Night gradually enveloped Alola's spiritual domain, transforming the calm sea into something tinged with an air of mystery and danger.
Roy and Caroline bid each other farewell. Then Caroline and Gardevoir simply vanished, teleporting away without indicating which island they were heading to next.
Roy shrugged. It wasn't really any of his business where they went anyway.
When he arrived at Tapu Fini's dwelling, he found Lucario's chest wound healing gradually under the restorative effects of the scales' powder. The healing properties were working their magic effectively.
Lucario flexed its paws experimentally and felt that the strength in its body had actually increased beyond normal levels.
This scale powder is amazing, Lucario thought admiringly.
The Fighting-type's eyes gleamed brightly, and it appeared to be entertaining some rather ambitious ideas about the powder's potential uses.
Roy, who knew his partner well, patted Lucario's head affectionately and explained the reality of the situation.
"The power boost from the healing is only temporary. You'll still need to train hard during regular practice sessions."
Lucario wasn't discouraged by this news. It understood the fundamental difference between genuine power held in one's own grasp versus strength that could only be accessed through external boosts or enhancements.
Naturally, the former was far more important and reliable.
Besides, according to its Trainer's training methods, Lucario's progress was advancing at a speed visible to the naked eye. Real improvement was happening.
Tapu Fini had recently been feeling rather heartbroken over Caroline's continued indifference toward it. Even the scale powder it released seemed to carry an aura of sadness and defeat.
However, according to what Mew had mentioned, this dejected state was only temporary. After all, they couldn't fully understand the complex world of those who judge primarily by appearance.
By tomorrow morning, Tapu Fini would undoubtedly be bouncing around energetically, seeking out Caroline once again.
To be completely honest, although Caroline's attitude had remained relatively cold for quite some time now, it was simply part of her inherent nature and personality.
Ultimately, the relationship between Gardevoir and Tapu Fini was actually quite good. After all, Gardevoir's appearance ranked very high among Pokémon in terms of beauty and elegance.
Now that Roy and his Pokémon had arrived, Tapu Fini's mood had obviously improved considerably.
"Fini~" it called out cheerfully.
Would you like some tea?
Mimikyu, having just suffered a defeat in battle, was still sulking inside its Poké Ball, stubbornly refusing to accept Tapu Fini's healing scale powder treatment.
"Kyu!" it protested from within.
This little injury? I'll heal it myself by tomorrow morning!
Afterward, no matter what Roy said, Mimikyu remained unwilling to emerge from its Poké Ball.
Roy felt exhausted by the situation and couldn't help thinking that his partner had reached some kind of rebellious phase.
However, the injury was indeed minor—just as Mimikyu claimed, it would naturally recover on its own by the following morning.
So Roy decided not to continue trying to persuade the stubborn Ghost-type.
But when Tapu Fini mentioned tea, Mimikyu seemed to activate some kind of strange internal switch.
The entire Poké Ball began wobbling violently, as if experiencing intense emotional turbulence from within.
Roy naturally understood exactly what had made Mimikyu so agitated and angry, but he chose not to voice it aloud. He simply poked the shell of the Poké Ball gently with one finger in a calming gesture.
The Poké Ball gradually stabilized and stopped shaking.
Meanwhile, Ninetales had obviously received Mimikyu's distressed signal. The Ice-type walked over and took Roy's collar delicately in its mouth, beginning to pull him toward the exit.
Faint anger flashed in Ninetales's light blue eyes, as if it felt very wary and protective regarding Tapu Fini's offer.
Roy was helplessly led away by Ninetales. Watching Tapu Fini's deliberately sad expression, he waved somewhat helplessly as a farewell gesture.
This situation has suddenly become quite difficult to navigate... Roy thought to himself as he climbed onto Salamence's back.
Salamence was still wondering why Roy and the others were leaving so soon after arriving.
However, when the Dragon-type met Ninetales's angry eyes, it wisely shut its mouth and asked no questions.
Although Salamence didn't know exactly what had transpired, keeping quiet was absolutely the right choice in this situation.
Salamence flapped its powerful wings vigorously, climbing upward with determination, trying to escape the current suffocating atmosphere among the Pokémon.
Salamence waited carefully until there were no other Pokémon visible in the sky around them before finally speaking.
"Mence?" it rumbled curiously.
What happened back there?
I've never seen Ninetales with such a fierce expression before.
Roy sat comfortably on Salamence's back. He didn't even need to look to know what kind of curious, questioning eyes Salamence had right now.
Roy sighed, unwilling to recall the strange, tense atmosphere from moments ago.
"It's nothing really. We almost had tea, that's all."
"Mence?"
Is Tapu Fini's tea not allowed to be drunk?
"No, quite the opposite. It's apparently too good to drink."
Salamence became even more puzzled by this cryptic answer. Even in its dreams during rest, it would probably ponder this philosophical question about tea and its mysterious implications.
The temperature near the geyser happened to be just right—neither too cold nor too hot—so Roy decided to set up his well-traveled tent in this comfortable location.
"You know, when I was younger, I actually won first place in a tent-building competition..." Roy announced proudly, hands on his hips as he admired his handiwork.
Ninetales nodded attentively while listening to Roy's nostalgic story, whereas Blastoise continued soaking in the water, completely unconcerned with the conversation.
Ah, the ocean... Blastoise thought contentedly.
Maybe it hadn't been so obvious before encountering the sea, but now Blastoise genuinely wanted to soak in the ocean for twenty-five hours out of every twenty-four-hour day if such a thing were possible.
Blastoise's stubby legs paddled through the seawater leisurely, one stroke after another. Salamence watched with obvious envy at the Water-type's relaxed demeanor.
If it weren't for needing to protect our wings from the salt water, we'd like to play in the water too, Salamence thought wistfully.
After Salamence rejected the tempting allure from the aquatic devil Blastoise for what felt like the hundredth time, it resolutely retreated to the edge of the geyser instead.
Blastoise watched as Salamence stuck its rear end toward the water and responded by firing a tiny Water Gun that sprayed seawater directly onto Salamence's face.
Salamence helplessly wiped the water droplets off its face with one large palm, then carelessly flapped its wings in retaliation.
Oh... so seawater really is salty, Salamence realized with mild surprise.
Lucario sat beside Roy's tent, continuing to fulfill its self-appointed role as a vigilant guard.
Although the nearby wild Pokémon had already been thoroughly dealt with when Mimikyu had gone looking for one-on-one duels that morning—meaning no wild Pokémon were willing to come anywhere near and risk confrontation—Lucario still maintained its long-standing habit of keeping watch.
Truly, dogs were mankind's best friend!
Roy rubbed Lucario's head affectionately twice before saying goodnight to everyone.
Ninetales walked slowly forward after the usual goodnight routine and also approached the geyser's edge.
However, unlike Salamence's experience, Ninetales had a completely different relationship with this spot. While Salamence felt the flow of air currents around it during sleep and was destined to rest somewhat restlessly, Ninetales fell into a very deep, meditative state of Calm Mind. It would wake the next morning feeling completely refreshed and rejuvenated.
Electivire practiced alone for a while on the open plain where it wouldn't disturb the others, then finally fell asleep while leaning against the trunk of a large tree.
In the early morning hours, the seaside was always filled with thick fog that obscured visibility.
The sleeping Blastoise moved its legs uneasily, suddenly feeling disoriented as consciousness returned. It felt like it had drifted somewhere during the night.
Blastoise looked around with growing concern and discovered itself floating alone on the open sea, completely surrounded by heavy fog. The mist was so dense that the Water-type couldn't see where it was or determine any sense of direction.