Chapter 127
The poor bunch of Nihilego floating around couldn't understand the language of this world's Pokémon, nor could they quite grasp the specific content of the conversation between Qiao Ran and their queen. So they could only become the commodities in the deal between their queen and Qiao Ran, obediently serving as tools.
The darkness of night deepened, and the moon rose and fell among the shadows of the clouds. Finally, after a faint glimmer of light, Qiao Ran and his two companions disappeared into the bushes.
--These are traces left by time travel.
"..."
Qiao Ran didn't say a word more. At this moment, his left hand was being held tightly by Mei, while his right hand was firmly held in Lillie's hand.
The reason for all this dates back to just a few minutes ago --
Just a few minutes ago, Qiao Ran and the others were helping Mei with "hyperfusion".
However, it didn't take too long for Nihilego and for Qiao Ran to capture it. After all, Nihilego that merged with Mei was completely under Qiao Ran's control and had no malicious intent, which was completely different from when Lillie.
The Poké Ball that hit Mei on the head didn't even shake; it closed tightly immediately.
However—besides all these things, Mei had just been captured in the ball and released again, already showed a completely different attitude from Lillie.
"Wow! I actually got inside the Poké Ball!"
Mei reappeared with an extremely excited expression, a stark contrast to her previous fear and caution. Her eyes even sparkled with excitement, and she remained completely unaware that Nihilego was still perched on her head.
"So this is what Pokémon feel like. I think I can understand Pokémon feel now... Wow, that's amazing!"
"You..." At first, Qiao Ran wanted to ask Mei if she was feeling unwell, but looking at the girl in front of him who was so excited, Qiao Ran shook his head, feeling both amused and exasperated.
"All right."
How could he forget that this guy is a complete Pokémon fanatic, a "pure"
Where is the Trainer?
For this guy, being able to experience what it's like to Pokémon is a huge step towards building a deeper bond with the Pokémon, and that's what's truly something to be happy about.
"Alright, alright, since there are no problems, shouldn't we set off now?"
Qiao Ran retrieved Nihilego from Mei's head. In his heart, he also established a connection with Mei similar to that with Lillie. This feeling had appeared the moment Mei was captured. Although it wasn't as strong as a real Pokémon, it was still real.
--They have succeeded.
"Wow! That's amazing..."
Mei seemed to sense this subtle connection as well, and excitedly grabbed Qiao Ran's hand.
"Can we set off now?"
She was initially a little reserved when she saw Qiao Ran again, but now it was as if some kind of restriction had been lifted, and she returned to her true nature.
She could sense Qiao Ran's emotions, which made her understand even more deeply that her actions hadn't aroused Qiao Ran disgust; on the contrary, they had somewhat...
Thinking of this, Mei slightly.
What? She still thought what happened before was just wishful thinking on her part.
"Hmm... yes, it really is time to set off. It wouldn't be good if Phoebe- senpai became suspicious."
Lillie, who was standing nearby, responded and quietly walked over to Qiao Ran 'Qiao Ran side, taking his other arm in hers.
"You guys..."
Everything changed in a matter of seconds. Qiao Ran, who was still immersed in the joy of Mei's successful transformation, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.
Qiao Ran immediately shut her mouth.
The connection between Qiao Ran and the Pokémon is two-way; Qiao Ran can vaguely sense their true emotions, but this does not mean that the Pokémon can Frisk each other's thoughts.
For example, right now, Lillie has no idea whether Mei's sudden, tight grip on Qiao Ran's left hand and her desperate attempt to press her terrifying body against it is a coincidence born of excitement, or a premeditated act.
This child... is just too terrifying...
Section 246, Chapter 242 [Aliens]
"So, you made me wait here for so long just because of these things??? Just because of these things???"
"A few weeks later, then a few weeks more... Do you know how I've been getting through the last month or two?!"
In the Alola Region, inside the Aether Foundation, a short-haired girl with an increasingly wild and flamboyant style pointed at Qiao Ran's face and launched into a barrage of insults.
That's because...
Qiao Ran wanted to explain further, after all, he didn't intentionally stand the other party up. Besides, his experiences during this period couldn't be explained by "these things." If it weren't for his reliable partner, he might have really died in that terrible region.
"Sit up straight! Don't talk!"
The short-haired girl didn't want to hear any of this. She glared at Qiao Ran, who was sitting on the ground apologizing, and swallowed back what he was about to say.
At the same time, a bunch of Poison-type Pokémon began to approach Qiao Ran, exuding a dangerous aura. One Toxapex even climbed onto Qiao Ran 'Qiao Ran shoulder, staring menacingly at his head.
Not only the trainers, but the Pokémon themselves are also very frustrated, as they haven't had normal Pokémon food for a long time.
Lillie was sitting next to Qiao Ran, head bowed, looking sincerely apologetic. However, the short-haired girl didn't seem to vent her anger on her. In the end, Qiao Ran was left to bear everything alone.
"..."
Mei, who was running alongside Mei and receiving her Punishment, nervously swallowed. This was the partner Lillie had mentioned...? This was too much...
Fortunately, she wasn't the target of their attack. As for Qiao Ran... she believed that man could definitely handle it.
However, just as Mei was still clinging to a sliver of hope, the short-haired girl had already turned her gaze to her.
"And who is this one???"
"Huh!"
Mei trembled slightly; as a powerful Trainer, she suddenly felt an immense threat.
"Come on..."
Qiao Ran a thumbs up and collapsed beside her, clearly indicating that he had been poisoned.
"Qiao--Ran--"
Lillie exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly got up to check on Qiao Ran's condition. Mei was also startled and wanted to go over to see as well.
However, just as Mei was about to take action, the short-haired girl, who was still in a dark state, suddenly stood in front of Mei, with an incredibly alluring Salazzle standing beside her.
Answer my question first.
She seemed to ignore Lillie's situation, and looked Mei up and down.
Who exactly are you?
"I..."
Mei looked up at the other person.
At this moment, the two finally met each other's eyes for the first time, and in that one glance, the short-haired girl, Mei, who was still incredibly Rage inside, suddenly sensed something.
Mei was the same; she seemed to see it in the other person's eyes.
I also saw some things that were somewhat similar to myself.
When two Trainer make eye contact, some things happen that seem illogical, yet somehow perfectly logical.
"Introducing yourself... Come on, let's fight, and I'll tell you everything!"
The fear and tension vanished instantly, and Mei stood up abruptly.
"That's right, let's solve this problem with Pokémon battles!"
A smile appeared on Mei's darkened face.
Having not experienced Pokémon battles for a long time, Mei felt an unprecedented surge of excitement. What surprised her even more was that the girl in front of her saw through her Covet at first glance.
An interesting woman.
The hardships of life and the loneliness of the mind are things that any human being can imagine, but for a trainer, not being able to Hilbert an unbearable thing.
"Let me see what you've got! Donut! Bring it on!"
"Why did they suddenly start fighting again...? Is this what Trainer?"
Lillie finally managed to move Qiao Ran aside and force-feed him an antidote, while the fight broke out again on the other side.
She certainly couldn't have understood these things before, but after spending time with the Trainer, she can now roughly understand their logic.
To be honest, she was quite envious of the feeling of being able to do whatever she wanted. If one day she could let go of these burdens, wouldn't she also want to travel freely and enjoy every battle and encounter?
"Seriously... Mei went way too far..."
Looking at Qiao Ran lying on her lap with swollen eyes, Lillie couldn't help but complain. However, she could understand Mei's feelings. If she were locked up in this completely enclosed place for such a long time, she would probably have mental problems too.
Moreover, this was, after all, Nihilego's former lair, and even after so much time had passed, the air was still filled with the energy of Ultra Beast — Lillie was more sensitive to this feeling than ever before.
"... Um?"
Suddenly, Lillie's eyes flickered. With her incredible sensitivity to the aura of Ultra Beast, she seemed to Frisk something at that moment.
Something carrying the aura of Ultra Beast was approaching her.
No... wait, weren't the Nihilego in the Foundation wiped out?
Lillie turned to look in that direction, but her eyes suddenly widened.
She... unexpectedly saw someone appear before her.
Logically speaking, this shouldn't be possible, but... she and Qiao Ran hadn't been here for a long time, and for a moment, Lillie's heart wavered.
-- Appearing before her was a mature woman with long Golden hair that covered half of her eyes. In terms of appearance, she had many similarities to Lillie, and it would even be plausible to say that she was one of Lillie's older sisters.
However, Lillie's subconscious voice directly revealed the other party's identity.
"Mother..."
Lillie trembled, whether from excitement, fear, or... something else, it was hard to tell.
"Long time no see, Lillie."
The mature woman with long Golden smiled, her eyes curving into a smile—a genuine expression of her emotions. However, after speaking, her gaze fell upon the figure lying on Lillie's lap.
"... Um... Could you introduce me to... um... who is this... purple-skinned man?"
"Alien...?"
Section 247, Chapter 243 [Reunion]
After everything that had happened, Lillie seemed to have a thousand words echoing in her heart as they reunited.
--Lusamine, her mother.
Facing this seemingly unfamiliar yet most familiar relative, Lillie really wanted to vent everything in her heart and tell her about the grievances and pain she had experienced during this period. However... her mother's actions before falling into a coma made Lillie choose to remain silent.
It could even be said that the Aether Foundation's current state, her Older Brother's near-swallowing by spatial rifts, and the immense disasters that befell the Alola Region... all of this is inextricably linked to her mother's obsessive pursuit of Ultra Beast.
If Mei hadn't exerted all her strength to suppress Lusamine, who was then possessed by Nihilego, the situation would definitely be even worse now. However, it was that action that plunged Lillie into the Nightmare of being possessed.
"..."
Lillie stammered, wanting to say something but unable to, when suddenly Lusamine appeared in front of her and spoke.
"... Um... Could you introduce me to... who this... purple-skinned man is?"
"Is it an alien...?"
"Huh? Eh?"
Lusamine's sudden question caught Lillie off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. She had been thinking about what to say.
What? But to her surprise, Lusamine asked about it...
Lillie's gaze gradually moved downwards, settling on her legs.
To take care of Qiao Ran, who was being "executed" by Mei, she naturally placed Qiao Ran's head on her knees. Normally, this level of contact with Qiao Ran would not have been enough to make her panic like this.
However... in this "special" environment, seeing Qiao Ran sleeping soundly with steady breathing, Lillie's emotions, which had finally calmed down, fluctuated once again, even more intensely than before.
Lillie has a good upbringing; her parents are highly accomplished in scientific research and have substantial wealth. If she had continued living her life as she was originally destined, she probably wouldn't have come into contact with these things at this age...
That's right, there shouldn't be a man so close to her in her life.
"This... this... is..."
Lillie's panic was immediately apparent in her actions; even her originally fair skin turned red.