After bumping into Hau running around and Lillie trying to command Nebby to use Splash without a Normalium Z, the absolute madwoman, Luna heads into the Dimensional Research Lab.
Once there, she meets Prof. Burnet... who I would probably recognize if I ever had the Dream Reader. Ah well.
Anyway, the topic shifts to an Ultra Wormhole that opens up in the sky above Alola from time to time. Probably unrelated to Hoopa, though a guy downstairs alluded to said Legendary.
Lillie continues to allude to some vague mother issues (I get it, your mom sucks and I'm sure we'll meet her later). We can also check the bookshelves to discover information on Pokemon tied to extradimensional spaces, such as Palkia, Giratina, and... Bronzong, apparently.
One of these is not like the other...
Upon heading outside, an Ultra Dimensional Thingamajigger appears in the sky for a moment before disappearing.
I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.
Hau agrees and goes to go eat malasadas, which I have just learned are basically donuts. I thought there were some kind of veggie wrap.
Upon heading to Diglett's Tunnel, Olivia says we should pass through to get to the city where her house is. There are members of the white costumed group, the Aether Foundation, nearby.
They mention that they're trying to help the Diglett go back underground because Team Skull caused them to come to the surface or something.
So... what you're saying is that you're trying to make it so that this cave has a 100% Zubat encounter rate?
I think we found the REAL villains of this game.
Anyway, heading along, we find Team Skull who politely offer to give us some free EXP after they were weakened by some Diglett.
Hau decides to come along to soak up some experience as well, and so it's a Double Battle. And the Grunts use new Pokemon. How exciting!
Afterwards, the female grunt gets crunk, or whatever the kids are doing these days. The male grunt even points out that Team Skull isn't trying to take over the world, a clear sign that they aren't Pokemon villains.
Think about it, when was the last time you saw a Pokemon villain that DIDN'T try to take over the world?
Team Skull did nothing wrong.
After the battle, Hau gives me another present. Geez, Hau, I'm starting to feel like I'm exploiting you...
But if you could give me some Super Repels, that'd be great.
After leaving the tunnel, Luna heads not to the city, but to the Akala Outskirts to level up her team members a little. In the process, Carrera evolves as does Garamond.
Nice to see the Alola Evolution theme is neat.
For now, some team members are boxed, while Soprano is retrieved to help level up some weaker Pokemon via the EXP Share.
The rest of the route is quickly combed over, and the entryway to Tapu Lele's shrine is in view. But it's inaccessible at the moment, so we'll come back later.
...Or, uh... now, since Olivia decided to meet me out here instead.
Thanks, Olivia. At least I managed to do some shopping back in town.
Upon returning, Luna finds the benevolent Team Skull heroically squaring off against the Zubat enthusiasts.
Despite having a new Pokemon, the Team Skull Grunt politely jobs so that I get more EXP. What a pal! As a result, Nefertiti/Bounsweet (F) evolves into Steenee.
Team Skull leaves after the battle, leaving the evil Aether Foundation to collect Slowpoke for their sinister purposes. Why can't you see that they're evil, Luna!?
After progressing to Tapu Lele's shrine again, another rapper appears. This time it's DJ Plumey Plume, or Plumeria as she's known in more casual settings.
As it turns out, she's upset Luna's been picking on the innocent grunts this whole time and is here to set her straight!
Unfortunately, her two Pokemon are quickly beaten.
Plumeria gives Luna a polite warning to stop being a bully before leaving to sign a new record deal.
Oh well.
Upon heading to the entrance of Tapu Lele's ruins, Burnet shows up to deposit Lillie back into the warm embrace of the plot.
Noooo, I was enjoying the screentime I was being given!
Burnet then walks off, none-too-subtly revealing that the Masked Royal is her husband but pretending as if she doesn't know who he is.
Lillie then says some stuff about Nebby and temples and yadda yadda yadda. She also heals Luna's Pokemon, which is nice.
Anyway, Olivia shows up. Turns out Tapu Lele called her to clean up her room. Neat.
BUT NOW IS THE TIME FOR BATTLE
Olivia's Lycanroc proves to be annoying due to a surprise Z-Move out of nowhere knocking out Soprano. Since the rest of my team is pretty fragile due to needing to level up, most of them faint to one Rock Throw, too.
Fortunately, I have a Max Revive from earlier, so he's quickly taken care of. Unfortunately, two of my Pokemon remain fainted due to my lack of Revives.
I'll have to stock up on more back in town.
Hau shows up to challenge Olivia and Luna leaves to go take the Aether Foundation up on their offer for a visit in order to put a stop to their dastardly plans after moving back to town and purchasing some Revives.
But before entering the hotel that they're in, Luna decides to surf around just outside, running into a Tentacool. Which summons another Tentacool. Which summons another Tentacool. Which summons ANOTHER Tentacool.
This is what the Aether Foundation wants for all of us!
Switching Carrera back into the party and some of the newblood out, our new team is ready!
Team:
- Carrera/Magneton (-), Level 31 [Sturdy] @ Eviolite (Spark, Magnet Bomb, Thunder Wave, Tri Attack)
- Soprano/Brionne (M), Level 32 [Torrent] @ Mystic Water (Scald, Disarming Voice, Work Up, Acrobatics)
- Toxica/Salandit (F), Level 30 [Corrosion] @ Poison Barb (Flame Burst, Smog, Sweet Scent, Leech Life)
- Willow/A-Dugtrio (F), Level 27 [Tangling Hair] @ Amulet Coin (Bulldoze, Metal Claw, Work Up, Sucker Punch)
- Lotus/Fomantis (F), Level 29 [Leaf Guard] @ Miracle Seed (Leaf Blade, Fury Cutter, Growth, Synthesis)
- Tink/Ribombee (F), Level 30 [Honey Gather] @ Big Root (Pollen Puff, Draining Kiss, Stun Spore, Bug Buzz)
Faba, the weirdo in the glasses, decides to take us to the Hall of Doom, which is no doubt the place Lillie escaped from at first. Hau also shows up, having beaten Olivia offscreen.
Olivia also throws it out there that she's painfully single.
I... how!?
Anyway, the next island is Ula'ula, but for now we go with Faba. In the process of him posturing about his Branch Manager title, we also meet Wicke.
After showing us around the building in a cutscene and reading two 11-year-olds some graphic Pokedex descriptions, she lets us wander around. In the back, we meet President Lusamine.
She teases Hau about his style, and then he name drops Lillie, prompting a reaction from her.
Good job, Hau.
BUT THEN!
A giant jellyfish appears out of nowhere. Lusamine is just like "Huh. Well, that's a thing." Hau has a more normal reaction.
And so Luna battles against the mysterious creature, because... reasons!
And by battles against, I mean gets hit by Headbutt and made to flinch three turns in a row because Pokemon RNG.
Lusamine, upon seeing the jellyfish, makes an evil face of evilness. Because she's the villain, you see?
There are people reading this RIGHT NOW who doubted our kind and merciful Team Skull...
Anyway, she starts talking about how she's going to capture the Ultra Beast and force it to accept her love or something and everyone politely excuses themselves as she makes plans to woo a tentacle monster.
"I have some gifts for you," says Wicke as we get downstairs. "For Hau, have some malasadas. And for you, Luna, have this TM for Psychic."
That seems a tad unfair.
I wanted the malasadas...
Anyway, Luna and Hau head off to Ula'ula while Hau enjoys his tropical donuts. What will we find on the next island?
The answer may shock you! It's more trials.
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