Although she wasn't sure if Lucas really didn't know Popplio's gender, Burnet made a point of starting with that.
"Besides confirming she's female, we determined she's less than a week old. She's suffering from serious malnutrition and is physically smaller than other females of the same species."
"However, her skeletal structure is fine. There's no risk of deformity."
Burnet said this last part with relief.
After all, environmental pollution brings not just diseases, but birth defects. Especially in cases where, as Lucas described, Popplio's egg was exposed for some time before Tapu Fini rescued it.
It was something to monitor closely.
"Next, we'll run some detailed tests with the equipment. First, let's draw a little blood."
Burnet handed Lucas the report and looked to Wicke, who quickly prepared sterilized instruments.
Wicke cooed, "Don't be scared, it'll be over soon."
"Rruuu…" Popplio glanced anxiously at the syringe, ducking her head into Tapu Fini's embrace like an ostrich.
Lucas could empathize—most kids have needle phobias, even he did as a child.
Catching Tapu Fini's questioning look, Lucas explained, "Blood can tell us a lot. As long as we only take a tiny amount, it won't harm Popplio."
Satisfied with that answer, Tapu Fini let Wicke take Popplio for the blood draw.
Soon after, Wicke handed the sample to Burnet, and fished out a handful of candies to comfort the now withdrawn Popplio.
But Popplio wanted none of it, snuggling even deeper into Tapu Fini's arms.
Left with no choice, Wicke turned to help Burnet.
About an hour passed as Popplio endured one examination after another—by the end, she had fallen asleep out of exhaustion.
The test results gradually came in. Burnet, holding a fat stack of reports, summarized for Lucas:
"Based on all our tests, including bloodwork, here's the conclusion—"
"Amazingly, although Popplio was born in an environment you described as unfit for almost any life, we found almost no trace of pollution in her."
"It's possible that cleansing waters removed the contamination, and even some theoretical birth defects seem to have been healed by medicines with mysterious properties."
"Perhaps the 'Life Formula #1' you gave her is at work—this kind of medicine is truly fascinating."
"In any case, there's really only one thing left to do for Popplio now."
Setting down the pile of papers, Burnet smiled warmly.
"Provide her with good nutrition so she can grow up strong. If you can, try to find some food or herbs rich in life energy to help her recover—but that's all."
Burnet marveled inwardly.
If she hadn't run the tests herself, who'd believe a Popplio born in such a hostile parallel-world Alola would only come out with a bit of malnutrition?
Relieved by the clear results, Lucas nodded to Tapu Fini and they shared a quiet smile.
All remaining worries and risks were now gone.
Afterwards, Wicke and Burnet took Lucas for a tour of the sanctuary, stopping at a lake to let the Pokémon play.
Popplio, Munchlax, and Stufful soon became friends.
Lucas also managed to discreetly ask Wicke about where she found Stufful, determining there was a strong chance this Stufful was the lost descendant of Tapu Bear, the "fifth" guardian deity among the island guardians.
The story itself was simple: during a routine patrol, Wicke found a badly injured Stufful trapped under a log and brought it back to Aether Paradise to care for it.
This rescue even had ripple effects later on, accidentally leading to the local Bewear "adopting" Team Rocket, who were shadowing the little bear, as her own children.
If Lucas ever ran into that Bewear, he thought, he'd arrange a reunion with her cub.
After they finished the tour, just as Lucas was preparing to excuse himself, Wicke received new instructions and invited him,
"President Lusamine would like to invite you as a guest at her private residence. Please do come!"
Here we go!
Lucas's spirits lifted, though outwardly he kept his composure.
"Ah, I'm not sure that's appropriate…"
After some standard formalities, Lucas accepted Lusamine's invitation and prepared to visit her private villa on the artificial island.
On the way there, an unexpected figure blocked their path—a thin, green-haired man with cropped hair, nearly half his face hidden by his glasses, and a small tuft of beard on his chin.
He introduced himself as Faba, an Aether Foundation executive, director of the research department—also known as the "King of Invention" in Alola.
His attitude was anything but friendly.
Adjusting his glasses, Faba sized up Lucas and turned to question Wicke.
"Wicke, you're bringing this strange, suspicious man to the president's private residence? Are you planning something against the president?"
The air of "crankiness" was palpable.
Wicke rolled her eyes, "What are you talking about? This is Mr. Lucas. The president mentioned him this morning, and she herself invited him."
"Faba, you're being far too rude to our guest."
Unruffled, Wicke stood her ground.
Faba, unwilling to concede, muttered, "Who knows if he's just using Master Gladion as an excuse to cozy up to the top…"
Even knowing he had no standing, Faba didn't back down—having delivered his jab, he left.
Wicke apologized, "Sorry. Faba can be mean, jealous, and temperamental, but really, it's only talk."
"I apologize on his behalf."
She was about to bow deeply, but Lucas stopped her.
"It's nothing, really."
He wasn't bothered at all.
He knew precisely what type of person Faba was—abrasive but actually quite competent at research. Wicke's assessment was spot on: Faba was probably worried Lucas might say something to Lusamine about his actual role in both Lillie's "Pokémon phobia" and Gladion's leaving home.
Still, Faba wasn't an actual villain—just someone desperate to keep his job.
Lucas wasn't about to fuss over him.
He motioned for Wicke to continue, and soon they arrived at Lusamine's luxurious villa, situated on a calm stretch of sea.
No, "mansion" might be more apt.
Once past the security checks, delicate interior décor greeted them: a plush red carpet led directly from the entrance up the staircase.
Lusamine soon descended in heels.
"Welcome, Mr. Lucas!"
She greeted him warmly, hand outstretched. The only hitch was her phone, which kept ringing and nearly undid her smile.
She eventually delegated the phone calls to Wicke, asked for all work to be delayed, and they finally sat together in the lounge.
"Sorry to give you the wrong impression."
Lusamine handed Lucas a cup of tea, apologizing.
As head of the immense Aether Foundation, she was every inch the modern corporate president—handling business worth millions a minute.
Lucas expressed understanding; to run a firm on par with Silph Co., Devon, or Macro Cosmos, she'd had to work incredibly hard.
He admired her wealth, but didn't envy her stress—he simply wasn't interested in that lifestyle.
Especially since this workload had caused a rift with her children.
After some casual conversation, Lusamine came to her true purpose: "There's something about Gladion that I wish to discuss."
Her mood darkened a little, still troubled by Gladion's behavior that morning.
Lucas straightened, showing he was attentive—but her first words caught him completely by surprise.
"It's about that child's schooling."
"This morning, I had Hobbes look into it. Your Naranja Academy doesn't seem to be in admission season just yet."
"I was thinking of donating to the school, funding some facilities, in exchange for a spot—what do you think?"
Lucas: ?
How on earth did the conversation jump here?
Looking at Lusamine's solemn, sincere expression, Lucas suddenly realized Gladion's excuse that morning had been taken completely seriously.
As he knew, Lusamine had worked herself ragged to keep Aether Foundation running in her husband Mohn's absence. She deeply loved her children, but their relationship was strained by her work.
Just half a day had passed, and she was already exploring ways to donate her son into Naranja Academy.
That initiative—no wonder she was so successful.
After a moment of thought, Lucas asked gently, "Have you considered Gladion's wishes?"
"Gladion's wishes?" Lusamine looked puzzled. "Didn't he express them clearly this morning?"
Once she started talking about her children, Lusamine became unstoppable.
"Lillie is studying at the Pokémon School on Melemele Island now, but Gladion had Hobbes arrange tutors for him at home."
"I suspect he's a bit withdrawn from too little contact with peers, but since this is the first time in years he's voiced a wish, I want to fulfill it—"
Lusamine kept going, already debating whether to donate for a new classroom, playground, or maybe a library.
Noticing the conversation had gone off track, Lucas quickly changed the subject, focusing on the family photo he spied in a cabinet.
"Is that a family photo of yours, Ms. Lusamine?"
Interrupting, Lusamine followed his gaze and was stunned for a moment.
Then, a hint of sadness in her eyes, she nodded.
"Yes… that's our family photo."
Memories rushed in. Standing up, she took the frame from the cabinet and sat down opposite Lucas.
Her well-maintained hand lightly stroked the cold glass, voice tinged with nostalgia and barely concealed grief.
"This was taken just after Lillie was born, the whole family together."
"Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever met your husband—or heard Gladion mention him."
Lucas deliberately directed the topic.
A deeper sadness shone in Lusamine's eyes as she choked out, "My husband disappeared years ago in a research accident. He's still missing."
This was no secret; Lusamine's efforts to find Mohn were well known in Alola. She didn't mind Lucas asking.
"I see…"
After a moment's silence, Lucas asked, "If you don't mind, may I see your family photo? Perhaps I've seen your husband before?"
"Of course."
She handed him the photo, though she didn't really expect a visitor from Paldea to recognize her lost husband.
Lucas studied the photo carefully.
There was Lusamine, younger and more radiant, holding a newborn Lillie… a non-edgy Gladion… and a younger version of Mohn, whom Lucas did indeed recognize.
After glancing at the somewhat despondent Lusamine, Lucas "hesitated" and spoke up.
"Is this… Mr. Mohn?"
The moment Lucas said that, Lusamine froze. Like a drowning person grabbing a lifeline, she seized Lucas's arm, anxiously asking,
"You—have you seen Mohn?!"
Completely overwhelmed by hope for the first time in years, Lusamine didn't even notice that Lucas might know her husband's name from other sources.
When Lucas firmly nodded, she collapsed to her knees, all strength leaving her as she pleaded in a trembling voice,
"Please... Tell me, where is my husband now...?"