Chapter 64: Family Lost and Family Found

Although she was offered a room at Aether Paradise, Hapu respectively declined. As much as she wanted to be there for her friends during their tough time, she didn't want her grandmother worrying about her. Besides, there was something she had to do.

Hapu remained silent as her Mudsdale trotted over the rocky terrain. At last, they reached her destination: The Ruins of Hope. Hapu hopped down, tying her ride Pokemon to a small tree.

"I won't be long, Mudsdale. Just hang tight."

Mudsdale nodded his head in understanding, giving Hapu a gentle nuzzle before she left. Taking a boquet of flowers out of her bag, Hapu kneeled before her grandfather's grave and placed them.

"Sorry I've been gone. Something came up. A certain something we both know all too well."

Hapu sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Don't worry, we stopped them. But... I'm worried that its not the end. I know I should be celebrating, but I can't help but feel like this isn't the end of the story. Like if I close my eyes for one second they'll be back. I could really use you right now. I want to be strong, but..."

By this point, Hapu couldn't contain herself and broke down crying, burying her face in her hands.

"I'm scared! I'm scared for me, for grandma, for Alola, for everything! I don't want to lose everything I hold dear to my heart, but I'm scared that I'm not strong enough to do it! I'm not like you, no matter how much I was!"

At this point, her sobbing reduced to quiet tears.

"Why? Why did you have to die? You were the Kahuna we needed, and now you're gone! Tapu Fini is gone! And now..."

Hapu's ranting was interupted by a strange light emitting from the cave. Surprised, Hapu picked herself up and followed it. Inside, she found, much to her surprise, Tapu Fini hunched over in a trance.

"Tapu Fini? Is that you?"

The Guardian deity looked up in shock, smiling sadly at her old friend before returning to its trance. Hapu walked over, noticing that it appeared to be looking at a very specific carving.

"Oh. You're thinking about him too, huh?"

Tapu Fini nodded, but didn't take her eyes off the wall.

"Do...do you still blame yourself for his death?"

Tapu Fini remained silent, but tears began to form on her face.

"He made the choice. He saw a threat to Alola and he dealt with it the best way he knew how. There was nothing you could've done to stop him. You're not responsible for his actions."

The Guardian didn't even budge. Hapu sighed, knowing how her old friend felt.

"I know. It doesn't make it better. Honestly, I used to hate him for doing that. He had a family to take care of and he just left us! But over time, I came to understand that he did it so I could have a future. So all of us could have a future. Maybe...maybe this all happened for a reason."

Tapu Fini sat motionless for a moment, taking Hapu's words in. At last, she rose up and gave Hapu a big hug, her mind at ease. Hapu giggled and happily returned it.

"I've missed you too, old friend."

Tapu Fini fell silent, as if making her mind up about something, before nodding and disappearing deep into the ruins. When she returned, she gave Hapu special gift: A Sparkling Stone. Hapu knew this could mean only one thing.

"M-Me? You want me to be the next Kahuna?"

Tapu Fini nodded, and Hapu could tell that she wouldn't take no for an answer. Not that Hapu would even consider saying no.

"I happily accept!"

The two friends shared a big hug, happy to be able to move forward. Now Hapu couldn't wait to see her friends again. Ash will certainly be in for a surprise!