Akala Island.
The Ruins of Life—Tapu Lele's dwelling place, revered by the locals as the birthplace of life. One of Akala's oldest ruins, weathered by time and worship in equal measure.
"Lele~"
A pink shell drifted above the hill that overlooked the Ruins of Life. A black upper body. Antennae-like strands of deep pink hair. Those large, glittering eyes.
The Guardian Deity of Akala Island—Tapu Lele.
Lele stared into the distance, gaze bright and restless. Earlier, it had vaguely sensed Tapu Fini slipping off into Tapu Koko's territory.
How odd.
Koko had a nasty temper. Wasn't Fini afraid of getting zapped for fun? Even Lele didn't like provoking Koko. Sure, they were all Guardian Deities of Alola, but Koko's neurotic streak made Tapu Lele keep a careful distance.
And yet…
Tapu Lele's curiosity bubbled up. If Tapu Fini could wander to Melemele, then Lele could probably go out and play too, right?
Tapu Lele—the most innocent and naïve of the four—turned the idea over in its head like a candy it didn't want to swallow yet. Staying on Akala forever was dull. Visiting other islands, checking in on its "colleagues," causing a little harmless trouble… that sounded better.
But then Lele's attention snapped back.
It tilted its head and looked down.
A narrow dirt path cut through the slope below, edged with yellow wildflowers and crawling vines. A young lady in a pale pink long dress walked up the trail at an unhurried pace, step by measured step, heading straight for the Ruins of Life.
Behind her, Metagross floated silently—heavy, steady, and watchful.
"Le-le?"
Tapu Lele rotated in the air, head cocked in open curiosity.
This human was coming for it.
And more than that—Lele could feel it. The sheer amount of psychic energy inside the girl's body.
Tapu Lele didn't carry the same ingrained wariness of humans that Tapu Fini did. Curious by nature, it drifted down from the ruin's height, closing the distance. Up close, the sensation sharpened: the psychic force in this girl wasn't merely "strong."
It was abnormal—greater than what most Psychic-type Pokémon carried.
"The Island Guardian Deity of Akala, Tapu Lele. I am Caitlin. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Caitlin stopped, hands folded neatly in front of her, and offered a faint smile. Her eyes held Tapu Lele's reflection without flinching.
"Le?"
Tapu Lele let out a crisp, questioning chirp. Maybe it was the resonance between psychics, maybe it was Caitlin's manners—but Lele's first impression of her wasn't bad.
"I received word and learned that you appeared at the Ruins of Life, so I hurried over."
Caitlin's voice stayed soft, controlled, almost gentle—like she was speaking in a quiet room rather than standing before a deity.
"I have a goal I must reach. And for that, I need power… real power."
She lifted her gaze, calm but unwavering.
"Though it is presumptuous, would you be willing to become my partner, Tapu Lele? Your power is exactly what I need."
The blonde girl extended the invitation as if it were the most natural request in the world.
"?"
A literal question mark might as well have floated above Tapu Lele's head.
"Lele~ Le-le~"
It blinked, then shook its head—refusal, plain and simple. But because Caitlin hadn't come in shouting orders or flinging Poké Balls, Lele's tone stayed friendly, almost apologetic.
"As expected, you won't agree," Caitlin sighed, not bitter—just matter-of-fact. "In that case, I'll have to use a slightly more forceful method."
"?"
Tapu Lele poked most of its body out from its shell, tilting its head again, as if genuinely asking what exactly she meant by that.
Caitlin didn't hide it.
"Regardless, I truly need you, Tapu Lele. So let us battle."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I will show you everything I am—and the depth of my resolve."
The conviction in Caitlin's gaze came down like a blade. Tapu Lele froze for a second, blinking in surprise.
How long had it guarded Akala? It couldn't even remember. It had watched countless humans pass through these ruins. It had chosen each generation's Kahuna. It had seen pride, greed, courage, desperation.
But this kind of resolve—steady, fierce, unbending—was rare.
If this girl were from Akala, Tapu Lele might have considered naming her the next Island Queen.
But she wasn't.
"Le-le~ (Your Metagross is strong, but it's no match for me. You should go back.)"
Tapu Lele floated a little higher, glancing toward Metagross with a thoughtful tilt of its head. Its temperament wasn't cold like Tapu Fini's. It could be cruel when it wished—but among the four Guardians, Lele was the easiest to approach.
"I understand," Caitlin said, still smiling—small, controlled. "But I want to try anyway."
Her voice didn't waver.
"If I can defeat you, then you will become my partner."
"…Le~"
Tapu Lele scratched its head, visibly conflicted.
But in the end, it didn't dislike Caitlin. And it wasn't as if a Guardian Deity had never accepted a human's challenge before.
"Le-le~"
Tapu Lele drifted backward, rising into the air.
Then the air changed.
Mental ripples spread outward from Tapu Lele like water disturbed by a stone—layer after layer of invisible pressure, smooth and relentless. In the blink of an eye, the ground below shimmered beneath a psychic glow.
Psychic Terrain.
"Psychic Surge?"
Caitlin watched the world shift around her, eyes brightening. Tapu Lele's ability—Psychic Surge. It could deploy Psychic Terrain at will.
Psychic Terrain: For a period of time, the power of Psychic-type moves used by Pokémon on the ground is increased, and Pokémon on the ground are protected from priority moves.
Those were the two most valuable effects: a direct boost to Psychic attacks, and the suppression of priority tactics.
It was common knowledge that most Psychic-type Pokémon hit hard but couldn't take hits well—Alakazam and Gardevoir were classic examples, their physical defense notoriously fragile. A rare all-rounder like Metagross was the exception, not the rule. For "glass cannon" Psychic types, Psychic Terrain wasn't a luxury—it was a lifeline.
"Metagross!"
"Mita!"
Metagross floated in front of Caitlin and dropped down with weight, landing heavily. Its eyes locked onto Tapu Lele without blinking.
"This is… my trial!"
Defeating Tapu Lele and capturing it—this was the first step.
Blue light flooded Caitlin's eyes.
And then her psychic power poured out—no restraint, no hesitation—surging into Metagross like a storm.
Metagross's aura swelled visibly. A deep blue glow ignited in its eyes as well, its presence becoming heavier, sharper, more oppressive by the second.
"????"
Tapu Lele's eyes widened.
It stared at Metagross as its power jumped—straight up, like someone had yanked a lever.
Wait.
Hold on.
Are you seriously buffing your Metagross with your own psychic power… right in front of me?
Like this is normal?
Like this is allowed?