//------------------------------// // Chapter 26- Explanation // Story: Pokémon Ultra Luna. // by Lieral //------------------------------// It is hard to breathe, I am sweating cold and my body hurts. Is it anticipation? Anxiety? I think not... I put one of my hands on my chest when I started coughing. The sun is strong, but weakening, so I think the sweat is not because of that. I almost tripped but managed to lean against the wall somewhere and decided to stop for a second to catch my breath. "Go Nebby! Use... Use splash," A very friendly voice tried to order a pokemon attack, but I do not know how good that attack is, and the command could have been better. "Pew?" It was the only audible answer. I moved away from the wall and staggered to the entrance to a place that was clearly a great kind of laboratory, which means that in one way or another I got where I wanted to, and the living proof of that was Lillie herself with her head down in front of the automatic doors. "Heh, sorry Nebby, I was just acting as if I was Luna, but I guess it wasn't really good," She admitted in a slightly embarrassed voice, and I am sure the sudden heat on my cheeks is not the sun fault. "You always seemed to end up getting hurt, Nebby. Seeing that pained me just as much as if I was the one being hurt. But if I could become as strong as Hau and Luna are... then maybe things would be different..." She admitted all this with a rueful voice. I wonder how many times I have had that thought. From a very young age, I was strong and arrogant, but when that happened to Celestia, I felt totally helpless, after all, what is the use of being strong when I cannot help my sister? And as an adult I did not improve much, I became more experienced and smart, but that is it. It was never enough to prevent threats from another world that so often plagued those I care about. I shook my head hard to ward off those kinds of thoughts. This is not about me. Nebby was the first to notice me when I started walking towards the small dynamic duo. He smiled and Lillie turned to me with wide eyes and burning cheeks. "Um, oh, Luna. Hello. I feel like it's been a while since we last met. Th-this is a laboratory that studies the dimensions, did you know? And the professor is waiting to meet you!" She said awkwardly and I smiled a little. "I'm glad I found this place," I approached them. "I thought I got lost after the Trial," "How... how were your trials? It must be quite trying to do two in a row," "It was a little difficult," I crossed my arms. "I wanted to do the third Trial, but I had agreed to come here today," "I would think so... But still! You made it through two of them in such a small frame of time, that's amazing," "I had to make an effort, or Hau would leave me eating dust," I am starting to feel a little dizzy. "But how about we go in? I would like to talk to Professor Burnet for a while," "Yes, of course, let's go," She took Nebby in her arms and we entered the building. The building reception let us pass easily when they saw Lillie, apparently, she had already been here, so we took the elevator. I used that moment to close my eyes a little. I'm feeling so tired right now, I think I underestimated Alola's weather a little. Or maybe I overestimated myself a little. Hard to know. "Luna?" Lillie called me. "Are you okay? You look pale... And this is coming from me," Little Nebby seemed to agree with her. "Just a little tired. That Salazzle was pretty tough," I took a deep breath. "But I'll be fine, don't worry," "I see," She didn't seem at all confident in my words. "If what you're feeling gets worse let me know, I'm sure Professor Burnet will understand," "I will not miss a chance to talk to her," I answered honestly. "I have been waiting for this," I can even feel my heart racing. The elevator doors opened and revealed an entire floor with LOTS of technological equipment and more than a dozen scientists walking around or fiddling with their computers. Among them, a woman stood out. While some people were running desperately for her, she simply answered them calmly and confidently, clearly she was the person in charge. "Oh, hi," She smiled at us with a friendly expression and invited us to come closer. "How nice to see you, Lillie, I was waiting," "Hello Professor Burnet," Lillie greeted her with a big smile and I approached her. "Are you too busy?" "Not really," She looked at me with motherly eyes. "You're Luna, right? Lillie told me a lot about you. She said you were the reliable sort, and a few other things too," "Professor!" Lillie almost yelled at her as I tried to hold back a laugh, but I ended up choking and coughing a few times. "Anyway, this is Professor Burnet, she is the chief scientist at the interdimensional research laboratory, and Professor Kukui's wife," She looked at the floor almost ashamed. "Three months ago she was the one who found me with Nebby," "Really?" I asked looking at both, even though they were a little out of focus, hoping to hear how far the conversation goes. Kukui told me that he found Lillie on the same beach like me, which is clearly suspicious, but he never said anything more. "Yes," Burnet took on a slightly more serious expression. "And I heard that your case is somewhat similar," I took a deep breath, I think it's getting a little difficult to breathe here. "Kukui told me that you could tell me about Ultra Wormhole, I am interested," "I see. In summary, Ultra Wormhole is an extremely rare event where sometimes a hole opens in the sky over Alola. It appears that this rift leads to a different and unknown dimension. The reason that people think there may be a mysterious dimension is because of the legends of fearsome Pokémon appearing from the Ultra Wormhole. And a strange account or two," She knows. I am sure Kukui told her about me. "Creatures?" I asked and leaned against the wall trying to pull the collar off my shirt with my finger. It is getting really hard to breathe here. "There is also plenty of evidence already in the Pokédex for the existence of different dimensions, like Bronzong, but the creatures that appear from these holes are clearly a very different kind of pokemon that we are used to. The 'Pokémon' that appeared from the Ultra Wormhole is called Ultra Beasts. Extremely violent creatures, and as dangerous as they are furious," She approached me with her arms crossed and worried eyes. "But are you feeling good, Luna?" "Do not mind me," I shook my head hard trying to stay focused, but I am getting dizzy. "I need to know more about Ultra Wormholes. Are they totally random? Or can they be forced to open up?" "Luna," Lillie put her hand on my shoulder. "You look even worse than before, you haven't been well since you came back from the Fire Trial," "Fire Trial?" Burnet asked with wide eyes and quickly put her hand on my forehead, I tried to remove it, but the world seems to be darkening before my eyes. "Luna, did you battle a Marowak or a Salazzle?" "Is that really important?" I asked. "You fought Salazzle, didn't you?" She practically stated. "Answer me," "Yes, I fought," I am feeling too weak to argue. "Luna, look at me," Lillie called to me and I focused on her. She looks so worried. I can hear murmurs from the other scientists, but I cannot make out their words, so I focused on Lillie. "Did Salazzle hit you? Even if  only once?" My head hurts, my legs are wobbly. "She used a strange gas and I got Midnight out of the way. I think that counts," "Gas?" Burnet's look changed instantly. For a microsecond, she looked surprised but then she turned and started ordering. “CALL NURSE JOY, I NEED URGENT MEDICAL CARE, " A great commotion started. A dozen scientists ran back and forth while some picked up the phones, but at that very moment my legs failed and I fell, but Lillie held me. "PEW! PEW!" "LUNA! LUNA!" Lillie called my name several times and Burnet knelt beside me, but I feel my conscience slowly fading. "LISTEN TO ME, you need to be strong, look at me and try to stay awake," She is so desperate. But it still looks so confident, I cannot take my eyes off hers. "You were poisoned, and we need medical help, but you need to stay still and be conscious, do you hear me?" "Yes, I am, madam," I forced a smile. Poisoned... It makes sense. “I can hold it a little longer... I think... I can hold three more minutes," "Long enough," Burnet got up and ran towards the door. "I'll get Joy as fast as possible," "I am not leaving here," I smiled again when I saw Lillie's angry look at my joke. Three minutes is enough. I hung up the phone and sighed. Little Rowlet is sleeping on top of the wardrobe and the new guest is on the sofa. "Kukui is a trustworthy man, a proud apprentice, and he surely has some theory about you," I turned to the girl 'sleeping' on my couch and crossed my arms. "But I would like to know a little bit for myself if you don't mind. So when you feel like stopping pretending to be asleep I would like to talk. I assure you that I am not a threat," "It's hard to keep pretending after a sentence like that," The girl replied and opened her eyes, her wide awake and full of energy eyes. "I'm sorry for that, but you look suspicious of me, so you better keep your guard up without worrying about being inert, and I wouldn't want you to attack me when I get close," I smiled. "Thank you so much for your consideration," She sat up and scratched her head, her colored hair tossing from side to side. "So, can I start asking questions?" "I don't see why not," I sat on a bench in front of her and Rowlet woke up from his sleep and watched us in silence. I don't think she saw him yet. "What is your name?" "Hala, I'm the Kahuna of Mele Mele Island. And yours?" "Celestia. And I've never heard of this island," She took a deep breath. "Do you know how I got here?" "Tapu Koko brought you to me, and I carried you inside," "Tapu Koko?" She looked confused for a second, but then her gaze changed and she seemed to understand something. "A black and orange creature, fast as lightning?" "It's a way of saying," I smiled. "Tapu Koko is the guardian deity of this island," "Deity?" She brought her hand up to her chin. "So I guess I shouldn't have thrown a table at him, should I?" "You what?" I asked a little disbelievingly. "Forget it," she said quickly. "It wasn't important. Anyway, I do know this creature. He came to my house to deliver a letter that my sister had written," "What?" I asked. "A letter? It's the first time I've heard that. But who is your sister? Why did he have to deliver the letter? " "My sister..." She assumed a sad expression. "She disappeared a few days ago. I was already giving up hope of finding her, but this Tapu Koko gave me a letter from her. And the next night he offered to take me to her, but I don't feel the slightest sign of her in this house," "I'm sorry to hear that," I said solemnly. "I will endeavor to help you, Celestia. In the meantime, what is your sister's name?" "Luna," "LUNA?" I got up quickly and ended up knocking over the chair. "Is your sister called Luna?" In a fraction of a second she moved, and the next moment I felt that she was holding my shirt and pressed me against the wall. "DO YOU KNOW WHERE MY SISTER IS?" She screamed. Her voice was almost unbalanced. "ANSWER ME!" "Does she have black hair and bluish skin?" "YES!" Celestia's eyes look completely desperate. "I met her," I replied quickly and gently put my hand on her arm. "I know who she is and I can help you find her, but you need to calm down Celestia," Her hands shook, but slowly she released me. "I’m sorry," "Don't worry, you just wanted to know about your sister's well-being," I adjusted my shirt. "Your sister showed up a few days ago, Kukui found her on the beach. He said she admitted to coming from an Ultra Wormhole, so I think it's safe to say that you came too," "Ultra Wormhole?" "It's basically a portal. You came from another universe, didn't you?" "Yes, that seems to be the case," Celestia replied more calmly this time. "It's nice to know that I won't have to lie to you, but I need to know where my sister is," "Your sister is fine, she went on a pokemon journey with my nephew Hau, Lillie, and Kukui," "Pokémon journey? What is it?" She asked confused, but thirsty for the information. I smiled and Rowlet flew until he landed on my shoulder. "If you want some explanation, you'd better sit down again,"