A golden silhouette holding "Lusamine" tumbled through the halo on the ceiling.
The mysterious creature, upon realizing its surroundings, attempted to flee. Before Serena could even reach for her Poké Ball, Cynthia's Togekiss was already charging forward with a gleam of white light.
Cynthia and Lillie were shocked to see that her powerful Togekiss was easily deflected by the mysterious creature with just a casual gesture.
"Is it a legendary Pokémon? Or is it poisoned and unconscious?" Cynthia exclaimed. Just as she was about to send out another Pokémon, Mewtwo appeared, effortlessly blocking the mysterious creature.
Before they could anticipate a fierce battle, Mewtwo's voice resonated in their minds: "Carl has already resolved it."
In the next instant, the golden creature deflated like a balloon, gently lowering itself to the ground with Lusamine. Everything happened so swiftly that Lillie didn't even have time to ask Cynthia for help.
Lusamine did not respond to Lillie's calls; instead, she clutched her head in agony, her body trembling as if enduring the intense pain of a memory flood.
Lillie was both anxious and angry—anxious because she was uncertain about her mother's condition, angry because Carl had taken her mother away, only to return her in such a state.
At that moment, Carl emerged from the halo.
"What's wrong with my mom?" Lillie asked urgently.
"Don't worry, it's a normal reaction from recovering memories. She'll be fine soon," Carl replied casually.
True to his word, Lusamine's trembling gradually eased, and her furrowed brow relaxed. Lillie breathed a sigh of relief, though questions lingered. "What did you all do? And who was that creature that ran away? Was that the one you mentioned?"
"To easily defeat Togekiss, it must be at least a third-tier legendary Pokémon."
"You're asking too many questions at once, how am I supposed to answer?" Carl chuckled. "How about you answer one of mine first?"
"What question?"
"Are you sure the person here is truly your mother? Or rather, are you sure she's your biological mother?"
Lillie was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
She looked at Carl, puzzled. Despite the complex wording, his question seemed bizarre. Turning to confirm the woman beside her, she spoke with certainty, "This is definitely my mom, Carl!"
"Correct answer," Carl said, clapping with a smile.
Hearing her daughter's voice, Lusamine's eyes filled with tears. She stood up abruptly and hugged Lillie tightly, "My dear daughter!" Tears flowed uncontrollably.
In that moment, she regained all her memories. Years ago, while researching Ultra Beasts, she had been swept away by an Ultra Wormhole and possessed by a Nihilego, losing her memory. For thirteen years, she had mistaken a Pokémon for her family.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Lillie was flustered by her mother's sudden emotions. "Are you mad because I took Cosmog and left? You promised to forgive me last night!" Lillie asked tearfully.
"Don't cry, don't cry, it's my fault." Lusamine hurriedly comforted her, her own eyes reddening with tears.
Cynthia suddenly pulled Lillie to her side, saying sternly, "She's not your mother."
"Huh?" Lillie looked at Lusamine in confusion, "But she clearly is..."
"No way!" Cynthia stated firmly. "Lusamine is taller than me, but she is shorter."
"Could it be the shoes?" Lillie speculated, noting that Lusamine was wearing flat shoes, while the usual Lusamine wore heels.
"Height can be explained, but what about this?" Cynthia pointed at Lusamine's chest. "Lusamine's figure surpasses even mine; it's impossible to be so flat!"
Carl couldn't help but laugh out loud, while Caitlin praised, "Sister, you really nailed it!" Serena chimed in, "Cynthia, you're amazing!"
Just then, the real Lusamine appeared. "Cynthia, that was a bit too much, wasn't it?"
Lillie was shocked, her mouth agape. "How can there be... two moms?"
On the other side, Hoopa excitedly emerged from the halo, dancing with joy in front of Carl. "I did it! I made it through!"
It wanted to share its excitement but quickly sensed the tense atmosphere and hid behind Carl, curiously peeking around. Although a mythical Pokémon's appearance should cause a stir, everyone's attention was fixed on the two identical Lillies before them.
Even the seasoned Cynthia, the powerful Caitlin, and the imaginative Serena were stunned. They hadn't anticipated that the Lusamine before them was indeed someone else.
Lusamine approached Cynthia, upset. "Cynthia, what you said was really uncalled for."
Being publicly compared unfavorably to her sister naturally didn't sit well with her.
Cynthia quickly explained, "Don't misunderstand, I wasn't saying you're not good. It's just that your sister is exceptionally outstanding, better than all of us."
Caitlin shrugged helplessly. "That's a bit harsh to hear."
Serena remained optimistic. "I'm still young, there's room for growth."
Seeing her sister upset, Lusamine quickly reassured her, "Don't mind these little things. Sometimes being too big is a burden; you'll float in the bath and it's inconvenient to walk."
Groudon and Kyogre appeared puzzled, thinking they were being referenced about their bath assistance yesterday.
Caitlin sighed, "This is quite a direct way to comfort."
Serena gave up entirely, "Alright, alright, I concede."
Cynthia whispered to Lusamine, "Is your sister a bit... oblivious?"
Despite their nearly identical appearance, their personalities were vastly different.
Lusamine smiled wryly, "She's not just oblivious, she's a bit air-headed. With Lillie and I combined, we could have a hundred tricks, and she would still lower us to one."
Lillie was completely baffled. "Mom, what is going on?"
Hearing Lillie call her "mom," Lusamine's eyes brimmed with tears. "Lillie doesn't recognize me. She must blame me, right?" She clutched her chest. "Sister, I don't blame you for taking Lillie. It's just... it hurts here."
Lusamine clenched her fist, her voice choked. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on researching Ultra Beasts, I wouldn't have opened the Ultra Wormhole, nor would I have been taken by Nihilego. Lillie wouldn't have lost her mother for thirteen years, and now she wouldn't... not recognize..."
Carl, feeling bewildered, mumbled, "Why does this way of speaking sound so familiar?"
"I'm feeling a bit unwell," Serena said, holding her forehead.
Caitlin, concerned, asked, "Is it the dazzling scene or the convoluted conversation?"
"A bit of both," Serena replied, gently pressing her chest.
Cynthia laughed, "Your sister is quite amusing."
Lusamine wiped her brow, thinking her sister's memory had mostly returned, though her personality seemed to have changed significantly.