Caitlin felt like her horizons had genuinely expanded today.
The world wasn't completely devoid of trainers who used Legendary Pokémon. Brandon from Hoenn, for example, was said to have captured the legendary giant Regirock.
And then there was Leon's predecessor's predecessor—Mustard, the former Galar Champion. He was the most famous "Legendary trainer" of the era before last, and together with his partner Urshifu, he built an undefeated run that lasted eighteen consecutive years—still unbroken to this day.
Those two were the most widely known trainers in the world to have captured Legendary Pokémon. As for anyone else… Caitlin had never even heard their names.
But today, she was about to witness a third.
Although—
"The forty-ninth."
Caitlin watched in silence as Damian threw another Ultra Ball. Attempt number forty-nine.
That's right. Tapu Fini had broken out of the previous forty-eight.
Caitlin knew catching a legendary wouldn't be easy, but she truly hadn't expected the Poké Ball phase to be this brutal.
Sure, it wasn't unusual for a stubborn wild Pokémon to break out a few times. Three or four tries was usually the upper limit.
Tapu Fini was pushing fifty.
It was ridiculous.
Damian, however, didn't look particularly surprised. Legendary Pokémon had absurd willpower; even their subconscious resistance was heavy.
The Ultra Ball traced a perfect arc and struck Tapu Fini. Tapu Fini dissolved into a streak of red light and was drawn into the ball.
Beep—
Beep—
The Ultra Ball hit the sand and rocked twice, slow and deliberate.
Will it work?
Caitlin watched with her breath held. It was down to the last shake.
Beep—
The ball rocked a third time. The red indicator flickered.
Ding!
A crisp chime—and the Ultra Ball went still.
It worked.
A smile slipped onto Caitlin's face before she could stop it. She was genuinely happy for Damian. He'd finally done it.
"Not bad," Damian said casually. "Tapu Fini—captured."
He walked over, picked up the Ultra Ball, and tossed it in his hand a few times, clearly satisfied.
"Geh heh heh~"
The Shiny Gengar floated over, circling Damian and clapping like a gremlin at a magic show—delighted to have a new companion.
"Congratulations, Damian," Caitlin said as she approached.
"Thanks." Damian flicked the latch. "Alright then—come on out, Tapu Fini."
A flash of white light—
Tapu Fini appeared, sitting in its shell. Its expression was dejected, almost hollow, staring at the ground like its soul had been wrung out.
I actually got captured by a human… ah…
"Don't look so miserable, Tapu Fini," Damian said, as if he were being kind. "Following me won't be that bad."
"Fini?" Tapu Fini glanced up, eyes brightening with a thin thread of hope as it asked something.
"Release you? Impossible." Damian refused without a shred of hesitation. "Don't even think about it. It's not happening."
He'd gone through too much trouble for this. Releasing Tapu Fini was a fantasy.
"Fini! Fini!!"
Tapu Fini grew agitated. Protecting Poni Island had always been its duty.
"Fini, what era do you think this is?" Damian tilted his head, listening to its cries. "Why are you still that naive?"
He had Viridian Power—so he understood perfectly what Tapu Fini was saying.
"?" Tapu Fini stared at him. It felt like Damian was insulting it.
"No one is truly irreplaceable," Damian said calmly. "Not you, not Poni Island. Are you really 'necessary' to each other? Do you absolutely have to be chained together forever?"
"…"
Tapu Fini froze.
"The answer is no." Damian's voice stayed smooth, persuasive. "Is Poni Island really incapable of surviving without you? Give it a chance. Maybe without you, they'll live even better."
He spoke as if he were offering wisdom—leading Tapu Fini along, step by step.
"Fini… fini…"
Tapu Fini fell quiet, though a few unwilling cries still slipped out.
"Relax, Fini." Damian showed a gentle smile. "You're not without a future."
"Even if you've 'lost' Poni Island, you still have me." He said it with complete confidence, like it was a gift. "You can think of me as your new Poni Island."
Damian's tone was righteous enough to be impressive.
Caitlin just stared at him, expression turning strange.
You're really not going to mention why Tapu Fini "lost" Poni Island in the first place, are you?
Tapu Fini's eyes widened. It looked at Damian like he'd just started speaking in a language no human was supposed to know.
Who taught you to talk like that?
"Either way," Damian said, still smiling, "you're my Pokémon now. We'll work well together from here on out—and I'll take you all the way to the top."
He spoke like he was being genuinely sincere.
"Fini…"
Tapu Fini answered weakly. Agree or not, it didn't matter. This human wasn't letting it go.
Tapu Fini felt deeply wronged.
Why do I have to be so charming? Damn it!!
Sometimes, being born with that much elegance was a burden. Tapu Fini was simply too well-liked.
"Good." Damian nodded, pleased. "Good."
"Then from today on, we're partners. I'm looking forward to working with you, Tapu Fini."
"Fini~"
Tapu Fini sounded listless. It had already been in bad shape, and now that it had been "kidnapped," it would've been stranger if it still had energy.
"Go back and rest for now. I'll get you treated in a bit."
Damian returned Tapu Fini to its Poké Ball.
"It seems Tapu Fini isn't very willing," Caitlin said, frowning slightly. The thought of trying to catch Tapu Lele later suddenly felt… more complicated.
"It's been serving as an Island Guardian Deity for who knows how long," Damian replied easily. "It's normal to feel lost after getting captured out of nowhere."
"In cases like this, it depends on us trainers. We just have to win them over—slowly—with our feelings."
"And if they still don't cooperate?" Caitlin asked, curious. She hadn't experienced it herself, but she'd heard the stories.
Some proud Pokémon didn't listen even after being caught. Some would even slack off in battle on purpose.
"Then we use a slightly more…" Damian paused, as if searching for the nicest possible word. "…special method."
His tone stayed calm. Unhurried.
Caitlin's curiosity sharpened.
"Let's use my Tapu Fini as an example."
Damian and Caitlin walked side-by-side along the beach, leaving two sets of footprints in the sand.
"Caitlin," Damian asked, "what do you think Tapu Fini cares about most?"
Caitlin thought for a moment.
"Poni Island?"
"Exactly." Damian nodded, smiling. "For the Tapus, the island they protect comes first. They're Land Spirit Pokémon, after all."
All four Tapus were classified as Land Spirit Pokémon in the Pokédex—no exceptions.
"So it's simple." Damian's smile deepened. "If Tapu Fini refuses to cooperate later, I only need to say one thing."
The corners of his mouth lifted, and something dark slipped into the expression—an unmistakable edge of malice.
"Tapu Fini… you don't want Poni Island to sink, do you?"
Tapu Fini: (°︵°)
Caitlin went still.
She understood.