Chapter 207: The Updated Version Sure Accepts Things Fast
The video continued playing.
Elaria crouched down and addressed the Wishiwashi school.
"You can move to another deep-water area. There are even more aquatic plants over there, and there aren’t any Popplio competing with you."
"Daddy says taking one step back opens up a whole new world, and there’s nothing embarrassing about running away if you can’t win!"
Hoopa floated beside her with its arms folded, looking exceptionally smug.
"Exactly, exactly! Hoopa didn’t even make a move and you already went down!"
"That proves you’re actually pretty smart!"
"Those who understand the situation are the true heroes!"
Elaria pulled another entire bag of Pokéblocks from her backpack and poured them onto the shallow bank with a loud clatter.
"These are housewarming gifts for you!"
"Remember to get along peacefully with the Popplio from now on."
"Otherwise, next time Hoopa really will drop a Wailord on you!"
The entire Wishiwashi school shuddered in unison.
Then they immediately began devouring the Pokéblocks.
The leader Popplio swam over to Elaria’s feet and rubbed its head against her ankle.
Elaria crouched down and picked it up.
"Do you want to come with Elaria?"
Popplio nodded furiously, its head moving as fast as a woodpecker hammering a tree.
"But Elaria can’t just take you away like this."
She placed Popplio back into the water, her expression becoming serious.
"You’re their leader."
"If you leave, who’s going to lead them?"
The leader Popplio froze.
It turned around and looked at the dozen or so companions lined up neatly behind it.
The Popplio glanced at one another.
Then a slightly younger-looking Popplio swam out from the formation.
It slapped one front flipper against its chest and released a powerful cry—
Though the pitch was slightly off.
The leader Popplio stared at its second-in-command in silence for a moment.
Then it raised one flipper and gave the younger Popplio a heavy pat on the shoulder.
Hoopa pulled a handkerchief from its pocket and loudly blew its nose.
"So touching!"
"Hoopa hasn’t seen such a responsible Pokémon in a very long time!"
Elaria took an empty Poké Ball from her waist and held it out toward the leader Popplio with both hands.
"Popplio, would you like to become Elaria’s partner?"
Popplio didn’t hesitate for even a second.
It leaned forward and pressed the button in the center of the Poké Ball with its nose.
A flash of red light appeared.
The Poké Ball didn’t even shake.
Ding!
Elaria raised the Poké Ball high above her head, her golden eyes curving into happy crescents.
"Popplio—Elaria caught you!"
Hoopa immediately reached through a golden ring and produced a miniature crown.
With great ceremony, it placed the crown on Popplio’s head after it emerged from the Poké Ball again.
"Welcome to Team Elaria!"
"As a founding veteran, Hoopa hereby grants you the glorious title of—"
"First Water-Type General!"
Just then, footsteps sounded from above the waterfall.
Lillie poked half her body over the rocks at the top of the hill.
"Elaria! Is the trial over?"
"It’s over!"
Elaria cupped both hands around her mouth and shouted upward.
"The Wishiwashi moved away!"
"And the Popplio got their old home back!"
Lana lightly jumped down from the mountaintop and landed in front of Elaria.
She first looked around at the dozen or so Popplio rebuilding their home under the leadership of their new second-in-command.
Then she pulled an exquisitely crafted wooden box from her backpack and held it out toward Elaria with one hand.
"Elaria, according to the rules of Alola’s Island Challenge, you have successfully completed the trial of Brooklet Hill."
"As the Water-type Captain, I, Lana, hereby formally award you the Waterium Z."
The wooden box opened.
Inside rested a clear blue crystal that refracted countless tiny points of light beneath the sun.
Elaria accepted the box with both hands, the blue glow of the Waterium Z reflected in her golden eyes.
"So pretty..."
"And there’s this too."
Lana pulled a white bracelet from her backpack.
"This is a Z-Ring."
"Once you fit the Z-Crystal into it, you’ll be able to use Water-type Z-Moves."
Elaria eagerly took the Z-Ring and immediately slipped it onto her wrist.
Then—
The Z-Ring slid straight down her tiny arm.
Past her wrist.
Past her forearm.
All the way to her elbow—
Clatter.
It fell onto the ground.
Hoopa floated over and picked up the Z-Ring.
Then it slipped the ring around its own head like a headband and admired its reflection in the water.
"Hoopa thinks it looks pretty good like this."
"Hoopa! That’s Elaria’s Z-Ring!"
The scene changed.
Asher sat on a sofa inside one of the Aether Foundation’s reception rooms.
A glass of iced lemonade sat on the table in front of him.
Across from him sat Lusamine.
"Chairman."
Lusamine gently swirled her glass.
"Would you classify today’s visit as personal or official business?"
"Personal."
Asher picked up his lemonade and took a sip.
"If it were official business, I would’ve brought my secretary."
"Then what did you come here to discuss with me today?"
Lusamine leaned against the armrest of the sofa, tracing one fingertip around the rim of her glass.
"Surely you didn’t come all this way just to reminisce with me?"
"After all, the last time we met—"
She paused.
"Forget it. Better not bring that up."
Asher set down his glass.
"You’re the one who said not to bring it up."
"So let’s not."
"Fine."
"We won’t."
The curve of Lusamine’s lips didn’t change in the slightest—
But an exceptionally subtle emotion flickered through her eyes.
[VIP Chat Group]
[Gary]: Wait, wait, wait! "The last time we met"? "Better not bring that up"?! There is absolutely a story between these two!
[Wallace]: Hmm... judging from their microexpressions, whatever happened was probably not official business.
[Steven]: If it wasn’t official business, then it was personal. And if it concerns Brother Asher’s personal life—Sisters-in-law, what do you think?
[Misty]: I’m watching.
[Cynthia]: I’m listening.
[Elesa]: I’m taking notes.
[Diantha]: I’m observing.
[Lorelei]: Hehe. Diantha, are you already putting yourself into the role of Asher’s wife ahead of time?
[Viola]: The updated version sure accepts things fast!
[Lance]: Judging from their conversation, the parallel-world Lusamine and Asher seem to share some unknown history.
[Lillie]: Mother... did you already know Mr. Asher before?
[Lusamine]: How would I know what happened in a parallel world?
[Bruno]: There it is again! The classic line! Why do all of you parallel-world counterparts give exactly the same excuse?!
[Diantha]: @Asher, come out and explain yourself.
[Diantha]: Playing dead again.
[Misty]: Don’t bother calling him. The moment the scene changed, he said he needed to use the bathroom. He still hasn’t come back.
[Cynthia]: I checked the bathroom just now. He locked the door.
[Steven]: I recommend simply breaking the door down.
[Asher]: Steven, you bastard—
[Raihan]: Hahaha! It really had to be Steven. One sentence and he immediately blasted Asher out of hiding.
[Diantha]: @Asher, explain yourself. This is my episode. You’re not about to pull some ridiculous stunt, are you?
[Steven]: Is Brother Asher’s deeply devoted image, carefully built up over so many episodes, finally going to collapse today?!
[Asher]: Steven, shut up! I may not be able to speak for my parallel-world selves, but I can guarantee one thing—no matter which parallel world it is, every version of me will only ever devote himself to one person!
[Diantha]: Really?
[Asher]: Truer than pure gold!