Pokemon: A New Path-Arceus Descends [559]

Poni Island — Sea Folk Village, 3:00 PM

To find Tapu Fini, Naoki and Koraidon had journeyed to this quiet coastal village in the southwest corner of Poni Island.

And what a place it was.

Unlike any conventional town, the Sea Folk Village was built entirely atop a colossal wooden ship. Towering at its heart was a vibrant green tree, its thick trunk seamlessly integrated into the structure, branches stretching skyward to form a natural canopy that shaded the central deck.

Docks extended out from either side of the massive vessel, each harboring uniquely shaped boats inspired by Pokémon. There was the rugged Steelix Ship, the towering Wailord Ship, the whimsically bouncy Magikarp Ship, and the sturdy Wishiwashi Ship among others.

It was a warm Alolan afternoon. The sun cast golden light across the sea, and Wingull cries echoed faintly overhead. The sparkling ocean gently lapped against the shore, and the air smelled of salt, wood, and something wild but peaceful. Children, no older than four or five, ran barefoot across the sun-drenched deck, laughing and chasing one another. Locals lounged comfortably in the shade, chatting with smiles and sipping coconut drinks.

A perfect slice of paradise.

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Naoki looked around and couldn't help but sigh in admiration. "This place is beautiful..."

He had visited Melemele Island before, but much of the Alola region still retained its untouched charm. In places like this, life moved with the rhythm of the sea, unhurried and steeped in tradition.

As Naoki and Koraidon strolled through the village, they were quickly swept into the local culture. People waved cheerfully and greeted each other with the iconic Alolan phrase—"Alola!"

Naoki could immediately feel the strong sense of community here. It wasn't a large town, and everyone clearly knew one another. The sight of a newcomer piqued curiosity, and many turned to glance at the unfamiliar traveler and his companion.

One bold voice rang out from the crowd.

"Alola! You're not from around here, are you?"

Naoki turned to see a cheerful girl approaching. She wore traditional Alolan attire—a breezy tropical top, a long sash tied at the waist, and sandals. Her sun-kissed skin glowed with health, and her bright eyes sparkled with friendliness.

He smiled back. "Alola! That's right."

Her eyes widened. "Whoa, you even know the greeting!"

Naoki chuckled and raised an eyebrow playfully. "Isn't that how you say hello in Alola?"

"Sure is!" she giggled. "You're pretty well-informed. Alola!"

"Alola!" Naoki repeated with a grin.

Koraidon, not to be left out, leaned forward and chimed in with a deep, "Raao!"

The girl laughed at the Pokémon's attempt at a greeting. Her smile grew even warmer.

"You two are hilarious. I like you already!" she said. "Is this your first time in Sea Folk Village? I'd be happy to give you a tour!"

"Really? That'd be great. Thanks!" Naoki said, pleasantly surprised by her hospitality. The Alolans were famously welcoming, but this kindness still caught him off guard.

"I'm Kirari," she introduced with a proud smile. "Come on—I'll show you around!"

"I appreciate it. I'm Naoki. And this big guy's Koraidon." He gave a casual nod toward his companion, who gave a low, content growl in response.

Kirari led them deeper into the village, pointing toward various ships and landmarks as they walked.

"That one over there", she gestured toward a whale-shaped ship to the northwest, "is the Wailord Restaurant. They serve amazing seafood noodle bowls at night. You can bring your Pokémon too. They've got special dishes just for them!"

Next, she pointed toward a ship with a reinforced hull resembling Steelix's segmented body. "That's our Trainer Arena. The hull is built from reinforced metal plating, so it can withstand intense Pokémon battles. Trainers love hanging out there to spar and show off their skills."

Naoki listened intently, clearly intrigued.

Then he glanced toward the eastern dock, where a brightly colored ship shaped like a Magikarp bobbed gently in the water.

"What about that one?" he asked.

Kirari turned and followed his gaze. "Oh, that's our Boat Station. The Magikarp Ferry on the east side sails to Hau'oli City, Akala Island, and even Aether Paradise. The one on the west side? That'll take you to Exeggutor Island."

"I recommend you visit Exeggutor Island. It's an undeveloped part of Poni Island and one of Alola's protected nature reserves. You'll find lots of Exeggcute and tall Alolan Exeggutor living peacefully there!"

Alolan Exeggutor… a unique Grass and Dragon-type Pokémon.

Naoki considered that.

'Sounds like the perfect place to explore on Koraidon's back.'

The village wasn't very large, so Kirari soon finished showing him all the notable locations and points of interest.

Then she turned toward him with wide, curious eyes. "So, what brings you to our village, big brother?"

"Me?" Naoki smiled. "I'm on the Island Challenge. But since there's no Kahuna here on Poni Island, I'm hoping to find the guardian deity—Tapu Fini—and take its trial instead."

Kirari gasped, covering her mouth in awe. "You're on the Island Challenge?! That's incredible!"

Naoki blinked, confused. "Is it really? I thought everyone in Alola could participate."

Kirari nodded enthusiastically. "They can, but only truly strong trainers ever make it this far! You have to face Totem Pokémon, earn Z-Crystals, and be acknowledged by the Island Kahunas!"

Naoki paused to think and realized she had a point.

It was like earning Gym Badges in other regions. Just because anyone could try didn't mean everyone succeeded.

He smiled. "Even if you don't win, I believe the effort itself is important. With enough determination, even Totem Pokémon can recognize your spirit."

"Yeah!" Kirari beamed brightly. Then, with sudden energy, she offered, "If you're looking for Tapu Fini, let me help! We can ask the village elders. They might know where the guardian lives!"

With that, she grabbed Naoki's hand and led him toward a modest wooden house at the center of the village.

Standing on her tiptoes, she knocked on the door. "Elder Haisen! A visitor's here!"

A moment later, the door opened to reveal an elderly man with a bald head and a thick white beard. He stepped out with a calm, gentle presence.

"What is it, Kirari?" he asked kindly.

Kirari pointed to Naoki. "This big brother's a trainer doing the Island Challenge! He's come to find Tapu Fini and take its trial!"

"The Island Challenge?" the elder echoed, surprised. He quickly turned to Naoki with a more serious expression.

Naoki nodded and pulled out a certificate from his bag. "Here's my proof. I've already completed the trial on Melemele Island."

The elder examined it for a long moment before replying with a troubled sigh. "Unfortunately… there's no Kahuna here on Poni Island anymore. And the guardian deity hasn't shown itself in quite some time."

Naoki's expression turned thoughtful. "Why not?"

"The Kahuna is chosen by the guardian," Elder Haisen explained. "But ever since our last Kahuna passed away, Tapu Fini hasn't returned to the village. No one's seen it in years."

"Ah? Then what should we do?" Kirari looked up at the elder, clearly worried.

The old man fell silent in thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. "There is one place you might try."

Naoki leaned in, listening intently.

"There's a shrine on the southeast coast of the island," the elder said. "The Ruins of Hope. It's a sacred place where our ancestors once honored Tapu Fini. Some call it the resting place of life itself."

He glanced at Naoki. "A few days ago, someone passing through claimed to have seen something unusual there. Perhaps if your intentions are pure, the guardian will come."

Naoki's eyes lit up with determination. "Thank you, Elder Haisen."

He turned to Kirari with a warm smile. "And thank you too, for everything."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a carefully wrapped bundle. "This is a gift from my hometown. Just a little something to say thanks."

As he spoke, Naoki took out a few bottles of Life Goat Milk and several Poké Blocks from his backpack and handed them to Kirari.

"Thanks again, and goodbye!"

Kirari stood frozen, arms full of unexpected gifts. Before she could even react, she watched as Naoki and his Pokémon disappeared down the path.

...

Poni Island – East of the Ruins of Hope

Using the map app for guidance, Naoki arrived at the ancient site dedicated to the guardian deity of Poni Island, Tapu Fini.

The Ruins of Hope stood quietly beneath the afternoon sun. Ancient stone pillars, half-wrapped in moss and flowering vines, formed a weathered circle on the cliffside overlooking the endless sea. The only sounds were the distant crash of waves and the occasional cry of a Wingull circling high above.

Naoki calmly scanned the area, but there was no sign of Tapu Fini.

He frowned thoughtfully, trying to recall everything he knew about the elusive guardian.

From what he remembered, Tapu Fini was very different from Tapu Koko. It didn't enjoy battling, nor did it seek out trainers to test. Instead, it held a deep reverence for the natural land of Poni Island and took its role as protector very seriously.

In fact, in the anime, Tapu Fini had once become furious when Ash and Kiawe battled too recklessly near the ruins. Their Pokémon's attacks damaged the surrounding terrain, and in retaliation, Tapu Fini summoned a thick mist that trapped them both until they learned their lesson.

That memory sparked a realization in Naoki's mind.

If Tapu Fini reacts so strongly to conflict…

He snapped his fingers. "That's it!"

If he staged a battle, just enough of one, it might draw Tapu Fini's attention.

Wasting no time, Naoki reached for one of his Poké Balls and released a Pokémon in a flash of white light.

Out popped Pawmot, blinking in confusion at its new surroundings. "Pawmot?"

For this journey, Naoki had brought only four Pokémon with him: Koraidon, Pawmot, Dragonite, and Gogoat. The rest were relaxing back at the ranch.

"Pawmot, I want you to have a sparring match with Koraidon," Naoki said.

Both Pokémon's eyes went wide.

"Pawmot?!"

"Agah?!"

"Don't worry, it's just for show," Naoki whispered. "We're not having a real battle. I just need you two to pretend to fight, use weaker moves, and avoid damaging the ground."

Understanding flickered in both their eyes.

"Pawmot…" Pawmot let out a relieved sigh, shoulders drooping.

Koraidon huffed but gave a nod.

"Alright," Naoki said, stepping back. "Let's begin!"

"Pawmot!"

"Agah!"

Pawmot rushed forward, swinging its small paws like little hammers. Koraidon squared his stance, meeting the charge with a clenched fist.

The two Pokémon clashed with a booming thud.

Koraidon and Pawmot exchanged a subtle glance, both instantly in sync.

The next moment, a weak jolt of electricity sparked from Pawmot's body, wrapping around Koraidon's frame with a zap!

"Agah!" Koraidon let out a dramatic cry.

But the electricity had no real bite to it.

Pawmot had only used Thunder Shock, a low-power move with barely any force behind it.

Watching Koraidon flinch so dramatically, Pawmot rolled its eyes. "Pawmot…" it muttered under its breath, unimpressed.

Koraidon snarled for effect, then turned and launched a "Close Combat"—light on actual force—knocking Pawmot backward.

Despite the display, Koraidon had used only a fraction of its strength. Pawmot landed with a light tumble and, remembering Naoki's instructions, flopped dramatically onto its back with a pained expression.

"Pawmoooo~!"

Koraidon blinked. "Agah…" (Was that too much?)

Naoki watched their performance with quiet amusement, but soon turned his attention to the ruins around them.

At first, everything remained still.

But gradually, a fine mist began creeping across the ground, curling up from the edges of the ruins.

It was working.

Tapu Fini is coming.

Naoki's eyes lit up. He gave a subtle nod. "Good work. Keep going, both of you!"

In the shadows beyond the stone pillars, Tapu Fini watched silently, its eyes glowing with restrained fury.

These two Pokémon were scuffling right in the sacred ruins, disturbing the land it had sworn to protect!

Such behavior must be punished.

"Fini!" it cried, its voice echoing like a drop in still water.

Instantly, the mist thickened, rolling in waves through the air.

It expanded rapidly, cloaking the ruins in an ethereal fog.

"Pawmot! Koraidon!" Naoki called out. The fog closed in fast, blanketing everything in pale white.

He shielded his eyes and looked around.

The ruins had vanished in the mist.

He shouted again, louder now. "Pawmot? Koraidon?!"

But there was no reply.

They were only a few meters away, and yet completely out of reach.

Naoki's heart dropped. He broke into a sprint, running blindly through the mist in the direction they had been standing just moments ago.

Minutes passed, still no sign of his Pokémon.

Then, without warning, something strange appeared ahead.

A faint, glowing doorway shimmered into view, hovering in the mist like a mirage.

Naoki froze. "What… is that?"

—

Elsewhere, Tapu Fini suddenly staggered mid-air, eyes wide.

Something was wrong.

The mist it had summoned was no longer under control.

Its power, manipulated and twisted by an unknown force, was spiraling beyond its will.

"Fini…?" Tapu Fini whispered in shock, staring at its trembling hands. A cold wave passed through its core.

Then—

A voice echoed.

Deep. Calm. Powerful beyond understanding.

"Do not worry. I'll take it from here."

"Fini?!" Tapu Fini spun in the fog, startled, scanning its surroundings. But there was no one.

"I'm right here," the voice answered again, gentle but undeniable.

Tapu Fini turned to the side, and its eyes widened.

There, standing tall and radiant within the mist, was a figure cloaked in divine light.

Its presence alone calmed the space around them. The weight of its aura pressed against the air like the force of time itself.

It was… holy.

A presence so grand, Tapu Fini's heart quivered with awe.

For a moment, it recalled another brilliant being from long ago—Ultra Necrozma, the Radiant One.

But this was different. Even more ancient. Even more absolute.

It could only whisper, voice trembling, "Fini…?" (Who… are you?)

The being did not turn to look, but its words rang clearly across the mist:

"My name is Arceus. The one who created this world."

...

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