By the time Hau had beaten Kahuna Olivia, it was around the later part of dusk and quickly heading into night time. Ash, Hau and Misty walked to the Hano Grand Resort. Walking inside, the water specialist redhead of the group was impressed by the two big fountains by the sides of the inner entrance.

"Wow, so pretty." She commented with a smile. "Right Eevee?"

"Eevee." She agreed. Soon, they were approached from the same older man of the Aether Foundation from earlier in the day.

"So, you've come at last. Ah, forgive me. I have yet to introduce myself. You may call me Faba. I told you before that I would show you someplace astonishing, right? Well, that place is Aether Paradise. Let me tell you about it."

"Before you do, I have a question." Ash asked.

"Yes?"

"Why do you have those kind of... eye wear? It sort makes you look like a bug." Hau and Misty barely witheld snickers before keeping their composure. Faba didn't like the question as he frowned and squinted his eyes glaringly. He decided to ignore Ash.

"Just the name suggests, Aether Paradise is a veritable paradise for Pokemon that floats far out in the sea of Alola. It is an artificial island, made entirely by human technology, for the protection of Pokemon! Of course I'm an adult who keeps his promises. So I will prove to you three that all that I have said is the absolute truth with a tour of Aether Paradise. Now, come with me. Aether Paradise will amaze your young, simple minds." While the teens didn't appreciate being referred to as simple minded, a welcoming voice didn't keep them on the insulting comment for long.

"Wait a minute." The trio turned to see Olivia walk to them, along with Professor Kukui.

"Oh?" Even Kahuna Olivia has come to see you off?" Faba chuckled. As a Kahuna, I look after all the trial-goers who come to my island. They're like my own children. Not that I've got any. I've never even gotten married. Now listen up; your greatest opponent is always yourself. Your greatest allies are the Pokemon beside you."

"Thanks Olivia!" Hau grinned as he placed his hands behind his head. "Are you coming too, Professor?"

"I've got my own business to attend to. You go see all the amazing technology that Aether's developing and tell me about it later, yeah? I'll see you cousins on the next island. Ula'ula Island, yeah? Let's meet up at Malie Garden.

"Well, I guess it's goodbye to Akala Island and hello Aether Paradise and Ula'ula Island!" Hau cheered, raising his fists in the air. "Though I guess we can come back any time we want, huh?"

"Of course." Olivia smiled. "Come over whenever you desire."

"Then let us enjoy an adventure upon that grand vessel that will take us across the high seas!" Faba proclaimed. "By which I mean the ferry."

"Man, can you believe a big hunk of iron like Aether Paradise floats in the sea?" Hau asked his friends as they walked to the ferry. "And it's all cuz of the Pokémon holding it up. Did you know that, Ash?" The trainer in question had his eyes open wide from that.

"It does?!"

"Ha, knew I could count on you to react!" The native boy laughed.

"I hope the Pokemon aren't being used for forced labor." Misty said out of concern.

"So do I. Well, I can't wait to actually see inside Aether Paradise for myself!" The boy laughed as he ran to the ferry boat.

"I think the Pokemon are okay." Ash tried to comfort his friend. "Forced labor is pretty rare since it's usually only done by villainous teams. As far as I've heard anyway."

"Thanks for saying that." The redhead girl smiled. Upon arrival, Ash some some Pokemon that he recognized. A Hypno and Miltank, along with a gray Meowth. That made his wonder because he was used to it being beige. Upon stepping their first steps on the artificial island, Faba welcomed them by saying,

"Here we are; Aether Paradise. Aether Paradise was created for the conservation of Pokemon." As he said so, the teenagers saw in an elevator a female employee, a Sudowoodo and a Yungoos go up to a higher level, unsure of how high it was going to go. "It has been outfitted with all the latest technology for this purpose. Downstairs, our team is working on new Poke Balls and more. Yes, all for the sake of Pokemon conservation."

"You said that as if we wouldn't believe you otherwise." Ash pointed out. Once again, Faba ignored Ash.

"Although you won't be able to use your Pokeballs here to capture Pokemon. There's a jamming signal that prevents empty vessels from functioning. Now, follow me." Faba led the trio towards the elevator, where a young woman dressed in a white coat and pink vertically stripped sweater with big, poofy dark purple hair and normal glasses came down. Stepping off, she spoke to Faba,

"Excuse me, Mr. Faba."

"Yes excuse me!" He said with a strong self-important tone and attitude. "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 woman sighed silently through her nose, but replied,

"Yes... Branch Chief Faba."

"Now, I must go speak with the president about our conservation efforts on Akala Island. Show these children around and then take them to meet the president as well." He then went to the elevator and went straight up.

"Phew." The woman now outwardly sighed. Turning her attention to the teenagers, she smiled and bowed. "Welcome to Aether Paradise, Ash, Hau and Misty. My name is Riley Wicke. I'm the assistant branch chief of who you already know as Branch Chief Edward Faba. I apologize for his... behavior. He can be so narcissistic. He even has me keep my job in lower cases while his are upper case."

"Ugh, that sounds just plain petty and wrong." Misty rolled her eyes. "It's nice to meet you."

"Yeah, same here." Ash agreed.

"Likewise!" Hau chuckled as he placed his hands behind his head.

"Thank you!" Wicke smiled from their kind greeting. Then he realized as the boy gasped, "Wait, you know who we are? How do you know that?!"

"One of my employees, Melanie, told me about your meeting on Akala. I've also heard you three are becoming quite popular with Alola with stopping Team Skull either stealing Pokemon or just being a general nuisance. On behalf of Aether Paradise, we thank you. Let me show you around now. The main entrance is right above us." The elevator then appeared, which they then got on and went up. Once they were on the main floor, Ash was surprised to see another one of the Pokemon.

"Who's that Pokemon?" Ash asked.

"That is an Oranguru." Wicke answered. "It's a normal psychic type, and it's quite smart even for psychic types like Alakazam. It can use Poke balls and order other Pokemon like a trainer via mimicking trainers, and it's primarily used by veteran trainers.

"That's awesome!" Hau exclaimed. "A Pokemon that acts like a trainer! That's pretty wild!"

"Wow." Ash was indeed amazed by that information.

"Indeed. If your Pokemon need help in any way, they'll be taken care of at the reception desk here." Wicke told them as a Dewpider and Bellosom walked around until the two small Pokemon noticed the new humans. "Ash, you and Hau are both trial-goers, aren't you?"

"Yes." Ash answered.

"Are you hoping to become champions?"

"That's the plan."

"How old are each of you?"

"I'm 17."

"Me too!" Hau chuckled.

"I'm 18." Misty responded with a different age.

"I want to be the strongest in the Alola region!" Hau added after Misty said her age. "But for now I'm just enjoying my island challenge." Wicke nodded with a grin.

"How lovely to hear. I suppose all children and teens must yearn to take a journey of their own choosing when they come of age."

"Yeah. I tried starting a few months ago back in Kanto... but I had a bad start." Ash sadly chuckled as scratched his head. "That's sort of why I came to Alola since it was recommended."

"Well, you're certainly not very inexperienced now as far as I've heard. I bet you could continue on and beat the Indigo League." Wicke then chuckled as the woman thought back years ago. "Interestingly enough, I actually took part of the Indigo challenge myself when I was your age."

"Wow! Are you from Kanto too?!" The black haired trainer asked her.

"Born and raised. Though I didn't make it very far. I came to find my true calling was in Pokemon research. Now then, how about we go see the Pokemon conservation area upstairs?" Going up another level, the conservation room looked like an emulation of an island forest with trees, bushes and rocks. "Aether Paradise is a safe haven for all Pokemon. For this reason, the use of Pokeballs are strictly prohibited in this room.

"Wow!" Hau was extremely amazed by such a room.

"It's beautiful in here." Misty gasped.

"Eevee." The normal type agreed.

"This would certainly be a great place to live if a Pokemon doesn't have a home it can find." Ash remarked.

"We keep Pokemon that have been targeted by Team Skull here. And we always try to support Pokemon that need a little extra protection. Like Corsola for example. They are quite terribly over-hunted by a Pokemon called Mareanie. I hope you don't mind me reading a passage from my old Pokedex. "Corsola. In Alola, when their natural enemies Mareanie are plentiful, many Corsola have stubby branches on their heads."

"Yeah, my gramps is always saying that nature's got its cruel side, sure as it gives its blessings." Hau brought up.

"That makes me so sad." Misty looked down, crestfallen now. "Such beautiful Pokemon and there's too much of its natural predator to survive without our help."

"Can the Aether Foundation really help all that Pokemon out there?" Ash asked Wicke.

"Nature does have its balance of course. It can be difficult to judge how much we humans should try to affect it, can't it? And besides, like all organizations that try to help, we can only do so much for everyone."

"Man, the Aether Foundation is so awesome. So why set up a branch in Alola?" Hau questioned.

"Who knows? You never really know for sure what our president is thinking sometimes. If you'd like to meet President Lusamine, she should be here in the conservation room now. Look for a woman with big blonde hair."

"Let's split up then." Hau suggested. With a nod, they split into different directions, with Ash taking the left. After maneuvering around some paths that let him hug the left and then the upper side of the walls, Ash finally found the president. She was talking to some Pokemon with a male employee. They were a Starmie, Alolan Grimer and Alolan Meowth.

"My sweet Pokemon. I promise I'll keep you safe." The blonde woman spoke with a motherly tone towards the three Pokemon. As she heard some footsteps behind her, the woman smiled. "Ah." Rising from her knees to her feet, the president turned her gaze to Ash.

"Hey guys, she's here!" The trainer called out. Misty, Wicke and Hau soon gathered to where they were.

"Take them." She told the employee, which he did so that it was just them. Her feet were in black high heels and her long slender legs were in tight pants that were white in the front and black in the back. Her body wore a sleeveless dress which was a short skirt around the lower half of it, and a black crystal in front of her chest. Finally, her blonde hair was... weird. It was like a hollow cone where it acted almost like a tent around her body, hip length along her back but knee length at the lost reaching points of her hair. And like Plumeria before, Lusamine was tall. Taller in fact. If Plumeria was a few inches taller then Ash's average 5'9 foot tall height, then the Aether President beat her at the astonishing estimate female height of 6.6 feet. Even taking the high heels away would still give her an impressive 6.2 or 6.3 length in height as she towered over the young trainers with a smile.

"You must be the kids I was told about. Welcome to Aether Paradise. The Aether Foundation's own private island. I am the president of this foundation. But please, just call me Lusamine. I'm so glad we got to meet. I'm glad there are people like you, who travel the islands to learn more about Pokemon. But there are also those unfortunate people who harm Pokemon for their own selfish reasons or profit." She spread her arms out. "And that is why I am here. I will be the mother for all those poor Pokemon and shower them with love. Even Pokemon from distant worlds, far from the Alola region, are worthy of my love." However, the kids she was talking to were speechless. Not because of what she said, but just how abnormally tall she was. "Hmm? Children?"

"I think they're still stuck on your height." Wicke giggled. Realizing the situation, Lusamine gave a tired chuckle.

"Oh right. Yes children, I am quite tall. What with these long legs." The woman said as she crossed her right leg in front of her left. They proceeded to look at her legs which were clearly over a meter tall themselves. "My legs are so long they're double my body and head length wise. I have to stoop down under door frames in heels like the ones I'm wearing now.

"Wow! You're... so tall!" Hau finally said something. "You look so slender and elegant!"

"Hehe, thank you Hau."

"And what also amazes me is how you do all this! You're, like, not even not much older then us!"

"Oh, you sweet boy." Lusamine giggled. "I'm already over 40."

"You are?" Misty asked. "You look 20 at least!"

"Wait what?!" Hau gasped when the realization dawned on him.

"40?!" Ash also took a few seconds to register the fact.

"The right styles does wonders, you know." The president chuckled. "And Hau, your style is a bit wanting, hm? I'll have to take you out sometime and help you pick a smashing outfit."

"L-like what you wear?" The boy gulped. "I don't think anyone could come close to pulling off your fashion! Except Lillie." At the mention of her name, Lusamine lost her smile and became serious as she stood straight and professional. Even her voice lost its jovial tone.

"Oh, don't you worry. You just leave everything to me. Trust me, children would be a lot happier if they'd only listen to their parents and adults around them." Misty's face also turned sour as she looked away from Lusamine, not agreeing without saying it. That was all interrupted however when everything around them started to rumble. It only lasted for a few seconds though.

"That tremor... did something happen to the lower floors?" Before Wicke could answer, a ticking noise was heard for a few seconds before a space before them collapsed, revealing an Ultra Wormhole! The other side was completely obscured in white so they couldn't see what was on the other side. Rainbow light glowed within the wormhole before something floated out. It looked like a white jellyfish with star shaped markings around the bell of its being. The tentacles gave it a vaguely humanoid shape as well with a resemblance of long hair, arms and legs.

"It's..." Lusamine stuttered, before steeling herself and walked a few steps towards it. "Have you come from... a distant world?" The creature responded in a warbling voice.

"Lusamine, stand back!" Wicke advised. "We don't know what that's capable of!"

"You poor creature." The tall president said, ignoring the others.

"Whoa, I've never zzzeen a Pokemon like that!" Rotom came out, flabbergasted by its appearance. "What are we going to do?!" When it used Venoshock to send streams of purple liquid out to attack the humans, prompting all but Lusamine to jump back which Hau had to pull her back to avoid being hurt, Ash replied,

"We battle it! Brionne, I choose you!"

"Yeah, let's go Torracat!"

"Go Staryu, my steady!" Each of the trainers sent out their starter Pokemon, and each of them were prepared to fight this Ultra Beast.(A/N: Since we all basically know what it is and have no drama for its identity, I'm just going to call it Nihilego for simplicity's sake.) Nigilego produced a multi-colored beam which Staryu and Torracat were able to dodge, but not Brionne as she was too slow trying to hop away, and thus was blasted in her back. She yelped in pain as she flew forward into a bush.

"Brionne! Alright, let's show this thing what we're made of!" Ash told his friends as he initiated a Z-Move pose.

"Yeah, we'll keep all the Pokemon here safe!" Hau agreed as he did was Ash was doing.

"I may not have the power of Z, but I'll help the best I can!" Misty gave her support as Staryu spun around on the ready. When Ash and Hau completed their posing, the two trial-goers commanded,

"Hydro Vortex/Inferno Overdrive!"

"Use Bubblebeam!" Misty gave her order. Brionne used Aqua Jet to generate the water she needed to spin around Nihilego, soon creating a surface based whirlpool where the rock/poison type was being bashed into by the water starter. It didn't help that Staryu filled the vortex with bubbles which swirled around in the currents, thus dealing even more damage. Torracat meanwhile was running up a wall while forming a giant fireball in front of his mouth. Pushing off the wall to leap over the Hydro Vortex, the Fire Cat Pokemon launched the Inferno Overdrive into the center of the water Z-Move. With the combination of the three moves, all that power made to create a truly epic explosion which generated a lot of steam, with Lusamine and Wicke shielding themselves by hiding behind some trees. Dropping down together, the Pokemon and their trainers watched cautiously as Nihilego pushed away all of the steam around it, revealing a blasted floor underneath it. The Ultra Beast began to flicker before outright disappearing straight from view. All of them sighed.

"So it's true. I still need that Pokemon." Lusamine said as she stepped out of hiding. "I need to get it back."

"Miss Lusamine, are you okay?" Misty asked.

"Yeah, I guess we... forgot you were there... while trying to protect... you." Ash admitted with an awkward chuckle in between pants.

"Yes, thank you."

"Why so shocked?" A familiar voice that Ash dreaded spoke. "Was it your first time seeing an Ultra Beast?" Everyone turned to see it was the Ultra Recon Squad, Captain Phyco and Soliera! They finally saw their eyes obscured, where their eyes were as only slightly paler white then their skin and had grey irises. "Those mysterious creatures that live beyond the Ultra Wormholes, the holes that suddenly open in the sky and lead to Ultra Space."

"So that's what we saw earlier while leaving Professor Burnet's lab?" "Ash pondered to himself.

"If you saw a white ripple in the sky then yes. It wasn't a complete Ultra Wormhole but you've witnessed one almost complete itself. It would serve you well to remember this."

"I don't think I'd be able to forget even if I wanted to!" Hau gulped.

"Are you three familar with the Ultra Recon Squad?" Lusamine asked the teenagers.

"We've been seeing them ever since we've started our Island Challenge." Ash answered. "They were talking about Yu-Gi-Oh weirdly enough."

"Oh, I wouldn't have expected you two to be card players." The Aether president chuckled, but Phyco yelled out,

"It's nothing but a children's card game!" Realizing he shouted, the man recomposed himself. "And that's why it's not an important topic to talk about right now. Or ever." He glared at Ash specifically. "We've been giving this foundation advice about each of the Ultra Beasts that come to this region. You shall refer to me as Captain Phyco and nothing else."

"And I am Soliera."

"We've already told you we come from a different world, but it was via the Ultra Wormholes that made it possible. A world of darkness... without light."

"Natural light anyway. We still have electricity."

"There is a creature, known as Necrozma."

"Sure can't expect anything good and lively from a name like that." Ash rolled his eyes.

"This is not a matter to jest about, boy. It is able to bestow light upon others, but now it runs wild, beyond reason. We call it the Blinding One out of respect, but... I fear that the day may come when Alola loses its light to Necrozma."

"But everything will be fine." Lusamine assured as she went to stand in between them. "If this Necrozma, or even an Ultra Beast like the one we just saw, should come to this world from another, the Aether Foundation will be will be prepared to protect the light of Alola." She smiled. "Rest easy. You not need to worry about anything." The two squad members then left as the president started leading the others to the elevator. The trainers tried returning their Pokemon, but find that they couldn't until they remembered that empty Pokeballs don't work.

"Wicke, these two are still in the middle of their trials, aren't they?" Lusamine asked the branch assistant.

"Yes."

"Then please deliver them to the next island."

"Oh! At once ma'am!" The purple haired woman complied.

"I will go check that none of our poor resident Pokemon came to harm. And I need to speak with Mr. Faba about exactly what happened downstairs. It may be that our experiments to open an Ultra Wormhole are not going as well as we'd hoped.

"Very well." Wicke bowed before turning to the teens. "I'll see you two to Ula'ula Island then."

"Cool. I guess we'll see you later Lusamine." Hau said to be courteous, which she smiled to.

"I hope so darlings. You're high up on my interest list below Ultra Beasts and Pokemon conservation. Heading on down to the ferry level, Hau whistled.

"I never thought I'd actually get to see the Ultra Wormhole in my life. Nevermind seeing an Ultra Beast!"

"That was certainly something." Ash and Misty said at the same time, to which both chuckled from the timing.

"Man, these surprises just never stop coming! We've gotta tell Professor Burnet about this the next time we see her!"

"I'm glad you feel that way." Wicke told Hau. "What happened here today was a surprise to us as well. But I was very glad to meet the three of you. Take these to remember your visit. Some malasadas for Hau."

"Woo, awesome!" The boy cheered as he got some sweet treats. "Isn't it crazy how malasadas taste even better when you eat them together with someone else?!"

"I think I know what you mean, yes." Wicke giggled. "Meals always taste better with when you share them with the ones you love. As for you Misty, here's a couple of water stones. I noticed an Eevee ears sticking out of your bag, and I know your Staryu would make a great Starmie."

"Thank you so much." Misty took the stones and bowed out of appreciation.

"And Ash. Here's a TM for Psychic. You never know when a good psychic type move might come in handy."

"Thanks."

"I hope you all have wondrous adventures on your island challenge."

"We will, thanks." Hau said. As they got onto the ferry boat and got in their seats, Hau stretched in his seat. "Ho boy, my heart is still racing, you know?" He asked Ash.

"I do know. The way we combined those Z-Moves were so epic." The trainer chuckled.

"The Ultra Wormholes and Ultra Beasts... they're real. And now this Ultra Recon Squad too! Turns out they're the good guys!" He cheered. While Ash still wasn't sure about that, at least they were telling the truth they weren't malevolent. "The world is just way too big. I bet we'll discover even more things on the next island too. We're going to need all the energy we can get. Well, time to dig into these Malasadas!" Hau gave Ash and Misty some of his food.

"Cheers!" They all said at the same time.

A/N: Is it just me, or does it seem like Hau is being more of the protagonist than Ash is? It makes sense since the last few chapters had Hau along for the majority of the Akala segments when in game the player character is mute but it felt like he's been taking quite a lot of speaking parts while Ash is just there like Misty is. I don't know. But anyway that was pretty awesome, huh? And I bet the Pokemon roster is going to evolve into their final forms soon after this point. I've been forgetting to ask for reviews so what have you readers been liking of the chapters I've done on Akala Island? Review please if you would like to.