Chapter 28: Tapu Fini, I Like You

"Someone has discovered the whereabouts of Tapu Fini."

"So soon?"

Caitlin expressed her surprise; born in Sinnoh, she was actually no stranger to myths and legends.

Especially since Cynthia was a mythology enthusiast who loved to study the legendary Pokémon in myths and stories.

Therefore, through constant exposure, Caitlin also had some concept of legendary Pokémon.

Mysterious and powerful—this was the most direct description of legendary Pokémon.

Caitlin knew that the Tapus here in Alola were different from the mysterious legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region, but to have discovered the trail of Tapu Fini in just a few days was surely too fast.

"The Tapus are not that wary of humans, so it's not strange," Mamen shook his head.

He was truly not surprised at all that the whereabouts of a Tapu had been discovered so quickly.

"Let's go, to Poni Island."

Mamen and Caitlin set off for Poni Island.

Poni Island is an island in the western part of the Alola region, and Tapu Fini is the guardian deity of Poni Island.

And Poni Island is also the only island currently without an Island Kahuna, which Mamen, having played the game, naturally knew.

In order to inherit the position of Island Kahuna from her late grandfather, Hapu traveled everywhere to hone herself, and only then was she finally chosen by Tapu Fini as the Island Queen.

But it is a pity that in this world, she likely won't succeed.

They arrived at a beach on Poni Island.

"Young Master! Lady Caitlin!"

Seeing Mamen and Caitlin arrive, two Team Rocket members, one fat and one thin, hurried up to greet them.

"Where is Tapu Fini?"

"Right there, Young Master." The thin Team Rocket member pointed to a purple shell on the sea surface.

"Tapu Fini doesn't like humans getting too close to it, so we can only watch from afar."

The thin one was originally from Poni Island, so he really did know a thing or two about Tapu Fini's temper.

"Very good, well done. You two go to Buru Merii later to collect one thousand merit points."

Mamen praised the two of them.

"Thank you, Young Master."

The thin one and the fat one were very excited; one thousand merit points was quite a lot.

Mamen took out a Poké Ball and walked slowly toward the direction of Tapu Fini, while Caitlin took light steps, following behind Mamen.

The thin Team Rocket member was right; Tapu Fini was indeed floating on the sea surface at this moment, seemingly sunbathing.

Tapu Fini had a violet shell, and the main body inside the shell was a black body resembling a mermaid with long, grayish-blue hair.

"Qi?"

Tapu Fini heard the unabashed footsteps on the beach, the shell slowly turned around, and Tapu Fini saw Mamen walking over.

"Hello there, Tapu Fini."

The corners of Mamen's mouth slowly lifted as he greeted Tapu Fini.

"Qiqi?"

Tapu Fini looked at Mamen indifferently and let out a puzzled cry.

In the games, most legendary Pokémon are genderless, and Tapu Fini is no exception, but in the anime, its cry and that of Tapu Lele are indeed feminine.

"Actually, it's nothing; I just feel that I have a strong connection with you."

Hearing Tapu Fini ask about his intentions, the smile on Mamen's face widened.

"So, could you please become my partner? Tapu Fini, I actually quite like you."

"..."

Tapu Fini looked at Mamen, quite speechless. If it hadn't felt a sense of familiarity from this human, it wouldn't have paid him any mind.

As the guardian deity of Poni Island, Tapu Fini's duty was to protect Poni Island, but over the long years, many people coveting Tapu Fini's power had come to pester it regardless of the danger.

As of now, Tapu Fini had become very annoyed with such people, so much so that it rarely appeared in front of humans anymore.

"Qi~"

Tapu Fini shook its head in refusal, and the violet shell floated up, preparing to leave.

"What a cold attitude. Refusing without even a moment's hesitation?" Mamen raised an eyebrow, though he wasn't too surprised.

"But since I've finally found you, I can't let you leave so easily."

A black light suddenly shone on Tapu Fini's body. Feeling this restraint, Tapu Fini turned around abruptly, its cold gaze falling on the human youth.

Hehehe~

A low, evil cackle sounded, and with glowing crimson eyes, Gengar rose from Mamen's shadow, grinning broadly.

It was the Mean Look of the shiny Gengar! It prevents the opponent from returning to their Poké Ball, but it has a different effect when used on wild Pokémon.

Tapu Fini could not leave this place for a short time unless it defeated the shiny Gengar.

Good grief!

Caitlin glanced at Mamen and the shiny Gengar; this was too barbaric, and Tapu Fini must be very angry right now.

"Qiqi!!"

And precisely because of this, Tapu Fini's cry was clearly much colder and carried anger.

"Don't be so hot-headed. You have to understand me too; I like you so much, won't you even give me a chance to capture you?"

Mamen instead shifted the blame onto Tapu Fini, still wearing that sunny smile.

"Qi! Qi!! (But I don't like you, human!)"

Tapu Fini almost lost its composure. Just because you like me, I have to respond to you?

If I had to respond to everyone who likes me, Tapu Fini, how long would I have to keep doing that?

"If you could get to know me better, I believe your attitude toward me would change."

Mamen toyed with the Poké Ball in his hand nonchalantly; he wasn't in a hurry, as he had plenty of time today.

"How about a battle? If I defeat you, you become my Pokémon; conversely, I'll let you go."

Mamen felt he was being very reasonable.

"Qi!"

Responding to Mamen was a massive Hydro Pump. Of course, Tapu Fini was the island's guardian deity after all, and this Hydro Pump was aimed at the shiny Gengar in front of Mamen.

Tapu Fini was very annoyed! Especially by the mocking, sneering smile on the face of this fat Pokémon.

"Sucker Punch." Mamen chuckled.

A black glint flashed in the gray fatty's eyes, and its figure turned into a gray shadow, dodging the incoming water blast like lightning and rushing to Tapu Fini's side.

The black claws tore directly into Tapu Fini, causing its body to sway, but that was all.

The Dark-type priority move, Sucker Punch!

Tapu Fini had resistance to Sucker Punch, and its defense was excellent, so the damage from this hit was quite average.

But...

"Hehehe~"

The gray fatty grinned evilly again, swaying its body left and right, even sticking out its long tongue and waving it back and forth at Tapu Fini.

The key was that the tongue was dangling right in front of Tapu Fini's face, almost touching it!

Tapu Fini immediately controlled its shell to back away, gritting its teeth, with a black '#' symbol appearing on its forehead.

"Do you feel it, Tapu Fini? Gengar is very enthusiastic toward you; it likes you too."

"Qi??"

(End of chapter)