Normal-type energy formed phantom swords. Surrounded by red light, Mimikyu's attack soared, but Tapu Bulu's Wood Hammer crashed down, slamming Mimikyu into the ground and leaving a huge crater.
Kukui muttered, "Tapu Bulu's going all out."
He knew why: Lucas and Mimikyu weren't like the usual island challenge trainers—they already had power that could threaten Tapu Bulu.
Even if Mimikyu was weaker, it could still hurt Tapu Bulu.
After enduring the terrible blow, Mimikyu was barely fazed. The mysterious energy around its Pikachu disguise vanished, and the costume collapsed—Disguise ability triggered!
Not only did it block Tapu Bulu's full-force attack, but it got a power-up. Disguise really was a godsend!
Tapu Bulu was surprised at the outcome. Lucas seized the moment: "Now—Play Rough!"
Mimikyu, glowing with Fairy light and boosted by Swords Dance, crashed into the still-stunned Tapu Bulu, knocking it into the cliff wall.
Tapu Bulu shook off the rubble, half-closed eyes giving a soft grunt. Though it barely dented its stamina, pain was pain.
But with Grassy Terrain's constant healing, Tapu Bulu was back to full strength in moments.
Lucas clicked his tongue. Tapu Bulu was much more troublesome than the angry Moltres at home—an established legendary with a long health bar, hard to beat.
If he didn't finish it quickly, Tapu Bulu would just heal up. Lucas thought that only with Luxray's help would victory be possible.
With the test of strength over, Lucas gave up on continuing the fight and flashed his Z-Ring, now fitted with the Mimikyu Z-Crystal. "Mimikyu!"
Mimikyu perked up instantly, while Dragonite even started the dance moves.
On a whim, Lucas pulled out his fully charged Tera Orb from Naranja Academy, thinking, "Now that there's no item restriction, this should work, right?"
He decided to try. If he failed, he'd just pester Tapu Bulu for another chance. Lucas had a hunch: Mimikyu's Tera type was probably what he hoped.
Under Kukui's shocked and Tapu Bulu's confused gaze, the glowing Tera Orb was thrown to Mimikyu!
The sound of crystal forming caught the attention of Serperior, the Eldegoss, and Growlithe. The Pokémon behind them gazed in awe.
So beautiful!
A crisp shattering sound, and under Terastal light, crystal covered Mimikyu's body, a giant pink heart with white wings appeared above its head.
He'd guessed right—Mimikyu's Tera type was Fairy!
With Terastal complete, Lucas knew this was it. He crossed his hands before him, the Z-Ring blazing, his hands, Mimikyu's Shadow Claw, and Dragonite's dance all in sync.
All the light and most of his stamina poured into Mimikyu. The Terastal effect didn't block the Z-power. To his delight, the Z-Move's icon appeared before Mimikyu!
Swallowing his embarrassment and vowing to one day find a way to skip the dance, Lucas called, "Mimikyu, Let's Snuggle Forever!"
Dragonite roared supportively: "Drago~~!!"
Mimikyu's real eyes on the costume shone brightly, speed skyrocketing as it charged at Tapu Bulu.
Now it was the hunter, and Tapu Bulu the prey!
Tapu Bulu's sharp senses felt the huge threat from the now Terastallized, Z-Move–empowered Mimikyu.
Tapu Bulu tried to flee at top speed, and the two Pokémon raced across the Grassy Terrain.
Mimikyu gradually caught up. Just as it was about to reach Tapu Bulu, it leaped high, its disguise turning into a giant net to capture Tapu Bulu!
In desperation, Tapu Bulu withdrew into its shell, a defensive stance unique to the Tapu family, hoping the hard shell would block the attack.
Mimikyu captured Tapu Bulu, and with a thunderous crash and a storm of pink smoke, Terastal sparkles scattered like fireflies.
Lucas knew Mimikyu was raining blows down on Tapu Bulu.
The attack lasted a full minute, and coincidentally, the place where Mimikyu caught Tapu Bulu was the very crater left by Wood Hammer—now several times larger.
The attack finally stopped. Mimikyu, visibly drained, climbed out of the crater, while Tapu Bulu, after Dragonite blew away the pink smoke, was revealed.
"Oh my god…"
Kukui's eyes widened as if seeing something beyond belief.
In the crater lay Tapu Bulu, its shell shattered and its body battered. Though Grassy Terrain and Tapu Bulu's absorption of energy rapidly healed its injuries and shell, Kukui had to accept the fact:
Lucas and Mimikyu's last blow had seriously injured the island guardian Tapu Bulu—a feat unimaginable for a native Alolan.
Even having challenged Kanto's Elite Four, Kukui never dreamed of fighting and winning against an island guardian.
Within ten breaths, Tapu Bulu was mostly healed, its shell repaired.
It floated up shakily, realizing that if it weren't for its superior strength and endurance, it might have been KO'd outright.
Just who was this outsider?
While Kukui and Tapu Bulu reeled in shock, Lucas, Mimikyu, and Dragonite looked down in frustration—was it still not enough to defeat the island guardian Tapu Bulu?
From their perspective, Tapu Bulu recovered in seconds, while Mimikyu, drained by the Terastal and Z-Move, couldn't continue.
If they kept fighting, they would lose.
Tapu Bulu didn't know what they were thinking. It simply, solemnly ended Grassy Terrain, looked at Lucas and Mimikyu, and said: "Moo moo!"
You passed the test!