Ultra Wormholes. Ultra Beasts. Beings we can’t measure and yet they crawl into this world and unleash new dangers we can’t predict. I don’t know how to summarise things, but it’s hard to argue the worries behind everything that’s happening aren’t slowly floating to the surface after all. It’s probably one of those events I can’t just push away like unwelcome Pokémon food.
Half in thought, I tighten my grip on Amethio’s waist.
Then there’s this problem with my head. Ever since the strange apparition, I can’t get the noise out of my ears – that one voice I’ve had an image of before.
Without further ado, I close my eyes and swallow the emerging thought.
After Lusamine introduced us to the Aether Foundation with all its goals and wishes, we travelled back to the Hano Grand Resort with Wicke – on the same yacht we had arrived in. Amethio left behind the Explorers’ contact details, which will probably never be used, and then we flew off with Corviknight – luckily the sun was no longer high in the sky. Everything we’ve been able to find out has raised even more questions.
Why has a dimensional rift opened up in the middle of the Aether Paradise? Why did no one but us try to protect the Pokémon? And how can Lusamine be so sure that the next Pokémon from another dimension won’t just make her disappear? The corrosive liquid I’ve almost made acquaintance with is certainly good for getting people out of sight.
The sigh on my lips probably weighs more than Corviknight does. Now I’m treading water with Amethio and the circumstances just aren’t getting rosier.
The colourful roofs of Konikoni can already be made out in the distance and the hope that soon I can consider the day over is growing. The evening bathes the edges of the horizon in deep purple. Not much longer and Alola will be plunged into darkness, giving us no new clues.
“Do you think we’ll get a chance to find out more?” Finally, I turn my thoughts to Amethio. “There’s a lot we could do, but I don’t think any of it will help us with Rayquaza.”
“Because it’s connected to the Ultra Wormholes?”
Mouth twisted, I rest my chin on his shoulder for a moment before realising that we’re far from being friends and my behaviour probably doesn’t belong. “That too.”
A brief silence spreads between us and slowly I get used to the thoughtless quietness we’re producing.
“It could be Rayquaza comes from another world and once we’ve solved this riddle, we might be one step ahead of it. Catching it doesn’t mean we’ll find out where it’s going, where it came from, or why it’s so damn angry,” I add slowly. “Of course, I could ask it, but as soon as you let it out of a Poké Ball, it’ll probably lash out. And locking it up would certainly only make things worse.” Another sigh escapes my lips. “Then again, maybe Rayquaza doesn’t come from another world, but just wants to get away, which makes our digging around in relation to the Ultra Wormholes kind of pointless, since it’s supposed to be caught before it disappears.”
“But if it gets away, we could find a way to follow it,” Amethio disagrees. “We don’t know enough to let leads like that slip through our fingers.”
“And if we catch Rayquaza ... then what?”
“That’s for Master Gibeon to decide.”
Gibeon, the boss of the Explorers. It’s the first time I’ve heard his name and yet I realise open communication isn’t the top priority here. Amethio probably only knows a certain amount. He’s supposed to secure a Pokémon so it won’t cause any damage that it would otherwise – for sure. Still, keeping a Pokémon locked up isn’t a solution either, especially as Rayquaza isn’t small enough to be stowed in a handbag. No matter how you look at it, there are too many unexplained details I can’t assess. Maybe that’s exactly what we need at this moment: A goal with no questions asked.
It’s smarter to go step by step instead of losing sight of a plan and not knowing what to do next. Still, I don’t know what to cling to.
“What do you think is going on with the Pokémon that was stolen?” I ask. “After all, Tapu Lele said the Aether Foundation took it against its will. Since then, the dimensional rifts have been increasing. What if it’s this Pokémon that’s causing these cracks?”
“It’s hard to theorise here.”
I could tell him about Nebby; about how it closed one of those rifts somehow. It’s one of those tiny details I left out because it was hardly important at the time of my report. Nebby belongs to Lillie. Telling something she might not agree with seems wrong.
Pressing my lips together, I watch the rooftops approach. The flying ship is almost within reach and I don’t have time to weigh up which way is right before we land.
As I slide off Corviknight, my legs almost give way. It feels like I’ve been made of pudding. Compared to Amethio, it’s easy to see I’m new to adventures. Flying, walking for kilometres, sending Pokémon out to battle – there are too many things that are becoming part of my life all at once, and getting used to all these things in just over a week is almost impossible.
Still, my legs drag me into the airship, straight into the lounge, where Lillie is sitting on a sofa nibbling on a biscuit. Nebby is resting on her lap, bobbing happily back and forth, and when I drop next to her, she gives me a beaming smile.
“Were you at the beach?” is her first question, and it makes the corners of my mouth twitch. In her presence, it seems almost too easy to push everything else into the background.
“For a while, yes. I was allowed to help throw Pyukumukus back into the sea. After that, I wanted to enjoy the sea with Amethio, but he decided to throw Corviknight at me...”
“It attacked you?” Lillie’s eyes go round.
“It created waves I could have surfed on...” I reply. “But nothing dangerous. We were just playing so Amethio could crawl back into the shadows.”
“That sounds great!” She grabs another biscuit. “Conia and I baked after nothing else happened.” Without further ado, she grabs the bowl of baked goods and holds it under my nose. “The Pokémon can eat them too!”
It’s an invitation I can’t refuse, so I let my partners out and give them some space. Ying immediately settles down next to me on the sofa, while Growlithe jumps around the room a few times before she notices the biscuits. Coro, meanwhile, stretches his legs and settles down on the backrest. They all get two or three biscuits before I allow myself one and savour the hazelnut taste on my tongue.
“Did you find out anything?” Eventually, Lillie takes up the subject again.
“We were able to meet with a certain Faba who brought us to the Aether Paradise. The head of the whole thing, Lusamine ... she has big plans.”
“Does she?” Lillie’s gaze drops.
“At least that’s what she says. Even when a dimensional rift opened up and a Pokémon came out, she-“
“A rift opened?” Immediately, her interest is glued to me again, and I can’t help but nod helplessly. “Amethio could drive the Pokémon away.”
“And nobody got hurt?”
“Everyone got away without a scratch. It was basically ... no big deal. The battle was over in a few moments and the creature disappeared without a trace.”
“I see...” Lillie clenches her hands into fists on her lap and takes a deep breath. Nebby looks up at her briefly, but finds much more pleasure in continuing to bob.
Suddenly, our conversation seems stuck, and I can understand why. We also faced a rift once and only escaped without a fight, thanks to her companion. The things happening are problematic. Pokémon can hurt people who are just going about their business. On top, we know nothing about Nebby. The guardian deities of the islands may have little good advice, and if all this continues, Nebby won’t end up being the only Pokémon likely to be held captive in this world.
“There are still places we can search,” I begin. “There are other guardians I can question. Tapu Lele is just one of them. It’s too early to hang your head now.”
For a breath, Lillie looks at me out of her big green eyes and seems to steal some of my determination for herself. Then she nods eagerly and gives me a smile. “You’re right! Our journey has only just begun!”
“Here you are!” In the end, it’s Conia who appears behind us and gives the situation new momentum. “Our next destination is set.”
“We’re exploring the islands further?” Lillie’s curiosity grows as Conia puts her hands on her hips.
“You could say that.” She purses her lips. “We will look for clues on Ula’Ula in relation to Rayquaza and visit a small laboratory that also deals with the Ultra Wormholes hoping to get any reports and information. If we come across an Ultra Beast, it would be wise to capture it – but this part is secondary. It could help us if we hand such a creature over to some professors for research in order to find out more.”
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Only the thought has a certain appeal. It’s probably not possible to say exactly what world they come from, but we could find out what sort of world they live in. What does it look like there? What distinguishes the Ultra Beasts from the Pokémon of this world?
“We’ll be flying all night. Most likely, we won’t arrive until tomorrow evening. Until then, we should feed the Pokémon and get some rest.”
Instead of answering, both Lillie and I let out a sound of agreement, so Conia turns on her heel and leaves us alone. We finally have some time to catch our breath and part of me hopes the pace of this journey will slow down once the Explorers have what they need.
That also means making preparations. I should see if I can divert some of this ship’s resources. On top, I still haven’t thanked Amethio for the Lava Cookies and overall it would be wise to pick up some books and study so I can complete my first Professor exam at some point. There’s an entire mountain of things I need to get done. And I need to make the most of every minute.
“I’ll go to my room then. Study. Organise my life. That sort of thing.”
“Would you like to take the biscuits?” It may be a question, but it’s an invitation that doesn’t allow for refusal. Lillie even hands me the bowl again and I have no choice but to take it.
Only then do I signal my team to leave and they all follow me in wild unison, each careful not to get in the other’s way.
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》 W H I S P E R S – The Pokémon keep it to themselves《
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“Domino...” Pale skin, pale lips. I think it’s raining. “Please, Domino...”
A knock on my door sends an electric shock through my body. The image breaks away from my previously attentive thoughts and when I open my eyes and see the saliva on the paper in front of me, I realise I must have fallen asleep. In a flash, I rub the slumber from my eyes before jumping up and rushing to the door. Lillie isn’t here.
When I open the metal, it’s Conia who looks at me and blinks several times.
“You have ink on your cheek.” She points to her own, as if I’m too sleepy to understand the simplest things. “Are you coming for breakfast?”
“I’ll be there in five minutes...”
She acknowledges my statement with a nod before I close the door and make sure I look less exhausted in the bathroom.
We arrived at Ula’Ula last night, but remained inside the ship. This has given me more time to study, and even though I think I’m starting to understand more about Pokémon, it still feels quite shaky. At least I now know all the names of the Pokémon that have been spotted in Alola. That’s more than I could ever have claimed at the beginning.
“Domino...”
Determined, I clap the flat of my hands over my face and shake off the voice in my head before striding back into the room and look at my team. They’re all scattered around and although they get along, I can’t shake the feeling we’re not yet a unified team. I suppose that’s something that comes with time.
So I call them back into their Poké Balls and make my way to the common room. The corridor already smells of fried bacon – the hint of herbs makes me think of Lechonk – and when I arrive, the table is filled with sandwiches, hot bacon, boiled eggs and pickles.
Lillie waves happily to me before a hearty “Good morning” escapes her, and when Conia puts down a pot of tea, Zir also seems to float through the entrance, lured by the aroma. His eyes look as thin as lines and his morning greeting resembles the mumbling of a Shellder.
Settled on the cushions, no one asks to start breakfast.
“Is Amethio joining us?” Cheeks full of ham rolls, I turn to Conia.
“He should be here any minute.”
“Is he struggling to get up?” Lillie tilts her head too.
But Conia waves it off. “The master wanted a report from him. He’s been on his feet for a few hours to prepare everything and get new orders – if anything has changed after the events of the last few days.”
It almost slipped my mind, but Amethio isn’t at the head of the Explorers. He only leads this team. There’s someone else above him and I’ll probably meet that someone one day – assuming I’m accepted here.
Fortunately, my thoughts don’t get a chance to drift off when I hear my name called behind me and I glance over my shoulder. Amethio is standing in the frame, his eyes fixed on me.
“Master Gibeon wants to speak to you.”
“Now?”
“Right away.”
I hastily shove the rest of the roll into my mouth until I look like a Raticate and heave myself to my feet to stumble over to Amethio. He, meanwhile, turns around on the threshold and walks ahead.
Getting my breakfast down before we arrive at our destination is a battle against time, and I barely manage to choke down the remains before he pauses outside a door. We are somewhere near the storeroom. The rest of me has lost orientation somehow.
“You’re going to go in here and-“
“Alone?” My mouth twists.
“Alone. The master wants to have a few words with you. He never has much time, so keep it short ... if possible.” His gaze wanders away from me. “And don’t touch a thing in there.”
“Okay...” I draw the word out far too long. Everything he throws at me is so vague I hardly know what to do.
In the end, all I can do is close my eyes and go ahead, as Amethio opens the door for me and lets me in.
While he closes it behind me, my gaze lingers on the hologram in the middle of the room. It’s large, incomplete and only shows me an uneven column behind which an unsteady smile seems to flicker.
“H-Hello?” I don’t know if he can hear me, but it’s worth a try.
And sure enough, someone responds to my question – with an unexpected deep voice. “You must be Domino. The girl with the voices in her head.”
Saliva hangs dry in my throat. “I am. Domino Simpell... Seventeen... I’m from-“
A thunderous clearing of the throat interrupts me, silencing me instantly. “I’ve already gathered all the important information about you. No further introduction needed. Instead, I’d like to welcome you as part of the Explorers.”
My shoulders tense. It’s exactly what I wanted, and yet it feels almost too easy.
“Amethio has been watching you and told me the voices in your head are real. I also learnt from other sources your abilities are no lie,” Gibeon continues. “I’m pleased to have a talent like you as part of our organisation.”
I want to ask him who else knows I can hear some Pokémon, but Amethio has warned me and these seconds don’t make me feel like I have anything to say. My question probably wouldn’t even get through to him.
“As part of the Explorers, you get access to our resources. Poké Balls, food, potions, you name it,” he explains to me a blink of an eye later. “Your accommodation and food will be taken care of too. In return, your task is to assist the Explorers and help them as much as you can. You’ll sacrifice yourself for our goals.”
“Under Amethio?” The question escapes me faster than I realise, but I have to ask it. The thought of being thrown into another group out of nowhere turns my stomach. I’m only just getting used to this.
“Under Amethio, if that’s what you want. You can go your own way as well. A girl with your skills shouldn’t be forced to work with someone when she might do better on her own.”
“I’m quite happy here,” I reply.
“Then stay there, as professor of the team.”
I want to protest, to explain that I’m only just making my first attempts at running in this field, but I don’t get a chance. Gibeon’s interest is no longer with me. All he has left for me are brief instructions.
“When you arrive at headquarters, there will be a uniform ready for you to use as you please. Amethio will provide you with other necessary items. Let him know your account details, so you’ll be included in future distributions.” He sighs. “If you have any concerns, contact Hamber.”
And with that, the hologram switches off automatically, as if I have no right to understand even the slightest of what is being said. I don’t know who Hamber is, nor has he said anything about Lillie.
With a loud groan, I inspect the room to distract myself. Not much has been put up. There’s just a two-metre disc on the floor that has created the hologram. Apart from this, there’s just a desk full of buttons and levers I can’t do anything with, followed by seven flat screens that could watch an entire castle.
There’s nothing for me in this room, no answers and no new hopes. So I sneak back into the corridor, where Amethio is waiting with his arms crossed. When he sees me, the question already seems to be in his eyes, so I just shrug my shoulders.
“I ... have been accepted as a member of the Explorers ... but you probably already know that. And I’m staying here...”
His posture loosens. “Questions?”
“What about Lillie?” Hamber only matters when I want something. Asking about him now has no added value. Lillie is the only relevant mystery I want to solve in these breaths.
“She’s not suitable to be part of the Explorers.”
“Why?”
“Master Gibeon hasn’t given details.” Half in thought, he puts a hand to his chin. “He just said her background check turned out to be inappropriate.”
So it’s something I can only find out if I ask Lillie directly. On top, someone has to deliver the bad news to her.
Amethio seems to notice my train of thought. “She already knows.”
My brows lift. She looked far too cheerful for his statement to be true.
“She merely asked to travel with us. Everything she needs, she’ll get herself.”
“And your ... our? ... The boss authorised this?”
“Whether she flies with us or not is my decision.” He closes his eyes briefly before piercing me with his gaze again. “I see no reason to send her away.”
He’s friendlier than I expected. Still, it’s crushing to know that she’s not allowed to be part of this organisation. Then again, it’s probably for the best. She is still far too young to be travelling the world alone. At fourteen, you should be gently pushed onto the right path by your parents.
“Domino, please... stay with me...”
I press my lips together. Everything in me tries to cling to Lillie instead of drifting off into images that mean nothing to me. The thought also brings the certainty that I know absolutely nothing about her to the fore. Neither where exactly she came from, nor how far she plans to go. Has she run away from home, like me? Just for the sake of Nebby? Or is there another reason for all this? Anything seems possible.
“What’s on the agenda today?”
“I have to investigate a tip. The rest of you can inspect the island until we get more specific clues.” With a wave of his hand, Amethio makes his way back to the common room and, with a few steps, I settle next to him.
But there’s nothing to say. Ula’Ula is an island that can take us a step further. The guardian deity here may know more than Tapu Lele. If I find it – certainly together with Lillie – I can only hope that it is talkative.
Back at the food, Amethio devotes himself to his breakfast, while Lillie tells me how happy she is for me. I’m only half aware of her words until she mentions Ula’Ula and I prick up my ears.
“Conia said there’s a garden there!”
“A garden?”
It is Conia’s affirmative hum that draws my gaze in her direction. She takes a sip of her tea before elaborating on her plans. “There are some plants there that might ... be of interest to Lillie.” Her gaze wanders in another direction, as if she can’t admit she enjoys spending time with her. “It’s supposed to be a pretty place with some peaceful Pokémon. We could go together.”
“And you could take the egg with you,” Zir interjects, his mouth slightly pursed. “It moves back and forth every five minutes...”
“Maybe it’ll hatch soon!”
Lillie’s excitement rises and as much as I would like to ask her completely different questions, I can’t help but join in the cheerful chatter. I can always find out more about her later. In these seconds, it’s enough to just relax, enjoy the good weather outside and swallow every other thought.
“Domino...” Simultaneously, this voice lingers in my head. Behind it, a picture. A smile, the black bar over someone else’s eyes, hands that keep reaching for me. Everything this tiny film of a woman does in my mind conveys an act of caring and although I don’t want to think about it – not the milliseconds that usually go by – I hear her. “Just let it happen...”