She truly couldn't understand it—why would this Trainer, who had been so devoted and selfless in saving a sickly Dratini, suddenly choose to turn his power against her and Haru?
If it were the Lana she once knew, there's no way she would ever have done something like this.
Lillie had actually liked Lana before. But now... all she felt was confusion and anger.
Unfortunately, in response to her words, Lana only let out two cold laughs and spoke in a tone that was utterly villainous:
"Full of love? What a joke."
"Feel pain. Think about pain. Accept pain.
Those who have never tasted suffering… can never comprehend what I feel right now."
While spouting such bizarre lines, Lana-zma clashed with Flutter Mane several more times.
To protect her Trainer, Flutter Mane had pushed herself to the limit, maxing out her strength at great cost—but even so, she was still completely overpowered by Lana-zma.
The difference between them was just far too great…
Now even Mew was beginning to panic.
But no matter how much she wanted to return to her Trainer's side, she couldn't shake off the trouble surrounding her fast enough.
After all, she wasn't the kind of Pokémon known for brute strength or overwhelming destruction.
And so, after unleashing one final, devastating Prismatic Laser, Lana casually flung Lillie aside—even though the blonde girl had just summoned all her courage to shield Haru and Lusamine.
Then she seized the near-unconscious Haru and the defeated Flutter Mane in a single, twisted gesture.
Holding Haru in a strangely unbalanced embrace, Lana looked down from above at the crumpled Lillie lying on the ground and spoke with icy finality:
"I know you love that man beside you.
So next, I'll take him for myself."
"And not just him—I'll take your mother too.
I'll make her tremble under my hands, force her to repent for everything she's done."
"And while I'm at it, I'll tenderize your precious lover—
until he's molded into my shape."
"And you? You're nothing but a pathetic, powerless guppy. What can you possibly do?"
At that moment, even Necrozma—who had been nothing but frustrated by Lana's actions so far—began to get swept up in the act.
Up until now, Lana had been running the show, but now Necrozma eagerly joined in, sharing in her twisted theatrics.
She hadn't expected that yelling at people, stealing their loved ones, and calling them worthless would feel this good.
It was as if Lana's own perverse joy had been synced directly to her—and it even dulled the searing pain of having her light stripped away.
Yes, yes, more of this! More fun! Let's keep it coming!.
And so, as Lana finished her villainous monologue, Necrozma chimed in, dutifully adding her own "line" like they were co-actors in a tragic play:
"Right now, you're not even worthy of hearing their screams. You're too weak, Lillie—so weak that you don't even deserve to protect what you hold dear."
But Lillie paid no mind to their mockery.
Biting down her pain, she forced herself back to her feet once again.
She would chase after Lana—even as a powerless human—if it meant taking back her mother and the man she loved from a god.
But Lana, now the embodiment of a legendary "Hunter of Men," merely laughed with unrestrained scorn at the girl's futile resolve.
With just a few casual steps, she nullified all of Lillie's efforts in an instant.
What couldn't be done, couldn't be done.
The world of Pokémon was that cruel.
And Lana had no hesitation in twisting the knife.
"Struggle all you want, pitiful little girl—
if you really believe it'll make a difference."
As she spoke, she tore open the very sky—ripping apart its "curtain" to reveal a massive rift in space.
It was time to leave.
If she lingered any longer, something unpredictable might happen again.
But before stepping through the Ultra Wormhole, Lana turned back and cast one final glance at Lillie.
"Remember this: Until you gain power, you don't even have the right to come die in front of me."
"So go. Try to become strong."
And with that, her silhouette vanished into the gaping rift.
From beginning to end, Lana never once revealed the truth to Lillie.
She simply kept shattering the poor girl's resolve, over and over again.
Whether Lillie could understand or not, this was Lana's version of kindness.
As Necrozma's other half, she knew exactly what its goal was. She understood what would happen if they succeeded in taking Cosmog.
But even she couldn't directly oppose Necrozma's will.
All she could do… was buy more time. Time for the birth of Solgaleo or Lunala.
If hatred could push Lillie to grow stronger—then so be it. Let Lillie hate her.
As long as the truth about Lusamine and Haru wasn't exposed, Lillie wouldn't fall into despair.
As for everything else… Lana would carry that burden.
She would shoulder this NTR-like sin herself!
Meanwhile, Mew had finally broken free of the Nihilego swarm. And just as the Ultra Wormhole was beginning to close, she dove into it as well.
Left behind was only Lillie, still kneeling in the same spot—unaware of when the tears had started streaming down her face.
With all the Nihilego now neutralized, Lillie's safety was no longer in immediate danger.
But…
Cradling the still-sleeping Cosmog in her arms, all Lillie could feel…
was hatred and pain.
"Why…"
—
Elsewhere, in the Paldea Region—
A girl with shark-like teeth snapped off the news broadcast from Alola.
"Wha-wha-WHAT?! Alola?!
That's all the way on the other side of the world!
No wonder Iono's been looking for so long and couldn't find anything!"
"Ughhh! After all the time I spent searching…!"
"You traitor! Flirt! Heartless bastard!
Once I catch you, I swear I'm tying you up and turning you into my personal 'shock gun'!"
The girl seemed deeply offended by the man she was muttering about.
But after a moment's thought, she suddenly rummaged through her drawers and pulled out an entire pile of makeup and bizarre accessories.
"Hmph! Whatever. A quick business trip it is.
As Paldea's top livestreamer, it's totally reasonable for me to head to Alola and grow my influence, right?"
"It's definitely not because of that jerk.
Nope—it's all for my fans… yup, totally."