They of the Sun
Chapter Sixteen: From the Shadows

cyra

     "Ah! Children, you are late," Faba's voice made me want to snap his neck. His mere presence made me want to kick his great big Pumpkaboo head off his spindly little neck. "But it is to be expected of you teenagers! Always staying up late and waking up late!"

     He gave himself a good laugh as his goons and Hau smiled awkwardly, and Sen's eye twitched. Faba composed himself, guiding us to the jetty outside of the Hano Resort Hotel (a hotel much too expensive for any of us to stay at... even as Trial-Goers). I was scared to walk on the plush, ruby-red carpet or the galaxy-like marble floors. Stupidly, I scanned the ornate pillars and fancy fountains for any sign of Lillie. Usually if the dynamic duo was here, Lillie was here... I still hadn't used the Dusk Stone, figuring it would be Wicked's choice to do so.

       I was becoming uncomfortably soft; caring about feelings and spewing out the truth. How pathetic.

      None of us asked questions, in fear of the grey-haired man rattling on more than he already was. His lung capacity was amazing... and the sheer size of his ego, as well. He seemed a little more hunched than last time. Finally, Hau turned to us asking what I had been wondering. "Where's Lillie?"

     The question seemed to catch the attention of Faba, because despite his ongoing informercial, he paused. Even if only for the slightest of nanoseconds there was a falter in his speech and a concern in his shaded eyes. But he continued on, quite smoothly, as he lead us on to the boat; it was as white as the Aether employees uniforms, complete with gold detailing and a small cabin beneath the steering wheel. The boys made their way in and I sneakily chose to stand outside. I couldn't bare another second of that man's incessant talking.

       Even if I had to spend hours staring at my phobia, it was better than being in there. The male grunt was up on the deck, guiding the miniature ship away from Akala until the plume of smoke from Wela Volcano blended into the storm clouds overhead. I swiveled my head, wondering if I could possibly see Melemele...

    And for the first time in a while, I wondered if my mom was okay. Her husband gone for who knows how long and her daughter on a fantastic journey... at least she had Meowth. What I wouldn't do to feel her smack me upside the head for some smart response... or to taste her experimental but decent food. I craved a home cooked meal, like I'm sure any kid away from home does...

     Arceus. I needed to stop. 

    I swiped at the stray tears on my cheeks, pulling up my big girl panties. I could hear my inner snark snarking about "crying for mommy?", but I brushed it off with the waves.

"How's Lillie?"

My body gave a jerk of surprise at the grunt speaking, I gave him a glare. What a weird thing for someone to ask about... especially coming from someone whom I wouldn't expect to know someone I hardly knew. Why was everyone being so... weird? The longer I stared at him, the more visibly uneasy he became. I have a slow response, not bothering to hide my speculating,"She's... fine?"

       "Great!" He said, his face glistening under his white cap, hair matted down. "We were friends as children and I heard you guys talking about her!"

       I turned my head away, briefly catching him pull on his shirt in an attempt to air out the sweat. There was definitely more than one Lillie in the world. Something wasn't quite settling and I wasn't all too sure if Sen or Hau had noticed.

         Ahead, a building of glistening white came into view. And the closer we got, the clearer the manmade structure became as it rose up into the sky, unmoved by waves or wind. We docked beneath the main doors and were led up on an elevator with no walls, only rails to save you from stumbling off. Imagine falling off of that.

      "Alola!" A woman wearing pink glasses smiled warmly at us as she put her palms out and brought them apart then back side by side in a circular motion. "You three must be Sen, Hau, and Cyra! Welcome to Aether Paradise! Faba I will take over from here."

Sen and Hau mirrored the gesture while I raised a limp hand. The woman before us wore a pink turtleneck (matching her glasses) and a tight bodycon skirt that accentuated her curves and... assets. Despite having every part of her being covered in the pink, white, and gold uniform- aside from her head and hands- like a nun, she still received glances from every Aether employee that passed by. Even Faba did a take away glance as he scuttled off. Ew.

"My name is Wicke and I have heard quite a bit about you three!" She said beaming her pearly whites, clasping her hands. "Stopping Team Skull from harassing helpless Pokémon! Brave, compassionate souls!"

I bit my lip to keep from laughing at her gushing. ComPaSSioNaTe. Pffft.

"Allow me to show you around! This is is our main reception area and lobby." She gestured around at the mostly unoccupied space. There were chairs and love seats to lounge on, some potted plants. Everything in that eerie white. Towards a door there were two receptionist desks, the employees either talking into phones idly or typing away at the computers. A group of school kids stood right outside of the glass doors. "This is where we take in injured Pokémon or answer to emergency calls before alerting every islands's Aether Foundation Center. We take in what the PMC's can't and rehabilitate them! It is also a wondrous way for children to come learn about Pokémon and the responsibilities of being a good Trainer!"

Wicke then fixed her wildly bouffant hair before stepping onto the elevator with us and pressing a button on the control board. The three of us stumbled slightly as we went up once again, Wicke standing her ground as she continued on with her tour. I gripped onto the railing like it was life support... That woman had her sea legs. "Where we are heading is the Conservatory. Every Pokémon we take in from a call that is in need of major rehabilitation is taken here. Empty PokéBalls are jammed by a signal on Aether, so please don't try catching them!"

She giggled as we stopped on our designated floor, Hau and Sen looked around in wonder. They were immediately leaning over rails to look down at a patch of Starmie with flickering gems. This open room was a little more colorful; the ceiling being glass to reveal a blue sky and various trees grouped together here and there. I leaned my head back as a Braviary flew by. "Please, feel free to wander. Madame President is on th-"

"No need for that, Wicke," a womanly voice came from behind us. The whole room seemed to hold its breath in the presence of her. Her arms extended out as if to present her existence. She was beautiful, yet... strikingly familiar with her emerald eyes and partially covered face from her long flowing hair. It was kind of edgy for a grown woman.

      "Alola, Trial-Goers! I am Lusamine, President of the Aether Foundation."

•••

omni

    "Boss, I think we found it!"

   "Send the information. If it is to my liking, we will see there is a reward."

     "Yes, Boss."

     From the shadows, dark uncaring eyes watched the grunt salute on the screen before vanishing. He took a long drag of his cigar, his other hand lowered to stroke around the crimson gem of his Persian. His black suit, with an emblazoned "R" on the breast, was nothing short of crisp and proper. Even if he was just in the shadows of his own office, appearance was essential.

     A smirk arose to his face as a file popped on to his screen displaying a large tower, appearing to house a crystal. He released the smoke from his nostrils like a Charizard after an attack. Additional data loaded around it, more pages filled with charts and diagrams. All of them promising after his many years of waiting, traveling, and staying low in his work.

   He let out a low, slow cackle of joy.

    "Finally."