"Perhaps we could invite her over in a cooperative manner?"
Given the current circumstances, leveraging Team Rocket's influence was clearly out of the question. While the organization wasn't afraid of a Tower Tycoon from the Battle Frontier, her backing by the Pokémon League made things far more complicated.
At times like this, the Aether Foundation's positive public image could prove useful. If they agreed to certain conditions, they might even get her to cooperate willingly.
Maki nodded. On the surface, the Aether Foundation was far better suited than Team Rocket to handle situations like this.
"Anabel survived after entering an Ultra Wormhole, but she lost all her memories. That could be a key point—we might be able to use her strong desire to recover those memories to our advantage. She's likely to agree to a collaboration."
Maki recalled what he knew about Anabel and shared his thoughts with Lusamine.
"Hmm... looks like this might be our best option."
Even though she already had Maki as a source, Anabel's case was different—after all, she had lost her memories, whereas Maki hadn't. Lusamine wanted to understand the reason behind this disparity.
"Actually, there's one more person. But I'm not sure if he truly entered an Ultra Wormhole," Maki hesitated before speaking.
"Who?"
"Another member of the International Police. Judging from his behavior, he seems to have entered an Ultra Wormhole like Anabel and lost his memory, but there's no definitive proof. His codename is—Looker."
Looker had been a familiar face to players ever since Generation IV, appearing all the way through Generation VII.
In the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes, Looker was found washed up on a beach, soaking wet and unconscious, with no memory of who he was. This mirrored the experiences of those who had entered Ultra Wormholes.
"The International Police again?" Lusamine frowned. While they weren't as formidable as the Pokémon League, they weren't exactly easy to deal with either.
"The International Police have been investigating Ultra Wormholes for years. If you want to dig into Looker's situation, you might start with the Island Kahuna of Ula'ula Island—he was once Looker's superior." Maki continued to provide insider knowledge.
"You certainly know a lot."
Lusamine shot him a sharp glance. By now, she had almost completely ruled out the possibility that Maki was an imposter. He knew things she had never even heard of, including details about Alola's Island Kahunas. It was unsettling.
She even began to wonder if Team Rocket had been operating in Alola for years, secretly gathering intelligence. Otherwise, how could Maki know so much about the region?
Of course, Lusamine hadn't considered the real reason—Maki's ability as a prophet.
Meanwhile, Lillie, who had been quietly listening in while sulking, was completely lost. What were her mother and Maki talking about? Why couldn't she understand a word of it? The Pokémon League? The International Police? What was going on?
Lusamine massaged her temples. While Maki's information was useful, executing a plan based on it would be incredibly difficult. The three factions involved—the Pokémon League, the International Police, and the Island Kahunas—were all forces to be reckoned with.
"Let's put this matter aside for now. I'll find an opportunity to discuss it with Nanu later."
The Aether Foundation primarily operated in the Alola region, which meant they inevitably interacted with the Island Kahunas. While they weren't exactly on friendly terms, they could at least hold a conversation.
"That's all I can share for now. I'll be taking my leave," Maki said, preparing to depart.
In truth, he still had one crucial piece of information about the Ultra Wormholes: he knew of a confirmed location—
the Max Lair in the Crown Tundra of Galar. Deep within that lair, an Ultra Wormhole existed!
However, Maki saw no reason to reveal everything at once. He needed to keep some cards close to his chest. Besides, stirring up trouble in Galar wouldn't be any easier than in Kanto.
After all, getting past customs with your Pokémon could be a nightmare (cross that out).
Lusamine nodded as Maki exited the office.
"Tomorrow, I may need your assistance with an investigation."
"No problem."
"I-I'll be going too." Watching Maki leave, Lillie hesitated for a moment before hugging her Clefairy tightly and quickly following him. She glanced back at Lusamine, who had already buried herself in work again.
Lusamine watched the two leave with a thoughtful expression. What exactly was she thinking about?
"Aren't you going to stay with your mother?" Maki asked, raising an eyebrow at Lillie.
"Hmph, as if."
Remembering how Lusamine had treated her just moments ago, Lillie pouted in frustration. She was beginning to wonder—was she really Lusamine's biological daughter? Or was Maki the real one?
"Ahem. I'm just a guest, so it's natural for the President to treat me with courtesy. People are like that—they're polite to strangers but more indifferent toward those closest to them."
Maki tried to smooth things over for Lusamine.
"Thanks." Lillie knew he was just trying to comfort her.
Maki nodded, choosing not to say any more. He had noticed the growing rift between Lillie and Lusamine, but that wasn't something he could interfere with.
Afterward, Maki retrieved his Poké Balls from the staff. The moment he released them, the first Pokémon to react was Mawile, who immediately lunged at him.
"Mawile!"
Since its last Mega Evolution, Mawile's bond with Maki had grown even stronger. Being cooped up in a Poké Ball for so long had made it restless, and seeing that Whimsicott had been released before it only made it more annoyed.
"Wait, wait, wait! Hold on!" Maki barely had time to react before he was tackled to the ground. The sudden impact sent Whimsicott, who had been dozing on his shoulder, flying in the opposite direction—straight toward Lillie.
Plop.
Whimsicott landed squarely on Lillie's head.
Lillie, however, remained perfectly still. Without so much as a scream or a protest, her eyes simply rolled back, and she collapsed on the spot.
"Clefairy?!" (＃°Д°)
Clefairy gasped in horror, struggling free from Lillie's arms and frantically shaking its unconscious trainer.
"Mawile, get off me!"
Maki lay helplessly on the floor as Mawile clung to him, rubbing its head affectionately against his chest.
Not far away, Absol turned to look at Charmeleon, confusion evident in its eyes.
Charmeleon, however, simply nodded calmly, as if to say, "You'll get used to it."
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