Alolan Dusk 6
Gladion:
Looks like some kind of hidden recording device, but it's not like one I've ever seen.
Lillie:
He probably made it himself. When Ilima first contacted us about this rescue mission, I even teased him how surprised I was to learn he became a field agent since he was always much better with his machines. [Soberly] It looks like now I was right...
Gladion:
Depends on who or what got to him. If it's our mystery monster, even the professionals were out of their league with that. [Soft hum as it isn't a very complicated device, but he's still surprised how easy it is to open.] There's only one file that says it stopped after fourteen hours of recording. I assume he left it running before it maxed out.
Lillie:
[Nervous as she’s not sure she wants to see, but part of her just has to know what’s on it] Can we play it?
Gladion:
[Leans back] Pull the chair around, this could take a while.
[There's a fuss of static as she drags the guest chair from the other side of the desk. There’s something obscure in the light before it suddenly cuts out. As she settles in, they both huddle closer to the dark screen to see if they can make out anything.]
"Won't be ...he finds the ...here...?"
Gladion:
[Shakes head and goes to mess with the sound mix.]
"Joke's on him. We've got a full battalion..."
Lillie:
[Sits back and turns it back down a bit] Okay, he came in very clear that time. That must have been when Ilima put it in his pocket.
"Put your fangs away and think for a moment. That thing just took out my house, what do you think it'd do to a Snubbull?"
[They both freeze as the other voice also comes out much clearer than before and Lillie pales at the familiarity of it.]
"We can't just sit here and wait for that, that… OUTSIDER to come down here-"
[As the ensuing argument and plan between the two plays out, there's no denying the voices. Kukui took off for the stairs and the sound goes quiet, except for the increasing hush of the pouring rain as they can assume Ilima stepped outside. For a brief moment the video clears to show a ground level glimpse at the battle about to begin on the beach. Gladion goes back to pause it, and while the rain, distance, and the gray hue of the night vision makes it impossible to distinguish the figures, Lillie clutches a hand to the ribbon on her blouse.]
Lillie:
Professor…
Gladion:
[Nods] And that's our monster, but is it Necrozma? You're the only one left who's seen it.
Lillie:
[The snapshot is too grainy to tell for sure, but as she leans in to see what she can make out, her eyes widen as the memory strikes her.] I think it is! See that? [Her finger circles a point at the creature's side and he tries to enlarge it.] That's its paw. I distinctly remember these massive claws that didn't seem to fit with the rest of it. And when it took over Nebby, it still had those strange arms hanging off of it. [Curls her fingers as she retakes her seat] Oh… I don't know if I can watch…
Gladion:
I don't think we have to since it went dark again.
[He fixes the screen and, sure enough, the video is dark for what feels like an eternity. All they can hear was the rush. The storm, the heavy breathing from running, a cry from a Tauros… Gladion starts to skip the tape ahead by thirty-second intervals to see if there was anymore to hear. The ocean, the motor…
The rain eases up as they can only assume from Ilima entering the shelter of the cabin. The light flicks on to a colorless video set to night vision mode and the camera spins to right itself. The fledgling detective breathes a sigh of relief at the screen as he brushes his wet bangs out of his face and tries to steady himself.]
Ilima:
I… I'm still not sure exactly what just happened back there, but I need to say… something. This is either going to make total sense when I watch this later or sound absolutely ludicrous. If anyone besides me should be watching this, I need you to make sure this message gets to the head of Aether Paradise. ...If it's not too late.
[He looks out the window with some uneasiness and moves the camera to a place it can sit still while he drives.]
Ilima:
You may call me Dauphine, I am a special agent with the E.I.A., on assignment to aid in the evacuation of Alola to escape the threat of an otherworldly predator. The same which I think just took out Professor Kukui. [Deep breath, keep going] He and I were at his lab to discuss plans for the evacuation. Somehow, it appears word has gotten to our predator, [ahem] what we believe to be a monster known as UB Black, and the news of our abandonment has greatly enraged it. Hard to say if it's distressed or being possessive, but I have no doubt in my mind now that THAT is what we are dealing with. This UB has proven to be far more intelligent than previously thought as it isn't attacking out of blind animosity. It can speak, it can plan, and I've got reason to believe now that the targets so far have all been to maintain its greatest secret. To keep any information that would help us to track it from getting out. Our studies have shown that UB Black can take control of other beings in the form of masks, and it is able to morph its own body into a sort of armor for the possessed. However, we've had accounts of it being able to fully absorb and manipulate its victim, though that may be circumstantial to the nature of the Pokemon. What I fear… is can it let itself be absorbed? [He shakes his head, his face graven as he seems held by some train of thought he can't convey.] Let me rephrase that. There was something definitely human about our attacker, and now I've got a hunch that UB Black's latest victim is actually a Trainer that it's using as both a stabilizer and shield since its true form might be incorporeal. But if, [he emphasizes at the screen] IF it's possible that the UB is able to hide itself away in its vessel like other Outsiders have been known to do, then we have to be on the highest alert when bringing people into Paradise. Aether, if you are listening, listen carefully. I don't know if you have a way to detect…
[Ilima pauses as though he heard or sensed something and gives a subtle glance over his shoulder. He quickly reaches for the camera and slips it back into the blackness of his pocket.]
Ilima:
But I highly doubt this UB would be bold enough to enter in plain sight.
Lillie:
[Seems to notice it about the same time he did. Grips Gladion's shoulder.] Go back, go back, just, like, ten seconds!
[Gladion rewinds and puts the video at half speed. There's definitely something in the background as an object falls outside the glass doorway, then starts to lift. While it's impossible to make out a form, just as Ilima goes to glance behind him, a bright pair of lights shaped like a huge set of eyes appears in the space behind him. The vision blurs as the camera gets moved and finally goes dark again. Gladion gives a cautionary glance at his sister, seeing the distress on her face, but the temptation is too great. He sets it back to normal speed, curious to know if there's more.
A shrill screech followed by the sound of the door breaking mixes with the startled shout from the young agent. It must have been quick. The shuffle of cloth, the pounding on the boat's hard wooden floor, the metallic claws likely carving into the narrow walls like the president had seen when they went to investigate. Gladion's hand hovers over the mouse but he just can't bring himself to turn it off yet. Lillie turns the chair away to get up and covers her ears as she anticipates the screaming.]
Lillie:
[Even if they couldn't see, her mind reeled as she could well imagine it.] Gladion, please! I think we know what happens from here.
Gladion:
Huh? [Looks over to realize she's not next to him anymore. Stands up to see her just as she steps out the door.] Lillie, come back! We still need to discuss… [He leans out the office and sees her stepping quickly, but not rushed enough to alert anyone passing by that something was wrong. Sighs. He'll catch her later when she's had time to talk to Wicke and calm down. Lillie was right though, after this was likely several hours of drifting at sea and no new information.]
“Fast, aren't you?”
[A consistent wave of static starts to roll down the screen, varying in thickness, but a strained guttural voice comes in almost clear.]
“There’s nowhere to run here. Why don't you fight back?”
Gladion:
… … …? [That wasn't Ilima. Turns around and slowly approaches the desk again in curiosity.]
Ilima:
Exactly. [Strained as though under the weight of something and filled with anger as opposed to fear.] We both know what happens now… is inevitable. The plan is… in motion… and you can't stop it. You WILL lose… even… if I can't win.
[There comes something like… laughter. A hissing sound so close to the mic, it had to have been on top of him. Ilima has nothing to retort with as the only sound is a restrained whine from the pain. The screen suddenly starts to brighten. So bright that the camera is somewhat able to peer at the terrible, twisted face, though it's obscured by its view through the mesh of cloth. Gladion feels his own heart start to race as it appears to look straight at him, the dread to realize this was likely the last thing their guest had seen before passing out. The large glowing eyes set deeply into a black mask that spiked at the edges, ended at the nose, and a pale human mouth with an arrogant grin that opens as if ready to feed before everything suddenly turns into indiscernible static.]
Gladion:
[Jumped back as he hadn't expected the abrupt visual but he's a bit glad Lillie left after all. He cranks down the volume of the static and goes back to pause on the attempted view of the face and thinks on the agent's advice. A human… No, a monster with a human mask. How were they ever going to find him?]
=+=
[It had been a long day, but Lillie returned to the quiet of the hospital ward that evening. Having just seen Ilima in the video earlier, it's almost surreal to come back and see him so still. Gently taking his hand, she tries to smile as she gives it a pat.]
Lillie:
Welcome home. [Glances around the room with a bit of a sigh.] I'm not sure if you can hear me, but… Thank you. For trying, at least. It might make you happy to know that we got your message. Even though I'm not sure how much it helps since we don't really have a way to tell Shadows apart from anyone else until something happens. [Let's him go and eases his arm back to his side] … … I'm probably talking to one right now. [Tries to sound hopeful] We'll take care of you though. And Professor Kukui, if we can find him. It may not ideal but… But we'll figure out something.
[Listens to the monitor beeping as he continues to sleep. She doesn't really expect any sort of response, but after a moment she finally comes out of her daydreaming and goes to sit down in the visitor's seat.]
Lillie: All this planning, it's hard to believe we're finally doing this. [She thought of all her friends in Alola. Of what Gladion said before about bracing herself for even more bad news. She thought of Necrozma's first appearance when her mother fell from the Ultra Wormhole onto the altar, frightened and injured, telling them to run. Run. Run. It's all she ever did, wasn't it? But one person kept coming to mind through all of this. Was Roark still okay? Was he even still out there somewhere?]
~~~~~~~
A/N: [Static Noises] :)
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