BXBX NOVEL Chapter 1164: Aether Foundation
Chapter 1164: Aether Foundation
Both the Guzzlords and the Nihilego were individually very powerful, and their battles were earth-shattering, nearly leveling the entire canyon. This was precisely why Yuga had been cautious about confronting the two tribes head-on.
The battle raged for nearly half a day. With the overall power of the two tribes evenly matched and their fury blinding them, it quickly descended into a situation where both sides suffered heavy losses.
As he watched the Nihilego and Guzzlords fall one after another, Yuga knew the time was right. He took out the Moon Flute, brought it to his lips, and began to play. The discordant notes immediately echoed across the battlefield.
The sound of the flute sent a jolt through the hearts of both the Guzzlords and the Nihilego, filling them with a sense of dread. But by then, it was too late.
Cosmoem suddenly appeared, floating at the highest point above the battlefield, radiating a dazzling silver light. Even in broad daylight, its luminous form was impossible to miss.
The silver glow seemed to pulse like a heartbeat, pulling at the Ultra Aura within the Guzzlords and the Nihilego. They stared in horror as they felt the energy within them threaten to break free.
In the next moment, beams of multicolored light shot out from the bodies of the Guzzlords and Nihilego, streaming straight up toward Cosmoem in the sky like swallows returning to their nests.
The Guzzlords and Nihilego tried desperately to stop the Ultra Aura to be drained by the Cosmoem, but it was useless. The Guzzlords that was exhausted, collapsed to the ground one by one, while the floating Nihilego dropped from the air like hailstones.
Every Nihilego present was overcome with despair and rage. They had been so naive, allowing themselves to trust that despicable human again and again! What was his intention? Did he mean to capture and kill them all? The thought terrified them.
But mass slaughter was not Yuga's plan. Wiping out an entire tribe was too cruel, and unless absolutely necessary, Yuga would never do such a thing.
In this world of survival of the fittest, both the Guzzlords and the Nihilego had acted out of their own interests, and in that sense, they weren't truly at fault. Yuga's actions were aimed at protecting the human world from harm, which was also not wrong; it was merely a clash of perspectives.
As more Ultra Aura gathered around Cosmoem, its aura grew stronger, until finally, a spectral image of Lunala appeared in the sky.
Compared to the last time, this vision of Lunala was more solid, exuding an even stronger, awe-inspiring presence.
Seeing this apparition, the Nihilego leader cried out in disbelief, "The Moon God? Is that the Moon God?"
The legend of the Moon God was known to the Kartana tribe, and as natives, the Nihilego tribe knew it as well. However, their understanding wasn't as detailed as Kartana's, and they hadn't recognized Cosmoem's identity until Lunala's image appeared now.
Yuga could even hear the leader's voice crack in shock and fear.
"Aah..."
The Lunala apparition lifted its head and let out a resounding cry, shooting a rainbow-colored beam from its mouth. A massive Ultra Wormhole then appeared in the sky.
After the Ultra Wormhole appeared, all the Guzzlords started uncontrollably flying toward it. However, the Lunala apparition prevented the Nihilego from being drawn in, leaving only the Guzzlords to be sucked inside.
This was Cosmoem's carefully devised plan. By using a large amount of Ultra Aura, it could pinpoint Ultra Spaces devoid of life. Sending the Guzzlords there to fend for themselves would solve the problem once and for all.
Whether the Guzzlords would eventually wreak havoc on their new home was an issue for decades or centuries down the line, far beyond Yuga's concern. Besides, if that dimension ever did collapse again, it was unlikely to reconnect with the human world but rather with another Ultra Space.
Yuga had initially considered sending the Nihilego along too, to prevent them from causing trouble for the Kartana in the future. However, Cosmoem rejected the idea.
For one, the Nihilego tribe had already lost much of their power from the heavy Ultra Aura drain, making them unlikely to stir up significant trouble in the future. Secondly, the resources in the dimension to which the Guzzlords were being sent were limited; adding the Nihilego would only hasten its collapse.
When the Nihilego were momentarily pulled toward the Ultra Wormhole, they were terrified. Fortunately, the Moon God intervened, sparing them from being drawn in. Still, they were utterly shaken by the experience.
They had no desire to enter any other Ultra Space. Who knew what conditions awaited them there? However grand an unknown space might seem, nothing felt as secure as their own familiar territory.
When the last Guzzlord disappeared, the Ultra Wormhole closed with a hum, and the Nihilego that was suspended in the air, fell to the ground again.
But it wasn't over yet. The Lunala apparition let out another powerful cry as its radiance brightened, illuminating the entire sky. Yuga watched as another Ultra Wormhole, about to form near the canyon, was forcibly closed.
The Lunala apparition was using its power to reinforce the spatial barriers of this Ultra Space, preventing any future Ultra Wormholes from connecting with the human world.
Ultra Spaces, as alternate dimensions, weren't meant to frequently link with the human world. If another highly destructive Ultra Beast like Guzzlord ever crossed over, it would cause no end of trouble for the League.
Meanwhile, back on the island where Yuga and the others had vanished...
The Investigation Bureau's personnel and the Aether Foundation's team watched in astonishment as an Ultra Wormhole that was just about to open suddenly disappeared. Faba and Lusamine, who had been excited moments before, felt as if cold water had been poured over their fervent hopes.
"How could this happen? It was so close to opening!" Faba said, frustrated.
The Aether Foundation had been invited by the Investigation Bureau to help locate Yuga. They had more extensive research on Ultra Beasts and Ultra Wormholes than the League itself.
Of course, the Aether Foundation's research was still in its early stages, but they had hoped this chance would push their studies further. Now, however, they had been thwarted at the last moment.
Over the past few days, this was the only Ultra Wormhole they had managed to open.
Back in Ultra Space, within the canyon...
Once the space had stabilized, the enormous Lunala apparition in the sky shattered suddenly, and Cosmoem, exhausted, fell from the sky. Luckily, Gengar quickly caught it with Psychic power.
The sudden disappearance of the Moon God left the weakened Nihilego looking at each other in confusion, unsure what to do.
Yuga, however, ignored them. He recalled Cosmoem to its Poké Ball, released Dragonite, climbed on it, and flew back toward the Kartana's territory.
As for the Nihilego... once they recovered, they could find their own way back. Yuga had no intention of returning the remaining Pokémon eggs to them; he thought he was being merciful enough not to take back the ones he had already distributed.
On the other side, Luna and the other three waited anxiously for Yuga's safe return to the Kartana's territory. When they saw him come back unharmed, they collectively sighed in relief. Yuga then shared everything about the Guzzlords and Nihilego with the elder Kartana, who thanked him profusely.
Cosmoem, exhausted from the ordeal, fell into a deep sleep for three days, during which Yuga stayed by its side without leaving, constantly playing the Moon Flute to aid its recovery—much to the torment of Luna and the others' ears.
Most of the Ultra Aura absorbed from the Guzzlords and Nihilego had been used by Cosmoem to locate Ultra Space and stabilize the spatial barriers, but a small part remained within its body. Over the three days, the Moon Flute's tune gradually harmonized this aura, fully merging it with Cosmoem.
Upon waking, Cosmoem was as lively as ever, and Yuga could sense that it had grown significantly through this experience.
On the fourth morning, Yuga went to bid farewell to the Kartana tribe, who, knowing they'd eventually have to leave, didn't ask him to stay but handed Yuga a green crystal. The chieftain explained it was a unique item that could enhance Kartana's power—a gift from the tribe to thank Yuga for all his help.
Never one for excessive formality, Yuga accepted the gift without hesitation.
Examining the thumb-sized crystal in his hand, he noticed it resembled a Grassium Z he'd previously received from the system, though it seemed to hold an even greater power.
The Kartana chieftain hadn't mentioned its name, so Yuga decided to call it the Ultra Crystal, as it radiated an intense Ultra Aura, similar to the energy Kartana possessed.
He planned to equip it to Kartana later on since it didn't currently have a held item.
After saying goodbye to the Kartana tribe, Yuga led Luna and the others to the canyon where the Guzzlords once lived, planning to return to the human world from there.
On the way, Yuga sternly warned the four of them, "Once we're back, don't breathe a word about what happened here. If you really can't withstand questioning, just say you were unconscious the entire time and know nothing."
Now that things here had settled, Yuga wanted to avoid any further complications from external factors; humans had a way of causing trouble.
"Understood!" the four replied in unison.
Upon reaching the canyon, a rainbow-colored beam shot out from Cosmoem, creating an Ultra Wormhole just large enough for one person to pass through.
After this experience, Cosmoem had gained the ability to open Ultra Wormholes on its own.
"Alright, go in one at a time. This will take you back," Yuga said to the four.
They nodded and jump in into the Ultra Wormhole, with Yuga following behind them. Once everyone was through, he recalled Cosmoem and stepped into the portal himself.
On the island...
As the Investigation Bureau's team anxiously debated how to reopen the Ultra Wormhole to rescue Yuga, a voice suddenly shouted, "It's open! Someone's coming out from inside!"
Sure enough, when the coach turned around, he saw Luna and Kaname Hirakawa emerging from the Ultra Wormhole. Just as he was about to ask about Yuga's whereabouts, he saw Yuga himself walking out calmly.
Once all five of them were back, the Ultra Wormhole slowly closed again, leaving Faba and Lusamine watching anxiously on the side, feeling a pang of frustration.
"Why did it have to close already?" They both couldn't help but glance at the five, who are now being warmly received by the Investigation Bureau's team members.
The coach inwardly breathed a huge sigh of relief—if anything had happened to either Yuga or Luna's group, he'd have to resign and go back to farming.
He wanted to ask Yuga what had happened on the other side, but Yuga said, "Let's leave here first. We've been through quite a bit these past few days, and we'd like to get some rest."
The coach quickly nodded, "Of course, of course. I'll arrange a place for you to rest right away."
After making arrangements for the five, the coach approached the Aether Foundation representatives and said, "Thank you for your assistance in this matter; we'll be sure to show our gratitude in due course."
Lusamine smiled, "It was no trouble at all. We're happy to be of service to the League. It's just a pity we couldn't do more to help this time. We'll come by to visit again."
With that, she led Faba and the others away. In truth, she was eager to speak with Yuga and his team about the Ultra Beasts and the Ultra Wormhole, but she knew the timing wasn't right, so she had to leave for now.
Lusamine's strong interest in investigating Ultra Beasts and Ultra Space stemmed from the fact that her husband, Professor Mohn, had recently disappeared while researching Ultra Space.
Soon after, Yuga and his team were taken to a hotel on Akala Island to rest. After all those exhausting days in Ultra Space, Yuga was thoroughly worn out and spent two full days inside the hotel without stepping outside.
On the morning of the third day, Yuga had just finished breakfast with Luna and the others when a hotel staff member approached and said, "Excuse me, sir, Aether Foundation's President Lusamine and Deputy Director Faba would like to visit you."
"Aether Foundation?"
Ah, it must be about the Ultra Space incident! Yuga thought to himself.
"Yes, may I ask if you'd like to meet with them?" the staff member inquired respectfully.
"Alright, I'll go and see them," Yuga replied, turning to Luna and the others, "Once you're done eating, go do your own thing. I'll go meet with them."
Following the staff member's lead, Yuga went down to the hotel restaurant and met Lusamine, the president of Aether Foundation, in a private room.
The Aether Foundation, also known as the Aether Corporation, is a major organization based on Akala Island, renowned for its influence and wealth throughout the Alola region. Their main activity is the rescue of persecuted wild Pokémon.
They also own the largest artificial island in the Alola region, Aether Paradise, where most of the rescued wild Pokémon are sent for sanctuary.
Since Alola joined the League, the Aether Foundation's collaboration with the League has deepened significantly. When the League eventually establishes a branch in Alola, they'll undoubtedly need the support of the Aether Foundation.