Chapter 25: This Is Going Straight for Their Lifeblood!
"This little one is pretty simple-hearted."
Mammon played with Nebby for a little longer before handing it back to Lillie.
"Still, you need to keep a better eye on it, okay? This is the second time now, isn't it?"
Mammon teased.
Receiving Nebby into her arms, Lillie's cheeks turned pink. Second time? Hardly — well, technically, yes. She'd only actually crossed paths with this boy twice, and both times it had been because Nebby had wandered off. What a strange, wonderful coincidence.
"A bashful young lady is even cuter, it seems." The smile at the corner of Mammon's mouth deepened. His shameless, straight-to-the-chest compliments left Lillie a little unable to cope.
"C-cute… sir, please stop teasing me…"
Lillie was on the verge of evolving into a Vaporeon from sheer embarrassment.
"I mean it, you know. It's getting late — hopefully we'll meet again if fate allows."
From the corner of his eye, Mammon had spotted the black-haired girl in the crowd. He waved a farewell to Lillie and Nebby, then turned and began walking slowly away.
"H-huh? Wait—!"
Lillie froze, quickly reaching out a hand as if to call something after him.
But Mammon seemingly didn't hear. His figure gradually disappeared around the corner.
I still haven't asked for your name…
Lillie pressed her lips together, the thought leaving her with a small pang of disappointment.
But… they'd be able to see each other again, right?
Lillie lowered her head to look at Nebby, who was happily gnawing on its candy. Nebby seemed to have an oddly sharp sense for detecting that boy.
As long as he appeared somewhere nearby, Nebby could find him! Which meant she could see him again too.
Yes! Nebby could definitely do it!
"Lillie, Lillie! I beat the Island Kahuna!"
Mitsuki came jogging up to Lillie, her small hand clenched in an excited fist, positively beaming.
"Mm-hm~ I saw. Mitsuki was amazing." Lillie returned the greeting with a gentle, peaceful smile.
"Hah~ well of course! A little thing like the Island Challenge is a breeze!" Mitsuki planted her hands on her hips proudly.
"Oh yeah — Lillie, what are you doing standing all the way over here?"
"Nothing, really. I just… saw a really beautiful sight."
Lillie tilted her head slightly. In her mind's eye, that painting-like scene seemed to materialize once more.
She didn't mention to Mitsuki that she'd run into that boy again. If she did, Mitsuki would absolutely start fussing and making a big loud deal out of it.
"Huh?" Mitsuki looked around in every direction, scratching her head in confusion. Was there something scenic over here by the platform?
Mitsuki didn't get it.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Mammon — having walked out past the edge of Iki Town — lifted his gaze. And what filled his vision was a streak of electric light speeding off into the distance.
Oho, Tapu Koko!
That was the island guardian of Melemele, Tapu Koko — one of Alola's legendary Pokémon.
Seeing Tapu Koko gave Mammon a bit of an idea.
"Come to think of it, maybe I should pick out a Tapu to train myself."
Mammon stroked his chin, mulling over which one would suit him best.
All four Tapus were part Fairy-type, but their primary typings differed.
That said, Mammon wasn't a fan of Tapu Koko or Tapu Bulu. The main issue was that these two… had absolutely abstract design choices, aesthetically speaking!
Mammon was a stats-first, adaptable-looks-second kind of guy. He could accept it if you didn't look great — as long as you were strong.
Tapu Koko was honestly pretty decent in terms of raw power, and the Electric-Fairy typing was solid with relatively few weaknesses.
But its strength wasn't enough to overcome Mammon's opinion of its looks.
Tapu Bulu was even worse — in Mammon's personal opinion, this one was even uglier than Tapu Koko.
As for the remaining two, Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini were both perfectly acceptable.
"Tapu Lele I'll leave for Caitlin. Which leaves only Tapu Fini."
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Mammon acted on it. Without the slightest hesitation, he pulled out his phone and called Guzma.
"Boss? What's up?"
"Guzma. I need you to send out a notice."
Mammon spoke as he walked toward Hau'oli City.
"From now on, keep an eye out for Tapu Fini's movements. If it's ever spotted alone in the wild, notify me immediately."
Mammon didn't waver for even a second.
"Huh?"
Guzma went blank for a moment. You mean to tell me the Boss has set his sights on Tapu Fini?
Hisss~ if Tapu Fini actually got caught, the people of Poni Island were going to completely lose their minds!
Because Poni Island currently had no Island Kahuna. After the last Kahuna had passed away, the position had remained vacant.
And the Island Kahuna was chosen by the Tapus themselves.
Which meant the legitimacy of an Island Kahuna rested entirely on whether the Tapu acknowledged them.
If Mammon caught Tapu Fini during this particular period, then Poni Island — without its guardian — would never be able to produce another Island Kahuna!
Unless Poni Island abandoned the tradition altogether. But that would be nearly impossible to do.
"What do you mean 'huh'? Get the notice out already."
Mammon wasn't particularly impressed with Guzma's reaction.
"Oh ho ho, Boss! You are an absolute legend!"
Guzma snapped back to himself, his voice bursting with excited admiration.
Hot damn, the Boss was unhinged! This was going for Poni Island's jugular!
"So easily impressed." Mammon couldn't help finding it funny. Come to think of it, Guzma had always seemed dissatisfied with the whole "Island Kahuna" institution.
His reaction wasn't surprising at all.
"Fine. While you're at it, add Tapu Bulu to the list too. If we get intel on Tapu Bulu being alone in the wild, notify me."
After a moment's thought, Mammon added the extra instruction.
He may not have thought much of Tapu Bulu aesthetically, but it was still a legendary Pokémon. They could raise it inside the organization and put its name up on the bounty board as motivation for the ranks.
If even Phione could get the members hyped up, then surely Tapu Bulu could do the same?
Well, actually, maybe not — Tapu Bulu's design wasn't as cute as Phione. It was a bit on the abstract side.
But everyone's taste was different. Maybe some people actually liked Tapu Bulu's look? That was entirely possible.
"Got it! And Boss — what about Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko?"
"Those two, leave off for now."
Mammon answered directly.
Tapu Lele, the Psychic-type, he was saving for Caitlin to catch on her own — that was his promise to her.
As for Tapu Koko, it was Melemele's island guardian, and Kukui lived on Melemele. Catching Tapu Koko would attract his attention, which would be a bit of a hassle.
And besides, Mammon was in no rush on that front.
"Understood. I'll send the notice out right away."
Guzma felt a small pang of regret. What he wanted to see most of all was the looks on Hala's and Kukui's faces when they found out their island guardian had been caught by someone else.
"Mm."
Mammon hung up the phone and gazed out at the distant sky. There was no longer any sign of the rooster-shaped Tapu Koko in view.
Time to head home. Wonder if Domino is back yet. I'll have her wear the maid outfit today.
Mammon's thoughts drifted lazily.
But he really did owe that "rooster bro" a thank-you. If Tapu Koko hadn't gone zipping right over his head just then, he might not have thought to hunt down a Tapu in the first place.