Chapter 1172: Tapu Lele's Late-Night Visit
After parting ways with Tapu Bulu, Yuga took another stroll around the forest, but after a considerable walk, he found no more high potential Pokémon and had to return to Paniola Town.
As soon as he returned to the hotel, the front desk receptionist informed him that someone was looking for him. It turned out to be people from the Aether Foundation, inviting him to visit Aether Paradise the next day.
It was clear that the Aether Foundation hadn't given up on the Ultra Space project; the invitation to tour Aether Paradise was just a pretext.
Yuga didn't refuse their invitation, as maintaining a good relationship between the League and the Aether Foundation was still necessary. After all, the League was currently establishing a branch in Alola, and the Aether Foundation's support would be invaluable.
After sending the Aether Foundation representatives away, Yuga returned to his room and took out two Innovation Potion, intending to use them on Meowth and Rockruff.
Since he'd officially captured Meowth and Rockruff, it was time to help improve their potential, as neither of them had inherited their parents' high stats. Especially Rockruff, who had the Own Tempo ability—if it stayed at yellow potential, that would be such a waste.
Yuga released Rockruff and Meowth from their Poké Balls, handing each of them with an innovation potion and watching as they gulped it down, closing their eyes in prayer.
Please let the luck be good!
The chance for a yellow potential Pokémon to advance to green potential with the Innovation Potion was only forty percent, so it depended heavily on luck.
A few minutes later, Yuga opened his eyes and used his Insight ability to check on the two little ones, and a relieved smile spread across his face.
Luck was on his side; both Meowth and Rockruff had reached green potential.
"Fantastic!"
Yuga picked them up, one on each side, and kissed them on their little faces, leaving the two still-confused Pokémon bewildered.
"Let's go shopping and reward the two of you!" said Yuga cheerfully.
Although they weren't sure what exactly had happened, Meowth and Rockruff were thrilled at the idea of a reward, they were bouncing up and down excitedly and each of them voicing requests for what they wanted him to buy.
When they had previously wandered the streets, both Rockruff and Meowth had often envied other Pokémon who went shopping with their trainers, and they'd always wanted to try it for themselves.
Money wasn't an issue for Yuga, so once they hit the streets, he bought whatever Meowth and Rockruff wanted. Before long, his hands were full of bags, and the two Pokémon's bellies were round and satisfied.
Alolan Persian, who Yuga had dragged along reluctantly, watched the three of them shopping without restraint. Although it shook its head at their carefree spree, it looked at Yuga with newfound appreciation.
Although Meowth and Rockruff had never lacked food or care when they were with her, they'd never seemed this happy.
She wasn't fond of humans and had lived in the outskirts of Hau'oli City for a long time, rarely coming into crowded places. Watching Meowth and Rockruff enjoy themselves so much, its dislike for humans lessened a bit.
In order to support Rockruff and Meowth, she often had to spend a lot of time away from them, leaving them to wander around in the city on their own. This was the first time seeing its little ones play so freely.
After walking a bit further, Yuga noticed a stall selling popcorn up ahead. He turned his head to Rockruff and Meowth and asked, "Would you like some popcorn? I'll go buy it for you."
"Meow!"
"Woof!"
Even though they were already quite full, Meowth and Rockruff eagerly agreed, more for the thrill of Yuga's generosity than the food itself.
"Alright, wait here; I'll be right back," Yuga said with a smile.
There were quite a few people buying popcorn, and by the time Yuga returned, a good while had passed. But when he came back, he found Alolan Persian, Meowth, and Rockruff surrounded by three strangers.
"What are you doing surrounding my Pokémon?" Yuga's sudden voice startled the three people.
The three of them were dressed in black, with black masks covering their faces, making them look just like street thugs.
"Oh, these three Pokémon are yours, huh? We've got our eyes on them, so hand them over to us!" said the man leading the group.
The way he spoke made Yuga burst out laughing; it sounded like he was trying to rap.
"Hey, our boss is talking to you! Didn't you hear? Hand over the Pokémon already!" said a girl in the group.
The three consisted of a hunchback, a chubby guy, and the girl—all of them looked young.
After the girl finished speaking, her chubby companion tugged at her, and she suddenly realized something, whispering, "Oh, I forgot."
Then she adjusted her tone to match their leader's peculiar style, saying, "Didn't you hear, huh?"
Looking at the three of them, Yuga suddenly recalled that they seemed to be from Team Skull. Despite its intimidating name, Team Skull was essentially just a gang of street thugs.
"If you want my Pokémon, sure. If you can beat me, I'll hand them over to you," Yuga replied with a smile.
After being washed clean, Meowth and Rockruff now looked nothing like strays, so it was no surprise that they'd caught the attention of these Team Skull members.
Feeling looked down upon, the three Team Skull members angrily released their Pokémon, ready to teach Yuga a lesson.
The hunchback sent out a Salandit, the girl a Zubat, and the chubby guy a Garbodor.
Yuga glanced at the three Pokémon and casually asked Alolan Persian, "Think you can handle them?"
"Meow!"
With a graceful leap, Alolan Persian sprang forward, looking disdainfully at the three Pokémon, which infuriated the Team Skull trio. Without another word, they launched their attack.
Alolan Persian jumped lightly, dodging the attacks with ease, then struck Salandit down with a single Sucker Punch, before instantly appearing in front of Garbodor and knocking it down with an Iron Tail.
Seeing this, the Zubat in the air started flapping its wings, trying to flee, but Alolan Persian's Dark Pulse took it down accurately.
"Still interested in my Pokémon?" Yuga asked with a faint smile.
"N-No… not anymore…" the hunchback stammered.
"Then get lost!"
At Yuga's command, the three of them ran away in a panic.
"Gym Leader Shimizu?"
At that moment, a voice sounded behind Yuga. He turned around and saw Professor Kukui while holding a Rockruff in his arms.
"Oh, it's Professor Kukui! What a coincidence." Yuga greeted the professor but kept glancing at the Rockruff in his arms.
...
[ Rockruff ]
Type: Rock
Ability: Own Tempo
Gender: Male
Potential: Indigo
Level: 5
Moves: Tackle, Rock Throw, Thrash
Another Own Tempo Rockruff? Yuga was astonished. Rockruff with Own Tempo should be exceedingly rare—yet here was another one!
It was clear that this was the Rockruff that would eventually belong to Ash. Although it was newly born, it had a indigo potential, far superior to Yuga's own Rockruff.
Of course, Yuga didn't feel disappointed with his own Rockruff; in his eyes, no Pokémon could ever compare to his own.
He had previously wondered if his Rockruff could be the one destined for Ash, but seeing its initial yellow potential, he now knew it wasn't suited to be the protagonist's partner.
"I noticed a commotion here and thought I'd check it out, but I didn't expect to run into you, Gym Leader Shimizu," Professor Kukui explained with a smile.
"Oh, I see. But what brings you to Paniola Town, Professor Kukui?" Yuga asked curiously.
Professor Kukui frowned and replied, "A friend of mine had a Rockruff born recently. Its potential is good, but it has some congenital weaknesses. My friend was worried it might not survive, so he gave it to me, hoping I could try and help it."
"I see!" Yuga noticed that the Rockruff in Professor Kukui's arms indeed looked a bit weak, so he asked, "Could I take a look at it?"
"Of course!" Professor Kukui said, handing Rockruff over.
This Rockruff wasn't shy; not only did it not resist Yuga's hold, but it also opened its wide, curious eyes, observing Yuga with interest.
Yuga held Rockruff in his arms, gently closed his eyes, and began to channel his special ability, directing green energy from his arms toward Rockruff.
"Mmm…"
Under the nourishment of this power, Rockruff closed its eyes and let out a comfortable sigh.
Realizing that his special ability was indeed working on Rockruff, Yuga intensified his energy flow, letting even more green energy pour into Rockruff.
Seeing Yuga radiating such a vibrant life force, Professor Kukui's mouth opened slightly in surprise. It was his first time truly witnessing this ability in action.
Yuga's and Mr. Kuni'o unique abilities weren't exactly secrets, and as one of the league's key professors, Professor Kukui had heard of them, but this was his first time seeing it firsthand.
He found it quite amazing.
For over ten minutes, Yuga stood still with Rockruff in his arms. When he finally opened his eyes, he almost stumbled from exhaustion, barely able to stay standing—luckily, Professor Kukui quickly supported him.
"Are you alright, Gym Leader Shimizu?" Professor Kukui asked worriedly, noticing Yuga's pale face.
Yuga shook his head. "I'm fine; it just took a lot out of me. I'll be alright after some rest." He was still too inexperienced; if his master had been here, they'd have probably healed Rockruff without breaking a sweat, unlike him.
"Rockruff, from now on, you'll be able to grow up healthy and strong!" Yuga said with a smile to the Rockruff in his arms.
Hearing this, Rockruff affectionately nuzzled against Yuga's chest.
Due to his exhaustion, Yuga only chatted briefly with Professor Kukui before returning to his hotel. Professor Kukui wanted to express his gratitude, but Yuga declined.
Feeling unwell, Yuga ordered dinner to his room and didn't leave his room from the afternoon until nighttime. By midnight, he was finally feeling somewhat better and drifted off to sleep.
However, just as he'd fallen asleep, he was awakened by the sound of Rockruff barking outside his window, prompting him to get up and head to the balcony.
Yuga's room was the hotel's most luxurious suite, complete with a large, open-air balcony.
Standing on the balcony under the bright moonlight, Yuga saw a Pokémon floating in midair, its beautiful scales glimmering in the moonlight.
"Lele!"
Seeing Yuga step outside, the Pokémon cheerfully circled above his head, scattering specks of powder that settled on Yuga, accompanied by an innocent, melodious laugh.
The guardian deity of Akala Island—Tapu Lele!
Tapu Lele's sudden appearance made Yuga frown deeply. Because of Cosmoem, these guardian deities simply wouldn't let him be; this was already the third one.
As Tapu Lele flew around, it suddenly turned and fired a Moonblast without any regard for the fact that this was a hotel full of guests.
Boom! An explosion sounded.
Yuga's Gengar and Mismagius emerged from the shadows just in time, combining Thunderbolt and Mystical Fire to barely block Tapu Lele's Moonblast.
"Gengar, Mismagius, find a place with no people!"
Seeing that Tapu Lele had come with hostile intent, Yuga quickly instructed Gengar and Mismagius.
The two Pokémon nodded seriously, lifting Yuga from the balcony and disappearing into the night sky in an instant, with Tapu Lele following close behind.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!!!"
Rockruff barked incessantly on the balcony, the sound cutting sharply through the stillness of the night.
Gengar, Mismagius, and Yuga stopped by the seaside, with Tapu Lele descending to face them, its innocent laughter echoing through the night.
Buzz!
Another Moonblast shot forward, and in the next second, Gengar had completed its Mega Evolution, creating an interdimensional space portal to swallow the Moonblast.
Absorbing Tapu Lele's attack was tough on Mega Gengar; its interdimensional space nearly shattered under the force.
Realizing that Tapu Lele was no easy opponent, Mega Gengar and Mismagius exchanged glances, activating Trick Room and Magic Room. The two space-altering moves overlapped, fused, and formed a new dimension, trapping Tapu Lele inside to prevent it from targeting Yuga directly.
Sensing it had lost contact with the outside world, Tapu Lele curiously floated over to touch the barrier, then used Psyshock to strike it.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The pink shockwaves continuously struck the barrier, and the once-indestructible space shook under Tapu Lele's attack, as if it could shatter at any moment.
Mega Gengar and Mismagius hurriedly launched attacks on Tapu Lele, but in response to their onslaught, Tapu Lele seemed delighted. It happily and cheerfully danced in the air, dodging each move effortlessly.
Bang! Bang!
Mega Gengar's Sludge Bomb and Mismagius's Shadow Ball hit the barrier instead, unable to land a hit on the nimble Tapu Lele.
After evading their attacks, Tapu Lele resumed using Psyshock to strike the barrier, its innocent laughter never ceasing.
What Yuga saw as a battle of life and death was merely a game to Tapu Lele.
Crash!
With a crisp shattering sound, cracks appeared along the barrier, and moments later, the dimensional space collapsed into nothingness.
"Lele!"
With its freedom regained, Tapu Lele soared into the sky. The next second, a silvery beam of Moonblast formed and aimed straight at Yuga under Tapu Lele's control.
The more innocent, the more ruthless! Tapu Lele was now showing Yuga its merciless side.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
bearnard_bear97
bearnard_bear97 I'm sorry, the previous one is wrong chapter, so i ploaded the 5th chapter again.
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