Just as Lusamine was growing despondent, Hoopa suddenly spoke up, "There's only one person."
Lusamine's hands clenched tightly, her voice trembling a bit, "Just one person?"
"Yes."
"Male or female?"
"Female."
This was wonderful news! Tears of joy streamed down Lusamine's face.
Carl stood there, puzzled. Wait a minute, isn't she looking for Mohn? Could Mohn be a woman? The situation was getting a bit confusing.
"Quick, bring her over!" Lusamine urged Hoopa with eager anticipation.
Without hesitation, Hoopa lifted its hands, using its signature skill. The blue light within the portal intensified.
Carl reflexively wanted to close his eyes. Every time Hoopa transported someone, it usually resulted in him witnessing scenes he wished he hadn't. But this time, thankfully, there was no awkward incident.
"Ah!"
With a soft cry, a woman fell through the light, landing in a seated position. Her dazzling blonde hair was even longer than Lusamine's, cascading onto the ground and sparkling under the sunlight.
When Carl saw the woman's face, he was stunned. The resemblance was uncanny. She looked almost exactly like Lusamine!
Aside from the difference in eye color, their features were nearly identical. Two Lusamines? What's going on here? Was Mew playing a prank? Carl's mind was spinning.
While he was lost in thought, Lusamine had already burst into tears of joy, hugging the woman who looked almost like her twin. "Sister! I'm so glad you're okay!"
Sister? Carl was even more taken aback. Lillie had an aunt? This was a lot to process.
"Don't cry..." the woman gently comforted.
Lusamine's sister softly stroked her back, her gaze warm and gentle, projecting an aura completely different from Lusamine's composed demeanor.
"Sis, I thought I'd never see you again," Lusamine choked out.
"Don't be sad. We're reunited now, aren't we?" her sister gently reassured.
Lusamine nestled in her sister's embrace, the two quietly holding each other. Carl stood awkwardly nearby, not wanting to disturb the tender moment. He noticed the distinct differences in their physiques—her sister's curves were more pronounced.
As Lusamine helped her sister to her feet, Carl observed a few more differences: her sister was slightly shorter but well-proportioned; Lusamine had a cool-toned complexion, while her sister's was a soft ivory. Together, Lusamine's composed demeanor made her appear more like the older sibling.
"How have you been all these years?" Lusamine asked with concern.
"Everything's been fine," her sister replied with a smile. "Life has been peaceful and content, especially with my daughter by my side."
Hearing this, Carl couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
The life Lusamine's sister described was exactly the kind of serene existence Carl dreamed of. Considering his recent adventures, he was filled with mixed emotions.
Lillie now had a cousin, which made him curious about her appearance. However, since the Crown Tundra had turned into a secret realm, according to the rules, the original inhabitants should have been relocated. Those still here were likely accidental arrivals.
Thinking about the trouble he went through to find the entrance, Carl speculated that Lusamine and her sister might have been transported here by the Ultra Wormhole. But who was the father of Lusamine's sister's child?
Carl glanced sympathetically at Lusamine, wondering if she had been deceived. Lillie going from cousin to half-sister was quite the twist.
Lusamine noticed his gaze, her expression changing abruptly. "Daughter? Sister, did you use it again?"
Carl's expression was subtle, suspecting she was referring to Mohn. He admired Lillie's intelligence, thinking she seemed happier with Lusamine.
"What are you talking about?" Lusamine's sister asked, puzzled.
"If you didn't use it, how would you have another daughter? It was too dangerous to do such a thing while I wasn't around," Lusamine said sternly.
"Another daughter?" Her sister was even more confused.
Carl was stunned too. Lusamine's sister had another daughter before?
"Sister, have you forgotten Lillie?" Lusamine's gaze sharpened.
Carl was completely baffled. According to this, Lillie was actually Lusamine's sister's daughter, which meant they were actually aunt and niece?
Why would Lillie call Lusamine "Mom" and do it so naturally? The situation was utterly bewildering.
What on earth was Mohn up to?
"Lillie? Yes, my daughter is indeed named that," Lusamine's sister said with a look of realization. Smiling, she added, "Now I really believe you're my sister. You even know my daughter's name."
Carl listened, feeling there was more to the words than met the ear.
Lusamine's expression turned sour quickly. "Sister, what do you mean by that? What do you mean 'believe I'm your sister'? Could it be fake?"
"Because before this, I really didn't know you," her sister replied matter-of-factly.
"Lusamine! Do you know what you're saying?" Lusamine stepped back, clutching her chest, her face pale. Clearly, her sister's words were a heavy blow to her.
Was this a case of extreme sisterly affection?
"Did I say something wrong?" Seeing her sister's reaction, Lusamine's sister felt a sudden pang of guilt and quickly explained, "This is really our first time meeting."
"So you don't even know my name?" Lusamine's tone carried a clear note of resentment.
"I... I truly don't know." Lusamine's sister looked a bit aggrieved. Wasn't it normal to not know someone's name upon first meeting?
"My name is Lusamine! Are you saying you've never heard it?" Lusamine raised her voice, demanding an answer. Lusamine's sister suddenly froze, frowning, and repeated quietly, "Lusamine... this name sounds so familiar, but I can't remember why." She clutched her head in frustration, squatting down in pain.
Lusamine immediately sensed something was wrong. "Sister, could you have lost your memory?" She angrily clenched her fists. "It's all Mohn's fault! I always said he wasn't good enough for you. All he knows is research, and now he's let you be swept away by the Ultra Wormhole and lose your memory. If I find him..."
She quickly squatted down to support her sister, her eyes filled with worry.
Carl listened silently, finally piecing together the situation. Based on the clues, he had a good grasp of Lusamine's sister's circumstances. Now he needed to confirm one thing.
"Hoopa, have you seen Nihilego?" he asked directly.
Nihilego is a parasitic Ultra Beast from Ultra Space, known by the code name UB01. It can release neurotoxins and live on the surface of organisms. In some parallel worlds, it caused Lillie to develop a fear of Pokémon and even consumed Lusamine. There are also cases where it causes memory loss, like Mohn, who never returned for a long time. Some have even impersonated relatives using it.
From the conversation, Carl deduced a few key points:
1. Lusamine has a sister named Lusamine.
2. Lusamine's sister, after losing her memory, has a daughter named Lillie.
3. Lusamine's sister is married to Mohn, but Lusamine strongly opposes it.
4. Lillie believes Lusamine is her biological mother.
In conclusion, Lusamine's sister's anomaly is likely related to Nihilego. He inquired with Hoopa to leverage its space-traveling abilities to find clues.