The Guardian of Alola

Chapter 7: To Increasing Danger

The past three weeks have been one of the busiest that Professor Burnet has ever been. She could barely remember what it was like to be drowning in different types of research materials and cups of coffee. Her office in the Dimensional Research Lab has turned into a fire hazard - a rare phenomenon that was last witnessed in the height of the invasion of the Ultra Beasts six years ago.

Her receiver beeped and she struggled to find it among a pile of data maps and scribbled notes. A voice crackled at the other end after the professor pressed a button. "Professor Burnet? The Kahuna of Poni Island has come to see you."

Hapu? She was dimly aware that the Kahuna has called her in the morning for a brief meeting. She glanced at the wall clock above the row of bookshelves and let out a surprised gasp. Has it been that late? She abruptly stood up and scrambled for the receiver, knocking over an empty mug at the process. "Tell her to come in."

A minute ticked by and the door opened. The Kahuna of Poni Island invited herself in, taking note of the mess inside the office. The professor herself was stacking in some journals, mumbling something about the time. The Ground-type Trainer coughed politely, letting her presence known.

"Oh! Hapu! I didn't see you there." Burnet put away the journals in her arms and stepped away from her desk. She smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry I forgot about our meeting today. I've been busy as of the late."

Hapu nodded. "Don't worry, Burnet-hakase. I understand." She crossed the room, carefully maneuvering past some kind of equipment. "Things has been hectic on our end as well."

"Ah, yes. The League Championship." Burnet said. When her husband told her about the League's plan on making the eighth Championship public, she was genuinely surprised. It was not like the first open competition was a mess, no, it was actually a success. So much so that the people of Alola were looking forward for the next one. That is...until the Champion of that time left her position.

She gingerly touched her wedding ring. She remembered the day when Acerola came running to Aether Paradise. At that time, she was helping Wicke and Faba with the weekly health examination of the Corsola in the conservatory. Acerola had asked them if they have seen Moon or even spoke with her that day. She was clutching what seemed to be a crumpled envelope in her hands. They told her that they have yet to see the cheery Champion that day. Just then, Gladion and Lillie arrived to the conservatory, having heard from an Aether employee that the Elite Four member has come to the floating island. When Lillie asked what happened, Acerola broke down in tears. Her words stumbling over one another as she sobbed and thrusted the envelope to Lillie's hands.

She could still remember it vividly - the apprehension in the younger Aether sibling's expression morphing into despair as she read the paper enclosed in the envelope, the shock and disbelief in Gladion's face before anger and hurt flashed in his chartreuse green eyes, and the stunned silence she, Wicke, and Faba could only offer as Gladion stormed out of the conservatory.

Her heart broke into million pieces when the news finally reached Kukui. The young girl was like a daughter to both of them. An optimistic, young Trainer that brave many challenges that they could never overcome without that kind heart of hers. A heart that touched and changed so many. They searched, looked into her travel record, and even asked her mother who shockingly has no knowledge of her own daughter's sudden departure from the region. They learned that she took a flight to Hoenn and upon landing, chartered a private flight from an unknown contact. After that, she disappeared consequently as if she did not exist at all. As if she didn't want to exist at all. The only assurance they have that she is still alive was a short phone call to her own mother...and that was four years ago. Moon did not call after that.