Chapter 129: A Not So Pleasant Surprise

Currently, Ash, Lillie, Goh, and Chloe were in the Alola Region, on a boat to Aether Paradise. Word of Ash's victory in the Masters Eight had spread fast, and the inhabitants of the region were ecstatic to celebrate their champion's accomplishment, hence a special Battle Royale match was set up in his honor. The match wouldn't be until tomorrow, but Lillie wanted to see her family first, so they were on their way to the artificial island.

"I can't wait to see mom and dad again!"

"Yeah, it's been a while," Ash nodded. "I wonder if Gladion's home yet?"

"I asked, they said he came back a month ago."

"I can't wait to see all of the Pokemon!" Chloe said. "Do you know if they have any books on Eevee's evolutions?"

"It wouldn't hurt to ask!"

Attention, passengers. We are now reaching Aether Paradise. Please make your way to the gangway, and prepare to disembark in an orderly fashion. Enjoy your day!

Lillie practically ran down the gangway and to the observation deck, where she found her parents waiting.

"Mom, dad!"

Her parents were shocked, but nonetheless happy to see their daughter.

"Lillie! What a pleasant surprise."

"How are you, honey?"

"I'm great!"

Lusamine bent down to stroke Snowy's fur, making the Alolan Vulpix purr happily.

"And Snowy, looking adorable as always. Are you keeping an eye on my daughter?"

"Vul!"

Ash and the others finally caught up to her, Goh and Chloe out of breath.

"Man Lillie, I know you're excited to see your parents, but you don't have to run that fast!"

Lillie giggled, before gesturing to her friends.

"Sorry, guys. Mom, Dad, you remember Goh and Chloe."

"It's nice to see you again."

"Same, dear."

"Where's Gladion?" Ash asked, looking around but not seeing the moody teenager anywhere.

"He's out training for the match tomorrrow," Mohn explained. "The minute he heard about the Battle Royale, he signed up for a rematch."

"Awesome! I can't wait to battle with him."

"Is Nebby around? I'd love to see him."

"Yes, he's in the observation area, but-"

"Awesome! Come on, guys!"

"Wait up!"

"Lillie, wait! There's something you should know!"

But Lillie had already disappeared around the corner. Lusamine sighed, dreading what was to come.

"We should've told her sooner."

"I know dear, but we can't change the past. We knew this would happen, now we have to face the consequences."

Lillie ran to the observation area, where she found Nebby perched in a corner of the lab, talking with another Pokemon. She was about to call out to him when she saw exactly who, or WHAT, he was talking to.

It was a white, jellyfish-like Pokemon floating above the space. To anyone else, it'd be an unknown, interesting Pokemon, but Lillie was all too familiar with it.

It was a Nihilego, one of the Ultra Beasts who had caused her and her family so much pain.

"Nebby, get back! That Pokemon is dangerous!"

"Lillie, wait!"

Mohn and Lusamine finally caught up to their daughter, catching her arm just in time to prevent her from sending out a Pokemon to attack.

"Let me go! I have to get rid of this…this thing!"

"Lillie, sweetheart, just calm down. We can explain everything."

Lillie hesitated, before putting her Pokeball away.

"Why? After everything they did to us, to our family, why would you let it stay?"

The Nihilego whimpered, hiding behind Nebby as he comforted her with his wing.

"I understand your upset, sweetie, but we wouldn't keep her here if we thought she was dangerous."

"How long?"

Mohn sighed, before beginning his explanation.

It was two months ago when we found her. I was just finishing up work in the lab when I heard a strange noise coming from a corner. There she was, shivering out of cold and barely reacting. I couldn't believe my eyes!

"Where did you come from?"

The poor thing was so scared, she tried to back away but couldn't because she was already up against the wall. I had my reservations at first, but in the end I got Zoroark to pick her up and carry her away.

"Don't worry, we'll get you fixed up."

Mohn then turned to his wife.

"I think it's best you take over from here, dear."

"Right."

As you can imagine, I wasn't too happy with my husband when he raced into the medical bay with an injured Ultra Beast.

"Are you insane? Don't you remember what they've done to our family?"

"Of course I do, but I can't leave any Pokemon in such a state. You would've done the same, Lusamine."

"Fine, but I expect that THING to be gone once its injuries are healed."

"Understood."

Unfortunately, her injuries were extensive, so she had to stay with us for a long time. I was so blinded by rage that I couldn't bear to go near it for so long.

One night though, I didn't have a choice. All of the other staff was needed elsewhere, so I had to suck up my pride and watch over her. But as she lay there, wounds still healing but still too weak to move on her own…

Lusamine paused, a tear running down her cheek.

"...It reminded me of you, Lillie. So fragile, so beautiful…"

"So when she was well enough to leave, we offered to let her stay."

"Does Gladion know?"

"He reacted the same way you did at first, but once we explained the entire story he accepted it."

"Lillie, I know this is a lot to take in, but I promise she doesn't want to hurt us."

Lillie sighed, before walking away.

"I need to be alone right now."

Nobody stopped her as she made a beeline for her old room. They knew she needed time to process this.

Lillie sat down in her bed, Snowy clutched closely to her chest as she stared up at the ceiling. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Can I come in?"

"Chu-Pika?"

"It's open."

Ash pushed the door open and walked over to her, giving her a gentle hug.

"You okay?"

Lillie sighed, and hugged him back.

"I don't know. After everything the Ultra Beasts have put me and my family through, can I trust her? My parents do, but…"

Ash nodded.

"I know, it's not easy. But do you remember Poipole?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I mean, she was an Ultra Beast, but that didn't stop us from helping her."

"Because they never did anything to hurt my family."

"True…but she did teach us that Ultra Beasts can be tamed. Maybe…Nihilego is like her? A Pokemon who was lost in a world not her own, and got taken in by someone she could trust?"

Lillie remained silent.

"You don't have to accept her right away. Maybe you never will, and that's okay too. But if you trust your parents…maybe you should trust them with this."

Lillie nodded.

"Ok…Thanks, Ash."

Ash smiled, and kissed her. Pikachu ran over to her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek, making her smile.

"And thank you too, Pikachu."

"Pikachu!"

"Anytime. Now come on."

Ash and Lillie returned to the observation area, where everyone was waiting for them.

"You alright, sweetie?" Lusamine asked, to which she nodded.

"Is it alright if I speak with Nihilego alone?"

"Are you sure, sweetie?"
"I am."

Lusamine and Mohn nodded, and made way for her. When Nihilego saw her, she tried to squirm away, but Lillie offered a kind smile.

"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. I wanted to talk with you, if that's okay."

Nihilego stopped moving, allowing Lillie to get in close.

"It was wrong of me to attack you, I haven't had the best experiences with your species, but that's no excuse for assuming the worst of you. If Mom and Dad trust you, then I trust you. In fact, if you'd like, I'd like to…I'd really like to be your friend."

Nihilego remained silent, before gently wrapping her tentacles around her. Lillie smiled, and hugged her back.

"I have a feeling we're going to be best friends, Nihilego."

"Ni."