A.N. I was supposed to update this yesterday, but I was busy and was updating another story alongside of this one. The chapter was an extremely long one. Also, because of how long the next chapter will be in the other story, this one will become daily uploads from now until the New Year. So look forward to that. But anyway, on with the show.

CHAPTER 4

Devastation and Hope

Hau chased Faba through the Aether Paradise. Thanks to his years of exploring Ultra Wormholes, he had developed a great amount of stamina. Faba on the other hand had spent the past ten years rotting in a cell. Because of this, his stamina was pathetic. Unfortunately for Hau however, Faba wasn't afraid to play dirty. He led Hau and eventually Gladion through the Paradise, knocking over boxes or forcing doors to close behind him.

But despite all of this, Hau was able to catch up before Faba could leave the Base. Under different circumstances, Hau would've pulled out one of his pokéballs and challenged Faba to a battle. But this time, Hau was so angry and overcome with sorrow over the loss of his friend that he didn't even bother summoning one of his pokémon. Instead, he used tackle on Faba himself.

Faba's face hit the ground with a loud crack! His glasses had smashed, and blood was pouring from his nose. But still, he was almost three times the age of Hau, and was able to shake him off. But not without receiving many punches and kicks. He scrambled free of Hau's grip and kept running. But he didn't get very far before Gladion got in his way. "Sorry mate," he said as he raised his fist. "But while I wasn't sure about Elio dating my younger sister, seeing how devastated she is makes me think that this is well deserved." With that, he sucker punched Faba right in the face.

Faba fell to the ground and didn't move. But when some workers of the Aether Paradise went to pick him up, they were suddenly zapped by a jolt of electricity. Faba had a small taser in his pocket, and had used it on them. Once they were out of the way, he scrambled up and limped out to the dock. Gladion and Hau chased him, but he simply released all of his pokémon and ordered them to attack. As the two men tried to fight their way through, Faba used the time to board a small submarine and flee into the depths.

When the two men made their way back to where Lillie was, they found her sobbing hopelessly at the spot where Elio vanished. Gladion approached and put a comforting arm on her shoulder. "He proposed to you, didn't he?" Gladion asked. Lillie just nodded. This made the two of them feel worse for letting him get away. Unfortunately for them, it was as if Lillie could read minds. "He escaped, didn't he?" she asked, her voice filled with devastation and grief. The lack of response she got was all the answer she needed.

She stood up and approached some spare equipment. She picked up a small metal pipe and started angrily smashing the machines to bits. She made sure not to hit the one that created Ultra Wormholes, in case that one could be fixed. Once she'd let out all her anger, she dropped the pipe, fell to her knees and resumed sobbing.

After a while of this, she spoke up. "We have to tell the region about this" she told them. The two looked at her, unconvinced. "How are we going to come up with a lie that'll work, when we don't know if he'll ever…" she couldn't finish the sentence before dissolving into more tears. While Hau and Gladion were still doubtful of the idea, they agreed that it was the best course of action. The region deserved to know what happened to their Champion.

Everyone was confused when the new Island Kahuna of MeleMele returned with Lillie and Gladion, but no Elio in sight. They tried to question them, but Lillie was currently inconsolable, while the other two only brushed them off, saying they'll explain in a bit. Eventually, the three were standing on the platform. Hau turned to look at Kukui and said, "Switch the feeds back on." Kukui stared at him with a confused expression. "What, why?" he asked. "I'll explain once everyone in Alola can hear this." Kukui shrugged and ordered the cameras be turned back on.

People all over the region were confused when the scene of Hau's declaration as new Island Kahuna of MeleMele came back onto their TVs. But this time, what they saw was a deadly serious Hau, a glared Gladion and a devastated Lillie. But all was explained as Hau began speaking.

"Hello," he said seriously, "I am the new Island Kahuna of MeleMele, Hau. And I come with grave news indeed. A little over an hour ago, a giant Ultra Wormhole was opened up over Iki town. On the other side of the Wormhole was a Guzzlord, primed and ready to be dropped upon this town!" Everyone in Alola gasped as they heard this. "The man who threatened to do this was none other than Faba, a crazed ex worker of the Aether Paradise," Gladion went on to a chorus of boos at the name. "He threatened to drop the Guzzlord if Champion Elio didn't show up to meet with him. So, our brave Champion did as was asked, along with me, my sister and Hau."

Lillie took over from here. But it was difficult to make out what she was saying over her weeping. "We arrived there," she went on, "Only to find out that this was a ploy to trap Elio in another Wormhole as revenge for foiling his plans. Elio managed to shut down the Wormhole, but at a great cost. For Necrozma was on the other side of the Wormhole, and he pulled Elio in before Faba shut it behind him."

Gasps of horror and despair echoed through the whole region. How could someone do something so despicable. But before the region had time to mourn, Hau stepped up again. "Do not worry!" he said, his voice full of authority. "We have a plan to retrieve him. But to do that, we're going to need your help! So I beg you, if you are a skilled trainer, will you join us on our quest to save Elio!?"

Almost everyone in Iki Town cheered their support. And it wasn't long before social media was flooded with people texting in saying they'll pitch in. Lillie was filled with a burst of hope at this. She stepped up and said, "Thank you all so much for your support. I assure you, once we have everything ready, we'll summon you all to Aether Paradise to help us bring Elee home!" More cheering came as the three descended from the platform.

They congregated in Kukui's lab to discuss their options. "Ok," said Gladion, "We've got an army of trainers, next we'll need a method of travelling quickly through the Ultra Wormhole once we have it locked on." They thought about their options. Then Lillie said, "We could always ask the Galar region's champion if he could lend us some of their Rotom Bikes." "Good idea," Gladion replied. "Now all we need is a way of finding out which Wormhole he's in." "But to do that," Kukui pointed out, "You'll need someone who can track Ultra Wormholes. That's never been done before."

"Actually," said Hau, bashfully. "I know someone who can." Everyone stared at him, amazed. They noticed that as he spoke about this person, his cheeks grew steadily redder. "Who?" Lillie asked, desperately. Hau sighed, then said, "She's the person me and Elio travelled with on our journeys through the Wormholes." He paused, wondering if he should go on, before saying, "And she's also my girlfriend!"

Sorry if that chapter was a bit of a mess, but I'm feeling a bit under the weather and it's nearly half 2 in the morning. I would've posted this sooner, but I was really busy throughout the day, so the night was the only time I could. But still, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you tomorrow where we'll meet Hau's girlfriend!