ZAC VS FERNANDO

TAPU TO ME ABOUT IT

FERNANDO DOESN’T NEED TO FOLLOW ZAC’S FINGER. There can only be one person he’s referring to. It’s a bond once lost to time, reawakened by the return of their legends.

The relationship they share go beyond their title as AQUA colleagues. Their ties are bound by their proximity–tied to the idols that protect the Hoenn isles. Just because they don’t act upon it doesn’t mean their benefactors won’t.

“Indeed.”

Fernando accepts with a nod as he clasps his hands together. At once, the MISTY TERRAIN whirls around him like a cloak. It thickens turning vapor into a more steady fog. Once the curtain becomes opaque the Tapu’s silhouette forms, summoning it from its domain.

“Did those question I answered ever shed some light on your avatarship, Ramsey?”

His Tapu Fini hones in on the Tapu Bulu when it finally appears. The men, and everything else as far as it’s concerned, become secondary. An expressionless face slowly contorts into a scornful scowl as the Legendary sends a jolt of NATURE’S MADNESS to prick it's fellow Tapu awake. As the eldest, by-the-books sister, it breaks character in order to set its sibling straight.

With the unexplained exception of Lulu Flint, Fernando’s only seen Tapu Fini show any semblance of emotion twice. The first was between illeana reyes and Tapu Lele, an obvious giveaway considering their connection. This makes the second time and reaffirms Fernando’s hypothesis that Tapu Fini does indeed have a personality.

It only surfaces among those it knows.

Zac Ramsay

ZAC VS FERNANDO

TAPU TO ME ABOUT IT

FAIR ENOUGH. That’s the wonderous thing about Pokemon. Despite how they’re clumped together by their species and backgrounds, they’re still individuals. Just like humans, each experience differs. And Fernando notes that, somewhat interested in the dynamics of other avatars as well as the Tapus in general.

“Interesting; I assume we have more differences than similarities but that comes with all things.”

The interaction between the Tapus is the focal point of his attention as Fernando breaks into a muted smile. His attachment to his own Legendary is unique in that he doesn’t share the same sentiments of his fellow Avatars. Tapu Fini is not something to be worshipped or obeyed. It is a partner but one he is willing to sever should they ever conflict.

“Truth be told, I’ve only seen Tapu Fini react that way with Tapu Lele. Must be due to their kinship,” he proposes, interested but unamused by the display.

Tapu Fini’s furrowed eyebrows only deepen as it feels Bulu’s extension scrap against its shell. With a raise of its hands, it lets out a shrill cry, motioning for the Pokemon to finally get up. From an observer’s viewpoint, it may look like it’s trying to arouse Bulu into engaging with it, but the message between Tapus goes deeper than that.

It wants Tapu Bulu to step up and take a bigger role in the world, like Koko.

Zac Ramsay

ZAC VS FERNANDO

TAPU TO ME ABOUT IT

TAPU FINI KNOWS WHAT TO EXPECT. They’re siblings. No matter where life takes them or how long they stay apart, their origin remains the same. It’s the core tenet of their personality. The length of their prison sentence bondage with humans are mere sands in the hour glass compared to their shared existence.

And yet it seems surprised. Annoyed and enraged even. The light tickles from earlier escalate into a scolding lash of NATURE’S MADNESS, using the bolts to prod the Pokemon into action much like a rancher with a brand.

Refusal to comply is met with corporal punishment doled out by the eldest.

Zac Ramsay

ZAC VS FERNANDO

TAPU TO ME ABOUT IT

A RISE TO ACTION IS SEEN AS OBEDIENCE. The language of the island deities goes beyond human understanding. Where foliage sprouts so too does Tapu Fini’s MISTY TERRAIN. Sprinkles of light flow between blooming flowers, visualized pollen that radiates as the scene unfolds.

Fernando perceives no real meaning behind it but is content with mere observation.

As the flower rescind they too are replaced with the specters of expired faces. Some are familiar while others not so much. They’re no more than an after image, one last farewell from those that have died on Hoenn soil, before they recline back to whence they came.

“No,” Fernando answers in a hushed whisper. “I’ve always had difficulties telling them apart.”

His early years in Hoenn are crystal clear. He can still smell the thick earthy scent of Petalburg Woods. Sparse memories of picking herbs with persephone amavi still stain his heart but he closes it off by force. It doesn’t hurt as much now.

Tapu Fini seems pleased by the sudden turn of events. Even a peek of a smile emerges from its sturdy shell, a momentary glance of what lies beyond the standstill stare it sports so commonly.

Zac Ramsay

ZAC VS FERNANDO

TAPU TO ME ABOUT IT

“…”

Fernando is silent during his own moment of awe. His face never betrays the strict flatline the Ex-Councilman is known for. Wonder is meant to flourish from within. He keeps it bottled within the security of his own mind, trusted with the warranty of a bank’s safety deposit box.

“Me neither.”

His response is muted in comparison. It tapers off with the display, brushed aside by the moment of ‘now’.

Tapu Fini doesn’t so much as react within its shell but the container around it shifts. It tilts at an angle, as if the shell represented a bull’s head. They nudge against each other, rubbing, the sheen of its runic marks glowing in response.

“How’s the tournament been treating you so far, Ramsey?”

Zac Ramsay

ZAC VS FERNANDO

TAPU TO ME ABOUT IT

“INDEED.”

Fernando’s own ratio of battles have swung drastically. Some are domineering victories while others are purposeful defeats. He sits somewhere in the middle as a flexible participant who serves to raise those around him. Just like promised.

“I wasn’t kidding about seeking out talent.”

Fernando grins through his defeats. Satisfaction comes from how much lighter his tin of Gym Badges feels. A testament to how many he’s distributed to the onslaught of trainers that seemed even slightly deserving.

“There are so many talented trainers both domestic and foreign. Anyone who met my quota for battling has served me a well fought defeat.”

His smile dampens.

“Not that I can’t still battle.” He turns to the Tapus. “But I suppose it feels kind of wrong to pit them against each other after seeing how they act. I’ve never seen Tapu Fini so… expressive.”

Zac Ramsay

ZAC VS FERNANDO

TAPU TO ME ABOUT IT

“TIME TO SEE WHAT YOU’RE CAPABLE OF, RAMSEY.”

Fernando pulls one of the few Pokeballs on the right side of his belt before tossing it onto the sand ahead. It reveal a small Natu that glares at the Sceptile mischievously.

“Battle routine set!”

Even without proper permission, the Natu takes off. It closes the distance with surprising speed, something thought impossible considering its tiny legs. It runs with a speed uncanny for its species.

“Execute!”

And it dives head first into physical combat, looking to pull away at the last second with a FEINT ATTACK.

Zac Ramsay