Chapter 46
Back at the mansion, we urgently call my Mom and Dad, as well as Lillie's Dad, to the scene. My mom's voice is filled with concern as she answers, "Are you serious? Lusamine has gone to stop Necrozma?"
"Yeah, Mom, things have taken a turn for the worst... and look at Nebby," I say, showing the Cosmoem. My Dad says, "At least you are all unharmed."
"Yeah, maybe. But there is still a ton we have to do..." Gladion says with a heavy tone. "There's the president and Guzma, who both disappeared into the Ultra Wormhole... Not to mention Cosmoem... Even if she is...like that, Lusamine is still our mother. We can't just leave her in some unknown world on her own, even if it is to defeat Necrozma. And if she doesn't come back..."
"What is this?" Just then, Dulse and Zossie arrive, visibly disturbed. Dulse exclaims, "That Lusamine! She is not defeating Necrozma for our sake, but for her own satisfaction?!"
"Miss President... Why would she do this...?" Zossie murmurs, clearly perplexed by Lusamine's motives.
Dulse continues, "The machine that the scientist Colress helped develop with our technology... The machine that would restrain Necrozma... We were going to send it back to our world with someone strong enough to safely use it, but... she is going to use it for herself?!"
Mohn, taken aback, asks, "And what is it that you're saying? You said you were going to send someone back to your world? Do you know some other way to open an Ultra Wormhole?!"
"Mohn, nice to see you here as well," Dulse acknowledges with a nod. "The altar on Poni... The Pokémon that appears there is called the beast that devours the sun."
"We rode on the back of a Pokémon like that! That's how we got here to Alola!" Zossie interjects.
"Lusamine and Guzma... Do they not understand how strong Necrozma truly is? Or do they go to fight it, even knowing that?" Dulse queries, his concern evident.
"I have to guess it is the latter," I respond, troubled by the gravity of the situation.
Zossie turns to us, her expression urgent. "All of you... If Necrozma awakens, it will come to steal the light from Alola. You must protect your world's light! Alola is so brilliant and nice!"
"I have a difficult time with such brilliance, but the light of Alola... is a good thing. The aura of your totems... And, yes, even the light of your Z-Powers. But now, if you'll excuse us..." Dulse concludes with a nod, indicating their departure.
Once they leave, my Mom suggests, "Looks like we're going to stay a night here in the Aether Foundation."
Mohn adds, "I've called Wicke, and she should provide some beds for you to sleep in."
Lillie gazes at the bed thoughtfully and says, "I think... I'll stay here. I want to spend some time trying to understand what it is my mother might have been thinking..."
"Are you sure? How about I stay with you?" I offer, concerned about Lillie's well-being. Eventually, everyone decides to leave us alone in the mansion, although my mom, in her teasing manner, attempts to make us blush again by joking, "I'm too young to be a grandmother."
Despite her playful jest, they all depart, giving Lillie and me some space for reflection within the confines of the Aether Foundation mansion. It's not like we haven't been sleeping together for a long time.
The next day dawns, and I awaken to find Lillie absent from the room. Wicke enters and informs me, "Miss Lillie is waiting outside... if you're ready to meet her."
I nod, quickly getting ready, and together with Wicke, I head outside. As I step out, I see Lillie in the midst of changing her outfit, a familiar sight from our experiences in that Ultra Dimension. It seems she's preparing for something significant.
Selene remarks, "Wow... Lillie... that's an outfit change."
"I picked these clothes up in Malie... Do you think they suit me?" Lillie asks, her voice tinged with a hint of shyness.
"Of course, it suits you!" Rosa compliments. "It looks great."
"Thanks," Lillie responds modestly. "Though Ash has already seen me in this outfit before."
"Yeah, but it's still cute, in my opinion," I chime in, causing Lillie to blush slightly at the compliment.
"I feel like there's so much I have to do now... to save Nebby... to save my mother... That's why I'm going to try my hardest! This is my Z-Powered form!" Lillie declares, her determination shining through.
"So this is where you were." Gladion arrives with our parents. My Dad approaches me and says, "Ash, we found this downstairs."
He hands me a flute that's blue, bearing the shadow of Lunala. Intrigued, I ask, "What is this?"
"It's the Moon Flute. It's apparently an artifact from Alola's past. They say it's to be played under the moon's light," my mom explains.
Gladion adds, "The Sun Flute and the Moon Flute. When sounded together, it's said that they can call the Legendary Pokémon... That is, if you believe in old myths, anyway."
"It's like the members of the Ultra Recon Squad said, right? If the Legendary Pokémon really does exist, we might be able to reach that other world where Necrozma is," Mohn muses as he hands me a Master Ball. "Here. Take this with you."
Then, with a sudden realization, Mohn continues, "My memories just came back since I stepped foot here. We're counting on you to save Lusamine now."
"Of course, Father. So what are you going to do?" Lillie inquires.
"Deal with this mess. Father and I've got to clean up Aether Paradise," Gladion responds, his tone resolute as he prepares to address the tasks ahead at Aether Paradise. "All I wanted was to be able to protect everybody, together with Silvally... Maybe I couldn't do that, but we'll make sure that this place at least stays safe. The foundation that our mother loved..."
Hau arrives and exclaims, "Hey, and it's Lillie... isn't it?! What happened to you?!"
"Yes, it's me! Now I'm ready to use my full force, too!" Lillie responds with newfound determination.
"You're all... amazing! That's it! I've decided!" Hau declares. "I keep getting saved by you guys and my partner Decidueye, right? If I keep being like this and I don't change, then I'm gonna get left behind by you all. I really wanted to save Cosmog! When my partner and I both felt that way and we were in sync, we were so much stronger... That's how it felt to me. So..."
He shows his determination, lifting his spirit, "I'm gonna try to chase that feeling down again, together with Decidueye and my team!" Hau is resolute in his decision to step up and grow alongside his Pokémon.
"So our family drama ended up changing the kind of Trainer you want to be... Sorry for getting you dragged into our mess," Gladion expresses with a hint of remorse.
Hau shakes his head in response, saying, "Sure, you might've been a part of it... But in the end, the only one who's gonna make me change is me. And besides, Miss Lusamine is out there trying to keep Alola safe, right? I knew she was a good person!"
Gladion reflects, "I guess... She's always convinced that what she's doing is right, and she's really kind of selfish, but... But... I think she really just wanted to find our father, who disappeared into an Ultra Wormhole. Not knowing that our Father has already returned to us in this world..."
My mom interjects with a heavy heart, "We're the ones to blame. Since Mohn lost his memories, we couldn't let him come, or else it would break Lusamine's heart." The weight of past decisions hangs in the air, laden with sorrow and regret.
"Hau... Thank you for your kind words. I'm really happy you feel that way," Lillie expresses her gratitude.
Mohn chimes in, "You know, I can get you to the next island at least. Poni Island. We'll wait for you at the docks."
"Come on, guys! Let's show the world what we can really do!" Lillie cheers, rallying our spirits as we prepare to embark on the next leg of our journey to Poni Island.
After bidding farewell to our parents, Gladion, and Hau, we board the ship to Poni Island. Arriving at Seafolk Village, we're greeted by a breathtaking sight—rows of boathouses and the serene expanse of nature.
"Poni Island..." Nate remarks. "Almost no one lives on it, but we'll find a whole lot of nature to explore here."
Trenor adds, "According to our Mom, we should find the kahuna. The kahuna of Poni Island also protects the altar where Alola's people worship the Legendary Pokémon. Maybe they will know something that might help us."
I turn to Lillie, curious about her thoughts. "What are you thinking now?"
Lillie pauses for a moment, contemplating, "I'm glad that I finally know why Gladion left. And that he was trying to help Mother and Father. But if he'd just told me that back then..." Her words echo with a sense of lingering regret and unanswered questions about the past.
I offer reassurance, saying, "Well, he has his own battles. And now we have our own battles. We can handle this together."
Lillie nods and responds, "Ash, I'm okay. You don't have to worry. I know what I have to do now. And... I don't know. Maybe it sounds strange, but... I'm kind of excited."
Her mixture of determination and excitement under such circumstances reflects her newfound resolve and readiness to face the challenges ahead, signaling a shift in her perspective and a sense of anticipation for the journey unfolding before us.
As we step onto Poni Island, our Rotom Phones instantly update with the Poni Island Pokédex, ready to assist us in our exploration. Excited to begin our adventure, we start by exploring the vibrant Seafolk Village. As we move forward, we hear a voice, "Welcome!"
Startled by the sight of a girl covered in paint, Rosa gathers her composure and politely inquires, "I-I'm sorry. Who are you?"
"I'm Mina. I'm the local captain," the paint-covered girl introduces herself.
"Captain... Mina? It's nice to meet you then," I respond as we exchange introductions. Mina then proceeds to inquire, "So let's get right down to things. Which one of you is here for my trial?"
Lillie interjects, "Oh! No, that's not why we're here! I mean, you're not entirely wrong. It's true that Ash and I are in the middle of our island challenge, but... we're here to meet the kahuna of this island!"
"The kahuna? Oh... Well, that's a problem. Maybe you should talk to Hapu?" Mina suggests.
"Ah! So Hapu lives here on Poni Island? Thank you very much, Captain Mina!" Selene expresses gratitude.
"Let's go! It'll be good to see Hapu and Mudsdale again!" Trenor eagerly suggests as we thank Mina and set off to locate Hapu. With newfound purpose, we venture forth in search of Hapu to seek guidance and continue our journey on Poni Island.
Another Chapter has done, and now Ash and his friends are now in Poni Island. 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