The wind pressure from takeoff sent sand flying everywhere as Dragonite, carrying Lucas on its back, soared up to the top of the cliff in an instant.
Looking out, layers upon layers of wide flat land stretched out, covered in green vegetation Lucas couldn't name. In the very center was a small pond.
As Dragonite slowly descended, Kukui, riding Braviary, also flew up.
"Drago~!"
Once Lucas was back on solid ground, Dragonite's honest voice suddenly rang out. Its gaze was fixed on a wall near the pond, where a Pokémon was laying, sleeping lazily.
The Pokémon's appearance instantly made one think of a bull: it had a massive black body, two thick horns on a red shell, arms like hooves, and a golden bell hanging from its tail.
It was Tapu Bulu, the guardian deity of Ula'ula Island!
Unlike the elusive Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu would often spend the entire day lying in one spot, asleep. Thus, it was the easiest guardian deity to find.
Kukui came to Lucas' side and whispered, "That's the guardian deity Tapu Bulu. It doesn't like being disturbed when it's resting, so we have to wait until it's had enough sleep before it might bother to acknowledge us."
"You know, I once waited three whole days and nights for Tapu Bulu to wake up!"
Kukui recalled his arduous training days, feeling a mix of emotions.
Just as he was about to start a conversation, Lucas pointed at Tapu Bulu with a blank expression and said, "Ah, it's awake!"
Kukui: "!!!"
Seeing Tapu Bulu awaken, Lucas seized the rare opportunity and walked straight over.
Dragonite gave Kukui, whose spirit had deflated, a comforting pat on the back.
Dragonite: respect-saving.jpg
"Moo?"
Tapu Bulu opened its half-closed eyes to look at Lucas. Its eyes were a peculiar blue with an orange line across the iris, exuding a mystical fairy aura.
Unlike the nonchalant Tapu Bulu in the anime toward Ash, this Tapu Bulu's gaze on Lucas, though still a bit lazy, was weighty and serious.
Lucas knew that with most Pokémon, there was no need for fancy tricks or mind games; just honestly state your purpose.
He bowed slightly and said, "Respected island guardian Tapu Bulu, I'm here to ask if my partners can learn 'Grassy Terrain' and 'Rototiller' from you."
Upon hearing this, Tapu Bulu sat up from its reclining position and floated into the air. Though categorized as a land deity Pokémon, all the Tapu can freely fly.
It looked Lucas over with a steady gaze as if assessing him. Tapu Bulu could easily tell locals from outsiders in Alola, and Lucas didn't have the traits of someone long blessed by the island guardians' aura.
Unlike the mischievous but actually conservative Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu wouldn't make things hard just because Lucas was an outsider. In its eyes, all humans were children, whether it was the island king it chose for similarity in personality or the young man behind Lucas whom it vaguely remembered.
Lucas was among the more polite of these children. Since it happened to be almost done resting, it decided to stretch a bit.
When Tapu Bulu noticed the Z-Ring on Lucas' right wrist, it made up its mind.
In a blink, Tapu Bulu dashed in front of Lucas. Dragonite's pupils shrank, and it tensed, but Lucas stopped Dragonite's action.
It turned out Tapu Bulu had no intention of attacking. Once face to face, it pointed at Lucas' right wrist with its cracked hoof, then at itself.
"Moo moo~ moo."
As with the legendary bird before, Lucas couldn't understand Tapu Bulu's words, but the meaning appeared in his mind in a mysterious way.
Tapu Bulu was willing to teach Grassy Terrain and Rototiller, but only if Lucas and his Pokémon could perform a move that moved it.
After saying this, Tapu Bulu found a spot and lay down again, clearly giving Lucas time to prepare.
Not far from Tapu Bulu, Lucas and Kukui sat together, discussing strategies.
The environment was nice, and a beautiful flower field bloomed nearby. Tapu Bulu showed no territoriality.
Lucas released all his Pokémon from their Poké Balls to enjoy the fresh air.
Growlithe and Eldegoss ran off to play in the flower field, with Serperior keeping an eye on them, giving Lucas peace of mind.
Perhaps because the grass near Tapu Bulu was especially lush, Mudbray was surprisingly bold, lazily moving closer to Tapu Bulu to graze.
Dragonite, meanwhile, happily hugged Lucas, who was holding Mimikyu.
"To show a move that moves Tapu Bulu, huh?" Kukui pondered, then confidently said, "Tapu Bulu always gives this challenge to trainers with a Z-Ring."
He looked at Lucas. "Do you know how to use Z-Moves? The usual solution to this test is to perform a Z-Move that satisfies it."
Lucas thought, then nodded. "I remember it's borrowing the power of nature, a decisive move that's very taxing for both trainer and Pokémon. Is that right?"
"You do know." Kukui nodded. Z-Moves are powerful, but if the opponent knows it's coming, they can sometimes dodge or defend, so how you use this trump card is a test of the trainer's skill.
"But you missed one thing."
Kukui's sudden words made Lucas stiffen as he petted Mimikyu—an ominous premonition or an answer he didn't want to face rising in his heart.
"When using a Z-Move, the trainer and Pokémon must perform a full-power pose together. For Mimikyu's Z-Move 'Let's Snuggle Forever,' you not only need high intimacy, but you also have to do this full-power pose."
Kukui pulled his hands together, thumbs and index fingers touching to make a heart.