Infested

"Ash tried to protect my family and me, when he was captured by an Ultra Beast." Lillie spoke as she told the rest of her class what happened, their faces showed shock and sadness. She shuddered to think what was happening to Ash.

Earlier that Day

Everyone stared in horror as the Ultra Beast took Ash hostage. Angered eyes turned toward Faba.

"Faba! Why did you do that without permission!" Burnet's voice was harsh with disappointment. Faba looked for an excuse, but was left empty handed.

"Do you realize what you just did!" Gladion broke down while Lillie fell to her knees, tears in her eyes. "You took the only one I loved away from me!" Gladion's voice was full of guilt and anger. Guilt because he couldn't save him, and anger because of what Faba had done.

"Ash." Lillie cried quietly.

After a few minutes of Gladion yelling in anger, he finally calmed down. Noticing Lillie crying silently on the floor.

"Oh no, Lillie! Are you alright?" Gladion grabbed Lillie by her shoulders, seeing tears flow down her face like a waterfall.

Gladion turned to the professor, who was approaching. "Professor Burnet?"

"Yes?"

"About opening up the Ultra Wormhole?" Gladion asked.

"Not possible. It will take time to fix the machine. Even if it's fixed, there's no guarantee the Ultra Wormhole can be stabilized. We need to find another way."

"Find another way? What do you mean?" Gladion frantically responded.

Burnet shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't answer that yet."

Lillie sniffled. "Oh god- who knows what Ash is going through right now."

"I'm certain we can figure out a way to deal with this." Wicke butted in before turning to Lillie. "In the meantime, it would be best if you returned to the island."

Lillie understood and silently nodded while Gladion was freaking out.

"But why?" Gladion cried.

Lusamine appeared behind Wicke and kneeled down to Gladion's level. "Son, I'm afraid there's really nothing else you can do right now. You need to rest for now, for when it counts. Do it for me." Gladion's eyes widened, he heard Ash's voice in the back of his head.

"Please Gladion, do it for me?"

Gladion nodded silently in understanding before getting distracted by Lillie.

"Nebby!"

"Lillie? What are you holding?" Burnet asked, approaching Lillie.

"All of the sudden, Nebby got really small." Lillie said, holding Nebby up for Burnet to see.

"It's completely immobilized." Burnet said as she examined Nebby. "Could be evolution." Lillie gasped in surprise.

"Just a guess. What do I know?" Burnet let out a short laugh at her own joke. "I think it would be the best thing for everybody would be if you kept looking after it." Burnet suggested.

"Right." Lillie agreed.

Later that Night.

On the way back, it was silent. Lillie had cradled Nebby in her hands. While Gladion was deep in his thoughts.

"We'll find him, right Gladion?" This question got him off guard, and for once in his life, Gladion didn't have an answer.