Because of those newly regained memories, Iono's purpose for diving down into this mess subtly shifted.
First priority: get Haru out of this damned place. A guy like him, who couldn't stop charming every woman in sight, clearly needed to be locked up in a basement where only she had access to him.
Only by isolating him from every other dangerous female could his safety be guaranteed.
Second priority: shut everything down, fast. There was no way she could let the people in Alola or the Aether Foundation catch wind of Haru's whereabouts.
That part might be tricky... but if she negotiated with President Geeta properly, it should still be doable.
Those Alolan girls? Each one weirder than the last. If word got out that Haru was back in Paldea, they'd probably book a flight just to come fight her over him.
And the worst part? Iono wasn't even confident she'd win.
As for Blue's so-called challenge invitation... yeah, Iono would be turning that down on Haru's behalf.
Who even was Blue, anyway? She barely knew the guy. Some control freak with a championship ego. Gross.
Did Haru need some random Kanto guy's endorsement to prove his battle prowess?
Even Mythical Pokémon like Mew got their clocks cleaned by Haru's Ultimate Platinum Slash.
"So this is the trainer from your video—the one who beat powerful Pokémon using only human strength?"
Unlike Iono, whose head was full of strategy and crisis management, Nemona was still in awe from having seen a real-life Mythical Pokémon.
"Was that really a Mew he just used? Or was it a Ditto or maybe even a Zoroark in disguise?"
"If that really was a Mew, then it must be super powerful! Can I battle him? I want to grow stronger so badly!"
Iono, the Electric-type Gym Leader, side-eyed Nemona's sparkling gaze and mentally added a new note to her to-do list: Get Haru as far away from Nemona as possible.
Something in her gut told her this girl was going to be trouble too.
Once Haru was done changing, Iono planned to make up an excuse to send Nemona packing.
Ugh. If she'd known it would end like this, she never would've agreed to bring Nemona along.
A few minutes later, Haru returned, now properly dressed, and rejoined the two girls.
He gave a soft cough and turned to Iono.
"Ahem... so, um, what did you need from me this time?"
Strangely, he felt a twinge of guilt while looking at her.
Sure, most of what happened in Alola had been accidents... but every time, it seemed like Iono ended up the victim.
The first time they met, he'd mistaken her for Lana and dragged her into a 'battle of words'—literally.
The second time, she'd somehow been pulled into a full-blown party thanks to some drugged-up chaos.
And yet... she didn't seem as angry about it as he expected.
"I remembered a lot of things," she said calmly, her tone flat and even. "So I've decided it's time to treat you differently."
Maybe because so much time had passed, her attitude now felt unusually serene.
"Leave this place. It's not safe for you here anymore. Come with me to the Gym in town."
Haru glanced over at the unconscious Faba sprawled across the lab floor and grimaced.
"Yeah, no doubt the Aether Foundation's already on their way."
"Lillie's situation... really isn't looking good."
See, Haru's position had already been compromised before his time travel. He'd even annihilated Faba right in front of Lusamine.
Back then, since he didn't have any bad blood with the Aether Foundation, it didn't really matter.
But now? Lillie might actually be flying in on Nebby just to arrest him.
"Huh?"
Iono blinked, completely unaware of the chaos that had unfolded in Area Zero.
She'd been busy scrubbing her livestreams, trying to erase any footage that might connect Haru to her content and tip off the folks in Alola...
And now it turned out the Aether Foundation already knew everything?
Oh Arceus, that meant she was going to have to square off against Lusamine's crew again.
Everyone else she could probably handle, but Lillie? She really didn't want to fight Lillie.
Unless Haru himself agreed to help... which wasn't gonna happen.
"Lusamine already knows where I am," Haru said, eyes meeting Iono's. "If I don't get out fast, she's going to catch me."
"I know you've got a lot to say to me, but let's wait until I'm not being hunted first."
"Also, even though I already have three Pokémon, I've never actually taken on a Gym challenge. I think it's time I started walking the Champion's path."
"As for everything with you, and Lusamine... and the others... I promise I'll take care of it."
"Especially with Lillie—I've wronged her in so many ways."
"Even if most of what happened between us was accidental... if you're all willing, I'll take responsibility."
"I love you. And everyone else. Let's stay together—forever."
"..."
Iono was at a complete loss for words.
Was Haru just getting more shameless by the day?
At least before he'd pretend to be some innocent guy—now he was just going full 'I want them all' mode?
Sure, she wanted Haru to 'take responsibility,' but only for her. The rest of the women? They could take a hike.
And this whole Champion's path thing? Completely absurd.
Yeah, Haru only had three Pokémon—but if he didn't know how overpowered those three were by now, he had to be kidding himself.
Just then, Nemona—who'd caught on to a few key words—finally chimed in:
"Gym challenges? Wait, you want to become Champion too?"
"Well, that makes sense! You're the one Blue invited to battle, after all. Of course you'd aim for Champion status!"
"That means we're rivals now! My goal's also to become the League Champion! I've already got three badges!"
"Blue's invitation...? What do you mean by that?"
"Wait, Nemona!"
Iono reached out to stop her, but before she could grab the girl, her short legs tripped over a rock and she took a nasty tumble.
"Oww~"
Rubbing her head, she felt for the first time that maybe her outfit was a little too extra.
Nemona, still caught in her own giddy excitement, barely noticed. She casually pulled a box of band-aids from her pocket and tossed it to Iono, then turned back to Haru:
"You don't know about Blue's invitation?"
"He posted an open challenge to you online—said he'd be using a new team he raised from scratch just to battle you."
"A battle between a breeder's best and a Mythical Pokémon... thrilling, right?"
"But before that... would you battle me first? Please, please?"
"I'll do anything you want!"