Chapter 28: Tapu Fini, I Like You
"Someone's spotted Tapu Fini."
"Already?"
Caitlin was genuinely surprised. Having grown up in Sinnoh, she was no stranger to myths and legends.
Cynthia in particular was an absolute mythology enthusiast — she loved nothing more than digging into archaeological research on the legendary Pokémon that appeared in ancient stories.
Through sheer proximity, Caitlin had picked up at least a basic understanding of what legendary Pokémon were about.
Mysterious. Powerful. That was the most fundamental picture.
Caitlin knew that the Tapus here in Alola were different from the enigmatic legendaries of Sinnoh, but still — it had only been a matter of days, and they'd already located Tapu Fini? That felt impossibly fast.
"The Tapus aren't nearly as wary of humans as most legendaries. It's not surprising at all." Mammon shook his head.
The fact that Tapu Fini had been found so quickly didn't surprise him in the slightest.
"Let's go. Poni Island."
Mammon and Caitlin set out for Poni Island.
Poni Island sat in the western waters of the Alola region, and Tapu Fini was its guardian deity.
It was also the only island that currently lacked an Island Kahuna — something Mammon, who'd played the games, knew perfectly well.
In order to inherit the Kahuna position that had belonged to her late grandfather, Hapu had set out on a journey of self-improvement across the islands, eventually being chosen by Tapu Fini as the new Island Queen.
But unfortunately for this world, she probably wouldn't succeed this time.
They arrived at a beach on Poni Island.
"Boss! Lady Caitlin!"
At the sight of Mammon and Caitlin, two Rocket members — one stout, one thin, both in uniform — hurried over to greet them.
"Where's Tapu Fini?"
"Right over there, Boss." The thin one pointed toward a purple shell-like shape floating on the surface of the sea.
"Tapu Fini doesn't like humans getting too close, so the best we could do was keep watch from a distance."
The thin one was a Poni Island local, so he actually knew a thing or two about Tapu Fini's temperament.
"Good work, both of you. Report to Plumeria later and collect a thousand merit points."
Mammon offered a word of praise.
"Thank you, Boss!"
The thin one and the stout one were thrilled. A thousand merit points was no small amount.
Mammon produced a Poké Ball and began walking slowly toward Tapu Fini. Caitlin followed with light steps behind him.
The thin Rocket member had been right — Tapu Fini was currently floating on the ocean's surface, apparently sunbathing.
Tapu Fini had a violet shell, and within the shell sat its main body: a black, mermaid-like figure with long, steel-blue hair.
"Qi?"
Tapu Fini heard the completely unconcealed footsteps on the beach. The shell rotated slowly, and Tapu Fini's gaze fell on the approaching Mammon.
"Hello there, Tapu Fini."
The corner of Mammon's mouth curved upward as he greeted the guardian.
"Qi-qi?"
Tapu Fini regarded Mammon coolly, letting out a questioning cry.
In the games, most legendary Pokémon were genderless, and Tapu Fini was no exception — but in the anime, both Tapu Fini's and Tapu Lele's cries were distinctly feminine.
"Nothing much, really. I just feel like there's a connection between us."
Hearing Tapu Fini's questioning tone, Mammon's grin widened.
"So — would you be willing to become my partner? Tapu Fini, I actually like you quite a bit."
"..."
Tapu Fini stared at Mammon with something approaching speechlessness. If not for the fact that this human gave off a strangely familiar, almost warm aura, it wouldn't have even bothered acknowledging him.
As the guardian deity of Poni Island, Tapu Fini's duty was to protect the island. But over the long, long years, countless people who coveted Tapu Fini's power had come pestering it with reckless abandon.
At this point, Tapu Fini was thoroughly sick of that type. So much so that it had all but stopped appearing in front of humans at all.
"Qi~"
Tapu Fini shook its head in refusal, and the violet shell began to float upward, preparing to leave.
"Pretty cold response. Won't even hesitate for a second before turning me down?" Mammon raised an eyebrow, though he wasn't particularly surprised.
"But I went through all this trouble to find you. I can't just let you leave that easily."
A dark light flared abruptly across Tapu Fini's body. Tapu Fini felt the binding force and whipped around, its cold gaze locking onto the human boy.
Keh heh heh~
A low, sinister cackle rang out. Crimson eyes blazed to life as Gengar rose from Mammon's shadow, mouth split wide in its signature grin.
This was Shiny Gengar's Mean Look! A move that normally prevented an opponent from returning to their Poké Ball — but when used on a wild Pokémon, it had a different effect entirely.
Tapu Fini wouldn't be able to leave the area for the time being — not unless it took down Shiny Gengar first.
Oh boy.
Caitlin glanced between Mammon and his Shiny Gengar. This was a bit barbaric, wasn't it? Tapu Fini had to be furious right now.
"QI-QI!!"
And indeed it was. Tapu Fini's cry had grown noticeably colder, laced with undeniable anger.
"Hey now, don't get so worked up. Try to see it from my side, won't you? I like you this much, and you won't even give me a chance to make my case?"
Mammon cheerfully deflected the blame onto Tapu Fini, his sunny expression not wavering for a second.
"QI! QI!! (I don't like YOU, human!)"
Tapu Fini nearly lost its composure. Just because you like me, I'm supposed to reciprocate?!
The line of people who "liked" Tapu Fini could wrap around Poni Island. Was it supposed to respond to every single one of them?!
"If you got to know me a little better, I'm confident your feelings would change."
Mammon casually toyed with the Poké Ball in his hand, completely unbothered. He wasn't in any rush. He had plenty of time today.
"How about a battle? If I beat you, you become my Pokémon. If not, I let you go."
Mammon felt he was being very reasonable.
"QI!"
What answered Mammon was an enormous Hydro Pump — though, to its credit as an island guardian, Tapu Fini aimed the blast at the Shiny Gengar in front of Mammon rather than at Mammon himself.
Tapu Fini was livid. Especially that fat Pokémon's mocking, taunting grin.
"Sucker Punch." Mammon said with a soft laugh.
A flash of dark energy glinted in the gray blob's eyes. Its form blurred into a streaking gray shadow, dodging the incoming blast with lightning speed and flanking Tapu Fini in an instant.
A black claw raked directly across Tapu Fini's body, sending it rocking — but only just. That was all the damage it took.
A Dark-type Sucker Punch!
Tapu Fini resisted Dark-type moves, and its defenses were excellent. The Sucker Punch's damage was underwhelming.
But…
Keh heh heh~
The gray blob broke into another wicked grin, swaying its body left and right — and then extending its long, enormous tongue to waggle right in Tapu Fini's face.
The key detail: the tongue was dangling right there, practically brushing up against Tapu Fini. Nearly touching!
Tapu Fini immediately pulled its shell backward. Teeth clenched, a black vein-shaped # popped up on its forehead.
"Feel that, Tapu Fini? Gengar's being very friendly. It really likes you too."
"QI??"