Caleb's interview went viral across every region.
Online, fans erupted with reactions:
"What?!"
"He's way too humble!"
"Wait, he said he'll enter a League tournament! Did anyone ask which one? I need to book tickets a year in advance!"
"He's the mysterious guy who caught Mewtwo in Alola! Will Mewtwo battle in the tournament?!"
"Caleb-san, come to Unova! We welcome you!"
"No! Don't go to Unova, come to Hoenn! Steven's ready for your challenge anytime!"
"Don't be ridiculous. He's clearly from Kanto! He'll pick the Kanto League!"
"You're the one being ridiculous. He's already settled in Sinnoh!"
...
While various forums were buzzing with excitement, Caleb was already on his way to Alola. Riding Zapdos, he brought only Mew2 with him.
This trip wasn't just about rescuing Lusamine, he also had to address Alola's looming crisis...
...
Four hours later, Caleb and Zapdos finally landed on Poni Island.
Lillie and her brother, Gladion, were already waiting.
"Please help us!" Lillie pleaded.
Gladion stepped beside her, looking Caleb in the eye, then said, "As thanks for your aid, once this is over, you may ask one favor of us. We'll do our best to fulfill it."
A promise from the Aether Foundation's heir carried serious weight. But Caleb didn't need it.
He shook his head, "No need. I'm helping because I promised Lillie."
Lillie bowed deeply, "Thank you!"
It had been two full months since Caleb last saw her. Now, just like in the games, she had changed her hairstyle and her eyes shone with newfound resolve.
"Let's begin," Caleb said.
Lillie nodded. She placed the slumbering Nebby on the altar, then pulled out the Sun Flute, which had taken them half a month to find.
Ultra Beasts had begun invading Alola a month ago. To save her mother and Nebby, this was their only choice.
She and Gladion exchanged glances, then moved to opposite sides of the altar and blew into their flutes. Melodic notes echoed through the air.
Caleb, watching from behind, couldn't resist pulling out his camera to record the whole scene. It was an iconic moment, after all.
Sure enough, as they played, brilliant light erupted from the base of the altar. Like liquid radiance, it flowed upward along ancient carvings, until it reached the sun symbol at the peak.
Then, a beam of dazzling, multicolored light shot down, striking Nebby.
Wind whipped their clothes violently.
Caleb and Zapdos looked up in awe at the sacred spectacle.
Under the surge of cosmic energy, Nebby's form began to change. Moments later, the light faded, revealing a majestic, lion-like Pokémon glowing with solar brilliance.
Lillie whispered, "Nebby…"
Cosmoem, now evolved into Solgaleo, ran to Lillie's side and gently nuzzled her cheek.
A moment later, Lillie raised her head, her gaze firm once more, "Solgaleo, please help me!"
Solgaleo turned, and an Ultra Wormhole tore open in midair.
Caleb put away his camera and prepared for battle.
With Solgaleo's aid, the three successfully entered the Ultra Space. Their arrival drew immediate attention from the Ultra Beasts dwelling here.
Caleb spotted Buzzwole, Pheromosa, and other familiar Ultra Beasts.
Gladion frowned, saying, "Many of these creatures have been appearing all over Alola lately…"
Caleb didn't speak. The Ultra Beasts had already begun invading Alola, but the Ultra Guardians hadn't been established yet, so naturally, no one was sending them back.
He hoped this incident would make Lusamine see reason.
Led by Solgaleo, they navigated the treacherous Ultra Space and reached the deepest point; the Ultra Deep Sea.
Through thick mist, Caleb saw Lusamine, who was controlled by a Nihilego. The Nihilego coiled atop her head, its jellyfish-like tentacles piercing her neck and scalp.
Black neurotoxin pulsed through her veins, which were visible beneath her skin as dark throbbing lines. This was far more horrifying than the Anime's sanitized version.
"Mother!" Lillie gasped, hands covering her mouth.
The Nihilego noticed them. It eyed Solgaleo fearfully, but instead of retreating, it let out a cry. Instantly, swarms of Nihilegos and other Ultra Beasts converged.
Gladion scowled, "Have they gone mad?"
"ROAR!" Solgaleo let out a majestic roar. Several Ultra Beasts flinched back in fear. But just as quickly, that fear vanished. Their movements turned stiff, like they had become mechanical.
Caleb tried the Viridian Power, but sensed no consciousness at all.
'Strange… It's as if they are being controlled.'
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. With more Ultra Beasts closing in, Caleb shouted, "Get ready for battle! Gladion, protect your sister! Mewtwo! Zapdos!"
Gladion decisively released all his Pokémon, with Silvally at the front, bracing for battle.
Zapdos shrieked, and a bolt of raw lightning erupted from his body, striking a Nihilego at blinding speed.
"Mew2, can you pull that woman over with Psychic?" Caleb asked.
Mew2 nodded. Its eyes glowed blue.
A blue aura enveloped Lusamine and the Nihilego controlling her, lifting them toward the group.
The surrounding Nihilegos went berserk, unleashing a barrage of attacks on Mew2.
Nearly a hundred Nihilego fired a concentrated beam of energy straight at Mew2.
At the last second, Solgaleo leapt in front, golden eyes blazing. A beam of cosmic power erupted from its mouth.
The two attacks collided, then detonated in a massive explosion.
'Something's wrong, there are too many! This never happened when Ash rescued Lusamine in the Anime!'
Caleb frowned, eyeing the approaching Nihilego, 'Is that one their leader?'
Zapdos flew into the fray like a bird-shaped blender, electrocuting everything in its path.
By now, the Nihilego controlling Lusamine had been brought over..
Mew2 pointed at the Nihilego's head. Psychic energy solidified into a blade, and with one strike, sent it flying.
Lillie hurried over to check on Lusamine's condition, "Mother!"
Freed from control, Lusamine weakly opened her eyes. Terror filled her gaze. She pushed Lillie away, her voice barely a whisper, "Run... Lillie… get out of here... now!"