Chapter 45
As we step outside, an unexpected sight meets us—Team Skull, led by Guzma, stands before us. Quick to act, Gladion steps forward, ready to face Guzma in a battle. Meanwhile, Hau exclaims, "Whoa! There's, like, an uku billion Team Skull thugs in this place!"
Selene voices her realization, "So, the foundation was indeed collaborating with Team Skull?"
Lillie adds, "Even though Ash and I were aware of this, it's still..."
"This is, like, way too mind-blowing to think about right now! Let's knock some skulls together for now!" Hau encourages as we charge ahead, engaging and defeating a swarm of Team Skull grunts.
We rush forward, only to find Gladion lying defeated by Guzma. Silvally's helmet is shattered, a clear indication that the battle was intense, yet Gladion had been unable to emerge victorious. Gladion grits his teeth, murmuring, "Ngh! So I'm still not strong enough. All the days that I struggled alone and lonely... it was all for nothing? Is that it?"
Noticing our arrival, Guzma exclaims, "The hated boss who beats you down and beats you down and never lets up... Yeah. Big bad Guzma is here! I did that spoiled little brat a favor and crushed him. Yeah, that was me. Y'know, I kinda liked you, kid. Leaving home like that and wanting to get stronger and stronger. You had some real guts. Going so far as coming over to Team Skull. And rejecting your own mother?! That was impressive."
Gladion continues to grit his teeth, and Guzma says, "And now it's your turn! You little misfits keep getting up in my grill, like a cloud of smoke that I can't brush away. It's time I put out your fire at the source!"
He now employs four Pokémon, including Vikavolt. Lillie and I decide to battle together, deploying Pikachu, Greninja, Gardevoir, and Incineroar against his team.
"Let's show our full power!" I raise my hand, and Greninja begins its transformation into the Ash-Greninja form, stunning everyone in sight.
"What's happening with that Greninja?" Selene asks, perplexed. "I've never seen that before..." adds Rosa.
"Tch, you think that's going to stop me," Guzma sneers as his Bug Pokémon continue their assault with Lunge.
After effortlessly defeating each of our Pokémon, Lillie also expends her Z-Move for Greninja's Black Hole Eclipse. Now, it's my turn, and I opt to use the Psychium Z on Gardevoir.
"Let's do this!" I initiate the Psychic dance, shouting, "Shattered Psyche!"
Gardevoir harnesses its Psychic powers, levitating the Golisopod and slamming it into numerous invisible barriers before finally knocking it out.
"Hey, what's up with you? How come I can't smash you?!" Guzma yells in frustration. "Guzma! What is wrong with you?!"
I ponder why he always reacts like this after I defeat him. He mutters, "Tch. Looks like I got no choice. Go on...go through."
Lillie and I rush ahead, only to be surprised by Dulse and Soliera standing in front of us.
"An Alola to you, Ash and Lillie!" Zossie greets.
"It is the custom of your people to have your Pokémon do battle if your goals are in conflict with those of another, isn't it? That is what we have learned during the course of our research," explains Dulse.
"So you're here to stop us as well?" I inquire.
"I may not be well-practiced in Pokémon battles, but I will make you leave Cosmog to us. Show them your power, Poipole!" Dulse commands as they attempt to engage us with Poipole. In response, we swiftly defeat it using Gardevoir's Psychic.
"Another defeat... I do not understand it," Dulse expresses his frustration. "Even with all our technology, we cannot control the outcome of battle. This must be why we are unable to maintain perfect control over Necrozma..."
"You people here in Alola really are something, being able to make your Pokémon battle and all!" Zossie interjects. "But..."
"Do not fear, Zossie. We can rely upon the strength of the Aether Foundation. We will use Cosmog and send formidable Pokémon Trainers through the Ultra Wormhole to battle and defeat Necrozma! That is why we had the scientist Colress create a device that will be able to restrain Necrozma!"
"Uncle Colress is also involved with this?" Lillie queries.
"The president is going to help us. Please don't get in our way..." Zossie pleads.
We ignore Dulse and Zossie and proceed through the door, finding Ms. Lusamine waiting inside. Lillie exclaims, "Mother!"
"Lillie!" To our surprise, instead of a confrontation, Lusamine embraces Lillie, rubbing her hair gently. "You've returned! I've been so worried about you. I've constantly wondered where my baby girl has been..."
"Mother! It's so embarrassing..." Lillie groans slightly, feeling a mixture of relief and embarrassment at her mother's display of affection.
"Thank you for bringing her back, Ash! You have my gratitude," Lusamine unexpectedly expresses her appreciation towards me, catching me off guard. "Uh... you're welcome."
"Where's Nebby? What are you going to do with it?" Lillie demands to know.
"Nebby? You mean Cosmog?" Lusamine responds. "You don't need to worry about it anymore. My fathomless love will save you... when I protect this entire world from darkness!"
"Protect this world...? Mother! What is it you're trying to do?! Is that why you want Nebby? Is that what you would sacrifice Cosmog for?" Lillie questions, alarmed by her mother's words.
Lusamine turns away, and I can sense the direction this conversation is heading. "That's right... I will force Cosmog to use its power, and it may very well die. But if it will save the world for all of my beloved Pokémon, then that is what I will do. Besides, it is because of him that I almost lost my daughter."
As she steps onto the teleportation pad, she addresses Lillie, "Lillie. I will be using the Cosmog you stole for a great purpose. You have kept it safe until now, and for that... I thank you."
"Mother!" Lillie's cry echoes through the room.
I let out a sigh. "At least she's not saying something like 'Calling me mother? I don't have any children! Certainly not any wretched children who would run off and reject my love!' But still..."
We make our way towards the Trophy Room, where, much like the Ultra Dimensions, Pokémon are still frozen in ice. Lusamine guides us, saying, "If you want to see, you'd better hurry. This way."
As we proceed, she continues, "What do you think? It's my private collection. My precious babies... They will all be preserved for eternity here. But if the light is stolen from this world, then I won't be able to love my babies any longer. So I will open the Ultra Wormhole and take on the Pokémon that would steal our light... I will defeat even poor Necrozma!"
Suddenly, Trenor and the others arrive. Lusamine remarks, "I see you're not alone. I know better than to expect much from the members of the Ultra Recon Squad, but really... Couldn't Guzma even stop a few children?"
Gladion steps forward urgently, "Listen to us. Please! Don't open the Ultra Wormhole! We can't lose anyone else... Not like we lost Father!"
Lusamine's expression darkens, "Do you think I've forgotten?! As if I could forget what happened that day... I hate the Ultra Wormholes from the depths of my being. But that is why I will be the one to go! I will not let anyone stop me! Not even my own daughter and son!"
Selene remarks, "So this is your mother... I wasn't expecting her to be like this..."
Lusamine declares, "I will save you. With all the endless love of the president of the Aether Foundation, as someone tasked with the protection of all Pokémon... I was able to open the Ultra Wormhole using just the gases we'd extracted from Cosmog when it was in Aether Paradise, wasn't I?"
The sound of Nebby's cry fills the room, and a sense of foreboding hangs heavy in the air. We understand what is about to transpire. Lusamine responds, determination etched on her face, "And now I have Cosmog itself inside this crate here. If I use its entire body, I should be able to control the Ultra Wormhole."
Lillie, her voice trembling with concern and desperation, mutters, "Mother... Please... Stop... If Nebby isn't— If you make it use up too much of its power... you don't understand what will happen! Like that day it teleported us from Paradise... it couldn't even move for ages after that... If you use too much of its power, it will die!"
Lusamine shakes her head, "I... I am Lusamine."
As Lusamine moves towards the computer, a sense of fear and anticipation fills the room. We brace ourselves for the worst, expecting the portal to open. However, as the process unfolds, instead of a Nihilego emerging, the portal flickers and vanishes, leaving nothing behind but an empty space.
A collective sigh of relief echoes through the room, mixed with confusion and uncertainty at the unexpected turn of events. Lusamine observes Nebby's resistance, noting, "Oh? You are trying to resist, aren't you, Cosmog? But why? For Lillie's sake, perhaps?"
Nebby cries out, prompting Lusamine to sigh, "How gallant you are... You love Lillie, don't you?"
Turning her attention back to us, Lusamine remarks, "Heh heh... Perhaps Gladion and Lillie have both grown up a bit since leaving Aether. But I still won't allow them to interfere with this. If I am going to protect the Pokémon of Alola, I must go through the Ultra Wormhole and meet this Necrozma! I will have Cosmog open the Ultra Wormhole. No matter what. I will use the power of its cage to ensure that it cannot resist any further!"
As Guzma makes his appearance, Lusamine acknowledges, "There you are."
Gladion shouts, "Mother, if you disappear, too—!"
"Now you worry for me? Fine, Gladion. I will do what I must to put your worries to rest... by demonstrating my strength in battle," Lusamine asserts, before turning towards us. "Let's see... Yes, you. Lillie."
"Mother?" Lillie responds, puzzled.
"You will battle me. If I can defeat even you, then that should silence your last objections as well," Lusamine declares, preparing to engage Lillie in a battle.
Lusamine's Clefable gracefully takes the field, while Lillie chooses her nimble Togedemaru. Clefable goes for Metronome which brings into Earth Power, hitting Togedemaru. Togedemaru darts forward, its metallic body glowing, colliding with Clefable using Iron Head, overwhelming the Fairy-type Pokémon with the impact and securing the first victory for Lillie.
Milotic is her second Pokemon, and it goes for Icy Wind, hitting Togedemaru.
"Togedemaru, hang in there! Zing Zap!" Lillie urges.
Despite Togedemaru's electric assault with Zing Zap, Milotic's serenity shields it from the attack, allowing it to counter with a powerful Hydro Pump, overpowering the electric Pokémon.
"Go, Tsareena!" Lillie calls out, sending in her regal Grass-type Pokémon.
"Milotic, use Hydro Pump again!" Lusamine commands. Tsareena agilely avoids the Hydro Pump and retaliates with a barrage of Trop Kicks, managing to outmaneuver Milotic and secure the victory.
Lusamine counters with her graceful Lilligant, whose Petal Dance proves to be a challenge for Tsareena.
"Tsareena, use High Jump Kick once more!" Lillie instructs, but to her horror, Tsareena misses the attack and crashes to the ground, injuring itself. Lilligant's powerful Petal Dance ultimately takes the victory in this round.
Lillie switches to her Shiny Salazzle, whose cunning and venomous attacks prove formidable against Lilligant.
"Salazzle, Sludge Bomb!" Lillie commands. Salazzle utilizes its poisonous Sludge Bomb to outwit Lilligant, securing a strategic win for Lillie.
Lusamine responds with her formidable Bewear, whose sheer strength and endurance prove challenging.
"Salazzle, Flamethrower!" Lillie urges.
Despite Salazzle's agility and strategy, Bewear's immense strength overpowers Salazzle in a close match by using Zen Headbutt. Undeterred, Lillie sends out her vibrant Bruxish, whose Psychic Fangs and Aqua Jet combine to outmaneuver Bewear.
"Bruxish, Psychic Fangs!" Lillie directs.
Bruxish utilizes its Psychic Fangs to create an opening, and then swiftly attacks with Aqua Jet, securing a victory for Lillie's team. Lusamine calls upon her swift and nimble Lopunny to face Bruxish.
"Bruxish, use Aqua Tail!" Lillie commands.
In a fast-paced exchange, Lopunny's swift movements give it the upper hand, defeating Bruxish in a close contest.
The final stand belongs to Snowy. She says, "Snowy, let's do this together."
Then they start to do the Z Move dance, and yell, "Breakneck Blitz!"
Snowy charges forward and slams into Lopunny, knocking it out, and securing an impressive victory for Lillie.
Lusamine's sudden smile catches everyone off guard. "Heh heh heh... Oh, Lillie, you are strong, as expected from the one who even defeated the Sinnoh Champion. You should carry on with your island challenge. Perhaps I've made you feel uneasy about my ability to handle this task? I will be fine. I won't be alone. Guzma. With me."
Guzma swiftly affirms, "Yes, ma'am!" The realization dawns that things are still unfolding in an unexpected direction.
Noticing Lusamine's determination to confront Necrozma, Gladion urgently yells, "Wait! Let me go! My partner Null was born to be a beast killer! I've trained it all this time to be able to battle on the other side of that Ultra Wormhole!"
Lusamine responds with a calm smile, "You are a sweet boy... But do not worry. You can leave it all in my hands! Children really would all be much happier... if they'd only listen to the adults around them."
As the tension mounts, Lusamine reaches the box, initiating the creation of the Ultra Wormhole. Without hesitation, both she and Guzma leap into it, to the horror of everyone witnessing the scene.
"Again..." I mutter with frustration, feeling the weight of the situation.
Lillie echoes my sentiment, muttering, "Mother... why?" She shakes her head in disbelief before reaching out to Nebby, asking softly, "Nebby, are you alright?"
Similar to what occurred in that Ultra Dimension, Nebby has evolved into a Cosmoem. Trenor observes, "It changed forms... and it's not moving..."
I interject, correcting his observation, "No, not a change of forms... Nebby has evolved into a Cosmoem."
"So Nebby can evolve... that's surprising..." Rosa remarks, voicing the astonishment we all feel at this unexpected turn of events.
Gladion takes charge, his voice carrying a mix of concern and urgency. "Come on. Let's get out of here. Nothing good can happen here." With his guidance, we all make our way out of the area, leaving behind the unsettling scene and the unanswered questions it has raised.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, you can see that I made some modifications. I make the Lusamine like the anime one who deeply cares for Lillie. And there you have it, a battle with mother and daughter. I hope you like this chapter.
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:
Charizard x2, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Raticate (Alolan), Pikachu, Raichu (Alolan), Sandshrew (Alolan), Vulpix (Alolan), Dugtrio (Alolan), Persian (Alolan), Golem (Alolan), Grimer (Alolan), Marowak (Alolan), Lapras, Meganium, Typhlosion (Hisuian), Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Togekiss, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Greninja, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha, Zygarde, Decidueye, Incineroar, Brionne, Toucannon, Gumshoos, Charjabug, Crabrawler, Oricorio, Ribombee, Lycanroc x3 (Midday/Midnight/Dusk), Wishiwashi, Mareanie, Mudsdale, Araquanid, Fomantis, Shiinotic, Salazzle (Shiny), Bewear, Tsareena, Comfey, Oranguru, Passimian, Golisopod, Sandygast, Pyukumuku, Minior, Komala, Turtonator, Togedemaru, Mimikyu (Shiny), Bruxish, Magearna (Shiny), Marshadow, Kleavor