Chapter 164

The next day, the group visited the Hangcheng Gym again. Gym Leader Jiang was almost startled, but he breathed a sigh of relief after explaining that they were actually looking for Qiao Yi.

Judging from this, he thought they had launched a surprise attack and were planning to take another Badge back to play with.

"As for Qiao Yi, she actually came back last night. If you want to find her, go to the Training Ground inside; she and the other Gym Trainer are training there."

"Thank you, Gym Leader."

Qiao Ran thanked him and, following the directions Jiang Yuanhao had given them, he and Lillie and the others found Qiao Yi, who was training.

The girl had long, flowing pink hair and blue eyes. Although she didn't wear the Joy Family's signature twin ponytails, she always possessed a gentle temperament.

"Miss Nurse Joy?"

Mei asked tentatively, scrutinizing the other person's face and features, becoming increasingly certain in her heart.

It's not fake... nor is it a matter of resemblance or anything like that, this is definitely Nurse Joy's!

As a seasoned Trainer, how could she possibly admit her mistake!

"Hmm...? Do you know me? Also, my name is Qiao Yi, not Nurse Joy."

Qiao Yi blinked in confusion, thinking that Mei had simply mispronounced her name.

"This..."

Mei was taken aback. Seeing Qiao Yi's adorable expression, she didn't know how to answer.

Is this... real amnesia?

She didn't even react to the name Nurse Joy. The other person's amnesia was probably more serious than she imagined. Moreover, explaining about another world at this time would probably only arouse the other person's suspicion.

Just like when she first came into this world... Back then, she couldn't remember anything either, and she was extremely wary of her surroundings.

"Well, this person was also a patient with amnesia before, so I brought her here to talk to you. You two can chat for a bit, and maybe she'll remember something."

Qiao Ran's introduction made Mei roll her eyes, but this trick was indeed effective. Qiao Yi, who had been somewhat wary before, immediately understood the situation.

"So... that's how it is? So... you're someone who, like me, suffers from amnesia."

"Yes... yes, I couldn't remember anything before, but after treatment, I'm much better now..."

Despite her inner turmoil and complaints about Qiao Ran, Mei took the opportunity to chat with Qiao Yi. In this situation, it was best not to provoke her too much, and Mei hoped to extract more information from her.

Qiao Ran and Lillie stood aside, unsure what to say, and could only wait for Mei to come out in the rest area by the door. After a while, Mei finally ended their conversation.

She shook her phone, a hint of helplessness in her expression, and said, "Got the contact number."

"Anything else? Is there any other information?"

Qiao Ran asked a question.

"A little bit, I guess, but the other person still seemed a bit wary of me, so I held back a bit." Mei sighed. After all, it was only their first meeting, so it was normal for them to be a little reserved. Mei was quite helpless about it.

We're all companions who have ended up in the same world, so why can't we talk about our hometowns?

She said she couldn't remember much about what happened before she lost her memory, but she did remember that the last thing she saw before she lost her memory was a glass of spilled water frozen in mid-air.

The splashed water stayed in place in mid-air...

Qiao Ran frowned.

What... what the heck?

This thing sounds even more enigmatic than Reshiram!

"I don't quite understand what these things mean either. I'm afraid it's because her memory isn't very clear yet; maybe she just remembered them wrong."

Mei looked confused, but she still waved her phone and said, "Anyway, we already have each other's contact information. As long as I keep in touch with her, we can know immediately if she remembers anything."

"I'm afraid this is the only way for now. Besides, it'll be safer for her to stay with Gym Leader Jiang. If all else fails... have Phoebe or Iron Maiden look after her."

Qiao Ran nodded. Mei was right. Staying any longer wouldn't yield much result, so it was better to leave everything to time.

As long as she remains Pokémon World, she will eventually remember where she originally came from.

"So..."

Qiao Ran turned his gaze to Lillie beside him.

"Let's go have lunch first, and then we'll go check out the Aether Foundation this afternoon."

In the afternoon, Qiao Ran and Lillie went to Alola in the Pokémon World and visited the long-awaited Aether Foundation.

"Qiao Ran! I've made up my mind... about that!"

Upon meeting, Mei, who seemed to have already decided whether or not to leave after much deliberation, appeared before everyone.

"Shh, let's talk about this serious matter later. Let's go first..."

How about we do something else?

Qiao Ran interrupted her. They still needed to go see Lusamine to check on the Silvally issue. Moreover, whatever answer Mei gave would be a difficult choice, and everyone needed time to process it.

"Hmm... it seems there aren't any major problems."

Wearing a white lab coat Lusamine gave Silvally a thorough examination. In the deserted Aether Foundation, Lusamine seemed to have returned to her original form as a researcher.

"Although I wasn't in charge of this project, I reviewed all the process data. I never expected that the answer to suppressing my impulse would be my feelings for my Trainer."

Sitting in a chair with her legs crossed Lusamine pushed up her glasses, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"In that case, could you please take the remaining Type: Null one with you?"

During the research conducted by the Aether Foundation, a total of three Type: Null were created, and when Qiao Ran discovered them, he also saw three Poké Ball.

One of them was taken away by Lillie's vanished Older Brother a long time ago, and Qiao Ran also took one of them. As for the remaining one, it has never had its own Trainer.

"Let... let me do it."

"Oh?"

Seeing Lillie suddenly volunteer, Lusamine showed a surprised expression for the first time.

She stared at Lillie for a while, her brows relaxing slightly.

Despite her previous excessive control over Lillie, she also understood that no one knew the child better than herself.

"Do you want to become an ally of the Beast Killer?"

"Yes, I want to become Trainer."

The answer had already been given, so Lillie didn't hesitate to say it.

"Good."

"Well."

This was the first time Lusamine had ever seen such a look on Lillie's face, and she actually uttered several "good"s in a row.

Her gaze swept over Qiao Ran, Mei, and Mei's faces. Was it because of these people... that Lillie had changed so much?

"I'll give you the last one with a Type: Null."

"Also, I hope you will all come with me."

Lusamine narrowed her eyes slightly, as if she made this decision only after seeing Lillie's appearance.

"Please listen carefully to what I'm about to say."

Initially, the Aether Foundation did not actively pursue the idea of "Ultra Beast," but rather considered it a research direction.

"However, after we obtained a certain 'Ultra Beast,' this direction suddenly became clear."

As she spoke, Lusamine led everyone into a secluded elevator.

"Didn't Lillie discover this place before?"

"... Um."

Lillie nodded silently. Although she was reluctant to admit it, her understanding of the Foundation was still too limited.

Even though this is where she has always lived, it's still the same.

"It's alright, I've already granted you the permissions. Even if you want to access the information later, you can start it yourself."

Unlike before, Lusamine didn't use harsh words to undermine Lillie's confidence, nor did she Sheer Force control her behavior. This made Lillie clearly feel that her mother seemed to be a little different than before.

Let's get back to our previous topic.

Lusamine's expression turned serious once again.

"... The Foundation's experiments with the Ultra Beast were conducted by my husband... who is also Lillie's father. He used the power of that Pokémon to Sheer Force open the Ultra Wormhole leading to Otherworld, but... during one of the experiments, he was swallowed by the Ultra Wormhole and disappeared."

"You've probably already heard about this from Lillie, right?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Ran glanced at Lillie and nodded seriously. "Mm."

He had already heard Lillie tell Lillie these things during their casual conversations. Moreover, her father's Disappearance was the beginning of the family's disintegration. It was because of that incident that Lusamine's personality changed drastically, and she wanted to control everything.

"... That Pokémon is actually still underground at the Foundation."

Lusamine's hair obscured her eyes, so no one could see her expression. However, the truth she spoke in her calm tone made everyone's eyes widen in astonishment.

"...!"

Qiao Ran was equally shocked. He, Lillie, and Mei... had been here for so long without noticing this?

"Could it be... a strange Ultra Beast that resembles a nebula?"

"Right."

Upon hearing Qiao Ran's question, Lusamine couldn't help but raise her head and look at him with some surprise.

He

How could she know...? Could it be... that Lillie discovered something and told him?

It seems... Lillie's relationship with him... is probably deeper than she imagined.

Lusamine was filled with mixed feelings, but what had happened earlier made it impossible for her to say much as a mother. She could only give Qiao Ran a deep look and continue to explain what had just happened.

In Alola's legends, it is called the "Child of the Stars," the juvenile form of the "Sun-Eating Beast" and the "Moone-Eating Beast."

"However, after our foundation's investigation, we discovered that its true identity was actually Ultra Beast that came to Alola in ancient times. Because it had stayed in this world for so long, its Ultra Beast aura had gradually dissipated."

"Right now, it wouldn't be wrong to call it Pokémon."

The elevator slowly descended and gradually came to a stop before a certain floor.

Lusamine stepped forward, pressed her finger, and entered a password.

"... So, Lillie."

As she spoke, Lusamine continued what she was doing.

She didn't turn around; she remained with her back to everyone.

"I hope that you, as the Trainer, can take this Pokémon."

"... One day, bring your Older Brother back too."

"I...?"

Lillie pointed to herself, clearly quite surprised.

After listening to her mother's long explanation, she clearly understood the importance of this matter. If it was such an important Pokémon, she felt there were obviously more suitable candidates than herself.

For example, Qiao Ran has already gained the recognition of so many Legendary Pokémon, and he is also braver, stronger, and more resilient than her. Even Mei or Mei are very skilled Trainer who have surpassed many powerful people at the same age as her.

"If it's about breeding Pokémon, I probably wouldn't..."

No, I want it to be you.

Lusamine turned around, a hint of helplessness on her face.

"... Consider this my last request of you, Lillie. This Pokémon has a deep connection to our family, so if possible, I hope you can raise it well."

Looking at her mother like this, Lillie opened her mouth, but then gave up on arguing.