"YOU WHAT?"
Gladion was hoping – almost pleading – that he could get a break from facing with Sun earlier that day, but here he was, currently dealing with the last person he or anyone else in that matter should be stressing themselves about. Not that he was surprised. Hau is one of those people that he could not get his eyes off for a few seconds without getting into some sort of trouble.
"You lost Moon's Z-Power Ring?" Gladion repeated. His glare at the Champion intensifying at each word. "That one Z-Power Ring that was blessed by the Tapus?"
Hau shrunk beneath his gaze. "...Yes." He squeaked behind Lillie.
Gladion resisted the urge to strangle Hau right then and now. Instead, he raised his hands to massage his throbbing temples as he muttered a series of curses to himself. After the preliminary round and a quick lunch, the three of them congregated inside the luxury box in the stadium. Lusamine, Faba, and Wicke returned to Aether Paradise prior their arrival to assist the Ultra Recon Squad in the current Ultra Beast dilemma. Professor Burnet had a call from the Pokémon Center in Hau'oli City and has to leave midway of the preliminary round. Professor Elio left relatively later than the others to pick up the results sent by his colleague from Orre regarding the berserk Pokémon. He hoped it might give them an insight regarding the mysterious incidents and preferably, be able to create a cure.
Gladion sunk into the couch, surprising Shiron who was curled up comfortably after a harrowing battle. "When? When did you lose it?"
Hau did not budge from his hiding place behind his girlfriend. "Last night...I think?" He continued before Gladion make up his mind in killing him from where he stands. "I must have dropped it during last night's celebration. Maybe someone found it...?"
Gladion glowered. "I swear to Arceus, Hau, if you aren't Lillie's boyfriend and the current Champion, I would have ordered Silvally to bite your head off."
The said Pokémon perked from its nest of couch pillows and towels that it dragged to one corner moments ago. It tilted its head as it eyed Hau with curiosity, probably intrigued in the prospect of having a taste of the Champion. It assumed he might taste like the malasadas he loves so much.
"Big brother, don't give Silvally any ideas." Lillie gently chided, noticing the look Silvally was giving to the dark green-haired Trainer. She coaxed Hau away from her back and sat beside Gladion. "I'm sure whoever found it will return it. Everyone knows how important Z-Power Rings are."
"Yeah, Lillie's right." Hau slid his arms down the backrest of the couch. "No one's that dumb enough to try stealing a Z-Power Ring."
"Well, someone's dumb enough to lose one." Gladion shot back as the Champion deflated from his perch. "Don't think you're off the hook yet."
"Sowww cwuel, Glawds." Hau mumbled against the leather skin of the couch. Shiron leapt on the back of the Champion and curled into a cozy ball of white. "I thouwht we'we fwiends."
"You're friends, alright." Lillie said soothingly as she picked up Shiron from her precarious position atop Hau's back and placed the Alolan Vulpix on her lap. "Big Brother's just stressed out lately. The Ultra Beasts popping back without Nebby's interference has started taking its a toll to the Aether Foundation."
Gladion made an annoyed noise between his teeth. "I had to deal with five media invitations this past week. People are starting to get restless and I have not gotten an answer from the Interpol. If this keeps up-"
"It won't." Hau interjected, raising his head to look at the blond. His eyes brooking no argument. "You will win, Glads, and we'll get the information we need."
YOU ARE READING
The Guardian of Alola
FanficShe was the First Champion and Hau is the next. She was her protector and now Lillie is the one who protects. She was once at his reach but now Gladion can only chase after her phantoms. Two years they spent growing together and five years spent mou...
