1. Ash's Story (Part 9: Alola)

Chapter 34: Cracks Above Heahea

Heahea City looked brighter after the deep green shade of Lush Jungle. The streets caught the afternoon sun, the ocean wind moved between the buildings, and the smell of curry still seemed to cling to our clothes no matter how many times Mallow insisted it was a good thing.

Our new partners were resting after the long jungle day. Steenee walked near Lillie with proud little steps, Comfey floated around her shoulder with pale flowers woven through its ring, Oranguru observed the city with calm interest, and Passimian carried its hard berry like a trusted badge.

Selene's own Comfey circled her wrist, clearly curious about the different flowers our Comfey had chosen. The two Comfey drifted close enough to trade scents, then returned to their own Trainers without confusion. Watching them made me smile, because the same species could still have completely different bonds.

Professor Kukui waited near the path to the Dimensional Research Lab, waving one arm high enough that several people turned to look. "There you are! Perfect timing, everyone. I wanted to take you to meet someone important."

Mallow tilted her head. "Is this about Olivia's grand trial?"

"That is coming soon," Kukui said. "But before you head toward Diglett's Tunnel, there is someone who should explain a few Alolan mysteries properly."

Lillie looked toward the lab's tall building, and I felt her pace slow beside me. The place rose above Heahea with clean lines and windows that reflected the sky. It did not look threatening, but some buildings carried old feelings because of what they reminded you of.

Nebby shifted inside Lillie's bag before any of us reached the door. The flap lifted, and the little Pokémon popped out with bright, restless energy, bobbing around Lillie's shoulder like it had decided the bag was too small for its mood.

"Nebby?" Lillie asked, catching the bag strap before it slipped. "What are you doing?"

Nebby bounced twice and spun, leaving faint sparkles in the air. It did not look hurt, but Lillie's worry rose immediately. She reached out, then stopped herself from grabbing too quickly.

"Maybe it is trying to move differently," I said. "Besides Splash and Teleport, I do not know what Nebby can do yet."

"I do not either," Lillie said. Her voice softened as Nebby floated back toward her. "That is what worries me. You always seem to push yourself until something hurts you, and seeing that makes my chest ache."

Nebby settled against her hands for a moment. Its small body seemed too light for all the strange power around it, and that made the lab doors feel heavier than they should have.

I looked up at the top windows. "This is the kind of place where people study cracks between worlds, right?"

"Yes," Lillie answered. "Professor Burnet studies dimensional disturbances. I have heard about her work, but walking in with Nebby feels different from reading about it."

I understood what she did not say. We had seen too many worlds, too many versions of familiar faces, and too many doors that opened before anyone was ready. A lab like this could be helpful, but it could also make memories echo.

Kukui opened the door and glanced back with a gentler smile than usual. "Do not worry. Burnet will not poke at Nebby like a machine. She cares about the mystery, but she also cares about Pokémon."

Lillie nodded, and Nebby slipped halfway back into the bag. It still peeked out, but at least it stayed close.

The Dimensional Research Lab smelled like paper, clean metal, and the faint salt of open windows. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with thick volumes about legends, energy readings, and strange Pokémon reports. Machines hummed quietly without taking over the room.