With the System's guidance, Lucas and Tapu Fini quickly reached the estuary lake at the edge of Poni Grand Canyon.
The place, like the sea, had been reduced to dead water by unchecked pollution.
Recalling the flashes of Xurkitree's dazzling electric light they'd nearly stumbled into several times, Lucas could easily guess—
As long as you could feed all those Xurkitree and even have energy left over to sell, with such ruthless exploitation, nowhere on the island could escape devastation.
To save Tapu Fini's energy for the coming battle, Lucas had put on his breathing mask instead of having the mist constantly purify the air.
But staring into the reeking black water, his mental preparations almost crumbled.
It's hard to imagine what kind of resolve let Tapu Fini keep circling these polluted waters for nearly ten years, never healing, always enduring.
If it were him, the psychological damage from just one year would've been huge.
Taking a deep breath, Lucas looked at Tapu Fini.
"Let's go."
His voice carried an air of grim determination.
Even if the barrier of the bubble could keep out the water and its mysterious contaminants, there was no telling about the smell.
With Xurkitree already bombing the whole island indiscriminately, any other way was even riskier—he was prepared to endure this for now.
Under Tapu Fini's control, a droplet of water swelled into a bubble, enveloping Lucas completely.
"Puka-lay."
Tapu Fini nodded slightly at Lucas, closed its shell, and—with the bubble carrying Lucas—leapt into the water!
After the estuary fell silent, a group of unwanted visitors arrived.
"Boss says Tapu Fini's a Water Pokémon, so it's probably hiding underwater. Split up and use 'Discharge' on the water! If you run out of electricity, return to the plant and recharge!"
Freed from Viren's side, the underlings—immediately growing arrogant—barked orders at the weirdly writhing Xurkitree.
Soon, dazzling electric light filled the area.
—
What's it like moving through polluted seawater?
Lucas felt eminently qualified to answer by now.
A dull, pitch-black, oppressive world—visibility near zero.
Particles thickly suspended in the water, floating slowly in the dim light.
He couldn't say what these particles were, but if he took a sample for analysis, it would ignite a huge scandal.
Fortunately, the Purified Water's reputation held true—it kept all pollution out, even supplying fresh air and keeping any foul odor at bay.
It felt just like playing with one of those Hamster Balls on the city park lake as a child.
The generator's wastewater pipes were easy to find—even without System hints, Tapu Fini immediately brought Lucas to the row of pipes constantly spewing out turbid, foul-smelling liquid.
It remembered this place clearly.
Rage and helplessness flickered in Tapu Fini's eyes.
These pipes—the source of the ocean's pollution—were beyond its means to destroy. An earlier failed attempt had ended in a massive Xurkitree ambush.
Returning here stirred complicated feelings in Tapu Fini.
But with Lucas by its side, Tapu Fini didn't act impulsively. Leveraging its mastery of water, it moved the bubble so stealthily that even the patrolling Xurkitree above didn't notice, quietly entering one pipe and swimming upstream.
Before long, they surfaced into a derelict sewer tunnel.
Grimy walkways flanked both sides; in the middle, filthy water surged toward the sea.
There was no filtering or purification here at all—a major cause of the polluted seas near Poni Island.
Once Lucas stepped out, the bubble popped, its clean water mixing with the filth, momentarily purifying the flow before being overrun by more waste.
Tapu Fini gazed pensively at this, knowing what had to be done next.
Fog poured from Tapu Fini, centered on itself. Sofu's spectral form appeared again.
"There's someone among us who used to work here, who now wants to redeem himself by telling us the way. Let me lead you," Sofu offered, stroking his beard.
Tapu Fini's mist possessed extraordinary powers.
Not just a source of confusion, it could even bridge realms, summoning the departed relevant to people or circumstances.
But Lucas shook his head. "No need, I know exactly where to go."
"But—" Sofu hesitated, glanced at Tapu Fini, but got only a nod in reply.
Seeing their resolve, Sofu, as a being from beyond, acceded.
"So be it. But that person wanted to send you a message: 'Shut down the core and the generator can't keep running.' Hope that helps."
"The core?"
Lucas pondered, closing his eyes to consult the prompt system.
Moments later, enlightenment flickered in his gaze. He thanked Sofu, took Tapu Fini (with the fog withdrawn), and moved away from the current.
Soon they found a rickety stairway leading upward, heavy footsteps just audible from above.
Rather than charge out at once, Lucas unearthed a small, rectangular device with an electronic screen from his bag and handed it to Tapu Fini.
"Here's the plan and instructions. Once we're inside, it's up to you whether to use it."
"Lay-hee."
Tapu Fini, still baffled by Lucas's suggestion, took the device with care.
Seeing Tapu Fini's torn expression, Lucas offered no further explanation—there was no time for lengthy debate.
Gripping a Poké Ball, Lucas took a deep breath and said, "Stay close to me."
Then, without hesitation, he rounded the corner and threw the Poké Ball.
Now began the race against time—there'd be no shortcutting from here on.
The longer it took to find Viren, the more Xurkitree they'd need to face.
"High Horsepower!"
A flash of red appeared. Masked Swampert materialized on the rusted iron landing.
Well-prepared, Swampert stomped so hard the stair groaned, bounded several flights, and met two wandering Xurkitree on the landing.
As Ultra Beasts, the Xurkitree reacted fast—dazzling lights erupting atop their star-shaped heads.
"Lagoo!"
But Swampert was faster. With a roar, its earth-toned arm shot out, seized the nearest Xurkitree, and hurled it at the other!
Bang—!
A heavy crash echoed through the narrow, silent space like thunder—the first definitive shot of the invasion.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three more thuds followed. By the time Lucas and Tapu Fini reached the top, both Xurkitree were sprawled out, knocked unconscious by Swampert's blows, already being retrieved by Ultra Wormholes.
Swampert wasted no time, nodded, then leaped upward like a beast, forging ahead as the vanguard.
With blazing battles all around, Lucas and Tapu Fini continued to ascend, stopping only to change Swampert's oxygen when needed.
—
Meanwhile, the Ultra Wormhole's activation and the missing Xurkitree showed up on the generator plant's monitors.
Jarring alarms blared in the murky darkness.
Scattered catch-teams of Xurkitree immediately abandoned their searches and hurried back to the plant.
"Did those Rattata sneak in through the sewers?"
Inside, Viren's eyes narrowed as he watched the screen—the breach coordinates were right under the generator plant's core.
No wonder bombing everywhere found nothing—they snuck in under our noses!
Viren triggered orders, directing all Xurkitree to converge on a single point.
Then, treating himself to a cup of coffee from his gold-plated machine, he chuckled coldly.
"With this many, it's just ants trying to topple a tree."
—
After about twenty flights of stairs, the main door to the surface—and main access hallway—came into view.
For Xurkitree patrols, the main door had long vanished, allowing Lucas to survey the scene outside.
Thunder and lightning raged above, vast generator cables blanketed the rocks like giant serpents.
Huge numbers of Xurkitree, drawn by commotion, stumbled nearer.
"Puka—"
Tapu Fini glanced at Lucas with worry.
The only way left is to break through.
Lucas's gaze fixed on a gaudy building, utterly mismatched in this gloomy industrial landscape.
Just as the System had indicated: up close, that extravagant style was unmistakable.
"Man, the face of a wicked capitalist is already taking shape in my mind."
He quipped, giving Tapu Fini a reassuring look—then grew serious.
"Swampert—Mega Evolve!"
Tapu Fini stared, surprised, as Lucas tapped his keystone, releasing a radiant beam that linked with Swampert's mega stone.
A blinding surge of light—to further power.
Sparks like electric serpents coursed through the air. The approaching sound of the onrushing Xurkitree's attack was deafening.
Yet Lucas and the now-Mega Swampert stepped forward, not back.
"Earthquake!"
He wasn't intimidated by the incoming horde of Xurkitree and lightning.
"Lagoo!"
Mega Swampert roared, arms raised high, every muscle taut to the limit—like a bowstring drawn to the breaking point.
In the next instant—
Both fists, aglow with earth energy, struck the ground!
Boom—!!!
This was Mega Swampert's full-strength, unrestricted Earthquake.
With an earth-shattering explosion, the entire Poni Grand Canyon trembled.
Webs of cracks erupted, dirt-yellow shockwaves surging forward, sweeping up debris like bullets to smash everything in their path!
Even the gathering lightning couldn't break through the earth's fury.
The foremost Xurkitree didn't even get close to Mega Swampert—they were swallowed in the shockwave, Ultra Wormholes opening above, lighting the gloomy sky.
Tapu Fini, watching, was stunned for several seconds.
Looking at Lucas and the mighty Swampert's backs, Tapu Fini realized: I'll never forget this moment.
All its doubt vanished.
With two more flashes of Poké Balls, Luxray and Dragonite joined the fray.
Realizing what was coming, Tapu Fini instantly expanded the mist.
Following their agreed plan—and to avoid harming Dragonite, it withheld its Misty Surge, deploying only its fog purification.
Immediately, the surrounding air turned fresh and clear. Dust, odor, oppressive air—all swept away, replaced by pure nature.
Unlike in the anime, this fog only covered about 100 meters. But within it, Luxray and friends' powers were now unrestrained.
Mega Swampert had cleared the path to Viren's lair in one fell swoop.
All that remained was to cut through the returning Xurkitree, withstand the onslaught, and strike at the enemy's heart!
Mega Swampert charged ahead, crushing all resistance.
Luxray and Dragonite guarded Lucas and Tapu Fini.
Luxray expertly manipulated electricity, intercepting lightning in the air with explosive force.
Any Xurkitree that managed to get through and escape Swampert's fists found themselves swiftly dispatched by Luxray's hunting prowess.
Dragonite didn't use Extreme Speed—too fast, it would outpace the fog's protection.
Instead, it stayed nearby, providing ranged cover.
Having mastered airflow manipulation from Lugia, Dragonite boosted allies' moves and disrupted Xurkitree with wind.
It unleashed draconic waves, flamethrowers, hydrocannon, and Hyper Beam to pinpoint and scatter the Xurkitree, keeping them at bay.
Still, in the face of endless Ultra Beasts, even Mega Swampert and Luxray got injured.
At such moments, Tapu Fini would cast Heal Pulse to restore them.
Tapu Fini knew with its dual sources of power lost, it was dangerously weak.
It had barely enough energy for supporting and healing, but still managed.
In this way, the team—outnumbered, but advancing steadily with the fog—closed in on the enemy headquarters.
Making such a scene, especially with that full-power Earthquake, of course attracted Viren's notice.
"What's with these maniacs?"
Staring at the screens, Viren couldn't believe what he saw.
How are they getting closer with so many powered-up Xurkitree?
Furious, he slammed the desk, kicking at the floor—only to stop himself, remembering the last Earthquake that had smashed his mug.
"Damn it, where's backup!?"
He barked at his earpiece, venting at his team.
They whined, but answered, "All Xurkitree are returning—just need a little more time."
Even scattered, it took time to regroup.
Inspired, one suggested, "How about you connect the box to the core and use it to open more Ultra Wormholes? Even if they're out of control, more Xurkitree would hunt those guys. With us inside and them outside, how long can they hold?"
Viren's eyes gleamed as he turned to the silver case, then began to laugh maniacally.
"Good idea! Triple your bonus when we're done!"
—
By Lucas's count, and not even including the previous Earthquake, Mega Swampert and Luxray had taken down nearly 200 Xurkitree breaking out.
Dragonite's ranged attacks accounted for about six more.
Now, less than fifty meters from the ornate entrance, even more Xurkitree were crowding in.
Reinforcements poured in, while their own strength inevitably flagged.
At that moment, something unexpected happened.
From the direction of the generator came a roar. A mysterious beam of energy shot skyward, twisting space open—a sinister Ultra Wormhole appeared.
A Xurkitree fell out.
Surprised to see so many of its kind, it quickly joined the fight.
As the beams kept firing, more and more Ultra Wormholes opened above, raining down Xurkitree after Xurkitree into the melee.
Lucas knew that the enemy was making their move.
That beam must be Viren's "legacy" from the Aether Foundation—the Ultra Wormhole box, likely designed by someone related to Faba.
Still—
Lucas twitched, itching to complain about the overpopulation of Ultra Beasts from alternate spaces.
With the rising tide of arrivals and the return of more from across Poni, things were growing dangerous.
If things kept up, it was only a matter of time before they were overrun.
He began preparing his second trump card.
But a grizzled voice interrupted.
"It seems it's time for them to take the stage."
Sofu's specter reappeared, eyes glinting meaningfully.
Them? Lucas blinked.
The next moment, a surge within the fog stunned him—a powerful Kommo-o strode out, eyes blazing, tail beating the ground as its scales rattled loudly.
With a thunderous bellow, Kommo-o unleashed a blue-tinged scale-noise wave that swept dozens of Xurkitree aside!
Kommo-o's signature move—Clangorous Soulblaze!
The muddy Dragonite was startled.
I thought Lucas said only Popplio remained! Where did this within-fog dragon energy come from?
The Kommo-o was just the beginning. Like conjuring something from nothing, more Pokémon emerged from the mist: more Kommo-o, their pre-evolved Hakamo-o, gigantic Ribombee and its bug army, Chargeabug leaders, and dozens more.
As diverse Pokémon joined the fray, even if most could only buy time (with the powerful Kommo-o and Ribombee able to actually defeat a handful), the overall pressure on Lucas's party eased considerably.
Lucas realized: It's Tapu Fini's mist!
Just like Ash, Pikachu, and Litten meeting Stoutland's ghost within Tapu Fini's fog in the Sun & Moon anime, now these Pokémon spirits were fighting for their island.
Swordwu explained: "They all wanted to thank you for guarding Poni all this time, so they came to help."
"If we humans weren't so weak, many would want to fight too!"
"Puka—" (They don't blame me...?)
Tapu Fini's voice trembled.
In fact, aside from summoning Sofu, it had rarely called upon this fog over the past decade—fearing the condemnation of Pokémon lost to its mistakes.
"We never blamed you."
Sofu gently shook his head.
Tears filled Tapu Fini's eyes.
Swordwu turned to Lucas.
"We'll stall things here—Go!"
"Thank you so much."
Lucas nodded, quickly composing himself, then produced a Tera Orb.
"Dragonite, Terastalize!"
Dazzling crystal light crowned Dragonite, transforming it into a Terastal form.
"Now—Hyper Beam!"
At Lucas's command, Dragonite unleashed a beam meters wide, blasting open the locked, reinforced doors while the Pokémon made way for it.
The path ahead, at last, was clear.
Without hesitation, Lucas recalled Mega Swampert and Dragonite, grabbed Tapu Fini, and rushed forward with Luxray.
As they surged ahead, Tapu Fini's mist traveled with them.
The other Pokémon, fading into points of light as the mist receded, watched silently as they left, casting encouraging glances while fighting back Xurkitree.
"Go on, we're at peace now—"
—
Inside, Lucas dashed straight for the generator's core.
No chance of getting lost—no obstacles to block the way.
Weak doors were blown apart by Luxray's electric attacks. On locked ones, Lucas inputted security codes—even those Viren could hardly remember.
Deeper and deeper they went, reaching at last the "core."
With a hiss, the security door opened, revealing the chamber.
"This is—"
At the center, a radiant mass of power, along with a familiar pedestal.
Now they understood how Viren had opened so many Ultra Wormholes and summoned countless Xurkitree.
No wonder the ruins had collapsed!
The "core" here was the sealed Altar of the Sunne energy, able to help Cosmoem evolve into the legendary Solgaleo/Lunala—and its housing.
Lucas's arrival made Viren twitch. Steeling himself, he said:
"To have made it past my Xurkitree is impressive. Name your price! I could buy you another island or a whole region—!"
Viren's pitch was cut short as Lucas nodded to Luxray.
Luxray flashed forward, slamming the Electivire—who'd been readying an attack—into the ground.
Its dark-clawed paw smashed down. Electivire didn't even resist before fainting.
"!!!"
Viren's eyes bulged. "Wait! You want money? I've got plenty!"
"Without your Xurkitree, you're nothing," Lucas replied coolly, producing a sturdy rope.
Under Luxray's deadly glare, Viren was quickly tied to the outer core.
Finally realizing Lucas's intent, Viren panicked, unable to think why Lucas could make it this far—just desperate to escape doom.
"How about I give you half the company? You can be vice-chair—no, chairman! With wealth, we rule the world!"
Lucas ignored him, picked up Viren's device, and shut it down.
"Why make offers now? You're just afraid of dying."
Turning to Tapu Fini, Lucas gestured for it to take out the rectangular device he had given earlier.
The "bomb" he'd intended for excavating Mt. Silver but now, fatefully, prepared for here.
"How to deal with him—it's your decision."