Chapter 19 Tug of War

  As Ian made his way back to the house, Lian's speculation replayed in his mind. From the other side of the Ultra Rift? That opens up so many questions. First and foremost, has anyone gone in and come back? Is it a physical place on the other side or does it just send off somewhere random like a roulette ball?

  "Ian, not you too!" Plumeria barked from the guest house's patio, pointing at his Pearl Clan sweater.

  "Oh, yeah… It was just really cold where we went," Ian explained.

  Plumeria grimaced and beckoned him to come closer. "They're probably going to try to get you to stick around with Hyde while we're gone."

  "Wait what?" Ian asked.

  "Irida's agreed to house Hyde if you and Sawsbuck stay another night," Plumeria said. "They'll probably ask if you can stay with Hyde, but I'm not letting that happen. So don't give them any hope that might work."

  "Fine, but if I have to take the sweater off, can we at least do this inside?" Ian asked.

  Plumeria rolled her eyes. "You already know what I want to talk to you about."

  "You want to talk about that more?" Ian replied.

  "I promised to keep your secret and I will. But I spent half the night thinking about what you said and I need some answers on things," Plumeria said.

  Ian sighed. I really shouldn't have told her. The Pearl Clan would take me and not ask a damn question… "Okay."

  "Take that sweater off and follow me," Plumeria ordered.

  Ian shivered without the layered sweater on as Plumeria led him to a tree a good hundred feet away from the guest house, still visible from the patio if anyone came looking for them. "So what do you need to know, Big Sis?" Ian asked.

  "Besides everything?" Plumeria teased, causing Ian to grimace. "I'm just joking, c'mon. Since when do you get so glum?"

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Since I just told you my deepest, darkest secret and I didn't realize I would feel so vulnerable on the other side of it. Which is why I didn't want to tell you-"

  "Alright, alright," Plumeria said, putting on a near smile. "Then before we start this, I want to say thank you for saving my ass in front of the council last night. You are likely the sole reason we have shelter here, and I need to acknowledge that."

  Ian nodded, still grimacing. "You're welcome and thank you."

  Plumeria noticed Ian still seemed displeased and her expression soured. "So you said something about Irida and the Pearl Clan before, but last night you said something about Surge too. Which means that real, existing people in this world were what, characters in the games you played?"

  Ian sighed. "I really wish you weren't so perceptive."

  Plumeria grinned smugly. "That's why I'm everyone's Big Sis. And remember, this perception of mine goes both ways."

  "Well it's sure going one way right now," Ian grumbled.

  "C'mon Ian, I'm trying to be cool here. I'm trying to be understanding," Plumeria pleaded. "Please stop dodging my questions."

  She did just come to the realization that someone in a different universe knows actual people from a fictional source, that's gotta be a whole other level of existential crisis. "Sorry."

  "Thank you," Plumeria said diplomatically as she took a deep breath. "So I don't know how far that knowledge of actual people in this world goes. But they were actual characters in your video games as a kid?"

  Ian nodded. "Yes."

  "How many video games were there?" Plumeria asked.

  Ian paused as he thought about the right way to answer the question. "Okay, so Plumeria there are going to be really complex, confusing answers to really simple questions, and I want you to know I'm not lying to you, I'm just trying to explain potentially really stupid concepts as honestly as possible, and it will not be easy."

  Plumeria giggled nervously. "That's quite an answer. How about this, what places do you know about?"

  "Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar, Paldea…" Ian paused. "Is Orre a thing?"

  "Orre?" Plumeria asked. "Oh, southwestern part of Unova, yeah."

  "Okay, those are the places I know kind of the broad strokes of… But I also had no idea Unova had made Alola its vassal-state or whatever," Ian explained.

  "I hear you," Plumeria said, looking at him expectantly. "You did say Alola."

  Ian nodded. "Yes, but it's different from here."

  "How s-" Plumeria paused as she eyed an oncoming figure suspiciously. Ian turned to see Colress, still clad in his grey lab coat approaching.

  "Greetings Ian, Team Skull leader," Colress called out as non-threateningly as possible.

  "Greetings!" Plumeria called back, waving back before whispering subtly to Ian. "What's the deal with this guy?"

  "It's complicated," Ian whispered back.

  "My apologies for interrupting, but Ms. Selene directed me out here! I wish to speak with you, Team Skull leader," Colress called back.

  Plumeria folded her arms. "You're Dr. Colress, right? I wasn't able to hear much, but she had nothing but good things to say about you, sir."

  Colress smiled and shook his head. "There is no need for such formality. I am about to ask a favor of you after all. May I ask your name?"

  "Plumeria," she answered.

  "Like the flower. Pretty, but poisonous to anyone who wishes it harm," Colress said. "I have already been acquainted with Ian and his wonderful Sawsbuck."

  Ian nodded. "Dr. Colress."

  "My host, councilwoman Nui has informed me your group is heading to one… Palmer's Ranch? And that it would be just outside of Malie City. Is that correct?" Colress asked.

  "Yeah…" Plumeria said.

  "May I join your party's expedition that way? I will be happy to provide compensation in treasure and provisions," Colress said.

  "What kind of treasure and provisions?" Plumeria asked.

  Colress whipped his high-tech Silph Bag around and pressed on the screen, where the light blue version of a Star Piece manifested in Colress' hand. A Comet Shard!? "I will happily pay this to you at the onset, and for the safe journey I can provide some more compensation," Colress said. "Nui also informed me it is a three to four day journey on foot to Malie City. I happen to have ninety days of provisions for myself and six Pokemon, meaning I can supply your entire party for the duration of the journey."

  If he was doing something with Aether, why does he just happen to have so many provisions? Not to mention all of these treasures.

  Plumeria's jaw dropped. "Uh… sure. You don't need to get there immediately, do you?" Plumeria asked.

  "I heard of the deal brokered with Irida," Colress said. "I can supply the party for up to fifteen days if need be."

  "That won't be necessary," Plumeria said. "We're hoping to leave tomorrow morning, if that's okay with you."

  "Of course. Just please don't leave without me in case I oversleep. I have had a rather bizarre day," Colress said with his signature off-putting laugh. "Now, I'm going to go back to your guest house as I promised breakfast for the rest of your team members and their Pokemon."

  "Thanks, but we're good for right now," Plumeria said sweetly.

  "Actually, my Pokemon could use some food as well," Ian volunteered.

  "Splendid! Another chance to see that wonderful Sawsbuck," Colress gushed.

  Plumeria growled lowly at Ian as she glared daggers at him. "Fine," she groaned before stepping to Ian's ear. "This conversation is not over."

  "Yeah," Ian grumbled.

  ***

  Ian watched curiously as Colress took a pellet with various shades of blue and held it out in his hand to Ian's Sawsbuck, who eagerly gobbled up the trifling portion. Sawsbuck eyed Colress expectantly for a few moments before Colress shook his head. "And one, two, three…"

  Sawsbuck bleated in shock as something happened in its stomach. Sawsbuck then cheered happily, prancing back to Ian. What the? Colress sniggered comically, sounding more evil as he did. "I find it hard to believe a fellow Unovan has never seen condensed Pokemon food like that," Colress said.

  Unsure of what to say, Ian remained silent.

  "Hm, curious," Colress said, his tone almost haunting. "Imagine technology like the Silph Bag but for food. Pokemon of Sawsbuck's size require many thousands of calories per day, and it is so hard to carry that much food, even with a Silph Bag."

  Ian nodded "Makes sense. Plus it'll make feeding my Tyrunt a lot easier."

  Colress gasped in surprise. "Tyrunt you say? I was an intern on the first fossil resurrection project. Ironically I have gotten so few opportunities to interact with the fruits of my labor. May you present it?"

  Ian grimaced. "Well, I gotta feed the rest of my team first and then get far away from town. Tyrunt's a freshly caught Alpha and it keeps trying to eat me."

  "Ohohoho," Colress chuckled. "How quaint. I've never seen an Alpha Tyrunt before, you must show me. I beg of you, Ian," Colress said.

  "Of course, considering you're providing the food…" Ian said.

  Colress gave Ian a friendly pat on the back that made him almost shiver. "Oh there is no need to feel that held over your head."

  Ian did his best to show a genuine smile. "Thanks…"

  Ian released Pyroar and Wartortle next, and Colress gasped in amazement as he saw the cracks and punctures on Wartortle's shell. "Have you run afoul of an Alpha Gyarados?" Colress asked curiously.

  "Well, I think Wartortle did. There was an Ultra Storm off Po Town's coast earlier in the day that I caught him. We think he came from the Ultra Storm, and there was likely an Alpha Gyarados out there," Ian explained.

  "Really? Let me check…" Colress said, bringing out his bulky omnitron once more. He swiped on the screen a few times before pressing on something, then aimed the device's antenna to Wartortle, and the omnitron began making clicking and popping noises like a tool from his world being used to detect radiation. "Yes, that's quite a bit of Ultra Static. Your Wartortle definitely came through an Ultra Wormhole…" Colress then pointed the device at Pyroar and Sawsbuck, and the same clicks and pops came from the omnitron. "Fascinating, all of your Pokemon out here are Fallers…" Colress moved to put the Omnitron in his lab coat but the sensory mode was still on and the antenna pointed right at Ian, and he heard more pops and clicks from the machine. Colress' eyebrows rose for a moment before he put the omnitron away. "Come, let us see this Alpha Tyrunt of yours."

  Ian led Colress close to where Plumeria had taken him for their private chat, and Colress made sure no one was around before speaking up once more, his tone much more serious. "I apologize for the accidental analysis Ian, but do your friends know you're a Faller as well?"

  Ian nodded. "They do. They picked me up outside of the Ultra Storm I emerged in."

  Colress smiled, his grin looking ever more sinister. "A truly fascinating young man you are, Ian."

  "Thanks…" Ian said with a nervous laugh, readying Tyrunt's Ultra Ball. Colress gave him two food pellets and got beside Ian, getting his omnitron back in his hands.

  Ian took a deep breath and tossed the Ultra Ball fifteen feet out. The six foot tall baby tyrannosaur manifested with an angry roar, its dark eyes full of menacing rage. Thankfully its red Alpha eyes aren't back. Tyrunt took one step toward Ian, and he threw the varied, blue-colored pellet at his problem-child Alpha. Tyrunt's mouth was already open and foaming drool when the pellet landed comfortably on its tongue. Tyrunt suddenly gave a higher pitched cry, and Ian felt the ground begin to shift underneath him. He dove out of the way, and rocky cylinders erupted from the ground. Rock Tomb? Shit. Wartortle already had an Icy Wind fired when Ian looked back up, and Tyrunt gave a pained yelp. Ian got to his knees and tossed the pellet to Tyrunt's open mouth, which got to Tyrunt's mouth just in time before its jaws snapped shut. Ian got the Ultra Ball ready and beamed Tyrunt back, heaving a sigh of relief.

  "Quite a feisty one, young man," Colress said. "In my opinion, you should get an Ice or Steel Type Pokemon to help break in your unruly Alpha."

  Ian shrugged. "Well Wartortle's got Icy Wind…"

  Colress grimaced, unhappy with the suggestion. "An Ice or Steel Type would be more beneficial. I think there is a Leyline Confluence in the mine just outside of town I'm hoping to explore before we leave. I would be happy to take you with me and help you capture one, if you'd like."

  Ian shrugged. "That sounds like a good idea actually."

  "Perfect," Colress said, turning his attention back to the town, where Ian noticed a familiar figure approaching. "It looks like you're being summoned."

  Ian nodded, seeing Irida walking toward them in her dignified elegance. "I'll let you know, maybe get Lian and Tupp involved too."

  "Lieutenant Ian!" Irida called out, waving her arm. "I'm afraid the third hour is fast approaching."

  Ian nodded, recalling Pyroar and Wartortle and moving to hop on Sawsbuck's back. "Oh, there is no need to hurry, Lieutenant," Irida explained. "Strolling would be just fine."

  "Okay," Ian said as Sawsbuck's support vines retreated from his waist. Ian gave Colress a goodbye gesture and made his way to Irida. "And you don't have to call me lieutenant, I'm not addressing you formally after all."

  "Well, it is your rank after all, correct?" Irida probed.

  "Not entirely," Ian said. "We don't really have one, but Hyde messed up his ankle and Selene smelled worse than an outhouse, so Plumeria picked me to be her number two for that meeting."

  "A decision that ended up earning my vote," Irida said. "And that is not mentioning you dove on the proverbial sword for Plumeria in front of us." Irida paused, seemingly deciding on her words very carefully. "Does Team Skull treat you well, Ian?"

  "Well enough," Ian said.

  "Your blessed Sawsbuck keeps them fed, and your self-sacrifice is commendable. I would believe you have more than earned an elevation in rank at the very least," Irida said.

  Ian shrugged, trying to side-step what he could. She's going to do her best to chip away at my loyalty here. "No, I understand where they're coming from. I haven't even been around for three weeks while Selene is a good trainer and has seniority."

  "There you go with that humility again, Ian," Irida said with a dazzling smile and the faintest hint of desire in her eyes. Ian felt his heart stir. She's pulling out all the stops. "A very admirable trait in a follower. And in order to lead, one must learn to follow, first."

  "I might have to steal that line next time Plumeria tries to suspend me," Ian said with a dumb grin.

  "Suspend? Whatever for?" Irida asked.

  I might have stepped in it. Damn her good looks and vulnerability hunting instinct. No wonder she's the leader of the Pearl Clan. "We were tasked with going into an Ultra Storm and when a powerful Alpha Pokemon came out of a wormhole, I fought it instead of fleeing." Something tells me if I mention Crawdaunt's mobility or Rylee it's just going to give Irida more to latch onto.

  "Was anyone hurt?" Irida asked.

  "No," Ian said.

  "Then it was a perfectly calculated risk. A suspension seems to be the exact opposite of the example a leader should make," Irida said, making eye contact with him, her deep blue eyes promising endless possibilities. Ian felt blood rushing through his body and figured his cheeks were reddening by the second, and he looked away, realizing they'd reached the raised beds, and a dozen Combee or so buzzed around the crop row.

  "Where'd these Combee come from?" Ian asked, shifting uncomfortably.

  "They are workers for Palina's Vespiquen," Irida answered. "They are supposed to accelerate crop growth, They do pale in comparison to your Sawsbuck, however," Irida explained.

  "Not their fault," Ian said.

  "And there's Palina now," Irida pointed out. Ian spotted a tall woman with light brown hair, decked out in Pearl Clan attire with a Vespiquen beside her, monitoring the buzzing squad of Combee around the raised beds. Ian recognized the woman as Hisuian Arcanine's Warden.

  "Lina! Allow me to introduce someone," Irida called out, her signature tone of dignified authority oozing through her words.

  "Ah, the one who has put Vespiquen and I to shame," Palina replied with an amused smile. Ian and Irida made their way to Palina, and Palina looked him up and down and gave a slight grin. "So this is Lieutenant Ian and his blessed Sawsbuck. I may have to find a new role if you stick around for a bit."

  Ian shook his head. "I don't think that will be necessary."

  "Hm, about you not sticking around?" Palina probed.

  Ian shook his head. "No, just uh… about the new role thing."

  Palina eyed Irida for a moment before returning her attention to Ian. "Irida, have you broached the subject we spoke of earlier?"

  Irida scoffed. "I have not. It was merely a request I made to Plumeria which she declined to answer at the time. It would be unfair of me to go behind Plumeria's back." I can guess where this is going.

  "Then let me do it instead," Palina said with a light giggle. "Ian, we have agreed to house that grumpy, injured young man while your squad descends the mountain and crosses the desert. We were wondering if you would stay with us during the trip."

  Irida cleared her throat. "We have also heard Dr. Colress has agreed to supply provisions for the journey as well, making you a bit unnecessary…" Irida paused deftly, her gaze locked in on Ian's own. "...for them."

  Ian smiled nervously. "Ladies, I'm flattered. But Plumeria's my boss, and whatever she says, goes."

  Palina gave a quick "hmph" and folded her arms. "Ever the loyal man." Ian caught Palina giving Irida a quick look before focusing on him again.

  "Of course, Ian," Irida said. "It is not fair of us to go behind Plumeria's back." Irida began to step away before stopping and turning to Ian once more, that mesmerizing look of wonder in her deep blue eyes. "I do hope she appreciates the loyal man you are, Ian Cougar."

  Ian gave as big a smile as he could muster, cheeks still warm from blushing. "It's something like that."

  Irida began stepping off gracefully and when Irida got out of earshot, Ian opened his mouth. "That was probably the nicest ambush I've ever been a part of."

  Palina giggled lowly. "I see why she fancies you."

  Ian rolled his eyes. "You're pouring it on a little thick here."

  "Hm?" Palina asked.

  Ian shook his head, remembering contemporary slang from his world would go over the head of time-travelers in this one. "The over-complimentary nature of what you're doing. You all are being really heavy handed with the praise."

  "Too perceptive after all," Palina said. "Please do not resent her for it, she had her heart broken by a former enemy turned lover that not all of us were ready to accept."

  Adaman? Yeah they did bicker like a married couple. And it was hinted that Palina had a thing for Basculegion's Warden from the Diamond Clan, right? What was his name again? "With the way you're speaking, I find it hard to believe you weren't accepting of it," Ian observed.

  Palina scoffed. "A keen eye, almost too keen," Palina giggled lightly before continuing. "You are right though, I was the fiercest advocate for the match. My own love lies buried in time now as well. Perhaps it is our punishment for attempting the ritual without the Diamond Clan's assistance."

  Ritual? Is that what Irida and Gaeric didn't want spoken about earlier? "Ritual?" Ian asked curiously.

  Palina shook her head. "Something sacred I am not allowed to disclose," Palina did a quick scan of her surroundings and leaned in, hushing her voice to a whisper. "Irida blames herself for our being in this place, in this time. The guilt crushes her more than the heartbreak I think, and the only relief to such crushing guilt would be full security for us all. That is why she covets your Sawsbuck so. I even overheard her speaking with Ingo and Gaeric of a proposed alliance, with a diplomatic marriage at its center."

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  A marriage alliance? Like some Game of Thrones shit? Yeesh. "That's not exactly how things go nowadays. People marry for love," Ian said.

  "Irida would sacrifice even her own happiness to ensure our clan's safety and security," Palina stated. "It is that dire for her."

  Ian nodded. "I see… And Palina, I won't say anything about what you've told me. I don't want to get you in trouble."

  Palina laughed lowly. "A truly loyal man would tell his leader anything about a different faction's plans that might involve him."

  Ian chuckled. "Oh, I thought you were talking about Irida marrying someone from our side. Hopefully it's not that asshole Hyde," he joked.

  "Hyde?" Palina asked. "Oh, the grumpy, injured one I saw on the patio not long ago?"

  "Yeah."

  "I'll jump off the mountain before I let Irida marry that man," Palina said.

  ***

  Lian, Colress, Tupp, and Ian marched single file up a small, paved incline, Ian and Tupp once again clad in Pearl Clan sweaters. "Yo Ian," Tupp began. "You sure Big Sis was okay with us wearing these again? Not to mention leaving without saying anything…"

  Ian shrugged. "Too late to ask for permission now."

  Tupp laughed. "She gonna be pissed when we get back yo."

  Ian grinned. "Not at me, she's gotta be nice to me while we're here."

  "Really? Why's that?" Tupp asked.

  Lian cleared his throat. "Because the Pearl Clan desperately wants to keep Ian's Sawsbuck around."

  Colress laughed in agreement. "They would be fools if they didn't."

  "Oh…" Tupp said. "Imma be real bro, I don't think Big Sis gonna play that game."

  Then I'll just go to Malie City- Ian eyed Colress and remembered how suspicious the scientist seemed. On second thought, maybe scope him out a bit more, if he stops being weird it would be nice to get some startup capital from him for Sawsbuck research though… "We'll definitely see," Ian said.

  "Here's the mine entrance!" Lian called out.

  Colress already had his omnitron device out, and Ian noticed light blue streaks of color dotting the screen, with a silver sliver of a line. "It is rare to find Leylines of such vibrant energy…" Colress said. "Oh glorious confluence, show me your wonders…" Colress practically chanted like he was having a religious experience.

  "What kind of Pokemon usually hang out here?" Ian asked as they approached the sizable tunnel entrance.

  "Besides the usual Zubat and Yungoos? Mostly Ice Pokemon," Lian said.

  Peering inside, Ian noticed the walls had small patches of ice dotting them before Lian took the first step into the mine. While it is cold here, it's not nearly cold enough for ice to still be on the walls. Maybe it has something to do with the Ice Type Pokemon here.

  "Magnezone, give us some light," Colress ordered bluntly as he tossed a unique looking Poke Ball in front of him. The bulky, floating magnet Pokemon with one eye quickly erased the shadows as the tips of its magnets began to glow. Ian noticed the ball itself looked a bit like a Premier Ball in the front but had a black and red section on its back, along with a red stripe going halfway to the button at the center.

  "Yo, what kinda Poke Ball is that?" Tupp asked.

  "A Timer Ball," Colress answered quickly before placing it inside his lab coat and re-focusing on Ian. "Remember Ian, Ice or Steel Types would be very beneficial," Colress said as he looked up from his omnitron.

  "I hear you," Ian answered, noticing Tupp giving him a strange look."What?" He whispered, to which Tupp turned away. He might think I'm getting too close to Colress…

  The deeper into the mine the group of four and Magnezone got, the icier the walls got. Ian caught a glimpse of a green blip of light on a ceiling, which he knew meant there was a Zygarde Cell. Something tells me I don't want to bring that up around Colress, I'm not sure what kind of guy he is yet. Colress would occasionally take out his omnitron and point the antenna around, but he remained steadfastly vigilant for any sign of movement.

  "There," Colress whispered, pointing further ahead where what looked to be a rodent of blue-ish ice slid along the floor of the mine until the critter jumped into the air a couple feet, the Pokemon revealing itself to have limbs and a white underbelly. An Alolan Sandshrew? Neat.

  The Pokemon quickly noticed the party and gave a panicked cry and turned to slide away. "Pyroar, chase that down!" Ian yelled out as he sent Pyroar's Poke Ball down the tunnel. His majestic, bright-maned lion manifested with a roar, the loud noise echoing off the walls and forcing the sliding Alolan Sandshrew to stop and cower.

  "This Pokemon would be perfect for training Alpha Tyrunt, Ian," Colress informed. "But on behalf of our ears, I request you do not have Pyroar use Hyper Voice in this confined environment."

  "Gotcha," Ian said. "Everyone, stand back! Pyroar, Flamethrower!"

  Pyroar let out a low roar before streams of flames poured out of its mouth. Sandshrew slid to the side in a panic, avoiding the initial fire. Pyroar re-directed however, and a high pitched squeal was all Ian heard before he heard nothing but the sound of Pyroar's pulsating flames. "Enough!" Ian called out, a pang of guilt in his chest.

  Pyroar's stream of flames ended, and the icy Sandshrew was sprawled out on its belly on the mine's floor, surrounded by water and steam. Sorry little one. Ian made his way to the fallen armored rodent and grimaced. This seemed a bit overkill.

  Footsteps came from behind him and Colress stood beside him. "Is there anything you are waiting for?" Colress inquired.

  "No just…" Ian thought on it. "I'm thinking if one of Pyroar's Flamethrowers can knock it out, maybe it's not right for dealing with Tyrunt," Ian lied. In truth, I feel really bad for this Pokemon.

  "A thoughtful assessment, but remember young Ian, Alolan Sandshrews are four-times weak to Fire Types, and their Special Defense is pitiful compared to its physical Defense. Does Tyrunt have Fire Fang in its arsenal?" Colress asked.

  "I don't think so…"

  "Then go ahead and capture this Pokemon. Once it has served its purpose or if it is as weak as you suspect, you can simply release it," Colress explained frigidly.

  Ian's grimace tightened. So many things wrong with that statement, so many things that go against the whole vibe of Pokemon…

  "Bro, you catchin' this or what? This things looks kinda cool…" Tupp said.

  Ian shook his head. "No, I should have it," he said. Mostly to just prove Colress' assessment wrong. Ian reached for one of his spare Poke Balls, thinking the white Premier Ball would be fitting, and dropped it onto Sandshrew's sprawled out, unconscious body. The ball quickly took the Alolan Sandshrew in and shook softly for a second before going limp.

  "Very well Ian," Colress said coldly. "Now, I believe there is a confluence up ahead that I'd like to analyze, if that would be okay with everyone?"

  "Uh… sure?" Tupp said uncertainly.

  "I'll give you extra portions for lunch," Colress said.

  "Oh hell yeah! Let's find this Kung-Fu-ence!" Tupp said loudly.

  It was a mercifully short walk, and Ian noticed the eerie, icy light blue glow in the wall coming up. "There we are…" Colress said as he got his Silph Bag out once again. Something resembling a blowtorch manifested in Colress' hands, which he pointed to the icy, crystalline wall. Four, red laser beams hit the crystalline wall with a high, mechanical hum as he started carving into the icy crystals, which didn't appear to melt.

  "Hey, wait a second!" Lian called out.

  "Not to worry, these crystals shall regrow in short order," Colress said. "It is a very vibrant confluence."

  Lian scowled as he watched on, with Colress carving out two full, diamond shaped crystals. Upon finishing, Colress admired his handy work with an ecstatic grin. Colress then turned to Ian and presented one of the icy crystals. "I apologize for not having a Z-Ring handy, but one of these Z-Crystals should be perfect for you and that new Sandshrew to keep Tyrunt in line when you do get a Z-Ring."

  Ian's jaw dropped, being presented with what he now realized was in fact a fully fledged Z-Crystal. "Woah…" Ian said in disbelief. "Thank you…"

  Colress smiled wickedly. "Perhaps when we reach Palmer's Ranch, we can inquire about a Z-Ring."

  Ian smiled nervously, realizing the gift likely had a string or two attached. Don't tell me he wants to try to get me to come with him too?

  ***

  When the group of four returned, Ian kept his eye out for Plumeria, hoping to avoid her as long as he could. This worked until he passed an innocuous house and a door got shoved open and Plumeria roared from the patio deck. "Where the hell have you been, Ian?"

  "You in deep shit now bro," Tupp observed as he began cowering away from Ian.

  So much for thinking she'd be on good behavior. "What do you need, Plumeria?" Ian called back.

  "For you to take that fucking sweater off, first of all," Plumeria snarled as she stormed over to him. Ian began pulling the sweater off, and by the time he was done, Plumeria swiped it and threw the sweater at Lian. "Leave," she growled at Lian, who promptly did so.

  Colress chuckled lightly and whispered a quick "good luck" before leaving Ian alone in the street with Plumeria.

  "We went to this mine covered in ice-"

  "To avoid me, right?" Plumeria demanded. "I'm trying to have one fucking conversation with you and all you do is duck me every chance you get."

  Ian grimaced, seeing the rage in Plumeria's intense eyes. "Okay, I'm sorry-"

  "Sorry's not cutting this one," Plumeria spat.

  Irida's delicate voice called out from the house Plumeria had exited from. "Lady Plumeria, is something amiss?"

  "We're FINE!" Plumeria snarled before turning to Ian and whispering in an even more menacing tone. "Come with me, now."

  Plumeria remained silent and tense for the walk down the street. Tupp was right on this one. Once the duo arrived under the tree outside of town, Plumeria turned around and glared at him.

  Ian opened his mouth first. "I thought you said you wouldn't get mad."

  Steam nearly came out of Plumeria's ears, but she kept her voice in check even though he was clearly in her danger zone. "I meant when it came to your secret Ian, not this game of tug-of-war I'm now playing with the Pearl Clan over you and that damn deer of yours."

  "Fine," Ian said.

  "I already know you were basically canoodling with Irida earlier," Plumeria said.

  "What?"

  "She's trying to get her claws into you for Sawsbuck, Ian, that's all."

  "I'm well aware of that," Ian said.

  "You wearing their sweater is just encouraging them," Plumeria explained.

  "It's fucking cold up here," Ian replied.

  "You've come face to face with Tapu Bulu, fought off an Alpha Crawdaunt and an Alpha Galvantula, but you draw the line at wearing a sweater?" Plumeria demanded.

  Ian threw his hands up in confusion. "They're completely different things-"

  "Ian…" Plumeria said, a strained calm coming over her. "...I am trying really hard to keep things together here."

  Ian nodded, seeing the struggle in her eyes. "Okay…"

  "I really don't like being in vulnerable positions like this," Plumeria said.

  "Is there anyone who does like it?" Ian asked.

  Plumeria's whole face sank, trying her best to hold back another tirade.

  "Sorry, my bad," Ian said, relenting.

  "We need the Pearl Clan to look after Hyde, but they're trying to take you with them, and five days with Irida on her knees begging for you would make any guy crack," Plumeria explained. "We need you Ian. Po Town needs you…"

  Ian shook his head. "You need Sawsbuck. Not me."

  "You're a package deal, you always have been," Plumeria said, and she sighed as inspiration hit her. "Don't tell me that whole Tapu Bulu situation, the blessing thing, did you intend that to happen from the start? Did that happen in your damn video games?"

  "What? No-"

  "You're not bullshitting me?" Plumeria demanded.

  "No, that was completely different, that's never happened before," Ian pleaded. "Tapu Bulu was about to chop my head off but Deerling pleaded for me, or at least I think it did," Ian said. "I really figured I was a goner there."

  Plumeria grunted, dissatisfied with the answer. "And the Alpha Poop? What is that?"

  "I think it's… like Pokemon steroids," Ian said uncertainly. "They can make a Pokemon stronger, that's all I know."

  "What were they in your video games?" Plumeria asked coldly.

  "Experience 'Candy,'" Ian answered. "They were a pretty unbalanced mechanic…"

  "What?" Plumeria asked.

  Ian shook his head. "Forget I said anything. What were you going on about earlier this morning?"

  "When I was being nice and not yelling at you?" Plumeria began. "Funny what you respond to."

  Ian rolled his eyes. "I think it was 'Surge?'"

  Plumeria pointed at him. "Yeah, Surge! So, real people in this world were characters in your video games. You also said you knew about Alola, explain."

  "Uh… that's a lot..."

  "Try," Plumeria said simply.

  "Where do you want me to start?" Ian asked.

  "You said something about Aether being bad?" Plumeria said. "Start there."

  Ian nodded. "Okay, so things diverge from this world and the one I'm familiar with-"

  "Your video game world…"

  "Yeah," Ian replied. "So, the Aether Foundation wasn't run by Mohn, it was run by Lusamine."

  "Lusamine's a scientist? I thought she was just a supermodel…" Plumeria said.

  "So in the Alola I knew, Mohn was experimenting with Ultra Wormholes, and got taken away by one," Ian said. "Lusamine became the president, and while trying to get him back, got obsessed with Ultra Beasts. So she started experimenting with a Pokemon called Cosmog, which can open up Ultra Wormholes."

  "There's a Pokemon besides Lunala that can do that?" Plumeria asked quickly. "That's if the legends are true."

  "Solgaleo can do it too-" Ian paused, realizing what Plumeria meant. This world is a Moon version of things, not a Sun version. No wonder I was so sleepy when I came over from the Ultra Storm, they're twelve hours apart and I was on a different day/night cycle! How'd I not realize that earlier?

  "Solgaleo? What the hell is that?" Plumeria asked.

  Ian sighed. "So… Lunala is the moon legendary, right? Solgaleo is the sun legendary, but I think we're in a 'Moon' universe…"

  Plumeria shook her head. "You lost me…"

  Ian took a deep breath. "I shouldn't have brought it up. How about, I promise I will talk about relevant things. If you press me you're just gonna get really stupid answers."

  "Fine. Cosmog can open Ultra Wormholes?" Plumeria asked.

  "Because Cosmog evolves into Lunala," Ian answered.

  Plumeria's eyebrows rose. "It evolves into a legendary?"

  Ian nodded. "Yeah."

  "Aether was doing these bad experiments… Did people know about it?" Plumeria asked.

  "Not really," Ian said, realizing where the topic was going to go and did his best to dance around it. "Aether had a proxy group do their dirty work. Everything was about getting Cosmog back, but as discreetly as possible."

  "Who was the proxy group?" Plumeria asked.

  "Nobody important," Ian said.

  "C'mon Ian, answer me," Plumeria said.

  Ian frowned. "You don't wanna know…"

  Plumeria shook her head. "Who was it, Ian?"

  Ian exhaled uncomfortably. "Team Skull."

  Plumeria's eyebrows rose. "You're joking…"

  Ian shook his head. "Trust me, I wish I was."

  "We're just Aether's little puppets? That goes against everything Team Skull stands for," Plumeria said.

  "I know what you mean, and I don't think you guys knew exactly what you were after-"

  Plumeria was taken aback, "So we weren't just puppets, we were idiots too? Not even mentioning you're talking like it was me… Wait, who was in Team Skull?"

  Ian grimaced, then turned away. "You don't want to know…"

  "Well I really do now," Plumeria said.

  "Can we change the question?" Ian asked.

  "No."

  "Fine then…" Ian said, turning around and facing the tree. "Guzma, you, Rapp, and Tupp."

  "Me? You're serious?" Plumeria asked. "Even a fictionalized version of me went along with that shit?"

  Ian nodded. "You weren't evil, you just looked out for people. And I never asked for your name when you cornered me outside of the Ultra Storm. You remember that?"

  Plumeria gasped as the realization. "Shit, yeah, I do… So, we were like, bad guys?"

  Ian shrugged. "Not like that. Besides, it was just in that world, not this one obviously. But it was just a story about an Island Challenge and Cosmog, no mention of the government…" Ian paused seeing Plumeria beginning to tense. "...and now you're mad, aren't you?"

  "Ian…"

  "This is why I didn't want to tell you!" Ian shouted.

  "Why? Cuz my stupid little evil henchmen brain wouldn't get it? Is that it?" Plumeria demanded.

  "Honestly, I wish you were dumber! We wouldn't be doing this-" Ian paused as he realized he'd grossly misstepped.

  Plumeria looked at him with pure, unmitigated rage. "What'd you say, pizza boy?"

  Ian clenched his fist, realizing it was the first time she'd used Guzma's mocking nickname for him. And it's not just that she used it, it's how she's used it. He sighed, trying to de-escalate. "Look, we're both mad, we're both in very vulnerable spots right now-"

  "Repeat it. I want to hear it again," Plumeria said with an eerie softness. A calm before an eruption.

  "It was honestly a compliment," Ian said.

  "Sure didn't feel that way," Plumeria said before spitting over her shoulder. "So this is what we get for taking you in? Giving you shelter, giving you the Poke Balls to go catch that fucking deer? Even though you've lied to us every step of the way…"

  "Plumeria, you know it's not like that-"

  "That's why you were so reckless," Plumeria accused. "We'd give you warnings, but nope, we're idiots who get used by anyone with money! We're just a bunch of clowns to you!"

  Ian shook his head, cracking a smile in disbelief.

  "And there it is, laughing at the clowns. Is that what you've always thought of us?" Plumeria demanded.

  "Of course not. I'm one of you!" Ian pleaded. "Look, I told you I didn't want to talk about this, that you didn't want to know, but you kept pushing me-"

  "Oh so this is my fault?" Plumeria demanded.

  "You told me be to be honest, you told me you wouldn't get mad, and here we are, I'm being honest, and you're fucking mad! Great fucking leadership, Big Sis!" Ian shouted.

  Plumeria marched up to him, so close he could feel her breath. "Don't you dare call me that, you ungrateful little shit."

  "I've answered every single one of your questions, knowing exactly where this would lead. If anyone's the idiot here, it's me," Ian said.

  "Nice try," Plumeria said gravely. "Enjoy kissing Irida's ass tonight, pizza boy." Plumeria then raised her middle finger, eyes full of venom. "Wait, does this mean the same thing in your world as it does in this one?"

  "I think so," Ian croaked.

  "Good," Plumeria said, turning around and holding her middle finger up to the sky as she stormed off.

  Ian finally got sick of watching her walk off and turned back to the tree, knocking his head against the trunk. How far away is Malie City, exactly?