The Plasma Team's confiscation work proceeded methodically, and Ace, having distanced himself from the situation, did not have to worry much about the handling of those individuals.
It was regrettable, however, that Little Green, as the catalyst for the incident, had to return to the Pokémon League first for the investigation.
Reluctantly, Little Green's vacation was temporarily cut short, and she returned to the League with Cynthia and Alder.
Ace watched them leave, and after a slight sigh, he didn't linger at Wela Volcano Park but turned back to the Listen-to-the-Waves Hotel.
Three days later, Ace had finished resting. Riding on Lapras, he arrived at Poni Island.
As the westernmost island of the Alola region, Poni Island features complex geographical environments such as canyons, beaches, and geysers.
Ace stepped onto the Seafolk Village Ruins of Poni Island while watching a geyser erupt.
"It's really hot."
Ace recalled Lapras, and feeling the humid and steamy environment around him, he spoke his mind.
With the high temperatures accompanied by the geysers, the air humidity around was extremely high. A large amount of water was evaporating. As Ace walked towards the Seafolk Village Ruins, the swirling vapor gradually thickened into dense fog.
Noticing the reduced visibility, Ace opened a Premier Ball, and Crobat fluttered its wings to land on Ace's shoulder.
"Crobat..."
Ace murmured softly. Crobat nodded towards Ace. As soon as it appeared, it sensed that something was amiss in the surroundings.
Closing its eyes, ultrasonic waves, inaudible to human ears, rapidly transmitted out from Crobat's mouth in all directions.
Crobat used the ultrasonic waves to quickly gauge the surrounding situation.
But as the waves reflected back, Crobat frowned slightly, an expression of disbelief on its face.
Ace saw Crobat's expression and instantly understood. He looked around and smiled at the thick fog. "It seems the [Trial] has already begun."
Crobat opened its eyes and let out a small, apologetic cry towards Ace.
Its ultrasonic waves were being interfered with by a strange force; it couldn't distinguish the surroundings at all.
The dense fog before them was like a prison, trapping them.
Ace stroked Crobat's head, not overly concerned that Crobat couldn't discern the surroundings.
After dealing with the Plasma Team, Ace had rested for three days. During these three days, Ace had specifically sought out information about the four Guardian Deities.
Tapu Fini is the Guardian Deity of Poni Island, manipulating water, and is revered by the people for dwelling deep within the dense fog.
Although called a Guardian Deity, it sometimes brings terrible disaster upon those who carelessly approach. It can control water to attack, and ocean currents are its source of energy. However, it dislikes being harmed in battle, so it tends to generate dense fog to confuse its opponents and cause them to self-destruct.
The current dense fog was Tapu Fini's handiwork, and its purpose was to block Ace's advancement.
However, having spent three days preparing, Ace was not caught off guard; the current situation was well within his scope of consideration.
Ace had a way to deal with this type of dense fog.
A Premier Ball opened, and Ninetales elegantly appeared beside Ace.
Feeling the scorching heat emanating from Ninetales, Ace smiled slightly and instructed, "Ninetales, burn away this fog for me."
Ninetales looked at Ace with its crimson eyes and nodded. Its nine tails swayed, and in an instant, a vortex of flames enveloped Ace and the Pokémon.
The high heat spread rapidly as the flame vortex expanded outwards. The moisture in the dense fog encountered the high temperature and was instantly evaporated. The previously thick fog was quickly being dispersed!
"Woo!"
Following a low cry from Ninetales, the flame vortex dissipated, and the surrounding fog vanished completely.
However, a large amount of dense fog quickly began to surround Ace and his Pokémon again. In a location so close to the sea, drawing water vapor to form dense fog was far too easy for Tapu Fini.
But Ace wasn't foolish either. Another Premier Ball opened, and Gardevoir appeared beside Ace, placing her right hand on his shoulder.
A Green light flared in Ninetales' crimson eyes, immediately interrupting the power that was attempting to interfere with Ace and his Pokémon.
Seizing the opportunity, Gardevoir performed an instant Teleport, bringing Ace directly to the entrance of the Seafolk Village Ruins. Ace immediately recalled Ninetales.
Sensing that Ace had broken through its dense fog, the mist that had been surrounding them paused in place.
Within a few breaths, the fog slowly dispersed. This signified that Tapu Fini acknowledged Ace's method of passing.
Just as Ace was about to step into the Seafolk Village Ruins, Tapu Fini flew out first.
Tapu Fini floated in the air, observing Ace. Its pale blue eyes were filled with intelligence and gentleness.
Tapu Fini nodded towards Ace, slowly bringing its hands together. Soon, a ball of water materialized between its hands out of thin air.
A heavy sensation of moisture washed over Ace. While Ace was still a little stunned, Tapu Fini flew over to him. Raising its hands, the condensed water sphere was lifted by Tapu Fini, and then poured over the top of Ace's head.
"..."
Feeling the stream of water cascading down his head, Ace was speechless for a moment, but he quickly realized something was amiss.
Looking at the small water sphere, which was only the size of a fist, the amount of water flowing out was far greater than it appeared.
A large volume of water flowed down Ace's head but did not fall to the ground. Instead, it enveloped Ace, quickly pushing Crobat out and leaving only Ace floating inside a giant sphere of water.
There was no sensation of suffocation; instead, Ace could breathe freely underwater.
A feeling of coolness swept over his entire body. Ace felt his whole being was suddenly purified at this moment. A dull gray impurity was even caught up by the water flow and expelled outside the water sphere.
"Splash."
Soon, the water sphere shattered, and countless streams of water converged back into the small water sphere in Tapu Fini's hands.
Feeling refreshed, Ace looked towards Tapu Fini.
Tapu Fini nodded at Ace, said nothing further, and returned to the Seafolk Village Ruins.
Ace looked at his soaking wet clothes and chose to submit the completion of the trial.
Immediately, the moisture on Ace's clothes disappeared, and at the same time, the system prompted that a new title had been acquired.
But that wasn't the focus!
The important thing was that Ace looked at his body strength; his physical durability had increased by 5 points from its original base!
Ace recalled the information he knew.
Legend says that Tapu Fini can create special water that purifies the body and soul and removes impurities. But to obtain this Water of Purification, one must endure the fog created by Tapu Fini and earn its acknowledgment.
Clearly, the legend was true.
And Ace had earned Tapu Fini's acknowledgment.
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
I only share the most exquisite and beautiful novels. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon DaoistWujinzi