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

Chapter 94: Fallers Beneath the Moon

A few days later, we were back at Melemele Manor, training for my third Elite Four battle. The victory over Olivia still rested heavily in my bag with the second medal, and Tapu Lele's customized ball felt almost too sacred to touch. Still, the next battle was waiting, so we kept moving.

Lillie worked with Snowy near the garden path, Serena helped Crystal Steelix control his turns, and Alice watched the field with that calm focus that always made me feel she noticed every hidden problem. My mom stood with Looker and Anabel near the doors, reviewing reports while pretending not to look worried.

The front door opened before anyone knocked. Nanu walked in like the manor belonged to him, one hand in his pocket and the other lifting lazily in greeting.

"I let myself in," he muttered.

Anabel froze in place. "Mr. Nanu."

Nanu nodded to her, then looked past her at Looker. "You been keeping well?"

Looker's face went pale. "Y-y-you are..."

"Heh," Nanu said. "So it is you, 100kr. Or sorry. What is it now? Looker?"

Looker swallowed. "Yes. It is."

The air changed around them. It was not fear exactly, but something old and uncomfortable. Serena glanced at me, and Alice's eyes sharpened as if she had heard a door open into a past none of us had been told.

Nanu sighed like the tension bored him. "What is this? No smile for me? Here I am, coming out of my way to bring you the info about the UB you are searching for."

My mom stepped forward. "Really?"

"Those monsters you are calling Blade and Blaster," Nanu said. "They are on Ula'ula Island. I will tell you more when you get there."

Looker forced his voice steady. "And your information is all true?"

"I am the kahuna of Ula'ula Island," Nanu said. "If you do not do something about those monsters for me, our guardian is not going to be happy."

My mom bowed her head. "Thank you for the information, Mr. Nanu."

"See you around then," Nanu said, already turning away.

He left the manor as casually as he had entered, but the room stayed heavy behind him. Pikachu climbed onto my shoulder and lowered his ears, his paw tightening against my jacket, "That man carried old storm clouds inside with him." I touched Pikachu's back, understanding the warning without repeating it.

Serena looked at Looker after the door closed. "Mr. Looker, do I take it that you are acquainted with Officer Nanu?"

Looker stared at the door for a moment too long. "I knew him once. I thought. Never mind that. Right now we need to focus on our mission."

My mom nodded, but her eyes stayed worried. "Of course. If we have reports of a new UB sighting, then our mission is our first priority. We will head to the Ground Manor near Haina Desert."

The trip to Ula'ula felt different from our earlier missions. Xurkitree had been lightning and hunger, Tapu Lele had been sacred judgment, but Nanu's warning brought something colder. Blade and Blaster did not sound frightened. They sounded like disasters waiting for names.

Lillie sat beside me during the ride, quiet in the way she became when family history and Ultra Wormholes crossed paths. Serena kept reviewing supplies, and Alice watched Looker, who had not truly relaxed since Nanu spoke his old identifier.

The trip to Ula'ula ended beneath a dry sky.

At the Haina Desert manor, the world outside looked dry enough to swallow color. Sand pressed against the windows, and the night sky above the desert made every shadow longer. Anabel stood by the table with reports in her hands, though her fingers trembled once before she hid it.