Pokémon Sun and Moon: Champion of the Stars- Volume 2 -ULTRA BEAST MISSIONS-

31. Divergence and Cessations

Narrator POV

"I've finished sending the data from the UB you protected to HQ. And to Ms. Wicke as well. Thank you. The both of you for your hard work." Anabel had praised them, with Luma chucking nervously as she placed a hand on her neck and Gladion looking away from the two agents.

"We've done it, Chief," Looker had sighed in a sense of relief, glad that all of this was over, and Anabel and everyone else nodding in agreement.

"Yes. We have successfully contained all of the UB in the region. Thank you so much for all of your hard work on these missions. Both of you... and you too Mr. Looker."

"Not at all! All I did was provide backup to the two of you. It was all you, Luma, and Gladion, Chief. And now that we have finally completed our missions, I will treat us all to a feast of-"

"One moment please, Mr. Looker," Anabel had quickly interrupted Looker with her hands on her hips and a straight-faced look on her. It really confused those around her. Including Looker.

"Wh-what is it, Chief? We have finally reached it- our grand finale! Which we should end with a big feast..."

"Our true final mission requires that we go to Aether Paradise and report to Ms. Wicke that we have contained all of the UB."

"Oh! Indeed you are right! And we must thank her for the Beast Balls!"

"You don't need to go through the trouble. I'll report this to Wicke in full myself-"

"No need to do it yourself, President Gladion. You may have joined us a little late, but we can still come together and report to Wicke of our success," Anabel had said with a smile, quickly interrupting Gladion in the process. It really bothered him with Luma chuckling in the process.

"Besides... I got a message from Wicke. She wanted to talk to you about something..." Anabel continresident ued but in a more serious and discreet manner, which really caught Gladion off guard.

"We will be going to Aether Paradise to report to Ms. Wicke about our success. If you are free, Why don't you come along as well, Luma?"

"Uh. Sure," Luma nodded with a smile on her face, looking up at Gladion, who turned to her and returned her smile with a stern hum escaping through his closed lips. Looker seemed clueless yet Anabel had smiled from ear to ear at what she was witnessing.

"I think I understand what Wicke had meant... If you think about it, Mr. Looker, those two are more alike than their attitudes..."

Looker nodded at Anabel's remark, looking toward the two clearing his throat, catching their attention.

"We make for the secret labs on the lower floor of Aether Paradise! If you'd like to join us, Luma, then you can come along in your own time."

"I'll come with you guys. Might as well see this to the end, right?"

And so, in their own ferry, Anabel, and Looker had made their way to Aether Paradise. As for Luma and Gladion, they made their way via Gladion's Charizard toward the man-made island in order for the young man to speak with Wicke alone before the other agents get there. As soon as they landed, Wicke had stood in front of the entrance awaiting their arrival. However, she seemed more somber than her motherly self.

"I see the two of you have made it. I'd like to speak to Master Gladion alone if I may, Miss Luma."

"Of course. I'll wait for Looker and Anabel at the Secret Labs. When you're done, you can meet us there," Luma agreed and approached the triangular elevator. When she set the controls before she could head down, she caught a glimpse of Gladion who watched her descend completely out of view. Her smile as she had sunk to the bottom floors easing his mind little by little.