1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 98: Ultra Beyond

The mysterious paper waited on Peony's table as if it had been pretending not to exist. After the door shut behind Peony and Peonia, Elena unfolded it again, keeping the page flat beneath both hands.

"Some of the words are unreadable," she said. "The ink is smudged in places, and there are strange marks around the picture."

"Let me see," I said.

Elena passed it over, and I studied the page. The picture showed a huge hole opening above a familiar cavern mouth, with light bending around the edges like the sky had been torn and stitched wrong.

I read the parts I could make out. "A mysterious large hole connecting our world to another. This phenomenon was originally discovered by Professor Mohn. The hole connects to worlds where Ultra Beasts live. Some beasts differ greatly from Pokémon we know."

Alice sighed at once. "Here we go again. Ultra Beasts."

Elena looked from the paper to us. "You both know what this means."

"We know enough to be careful," I said. "Ultra Beasts are not ordinary wild Pokémon. Some are frightened. Some are dangerous. Most are both if they are forced into the wrong world."

Pikachu leaned over the paper, ears flattening as static flickered across his cheeks, "The hole in the picture feels like a door with no promise of a floor."

"Then we do not let anyone fall through it," I said.

Elena tapped the drawing. "The place in the picture looks like the Max Lair."

Alice stood immediately. "Then we go there before this becomes worse."

I folded the clue, but not like Peony's papers. This did not feel like one of his loud adventures. It felt like something someone had dropped by accident, and accidents around Ultra Wormholes could become disasters before anyone finished naming them.

Peony and Peonia were outside the Max Lair when we arrived. Peony waved like nothing dangerous could happen while he was smiling, and Peonia looked exhausted.

"Hey there, Chief!" Peony called. "Thanks for stopping by. I am finally getting quality family time with my darling Nia."

Peonia gave a wordless grunt.

Elena held up the paper. "Uncle, we found this at base camp. Do you know anything about it?"

Peony took it and squinted. "Did I drop something? Is that mine? I do not recall writing it." His eyes moved to the picture. "Hang on. Is that the Max Lair?"

Before anyone could answer, the entrance erupted with noise. Trainers rushed out together, some pale, some shouting, and one nearly tripped over the snow before another pulled him upright.

The scientist at the gate hurried forward. "What happened inside?"

"Creatures!" one trainer shouted. "A whole group appeared in the Max Lair! We do not know if they are Pokémon!"

The scientist went still. "Alien beings? Could this be connected to the Ultra Wormhole that opened briefly above the lair?"

Alice's hand tightened at her side. "It has already started."

Peony looked from the fleeing Trainers to the clue, then lifted one finger with terrible inspiration. "Sounds like some new crazy thing is afoot, Chief! You know what that means. A new expedition is approaching, and I know just what to call it."

Peonia covered her face. "Dad, no."

"They Came from the Ultra Beyond!" Peony declared.

Elena gave Peonia a sympathetic smile. "We are used to it."