Located on the outskirts of Akala Island, the Ruins of Life are the sacred grounds where Tapu Lele resides. Typically, only the island master is permitted to enter, but today, six pairs of people and Pokémon stand here.
They were all summoned by Island Master Silver Birch, to contribute their strength to revive Tapu Lele. Among them was Summer.
"Everyone, have you memorized the dance I taught you?" Silver Birch asked the group.
"Yes, we have!"
The group crossed their hands, then squatted down, mimicking the growth of plants as they stood up and spread their arms, looking very serious.
This dance was taught to Silver Birch by Summer, in the name of Tapu Fini. As it was a dance dedicated to the guardian deity, their expressions were solemn.
"Excellent! Now, I shall summon the guardian deity."
Silver Birch nodded in satisfaction and walked into the inner part of the Ruins of Life. There, in a cocoon-like pink shell, Tapu Lele lay quietly amidst a dazzling array of flowers.
"Thank you for your goodwill, whoever you are," Silver Birch bowed to Tapu Lele, surrounded by flowers, then solemnly walked to the altar, gently lifting the cocoon-formed Tapu Lele and carrying it out of the cave.
After placing Tapu Lele on the small altar they had prepared, Silver Birch, with a heart full of gratitude, took a few steps forward, then turned to look at the Toucannon on his shoulder.
"Please, Toucannon."
As a Flying and Normal-type Pokémon, Toucannon could use the move Seed Bomb, making it one of those chosen to help awaken Tapu Lele.
Toucannon chirped, telling him not to worry. They had been friends for so long, how could their bond not be strong enough?
"Yes, you're right."
Silver replied softly. As the island master, he had to set a good example for everyone. Yes, there was no need to be nervous. Their bond was already unbreakable.
He recalled when he was just a boy and became partners with Toucannon, who was then a Pikipek. Pikipek had been attacked by a Talonflame and fell injured to the ground. Summoning courage from somewhere, he rescued it.
In gratitude, Pikipek stayed by his side, growing up with him, sharing laughter and troubles, and facing punishment together, especially because Pikipek loved shiny objects and often took people's trinkets.
He always apologized with a smile, but Toucannon would step up in dangerous situations, fighting off threats like the black Rattata. It was in that battle that it evolved into Trumbeak.
Later, it evolved into Toucannon during Tapu Lele's trial, leading to Silver Birch's recognition as the island master of Akala Island.
Indeed, whether in his growth or Toucannon's, they always rejoiced for each other. That was what it meant to be partners.
"Bloom brilliantly, flowers of vibrant colors!" Silver shouted, wishing for Alola's future to also bloom brightly!
The Radiant Stone on his wrist shone with a strong light, transmitting energy to Toucannon, who felt an unprecedented vitality. It flapped its wings, and colorful flowers bloomed at its feet.
Harnessing the life force of the plants, Toucannon chirped and sent a green light into the sky, for making the flowers bloom was their true goal.
"We did it!" Silver said excitedly, immediately feeling all his strength drain away, just as Summer had described.
Tapu Lele seemed to sense the blooming flower field. Pink light particles floated from the flowers toward Tapu Lele, bringing joy to everyone's faces—it was working!
"Island master, let me go next!"
A young man with a Bulbasaur stepped forward. He wanted to contribute his energy to Tapu Lele because his grandfather, who had entrusted him with Bulbasaur, was suffering from injuries.
"Alright, it's up to you now, young man!"
Silver personally placed the Radiant Stone on his wrist. The young man earnestly mimicked Silver's dance and used the Z-Move.
His bond with Bulbasaur was rooted in family tradition. Bulbasaur, not native to Alola, was a Pokémon brought by his ancestors from another region, a descendant of their Pokémon.
This wonderful encounter and family tradition fostered a harmonious relationship with Bulbasaur, revealing many of its shining qualities.
Bulbasaur also wanted to repay the family that had cared for it, especially the young man who had sincerely nurtured it.
Another field of flowers bloomed. The young man wasted no time passing the Radiant Stone to the next pair.
A girl and her Steenee, who met through their shared interest, joyfully danced, deepening their bond, causing more flowers to bloom!
A man and his Decidueye, rivals due to their mutual admiration for each other's skills, formed a deep friendship, spreading a rich floral fragrance around.
An old lady and her Lurantis, who met through a disaster, where the old lady saved Lurantis's life and filled each other's loneliness, demonstrated their bond, turning the Life Ruins into a sea of flowers.
"Now it's our turn, Rillaboom!" Summer shouted.
"Rillaboom!"
The bond between Summer and Rillaboom needed no further words. The Radiant Stone on Summer's wrist shone the brightest!
"Let the drumbeats play the melody of life, Bloom Doom!"
Joy and exhilaration surged through Rillaboom as it felt Summer's emotions. It drummed ecstatically, and flowers bloomed across Memorial Hill, spreading over Konikoni City, covering the outskirts of Akala Island with their fragrance.
The long-dormant pink shell gently trembled. Tapu Lele peeked out, its blue-pink eyes blinking, stretching comfortably. It had never experienced such a rich floral fragrance before.
Everyone's spirits soared with Tapu Lele's awakening. The guardian deity had awoken; they were saved!
In the sky above, Tapu Fini quietly watched the people using Z-Moves, feeling a sense of pride akin to seeing children grow up.
Nearby, Tapu Bulu, with its bull-like red shell, and Tapu Koko, with its yellow shell and thunderbolt-like crest, also floated, observing the humans below.
"Bulu, Koko, I didn't expect you both to be here."
"I sensed the flourishing life energy. So it was the result of humans and Pokémon working together."
"Power, I feel a great power. Humans and Pokémon, it turns out, can unleash such tremendous strength!"
"And you, Tapu Fini?" Tapu Bulu shook its bell and asked.
"I have a child I care about. Also, don't you find this scene marvelous, my friends?"
The two guardians silently nodded. Indeed, this was the potential that humans had shown them.
"So, I have a proposal. Why don't we make earning Z-Crystals through Totem Pokémon challenges a trial for them? Not just one island, but a trial across our islands, traversing the whole of Alola!" Tapu Fini suggested.
"I agree! This trial will surely produce many strong individuals!" Tapu Koko said excitedly.
"I agree as well. But what about Tapu Lele?"
"Don't worry, Bulu. Lele will surely agree, because this will be something very interesting for it," Tapu Fini said confidently.
"Everyone, I have an interesting proposal. You must listen!" Tapu Lele called out to the three guardians, "Oh, and I have a promise to fulfill. Wait for me, I'll fly around the whole of Akala Island quickly!"
Tapu Lele swiftly flew off, scattering countless magical scales behind it. These scales were miraculous remedies capable of curing all ailments, a miracle born from the bond between humans and Pokémon, shining now and forever.
(End of Chapter)