"Young Master, here are the documents for the annual charity as well as the forms requested by the Champion."
"Leave them here."
Gladion leaned against his leather chair as he flipped through the papers clipped on a manila folder. Wicke gently placed the papers on the future president's desk and arranged them neatly in a pile according to priority. She glanced at the young man's Pokémon partner snoozing under the Alolan sun and back to its Trainer.
"The League Championship is approaching fast. It's already the eighth. Are you going to participate, Young Master?"
Silvally perked up at the words League Championship and was waiting for its Trainer's answer with expectant eyes. Gladion took a sip of coffee and placed the cup back on its saucer. He did not even spare a glance at either Wicke or Silvally. "No."
"Ah..." Wicke swore Silvally gave a disappointed whimper before tucking itself back to its daytime nap.
"It's not worth it." He continued as he flipped another paper. "No offense to Hau but..." His voice trailed off. His eyes were still on the folder but his gaze seemed distant. It lasted for a brief second until he waved it the topic off. "Has Lillie returned yet?"
"The Young Miss hasn't returned yet." Wicke answered, watching the young man carefully. "Professor Burnet has asked her to deliver a message to Professor Kukui. I believed she will return within half an hour."
"I see..." Gladion closed the folder and nodded at the documents that Wicke brought in. "Tell moth- no, the President, that I will bring her the documents as soon as I finished reviewing them. I'll note down any necessary recommendations, if any."
"Understood." Wicke nodded. "Then, I will take my leave." She walked toward the door and gave the future president a worried glance before closing the door behind her.
Gladion dropped the folder on his desk and sighed. Silvally peered at him with one eye as the young man rose from his seat and stood by the glass wall overlooking the Aether Paradise mansion. On the courtyard, employees walked back and fro to the mansion and to the foundation as they deliver their reports to his mother. Someday, he will be the one they will be directly referring to. He will more or less be cooped up in the property just like his mother.
"Kyuu!"
He half-turned and saw, Shiron, his sister's Alolan Vulpix standing by the doorway. Silvally jumped up from his nest and trotted cheerfully toward the multi-tailed Pokémon. They rubbed noses as a greeting and pranced around each other. A head poked from the doorway and called him. "Big brother? Sorry for disturbing but there's something I wished to ask you."
Gladion gestured for her. "Come in."
Lillie let herself in, careful not to stumble upon the playing Pokémon. Shiron was with her mother when she left for an errand. By the time she returned, Shiron was waiting by the lobby with her fur smooth and shiny from top to paws. It seemed her mother has given her a throughout grooming.
"How did your errand go?"
"Oh, it went well actually. I already gave Professor Burnet her package and passed along her message to Professor Kukui. And well..." Lillie fidgeted with the hem of her lab coat. "I met Moon's father."
Gladion looked at her like he was hearing things. "What?"
"I met Moon's father." She repeated. This time, however, louder. "I visited Selene-san's house earlier but she wasn't there at the moment. Instead, I was greeted by Elio-san, Moon's father. He is a researcher in Kanto and has just arrived here in Alola."
"Hold up." Gladion walked toward his desk and picked up the folder he was checking out minutes ago. He flipped through the pages. Eyes intent in finding a specific page. "His name is Elio, isn't that right?"
"Yeah."
He paused at a page. "I knew it."
"What?"
Gladion passed the file to Lillie who took it gingerly. She scanned the page and let out a gasp. "It is him!"
Gladion leaned against his desk. "Professor Kukui recommended a researcher from Kanto to help with the study of the Ultra Beasts and the Ultra Space as well as the significance of the ancient Alolan lore to the history of the region. He sent the resume as well as the other files three days ago. The President and I are supposed to meet up with him today."
"I didn't know it would be her father." Gladion ran a frustrated hand through his blond locks. "Hah. What a terrible twist of fate."
Lillie placed the file down on the desk and reached out to her brother. She pursed her lips. She, other than their mother, Hau, and Wicke, were aware of the lingering feelings his brother has for the former Champion. He never had any closure or any knowledge that the girl he loves will reciprocate the same feelings. The last he has seen of her was another title defense that ended to a lose all the same. Then, in the next dawn, she was already gone. No warnings, no goodbyes.
Lillie squeezed his hand. "It will be fine. It's just another work; nothing related to Moon." Yet, her voice hesitated at the last statement.
"Yeah. Nothing personal." Gladion took a deep breath before composing himself. He tugged both edges of his Aether coat and called for Silvally to return to his ball. Shiron leapt to Lillie's awaiting arms.
"Let's go. I'm sure Mother's out by now to meet our guest."
__________
"Hffft!"
A loud THUMP! rattled a wooden wagon. The former Team Skull leader nodded at his work and called out to the kahuna of Melemele island.
"I'm done 'ere! Anythin' else?"
Hala inspected his work and nodded appreciatively. He exchanged a few words with the owner of the wagon before it departed for its destination to Hau'oli City. "Well done! That's it for today." Hala said. "Come, the villagers prepared some food for us."
Guzma followed him outside of his home and gratefully accepted the cool drink and malasada offered to him. He sat down on one of the wooden bench under a shade of a tall tree. The old-age stage used for the Grand Trial stood proudly at the middle, where his former grunts were training with their Pokémon. Team Reskull as they would call themselves these past years.
"Still doing work for the old kahuna?"
He looked up to see his former admin standing beside him with a hand on her hip. The woman may have opted to wear more decent clothes in the past years but there still a bit of a rebel in her clothing. Just like his former enforcer and soon-to-be Aether President. "Good to see ya, Plums. Still tryin' to take down the League Champion?"
A smile quirked on the woman's lips. "Yes, but not as frequent as it used to be." She sat down beside him at his invitation. "Work's being demanding lately. How about you? I heard rumors of opening the League for public audience after five years. Things been grim lately and it seemed the League wanted to do something to cheer people up."
Grim since the First Alolan Champion quitted her job suddenly. "Akala's festival not enough?"
"No." Plumeria's eyes softened. "The people of Alola do not easily forget, Guz."
She knew it affected him too. Just as it did to her and the rest of the former Team Skull. The lil' brat's like a little sister to them, as well as a motivator and a protector. She's the one who pleaded to the people of Alola to give them a second chance and helped in every way she can to earn their trust for them. She would often visit them and take the time to chat until it is time to go home.
Guzma's hands tightened around the condensing glass. "I don't know, Plums. The fire's gone out fer long."
There was a moment of silence. Plumeria leaned and watched the ones she considered as her little brothers and sisters mingled with each other. "Well, I'm joining." Plumeria said.
Guzma looked to her. "Why?"
"I dunno." She answered. "For some terrible reason, I felt the need to. Like it is the time." She chuckled. "Maybe this will be time I get to be Champion?"
She looked at Guzma and both laughed together.
"Yeah, well, tell that to malasada boy." Guzma grinned. "He doesn't seem keen into givin' up the throne."
"He has to, eventually." Plumeria said and stood up. "You should consider it, boss." She said as she nodded at him. "Trust me on this one, Guz. Things will be different."
Guzma glanced at Hala talking to one of the villagers. "I'll...I'll think about it, Plums."
"You do that." Plumeria said. "I'll see you when I see you?"
"Yeah, sure."