Having split up throughout the dungeon to figure out what dwells within, many groups headed to see what secrets and types of creatures lived in this underwater paradise.
"While this is a coral garden, we aren't actually underwater. This place seems bone dry...save for a few puddles." Twilight said.
"Yeah...so you keep saying." Theo said.
"Even so, best to expect the unexpected." Leon said.
Just then, jumping out of the water were multiple fish-like humanoids as they looked at the group.
"Mermen." Shanoa said.
"What brings humans to the Coral Vault?" one merman asked.
"Us? Um… Just a bunch of travelers passing through." Scott said.
"Yes...humble travelers who have only come to...take in the scenery?" Kazuma asked. "I swear, we're cool, not here to break anything."
"Ah...Fresh Meat then." Another merman said. "GET THEM!"
"You've left me no choice… Maziodyne!" Scott said as he summoned Caesar. Caesar summoned a massive lightning storm that heavily damaged the mermen.
"We really didn't want to have to do that. You guys seem really nice." Theo said.
"Does every single thing that lives in a dungeon want to try and kill us?" Kazuma asked.
"Not everything, Kazuma. Remember that Library?" Scott asked.
"Yeah...the golems just wanted to crush us before tossing us out." Pinkie said.
"Only because Subaru vandalized one of the books that was about to be stolen. He was pretty much in the wrong there." Dynasmon said. "But still, this is one act I wish could've been avoided."
"Why did they even want to eat us? Those mermaids up top seemed chill." Bow said.
"I've had history with Mermen like these ones, they're known to live near the shore and hunt for their prey." Shanoa said, firing a lightning strike at another merman.
"Hmm...makes you wonder what other dangers lie here." Sheer said.
Elsewhere near the red corals…
"This coral is so pretty!" Nuna said.
"Jewels of the Sea, Nuna. It's the reason why we have to preserve stuff like this from invasive species trying to overfeed it." Hope said.
"This coral, this universe...This is why I was created. To help keep the oceans pure like this." Leviathan said.
"If Tapu Fini was still with us, I'm sure she would agree." Fulgore said.
"Definitely." Leviathan said, taking his hand.
"Wait, you mean you actually fought alongside the Guardians of Alola?" Rayleigh asked.
"We did. But unfortunately, with the damages dealt by Acnologia and Galeem, they had to return to Alola after the Inheritance War." Fulgore said.
"Though during the Rift Redux, Tapu Koko came and helped us resolve it." Leviathan said. "Though they are busy with their duties on Alola now, they'd always take a chance to come and help us if we ever needed them."
"Yeah...but it's not like we need them right now." Oshawott said before jumping from behind some coral were strange fish like creatures wielding spears. "What are these things?"
"They're called sahagins." Rayleigh said.
"I didn't think these things were native to this universe." Fulgore said.
"Maybe this dungeon draws in aquatic creatures from all over." Totodile said.
"There are so many aquatic creatures around here, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case." Rayleigh said.
"Least since they're all sea creatures...they all have common weaknesses." Perfuma said as she motioned some kelp to wrap around the creatures.
"Thunder...bolt!" Pikachu called out as he shocked the creatures as they collapsed.
'Nice work, Pikachu." Hope said. "It's safe to say that every creature in this place is hostile."
"You've got that right. And as you can probably tell, a lot of them are weak to lightning attacks." Rayleigh said.
"Can't imagine what everyone else is…" Hope said as the ground shook. "Uh...is there such a thing as seaquakes?"
"Oui. Oui there are." Le Kraken answered. "...Merde."
*Growl*
"Did you guys hear something?" Stahn asked.
"That definitely didn't sound friendly." Kaibara said.
Just then emerging from the water was a giant strange looking sea creature with large claws that had spikes, and a spherical cage as its stomach.
"What the heck is that?!" Hope said.
"It appears to be Georapella...a boss from Final Fantasy X-2." Sunset said.
The Georapella looked at the group as it then let out a soundless roar that vibrated through the cavern, shaking it a bit.
"Guess we found our culprit behind the seaquake." Emil said.
"You think this is the big bad that rules this garden?" Ethox asked.
"I don't think so. But he's definitely a toughie." Rayleigh said, cracking his knuckles with a smirk.
"Get ready." Atro said, drawing Urias.
The Georapella roared before going on the attack, trying to smash them.
"C'mon guys! We gotta stop this guy before he brings the whole cave down on us!" Hope called as he used Discharge Burst, to get a hit in.
"Savage Reaper!" Emil called, swinging upward and slightly launching the Georapella up before a beam of light sent it back down as he finished with a sword thrust.
"Whoa...nice work, guys." Oshawott said. "That really took him down."
The Georapella then glowed as lightning sparked from it before soon disappearing into particles of light.
"Nice and easy." Hope said. "Let's keep looking around this place. We may have to deal with more monsters, but this dungeon sure warrants some exploring."
"And where there are monsters, there has to be something worth this protection." Cobalt said.
"Definitely, let's press on." Ryu said.