Blindsided, Lucas glared at Gladion.
Seriously, Gladion?
I gave you food and shelter, and this is how you repay me?
Apparently realizing his "excuse" was a bit rude—having not consulted Lucas—Gladion subtly shot him a pleading, apologetic gaze.
For now, he just needed to get through it; he didn't want to bring Silvally back to a possibly dangerous situation.
Claiming to be "learning" from Lucas, but he hadn't actually seen Lucas battle, nor did he know much about his capabilities.
Once this passed, Gladion figured he wouldn't trouble Lucas further.
But he still told Lusamine how Lucas had rescued a sick, feverish Gladion and cared for him out of kindness, skillfully mixing truth with fiction.
Gladion was fully aware of his wealthy origins and was happy to let his mother repay Lucas for him in the meantime.
This way, he could plug most of the holes in his story.
Sure enough—
Upon hearing that Gladion had been dangerously ill, Lusamine panicked.
She wanted to check on her son herself, but was afraid to be rejected, so she hesitated.
Gladion was confused.
From his perspective, his mother's dedication to work was the same as neglecting her children. Why was she showing such concern now?
Gladion only grew more bewildered.
Hobbes, however, wasn't bothered by Lusamine's worries. The loyal old butler, like a grandfather without blood ties, had raised Gladion and Lillie.
He first checked Gladion's temperature and gave him a thorough once-over, then calmly reported, "Madam, young master's fever is gone. He's looking well and should be nearly recovered."
"That's a relief," Lusamine said, relaxing at last.
Unsure how to talk to Gladion, she turned to Lucas.
"Mr. Lucas, thank you for taking care of my son."
"I am Lusamine, president of the Aether Foundation. If you need anything in Alola, contact me with this card—the Foundation will be happy to help."
She stuffed his hands with a gift and a business card, then dragged Burnet away before Lucas could decline.
Hobbes, a step behind, took off his monocle, wiped it with a handkerchief, put it back on, and addressed Gladion, "The madam is very worried about you—she spent all last night looking for you."
"I'll always be at the mansion. If you need anything, just come home."
With a complicated look, Gladion watched them leave. Soon, the sound of the helicopter blades rose in the distance.
Once it quieted down, Oranguru shook its head and, holding its spatula, went to continue making breakfast.
Lucas, meanwhile, didn't bother the brooding Gladion. He inspected the fine gift Lusamine had handed him.
Inside was a set of beautifully designed stamps.
Made as a joint project of Alola's four islands and the Foundation, each featured popular Alolan Pokémon like Rowlet, Popplio, Litten, and Stufful—very cute.
Lucas remembered these were limited-edition; the price had gone sky-high already.
Lusamine had really put thought into it.
To a tourist like him, this kind of gift was far better than cash.
The other item was a card with Lusamine's direct contact. Nothing remarkable.
He pocketed it, then looked at Gladion.
Time to chat about being used as a scapegoat.
But first, breakfast.
He had a gnawing hunger.
He told Gladion to set the table and went upstairs to wake up Ogerpon and the others.
After a simple but hearty meal, Lucas saw Gladion sitting upright, looking so guilty it was almost funny.
"Do you realize your mistake?"
"Yes, yes, I do," Gladion nodded honestly, bowing his head to wait for his punishment.
He imagined he'd have to pack his things and leave.
But Lucas simply patted his shoulder, "Alright, as long as you understand. All's forgiven for today."
Lusamine's stamps were something he wanted anyway.
He'd received "payment" already, after all. Sure, he was used as a shield, but no harm was done—and now he even had Lusamine's number.
It was a win-win.
Gladion underestimated the flexibility of a profit-minded adult.
He was easily led to wash the dishes, only to fail at the third plate (nearly breaking it), and was finally chased out of the kitchen by an exasperated Oranguru.
The kitchen door was practically a "No Gladion or Arcanine Allowed" zone.
With nothing left to do, Gladion saw a box of Pinap Berries and honey on the table, but, confused, decided to go outside.
Lucas, meanwhile, was giving the Eevee sisters and Ogerpon some instructions and handed them a new bag with supplies—mainly a tracking chip and his phone number.
He set the three Pokémon free to explore and muttered to the shadow at his feet, "Let's count on you if any problem arises."
Spectrier nodded from the shadows—it wasn't an inflexible horse. Like Lucas, its thinking was adaptable.
While the king had ordered it to protect Lucas, it saw that Lucas was well-guarded by Luxray and the rest, so it was better to help in other ways.
Lucas's shadow slid over to merge into Ogerpon's shadow, Spectrier's transfer complete.
Lucas waited until the Pokémon were gone before turning and finding Gladion standing there.
He was just about to speak when a sharp cry rang out from the distant shore.
"Kapuuuu—ko!"
Lucas froze—Why do all the troublesome folks like showing up at dawn?
A black-and-gold blur shot in from the coast, skimming the ocean waves and kicking up spray like a living missile.
Soon, astonishing Gladion, a black-bodied Pokémon with a gold, mask-like shell shaped like a bird's head landed in front of the villa.
Its orange, mohawk-like crest stood high, and its blue eyes never left Lucas.
It was none other than the guardian deity of Melemele Island: Tapu Koko!
"Why would Tapu Koko be here?" Gladion wondered.
But there was no time to think— Tapu Koko's burning gaze was fixed on Lucas.
Gladion remembered that Tapu Koko was unpredictable. No one knew if it showed up to bless you or punish you.
One moment merciless; the next, showering you with precious Z-Crystals.
Gladion's grip on his Poké Ball tightened and shook.
But Lucas stepped forward and called out to Tapu Koko, "After trailing me all yesterday and now showing up unannounced—what do you want, guardian deity?"
For Lucas, not only did his prompt system alert him to Tapu Koko's location, but Professor Kukui had sent him a long-winded reminder late last night.
He realized he'd been watched since he started teaching at Pokémon School.
But Lucas didn't care why—what baffled him was Tapu Koko's high-profile appearance.
Was it itching for a fight?
Considering the guardian deities' homes, you could guess their natures.
Tapu Bulu's Ruins of Abundance were all about making land fertile.
Tapu Koko's Ruins of Conflict? Well… pretty obvious.
This guardian thrived on battle.
After a night of consideration, Tapu Koko's eyes were burning, electrical sparks crackling through the air.
Its golden beak, emerging from its decorative shell, pointed directly at Lucas.
"KAPU—KOKOKO!"
Fight!
Lucas, oddly able to understand, nearly laughed with exasperation.
This guardian was so willful—did what it pleased.
Truth be told, the people of Melemele tolerated Tapu Koko for years, not just because it was sacred, but partly because it was that strong.
"Not here," Lucas said, "Let's move somewhere more suitable for battle."
He had planned to visit Tapu Bulu, but since Tapu Koko came to him, he was happy to accommodate.
If he could beat Tapu Koko to tears, maybe he could ask it to introduce him to Tapu Fini as well.
So long as there was a battle to be had, Tapu Koko would agree to anything.
Following Lucas to a large open space far from the villa, Tapu Koko could finally hold itself back no longer. Pulsing with energy, it transformed the ground into a golden electric terrain.
Ability: Electric Surge!
It worked just like Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge— but made the field electric.
He could have chosen Luxray for a fair fight, but Lucas already knew who he'd send out.
"Your turn—Swampert."
With a flash, a burly Swampert appeared, visibly stronger than most of its kin.
It glanced around, satisfied with the environment—close to the sea, solid ground, a perfect place to fight.
Just then, Gladion and Oranguru (who hadn't even taken off its apron and was still holding half a Pinap Berry) arrived.
From a safe distance, Gladion worriedly asked, "Can Mr. Lucas really win? His opponent is Tapu Koko!"
Oranguru glanced at him.
He really hadn't seen Lucas's strength with his own eyes—his concerns were reasonable.
All Oranguru did was reply, "Just watch."
There was no referee— it was more of a wild brawl.
After Tapu Koko's shrieking challenge, sparks once again flashed across the ground.
Wrapped in rainbow-hued energy, Tapu Koko charged valiantly at Swampert:
Dazzling Gleam!
But Lucas calmly stroked the Mega Keystone in his hand. "Swampert, Mega Evolve!"
In Gladion's shocked eyes, a wave of energy engulfed Swampert; when Tapu Koko struck, the light shattered into shards of glass.
A hulking Mega Swampert emerged, arms swelling, and met Tapu Koko's charge head-on with raw strength!