It took scarily little time to reach Melemele Island, what with Ash on the aura-induced warpath. Once they reached Hau'oli Beach, they abandoned the boat and let Ash, the only one who had been there before and the only one who had any idea of what to do, lead the way.

He took them to the Pokémon School, bursting through into the classroom he remembered so much. Thankfully he'd been able to deactivate his aura first so he wouldn't scare anyone.

"Ash?!" A chorus of voices cheered in excited shock to see him. Ash scanned the room, but Lillie's desk was unusually empty. Sophocles ran over. "Did you find Serena?" He asked. "Sort of," Ash replied. "I know who has her, but right now I need to find Lillie! Where's Lillie?!"

"She's still not here!" Sophocles admitted worriedly. "She's not been here for ages! We don't know where she went! Why do you need to see her?"

"What's going on?" Kiawe asked as everyone else ran over. "Faba kidnapped my Greninja... and Serena, too!" Ash's aura flared up again at the thought, causing everyone to yelp and leap back. "Serena was kidnapped?!"

"That could be why we can't find Lillie!" Mallow gasped in realisation. "What if she was kidnapped, too?!"

"I don't know that for sure, but it could be true," Ash agreed. "We need to get them back, either way! Any ideas?"

"Let's check the Aether Foundation first," Lana suggested logically. "That's the most likely place that Lillie would be in if Faba is in control and has her kidnapped."

"Let's go, then!" Ash agreed, running out. The Alola group followed along with Clemont, Bonnie, Max and May. Introductions were made as they ran, but none came from Ash. He was too determined.

Serena... Greninja... Lillie... he thought to himself as he ran. I'll get you all back. You're all going to be safe and sound. I'm coming for you. I promise.

~•~

Serena awoke in the same room as before, but this time she didn't worry. Well, she did. She worried a lot. But she didn't look it. She calmly stood up and walked towards the door, screaming at herself in her mind.

What am I doing?! She screamed at herself. Why am I moving?! Why can't I stop?!

Having no control of her body whatsoever, Serena entered a room. "Ah, Serena, you're awake!" A voice said. She turned towards the voice. Faba was smirking at her. "There were some irregularities with your mind control. How do you feel?"

"I feel better than ever, Chief Faba," Serena answered. "I am ready to comply."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Faba claimed. "I can't wait to start! Let's see... tell me what you know about Ash's weaknesses!"

"I don't know about his weaknesses," Serena spoke. Faba cocked an eyebrow. "Serena, you must be truthful with me." "I don't know about his weaknesses," Serena repeated herself. "He has shown no true weakness. He does not rely on his Pokémon or companions, though he does trust them enough to let them help out. He is not reckless in anger. He is smart when he must be. He is generally strong in all areas."

Faba scowled for a moment, then slowly smirked. "Then that means I have his only weakness; you, Serena. You are Ash's weakness."

"I am glad to be of use to you, Chief Faba," Serena said monotonously. "Good, now that everything is done here, you can go back to your room," Faba said. "Yes, Chief Faba," Serena nodded, then walked off.

~•~

Alolan citizens and tourists alike were shocked to see a young boy rushing along with a fierce blue aura raging out of him while being tailed by several other kids. But none of them even noticed the attention they were drawing as Ash was too determined to retrieve his friends and girlfriend and the others were too busy trying to keep up with Ash.

"Ash, wait!"

"Hold up!"

"Don't leave us behind!"

But Ash couldn't hear a word of it, he was too focused on retrieving his friends, though if he was honest he was the most worried about Serena. If he'd been his usual self he'd have scolded himself to no end over such favouritism, but right now all he could think about was never seeing her beautiful face ever again.

He had to see that beautiful face again.

So he continued to sprint off, boardering on the safer side of inhuman speed. Several people made way for them all, obviously too afraid of the consequences if they didn't. They misread the look on Ash's determined face as one of villainy and they misread the looks on the faces of his worried companions as fear for what harm he would cause in this state. This was enough to cause panic.

The group got back to the beach and Ash instantly leapt into the boat they'd come in. Bonnie, Clemont and Sophocles all joined him. May sent out her Blastoise, a huge fan of swimming, and climbed onto his shell, Max following her. Lana went and grabbed her Lapras friend, who she tied to the boat and rode with Mallow. Kiawe sent out his Charizard to ride.

"We need to get to the Aether Foundation!" Ash yelled. "Everyone ready?" "Yeah!" Everyone called back, then Lapras began to head off, signalling for the other Pokémon to do so as well.

We're coming for you guys, was the thought they all shared.

Hold tight, Greninja. Stay strong.

Don't be scared, Lillie. We're coming.

We'll be there soon, Serena. Everything will be alright.

~•~

"Chief Faba! Chief Faba!"

A man dressed fully in white hurried into the room. The chief looked up at him, visibly annoyed. "Can't you see I'm having a private chat with our guest?" He snapped, gesturing to Serena.

The man paused a moment, taking in Serena's appearance. Her pure white uniform that pretty much matched his, her rigid posture, her blank red eyes...

"Sir, we... they're coming..."

Faba smirked maliciously. "Then it seems our little Serena here will get to play the damsel in distress."