Swish, swish, swish—
Under the thunderous, lightning-filled sky, the shadows of twisted ghostly figures would occasionally flash by. Gale winds, thick with countless particulates of pollution, whipped across Poni Island, making the place resemble a setting straight out of a horror or apocalypse film.
From time to time, bolts of lightning would strike down, blasting fresh craters into land already left in ruins.
The opposing side was practically bombing the area in a fit of rage.
Even without taking risks to scout outside alone.
Through thick stone walls, the shining golden-eyed Luxray still caught every detail.
The unique X-ray vision ability of the Luxray species truly was convenient—maxed out in practicality—and had become one of Lucas's core means of securing early travel funds.
If it had a flaw, it was simply that activating this ability consumed a great deal of electricity, leaving Luxray quite exhausted.
Luckily, just before this, a Xurkitree (that had since been sent back) had discharged enough power for Luxray to fully recharge.
This level of energy expenditure only required Luxray to rest up a bit.
However—
"That Viren seems much more impatient than we thought," Lucas remarked, his tone meaningful.
A thin layer of milky white mist was drifting around him, filling the temporary base.
But under Tapu Fini's control, the fog never leaked through the cracks, always staying within the designated area.
Logically, expanding the mist should allow for more ghosts or departed souls to appear.
Yet, aside from the specter of Sofu—Poni Island's former Island kahuna—no new apparitions arose.
Seems Sofu's acting as the ghostly representative, Lucas mused.
Strangely, when he looked at the ghostly figure, Lucas's mind flashed with the image of his friend Larry.
Sofu had ruled as Island kahuna in life, only to be made to work for Tapu Fini in death—in a way, Tapu Fini was even better than Geeta at squeezing people dry.
Of course, it was possible Geeta simply lacked Tapu Fini's powers, or else—
Just imagining it sent a shiver down Lucas's spine.
With Sofu translating, communication between Lucas and Tapu Fini was straightforward.
"Lay—hee."
Tapu Fini called to Lucas with a note of apology.
Even though Lucas had used that vile-tasting, yet potent, medicine to heal Tapu Fini's wounds, so that now, even the faint power it could muster felt like next to nothing compared to the past...
Its current strength made it questionable whether it could even handle a single Xurkitree.
Giving up such a precious medicine yielded so little in return—it just wasn't worth it.
"Maa-lii."
Sensing Tapu Fini's guilt, the Popplio in its arms gently nudged Tapu Fini's face with its pink nose, comforting it in its own way.
After nearly a full day of rest, the effects of Life Medicine No.1, and Lucas's occasional feeds of nutritious Moomoo Milk, supplemented by Tapu Fini's small restoration of power—enough to produce a few drops of Purified Water and cleanse Popplio's inner pollution...
Popplio now resembled a newly-born Pokémon.
Aside from slight anemia, it was basically out of life-threatening danger.
With a little more life force, even the aftereffects might be gone.
Tapu Fini smiled softly at Popplio's reassurance. It was clear it had been consoled.
Popplio was now the only native life left on Poni Island.
At least to Tapu Fini, Popplio was far more important in this moment than the ruined island itself.
For Popplio's future, there was nothing Tapu Fini wouldn't do.
Then—
With Sofu's translation making him aware of Tapu Fini's guilt, Lucas spoke up, "Your recovery is the real key to victory. At least without your support, I'd never dare try some plan like 'capture the king first.'"
As he spoke, Lucas shook the breathing mask he'd removed.
As Poni Island's guardian deity, Tapu Fini had developed its powers over the ages.
The fog it now produced was made from countless drops of Purified Water, diluted and shrunk, forming tiny droplets.
Within the mist was a miraculous, persistent purification effect—this was why they could breathe here without relying on masks.
The fog might not seem combative—
But even if Tapu Fini's energy was low and couldn't produce disorienting effects, so long as Lucas could fight without fear, this fog was of "T0" strategic value.
Lucas wanted Tapu Fini to understand.
"It's okay if you don't like to fight. I need you. So... will you lend me your strength?"
He reached out to Tapu Fini, a look of deep seriousness on his face.
He might have remained calm and rational since his arrival, seeming almost robotic in his lack of emotion.
But he'd been holding back his anger all along. Circumstances just hadn't allowed him to act on it. He couldn't afford to be swept up by emotion.
To Viren—the culprit who'd turned Poni Island and the sea into this disaster, even punching him a hundred times wouldn't be enough.
Seemingly sensing Lucas's resolve, Tapu Fini stared for several seconds before breaking into a smile and grasping his hand without hesitation.
"Puka-lay!"
All this time, it had always been helped by others, so what was this about lending its power?
It should be me who needs your strength!
Popplio poked its head up from Tapu Fini's arms, cheekily placing its flipper atop their joined hands.
"Maa-lii!"
Popplio will do its best too!
"Better stay inside the Dive Ball, little one."
Unable to resist Popplio's cuteness, Lucas ruffled its head.
Popplio, unafraid of strangers, nuzzled affectionately against Lucas's palm.
It already regarded Lucas, who'd saved its life, as its second closest after Tapu Fini.
Watching their exchange, Tapu Fini's gaze softened.
Maybe Sofu was right—there really are humans worth trusting.
…
Elsewhere, Dragonite gnawed worriedly at its chubby paw.
"Bwooh..."
Something's off here. Like, very off. I've got a feeling that Serperior-sis might be facing a serious rival in the future...
Storm clouds gathered, thunder and lightning everywhere.
The generator complex, occupying most of the canyon floor, still chugged away, belching thick black smoke skyward.
Pitch black wastewater drained straight into the sea—no need to waste money on treatment.
This was Viren's secret to wealth—squeeze every last bit of profit and crush the competition.
Viren surveyed his underlings grimly as his Electivire fidgeted at his side.
Driven by his threatening presence, the sweating crew worked three times as fast, eventually restoring his extravagant office to spotless condition.
With a cold grunt, Viren dumped his silver briefcase on the desk and sprawled back in his boss's chair.
He hadn't spent much time on Poni Island since shifting his focus elsewhere.
But now, after seeing such poor cleaning in his absence—he was determined to cut wages.
First, though, catching those rats running loose in my island takes priority.
"What's our progress?"
Viren sipped his fresh tea, barely paying attention.
"We still haven't found any trace of the intruders," a subordinate replied nervously, eyes glued to the data screens.
Predictable.
The result was Viren's furious yelling and demands for more Xurkitree to search for hiding places, especially in caves and underground.
"But, sir, what about your safety?"
A rare show of concern, the assistant protested.
With the core technology of Rainbow Happy Resorts in Viren's possession, he needed to act brave and loyal.
"Just go! Take Xurkitree No.200 through No.1200 and sweep the entire island!"
Viren barked in annoyance.
"Besides, it's not like I'm just sitting here without backup—I've got my Electivire, and any threat would have to get though 200 Xurkitree outside and still find me."
"And besides—this still belongs to me."
Viren patted the silver case in front of him with a contemptuous snort.
He'd salvaged it from the ruins of the Aether Foundation. Supposedly, it could open Ultra Wormholes to summon Ultra Beasts—and while rare components meant no second device existed, his team had at least managed to develop neural controls specifically for Xurkitree.
Viren was extremely cautious—never truly trusting others. That's why he always carried this box: the core of the entire company.
With a little energy input, he could open an Ultra Wormhole to summon enforcers or recall his fleet of Xurkitree.
Even the island's guardian deity couldn't stand against such overwhelming force—flight, not fight, would be their only option.
Ever since possessing it, Viren—always renowned for cunning—had grown utterly arrogant.
His subordinate, unable to convince Viren, hurried off, hoping to flatten the island and flush out the intruders first.
Viren, meanwhile, polished his shiny bald crown and stroked his mustache, idly considering which celebrity to dine with later—once he caught the foolish invaders and the island's guardian.
In his eyes, with absolute superiority, schemes were meaningless.
It was what they called: The advantage is mine!
…
[Hostile target has left the generator plant, carrying a total of 800 Xurkitree Ultra Beasts, planning indiscriminate bombing of the entire island.]
[Hostile leader currently at coordinates "114.3157, 219.6733", with 200 Xurkitree, 1 Electivire at his side, and a critical item in possession.]
[Recommended infiltration route: (updates in real time)]
"Phew."
Lucas gazed at the "ceiling"—really, empty air—and exhaled long under the bewildered stares of Tapu Fini and Sofu.
Luxray, Swampert, and Dragonite, however, were unmoved, calmly resting with eyes closed.
There are more tough battles ahead.
He mentally tore off the "useless" label he'd once stuck on the System prompt—now he had to agree it was shockingly reliable.
At the moment, he was basically a cheat.
This is like wallhacking in a MOBA, or playing cards or mahjong with everyone's hand laid open. How could I possibly lose?
Indeed.
Given the enemy's movements, the system's optimal infiltration path kept updating with time.
With this, what more was there to worry about?
Lucas stood up, announcing, "It's time."
"Shouldn't we scout a bit more? The enemy's strength might have already—" Sofu tried to caution.
But Lucas insisted it was unnecessary.
Sofu, or rather, the spirits he represented, wanted to protest further. At that moment, Tapu Fini floated upward, resolutely choosing Lucas's side.
Having chosen trust, Tapu Fini wouldn't question Lucas.
With no way to dissuade them, Sofu could only fade away, hoping that if the island guardian's strength had returned somewhat, they might help when crisis struck.
All they could do now was trust Lucas—the supporter from another world.
"Popplio, back into your Dive Ball. Luxray, you too."
Lucas gave final instructions, noting their uncertain faces.
"Tapu Fini, take me by water route."
The optimal infiltration route, customized by the System, led into the generator's massive waste-water pipes via the polluted sea—avoiding most enemies.
There was even a detailed plan from the Ruins of the Sunne to the sea.
Though not at full strength, Tapu Fini could still shield Lucas from the polluted seawater on the way.
Best to avoid fighting—both for stealth and to keep from being surrounded by hundreds of Ultra Beasts.
Tapu Fini nodded solemnly, condensing a purified Water Bubble large enough to contain Lucas.
A technique it learned long ago from fellow Popplio, Popplio, and Primarina.
…