Kukui continued to demonstrate several more moves, ending with a very silly pose.
After this whole display, both Kukui and Lucas fell silent.
But Dragonite and Mimikyu's eyes sparkled with excitement, both interested in the moves and eager to do them with Lucas.
Faced with their expectant gazes, Lucas broke out in a cold sweat.
Don't look at him with those sparkling, expectant eyes!
He felt that if he said the poses were embarrassing, Dragonite and Mimikyu would definitely look hurt.
After receiving a full set of Z-Move gear, Lucas had always dreaded the day he'd have to do this silly dance, but he never expected it to come so soon.
Between hurting Dragonite and Mimikyu or himself, Lucas hesitated for a second and chose to hurt himself—he couldn't bear to let down his adorable Pokémon.
Practicing the full-power pose took less than ten minutes, and Lucas was confident he and Mimikyu had the intimacy needed for the Z-Move.
The only setback was learning that only Mimikyu could use its Z-Move, so Dragonite, unable to participate, sat down sadly and cried like a baby.
After Lucas comforted it, Dragonite reluctantly accepted the option of following behind him and mimicking the moves.
—Dragonite was still less than a year old, so a little moodiness was normal.
Once ready, Lucas approached Tapu Bulu to say he was prepared, only to find Tapu Bulu already awake and talking to Mudbray, who was pawing at the fertile earth where Tapu Bulu was lying.
Mudbray used its hooves to dig, the loose earth easily moved by its strong legs. A glow of earthy yellow flashed as the soil became even softer, its gaps increased for plant root breathing, and the Rototiller move enriched the earth, making it even better for plant growth.
After using Rototiller, Mudbray looked up at Tapu Bulu, as if seeking its opinion.
Tapu Bulu clapped its hooves together in applause, then floated upside down, plunging its horns into the earth and using a Rototiller as well.
A brighter yellow light flashed, and the soil enriched by Tapu Bulu's Rototiller radiated a restrained glow.
Lucas and Kukui looked closer. The soil had turned an unusual black pearl color under Tapu Bulu's influence.
Kukui was unfazed, while Lucas couldn't help but exclaim, "Black soil!?"
Tapu Bulu could transform ordinary soil into black soil, the kind called black gold and the world's most fertile land in Lucas' previous life!
Kukui scratched his head matter-of-factly. "Forgot to mention, besides resting, Tapu Bulu likes to go around Alola using Rototiller, so this kind of earth is pretty common here."
Lucas admitted he was impressed—no wonder Alola's resources were so rich, it was all thanks to Tapu Bulu.
He really wanted to recruit Tapu Bulu for his own farm.
"Moo moo, moo, moo moo moo!"
Tapu Bulu enthusiastically explained something to Mudbray, but since it wasn't talking to Lucas, he couldn't understand.
Anyway, Mudbray used Rototiller again, and while the soil didn't match Tapu Bulu's black soil, it was noticeably better than before.
Even Tapu Bulu nodded in satisfaction.
Watching Mudbray and Tapu Bulu interact, Lucas muttered, "They really get along, Mudbray and Tapu Bulu."
Kukui, who didn't catch that, asked, "What did you say?"
Lucas shook his head. "Nothing."
At that moment, Tapu Bulu finally looked at the two, tilting its head: "Moo moo?"
Lucas understood its meaning: Are you ready?
He nodded. "We're ready."
Dragonite and Mimikyu also looked at Tapu Bulu with fighting spirit.
Tapu Bulu stared at them for a moment, then flew into the sky. Against the radiant sunlight, its expression turned from lazy to serious. It raised its arms bodybuilder-style and let out a loud bellow—a challenge!
Kukui wisely stepped back. Mimikyu jumped from Lucas' shoulder to the ground, and even though Dragonite couldn't join the fight, it stood ready behind Luo Mu.
Even those in the distant Pokemon noticed the commotion.
Led by Serperior, Growlithe, the Eldegoss, and a small round Pokémon hurried over.
Once Lucas and Mimikyu were confirmed ready, Tapu Bulu raised its head and rang the golden bell on its tail, the sound echoing.
From Tapu Bulu's center, green waves spread rapidly. In seconds, grass and plants exploded with growth, painting everything green—including Lucas and Kukui's hair.
Kukui shouted, "That's Tapu Bulu's ability, Grassy Surge! It creates a Grassy Terrain, massively boosting its Grass-type moves!"
Lucas didn't reply, because—
Tapu Bulu shot out like an arrow, much faster than its heavy appearance suggested. The golden bell on its tail flashed green as it smashed down at Mimikyu—a Grass-type move, Wood Hammer!
Lucas didn't have Mimikyu dodge or use tricks, just shouted, "Swords Dance!"
He had only one goal: to impress Tapu Bulu with strength, and earn its teaching of Grassy Terrain and Rototiller.