calem, a history book detailing Alola's myths, legends, and historical events, along with relevant geography, "Something to help you on your island adventure."

Calem says, "Is this a bribe?"

Hau claps Calem's back, "Who cares? We just got some great stuff."

As they board the ship, Wicke says, "It might be best to describe what happened upstairs as an accident."

Lana again rubs Calem's back once the ferry departs. Hau eats his malasada with a grin on his face, clueless that the smell of food makes Calem feel even worse. Upon his offering some to Calem and Lana, she snaps at him and tells him to leave. "Giving him food will only make him throw up!"

Hau gets up saying, "Fine, I'll just find a cute girl to spend my time with instead."

Once he's gone, Lana says, "You didn't like that place, did you?"

Calem grimaces from the nausea, but forces himself to say, "She has… a god complex." He takes a deep breath, "Exactly like… Lysander."

"You mean, the leader of Team Flare?"

Calem nods. "No wonder… her children… left. Probably treated… them like… dolls." He glances in the direction Hau walked off in, "Any who… can think… for… themselves are… unwanted."

Lana giggles, "You're saying she likes kids like Hau? But, what do you mean children? She didn't mention having kids."

Calem shakes his head and doesn't say anything for the rest of the journey. Lana doesn't try to make him to speak, but continues an on off conversation with him. "I didn't think Ultra Beasts actually existed. I guess the legends are true.", "The way you challenge that Ultra Beast was really brave. I was so terrified, I couldn't do anything. At some points, I even forgot to breath", "I can't wait to wear that dress she gave me. It's so pretty.", and, after a lull of silence, "Whenever you talk about Kalos, it doesn't show on your face, but your voice gets really empty…" She stops rubbing his back and leans against him. She snakes her arms around Calem to him a gentle hug. "Then, when that Ultra Beast showed up, the way you casually mentioned surviving the end of the world… It was like… you became nothing. Like you didn't even want to live anymore."

A/N: Okay, this might be my shortest chapter yet, but you'll all forgive me, right? A lot happened, for one, we got to see Detective Calem. Two, and perhaps more importantly, we've reached this story's halfway mark. I'm not saying there are nine more chapters left, just that plot wise, this is where the fun starts. Then again, you've all played the game, so you already know that. Let's just see how what you know is going to stick with what Calem does. Anyone have any guesses as to what will happen on the next island? Also, have any of you found some of the scenes funny? I've been trying to add bits of humor, but I'm not so sure if I've succeeded or not.

Thanks for reading, so now let me read your reviews,

-Gandire