After the battle ended, Mimikyu exited its Terastal state. The little doll slumped down, and Dragonite carefully scooped it up, its eyes sparkling as it started communicating with Mimikyu.
Seeing this, Tapu Bulu shook its head.
After all, even Tapu Bulu itself had almost been defeated. Even the sly, black-bellied Tapu Fini wouldn't be able to say "you failed the trial" in this situation.
"Moo moo moo~"
Tapu Bulu looked at Lucas with an inquisitive gaze. The Pokémon meant to receive plowing special training was obviously the Mudbray that got along well with Tapu Bulu. But which Pokémon would be training on Grassy Terrain?
"Uh, they probably went off to play in the flower field," Lucas said, his face lighting up. As expected, Tapu Bulu was easy to talk to—after a good fight, it was happy to help with training. "There are four Pokémon who need Grassy Terrain special training. I'll go get them."
Turning toward the flower field, Lucas was surprised to see Serperior and the others already returning, with a small new figure among the Eldegoss.
Growlithe wagged its tail excitedly, looking ready to challenge Tapu Bulu to see whose head was harder—its own or Tapu Bulu's shell.
Serperior slithered leisurely over to Dragonite and Mimikyu, raising its head arrogantly. Although Mimikyu had secured the chance for special training, Serperior didn't care for getting benefits without effort.
Fine, tonight it wouldn't fight Mimikyu for sleeping spots—but only for tonight!
As for the new Pokémon among the Eldegoss—wasn't that a Comfey?
These Pokémon loved picking beautiful flowers to decorate their vines. The flowers on Comfey's vines wouldn't wilt but would instead become more vibrant, constantly giving off a charming fragrance that was especially popular with women.
In Alola, Comfey often assisted Nurse Joy, using its floral scent to soothe sick or injured Pokémon before applying healing.
Recalling this, Lucas' eyes lit up. He remembered reading in Nurse Joy's Pokémon Psychology book in Los Platos about using Comfey's floral scent to help Pokémon with psychological issues.
Seeing how close Comfey was with the Eldegoss, maybe he could bring it back to Paldea—then the ranch would have a support healer, and he could even try helping Delibird with its psychological problems!
But that was just Lucas' plan for now. The important thing was Tapu Bulu.
He called Serperior and the Eldegoss over. Unafraid, Comfey floated curiously nearby. Lucas smiled and said nothing, then turned to Tapu Bulu: "I'd like Serperior and the Eldegoss to learn Grassy Terrain from you, and Mudbray to learn Rototiller."
Tapu Bulu flew over and scrutinized the four Pokémon as if judging their potential for Grassy Terrain.
The Eldegoss were nervous, eager to learn the move and contribute more to the ranch.
Serperior, on the other hand, didn't care—having practiced Grassy Terrain many times before, another try wouldn't hurt.
Tapu Bulu's gaze lingered on the Eldegoss, and then it nodded in satisfaction.
These three unknown Pokémon with fluffy cotton had plenty of grass energy, showing good talent—they should have no problem learning.
Next, Tapu Bulu met Serperior's noble red eyes, then quickly looked away.
Unusually conflicted, Tapu Bulu sensed that, while Serperior had strong grass energy and was no less talented than Mimikyu, its island guardian instincts said Serperior probably couldn't learn Grassy Terrain. Yet by power and talent, it should be able to learn quickly—such was Tapu Bulu's experience.
After a moment's struggle, Tapu Bulu gave up.
Teaching three or four made little difference. Whatever would be, would be.
Tapu Bulu squinted, then called out to Lucas: "Moo, moo!"
Lucas' face lit up—Tapu Bulu was accepting the job!
…
By the afternoon of the second day in Alola, most of Lucas' goals had been achieved.
Wasting no time, Tapu Bulu gave Mudbray a few instructions, set it digging on its own, and then gathered the four grass Pokémon to begin teaching.
Tapu Bulu's teaching style was simple and direct: it demonstrated tree planting.
Next to the black soil cultivated earlier by Mudbray's Rototiller, Tapu Bulu poured a few seeds from its hooves, spreading them evenly in the muddy pit.
Then, signaling Serperior and the others to watch, the bell on Tapu Bulu's tail jingled. Vibrant green ripples spread out, and in just a few breaths, the seeds sprouted, grew, blossomed, and bore fruit under Tapu Bulu's miraculous power.
The scent of ripe berries was irresistible—several Oran berry trees that had been seeds moments before now stood tall.
The Eldegoss were stunned—back at the ranch, no matter how much they shared their nutrients, the seedlings barely grew. But Tapu Bulu brought them to maturity in no time.
Serperior had to admit, even with its pride, that Tapu Bulu's legendary powers were incomparable.
Tapu Bulu flew into the branches, absorbing the power of the plants while tossing ripe Oran berries down.
Everyone—Serperior, the Eldegoss, the other Pokémon, even Lucas and an astonished Kukui—received some.
Lucas took a bite of the small but fragrant Oran berry, his eyes lighting up.
The juice was rich and sweet—a top-tier Oran berry!
After eating it, he felt a warm current flow through his body, easing the day's fatigue.
PS: Read atleast 65 advanced chapters at p@treon .com/AbsoluteCode