"What terrifying vitality and destructive power... No wonder Tapu Lele, the guardian deity of the island, fell into slumber."
The battle between the four Ultra Beasts continued, leaving broken trees and scorched earth in its wake. Only the giant tree protected by the light remained unscathed.
"We have to intervene. The Ultra Wormhole is extremely unstable. If we can't return them to their original space, the consequences will be dire."
Corviknight looked sharply at Summer, who was whispering to himself. Are we really going in? Although they've used up a lot of energy... No, looking at your eyes, you've already made up your mind. Well then, I'll accompany you.
At the moment Summer spoke, Rillaboom already charged forward to join the battle. It could feel Summer's determination to protect Alola.
Just as they were about to join the fray, a thick fog suddenly rose around them, reducing visibility to just half a meter ahead.
"Fog, and the smell of the sea... This is?" Summer's nose twitched, detecting the unique damp scent of the ocean.
Boom! From the sky, torrential water columns crashed down onto the ground, and the rapid current surged towards Summer and her team.
Rillaboom, relying on its instincts, grabbed Summer and clutched a nearby tree, while Corviknight took to the air, avoiding the waves.
"This power!" Summer's mind flashed to a violet Pokémon—Tapu Fini, the guardian deity of the island. Its power lay in fog and water. Could the Ultra Beast battle have drawn it here?
The raging water soon subsided, and the fog quickly dispersed. The four Ultra Beasts that had been fighting were gone, leaving the giant tree untouched.
"At least it's over."
Summer let out a long breath. Whether or not Tapu Fini helped, the important thing was that the dangerous Ultra Beasts were gone, ensuring no one would have to remember the tragic disaster.
"Fini." A voice as clear as pure water sounded behind them.
The Pokémon quickly flew in front of Summer, examining him with its light blue eyes.
There was no doubt it was Tapu Fini, the guardian deity of Poni Island, known for its control over fog and water.
Tapu Fini's eyes looked tired, likely from using its powers. It slowly descended to the ground and closed its swordfish-shaped violet shell.
"Water."
A clear, flowing voice echoed in Summer's mind. Water? Could it be asking me to take it to a body of water?
Summer was now certain that Tapu Fini's powerful attack had driven away the dangerous Ultra Beasts. Having helped Akala Island and protected her and her partners, Summer accepted Tapu Fini's request. Besides, as a guardian deity of Alola, it was worth helping.
"Corviknight, please go find Lurantis. We'll need its Z-Crystal."
"Ka!"
Corviknight flapped its wings and, thanks to the earlier attack, easily soared into the sky to search for Lurantis. About ten minutes later, Lurantis appeared behind Summer, accompanied by a group of forest Pokémon.
"Lur, Lur!"
Lurantis showed a sad expression at the devastation of its home but cheered up upon seeing the giant tree intact.
"Oh, you're back, Lurantis. And who are these?"
Each Pokémon held a green crystal, forming a line to place them in Summer's hands. They had heard from the dominant Pokémon that Summer helped drive away the dangerous invaders and needed these green crystals, so they brought them as thanks.
"Thank you for the Z-Crystals. Also, please thank it too. Its appearance was crucial."
Summer didn't tell the Pokémon she would return the Z-Crystals later. Accepting their kindness without question was the best way to respond.
Then she revealed Tapu Fini, though it was in its closed shell form.
"Lur?"
Lurantis looked puzzled, thanking this purple shell? It could only sense a faint presence.
"Quite the contrast, Lurantis. You know Tapu Lele, the guardian of this island, right?" Summer asked.
At the mention of Tapu Lele, the dominant Lurantis trembled. How could it not know? Tapu Lele, with its innocent and charming appearance, had a dark side hidden beneath its pink exterior. It would whimsically challenge Lurantis to battles, heal it with scales after a beating, and then continue fighting. The memories of that hellish scenario made it want to cry.
The dominant Lurantis actually cried. Why such a big reaction? Summer hesitated, unsure whether to tell it that this purple shell was Tapu Fini.
The other Pokémon comforted the dominant Lurantis, aware of the hardships it endured.
"Well, I should tell you. This is Tapu Fini, the guardian deity of Poni Island," Summer said, deciding that Tapu Fini deserved recognition for its heroism.
"Lur?"
The dominant Lurantis stopped crying. Tapu Fini? It knew of Tapu Fini. If Tapu Lele was a whimsical and cruel princess, Tapu Fini was the noble princess hidden in the mist, with a maternal radiance that could make it a motherly figure.
Lurantis' eyes sparkled. Summer, puzzled, asked, "Why such a difference in reactions?"
"Although I don't know what Tapu Lele did, it once faced many of those dangerous beings and exhausted its energy, protecting Akala Island. It's truly deserving of the title of guardian deity."
"We're collecting Z-Crystals to awaken it and ask it to use its miraculous scales to heal this wounded island."
Lurantis looked surprised. These were things it didn't know. The Shady Forest was one of the few places on Akala Island not affected by the disaster. It turns out Tapu Lele had this side too.
After a moment of silence, Lurantis concluded that it should spend more time with Tapu Lele once it awakens. Facing so many dangerous beings must have taken immense determination.
"Well, we should go. There's another place to collect Z-Crystals, and we need to complete Tapu Fini's request quickly," Summer said.
He then picked up Tapu Fini and, with Rillaboom, mounted Corviknight. As Lurantis waved goodbye, they ascended into the sky, heading toward Brooklet Hill.
The dominant Lurantis watched them leave and then instructed the surrounding Pokémon:
"Find flowers. It loves flowers. If it wakes up surrounded by blooms, it will surely be happy!"
(End of Chapter)