In the living room, Lillie and Lusamine sat enjoying afternoon tea. Sunlight streamed through the windowpanes, spreading across the mother and daughter's long golden hair.
The pale blue Alolan Ninetales raised its head and gave a long call when it saw a guest enter.
Shen Qi's attention, however, was entirely on the nebula-like Pokémon in Lillie's lap.
Little Nebula, Cosmog.
"Shen Qi." Lillie rose gracefully. "This certainly isn't our first meeting, but it's our first formal introduction. And thank you so, so much."
"Mr. Shen Qi."
Lusamine rose with unhurried grace. Just as Shen Qi remembered, her slender, elegant figure looked nothing like that of a mother of two.
"Thank you so much for saving my daughter during the crisis in Poni Canyon."
"I wouldn't call it saving her. Lillie's Pokémon and I simply helped each other."
Chapter 793: Half Ultra Beast
Over their conversation, Shen Qi learned that Professor Mohn's research had focused on the origins and development of Totem Pokémon.
In the games, his research had focused on Ultra Wormholes. That was actually connected to the reality before him: Totem Pokémon arose from the influence of residual Ultra Infinity Energy, a phenomenon unique to the Alola Region.
Now, Lillie wanted to revive the unfinished research project and clarify the full story behind Totem Pokémon.
With Cosmog by her side, the backing of the Aether Foundation, and ready-made answers, completing research like this would be a breeze for Lillie.
At the end of their conversation, Lusamine and her family thanked Shen Qi again.
"Mr. Shen Qi, please feel free to tell us if you need anything."
"I'd like to speak with Cosmog alone."
That was precisely why Shen Qi had come to Aether Paradise: to learn from Cosmog about the origins that even Mime Jr. himself knew nothing about.