Ace didn't linger too long on Poni Island. His Aerodactyl grasped his shoulders and carried him back to Akala Island.
Returning to the Tapping Waves Hotel, Ace went into his room. After a quick tidy-up, Ace left the hotel with his Gengar.
To maintain the existence of the Shadow Ball, Cosmog had absorbed a portion of Gengar's power. Therefore, purely in terms of personal strength, Gengar was undoubtedly the one who could most easily track Cosmog's location.
As soon as Ace and Gengar stepped out of the hotel entrance, familiar gazes fell upon Ace.
Ace's expression remained neutral, but he couldn't help but feel frustrated internally.
Even now, Lusamine hadn't withdrawn the people tailing him. This woman was more cautious than he had expected.
However, since Cosmog had escaped from the Aether Paradise, Ace was in no mood to play games with Lusamine.
Ace opened a Cherish Ball, and Gardevoir appeared by his side. She placed her right hand on Ace's shoulder, and with a Teleport, they moved in the direction Gengar had sensed.
Ace and Gardevoir's sudden disappearance immediately alerted the Aether Foundation members tailing them. They quickly reported the information to Lusamine.
The moment Lusamine received the news, even without any evidence, her first thought was: It must be that guy's doing!
"Immediately have people track him down, and if necessary, intercept him!"
At Lusamine's command, the Aether Foundation machine began operating at full capacity.
But what they didn't know was that Ace's speed was incredibly fast. Gardevoir used the very next Teleport the instant the previous one ended.
Using Teleport repeatedly, almost like a frame drop, Gardevoir swiftly carried Ace toward the direction of Melemele Island.
On Melemele Island, Cosmog rested in a cave for over an hour before being discovered once again by the Aether Foundation's comprehensive search.
Powerless, Cosmog used Teleport again.
However, after this Teleport, Cosmog suddenly felt the remaining power within its body was stirring excitedly.
"That is... Gengar!"
Cosmog sensed the surging power inside its body and immediately realized that Gengar was getting closer.
Feeling Gengar's approach, Cosmog gritted its teeth and, ignoring its physical exhaustion, immediately used Teleport in Gengar's direction.
Cosmog knew very well that if things continued this way, it would run out of power after five or six more Teleports at most.
Instead of waiting for death, it was better to take a gamble.
Use its last remaining strength to shorten the distance between them!
The Teleport ended, and Cosmog landed in the waters near Melemele Island. Sensing the increasingly close Gengar, Cosmog used Teleport once more.
This time, it landed in the sea, but Cosmog finally let out a sigh of relief.
Not far away, Gengar and its Trainer were rapidly approaching its location with the help of a Gardevoir!
"Saved..."
Cosmog completely relaxed. As it lay on the surface of the sea, it saw a Poké Ball quickly coming toward it.
Cosmog did not resist and was instantly absorbed into the Poké Ball. The Poké Ball didn't even shake; it just floated on the sea's surface.
"Surprisingly smooth."
Ace threw out a Cherish Ball, and Lapras appeared in the sea. Gardevoir carried Ace onto Lapras's back.
Lapras lowered its head, picked up the Poké Ball in its mouth, and turned to hand it to Ace.
Ace opened the Poké Ball, and the exhausted Cosmog fell onto Lapras's back.
"You look very tired. Let me heal you."
Ace smiled and extended his hand. The healing light of the Viridian Forest Power lit up, and under Cosmog's curious gaze, Ace's hand covered Cosmog's body.
The healing power surged into Cosmog's body, rapidly restoring its stamina.
The physical exhaustion instantly recovered. Cosmog's eyes gradually brightened, and it felt its power gradually returning!
But just as Cosmog recovered its strength, Ace sharply noticed that a large number of Aether Foundation members were gradually surrounding his position, both on the sea and in the sky.
After finishing Cosmog's treatment, Ace stood up.
Members of the Aether Foundation now surrounded Ace on the sea and in the air.
Once they confirmed that Ace had no means of retreat, the leading female member, standing on the head of a Gyarados, approached Ace.
She activated a device, and a virtual projection immediately appeared before Ace.
The virtual projection showed Lusamine.
Lusamine looked at Ace with a smile. Her voice came through the machine's loudspeaker as she spoke: "We meet again, Ace. Where is your little girlfriend? Why don't I see her?"
"She had some things to attend to and has returned to the Pokémon League. After all, the position of Elite Four is quite busy."
Ace smiled slightly, while simultaneously shielding Cosmog. He looked directly at Lusamine's virtual projection and said, "But I don't think you came looking for Green. You're making such a grand show, it looks like you want to devour someone."
Lusamine sighed and said to Ace, "Ace, the little one behind you is a Pokémon that was rescued by the Aether Foundation. Its condition is very poor right now, so please return it to the Aether Foundation so that the little one can receive the best treatment."
"Hmph."
Ace laughed aloud, his expression changing to cold indifference. "Enough, Lusamine, put the hypocrisy aside. Do you think I wouldn't know what you've been doing?"
Hearing Ace say this, the smile on Lusamine's face vanished. She stared intensely at Ace and said coldly, "It really was you. I'm actually curious how you managed all this. The Aether Paradise has a signal blocking Poké Balls. That means, to get a Pokémon to act, you would have to release it before entering the Aether Paradise... How did you know?"
"You can just assume I'm a very cautious person."
Ace said coldly, "I have already caught Cosmog, so if you want it back, come and try."
Saying this, Ace beckoned to Lusamine, completely unconcerned about being surrounded.
Lusamine remained silent, looking at Ace coldly. Then, she sighed somewhat helplessly, "I'm sorry, but that little one is simply too important to me. So... please die here."
The moment the words fell, the virtual projection instantly disappeared. Immediately afterward, numerous Pokémon unleashed their attacks simultaneously. A variety of attacks quickly shot toward Ace's position!
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