A surge of Normal-type energy gathered into an illusory blade.
Surrounded by a scarlet glow, Mimikyu's attack power soared.
At the same time, Tapu Bulu's mighty Wood Hammer came crashing down from above—
Smashing Mimikyu deep into the ground, leaving behind a massive crater.
Kukui murmured, "Tapu Bulu isn't holding back anymore."
He understood exactly why—
Tapu Bulu only fought at full strength against worthy opponents.
Unlike the island trial challengers who often came seeking its approval,
Kai and Mimikyu already possessed enough strength to truly threaten it.
Even though Mimikyu was weaker overall,
The fact that it could still land a hit on Tapu Bulu was undeniable.
And yet, despite taking such a terrifying blow—
Mimikyu's condition barely faltered.
The mysterious energy cloaking its Pikachu disguise dissipated,
And with a soft flop, the disguise sagged lifelessly—
Disguise Ability Activated!
Not only had it completely nullified Tapu Bulu's devastating attack,
It also gained a free power-up opportunity.
Disguise truly was a god-tier ability! (Roaring in admiration!)
Tapu Bulu froze for a brief moment, stunned by its unexpected failure.
Kai seized the chance.
"Now—Play Rough!"
Bathed in Fairy-type energy,
Mimikyu, its attack power boosted by Swords Dance,
slammed full-force into Tapu Bulu—
sending it crashing into the rocky cliffside!
Dust and debris scattered.
Tapu Bulu shook off the rubble, its eyes half-closed as it let out a soft grunt of pain.
Although the attack barely put a dent in its immense stamina,
Pain was still pain.
However, with Grassy Terrain continuously nourishing it,
Tapu Bulu's health instantly returned to full.
Kai clicked his tongue.
Damn it.
Tapu Bulu was way more annoying than that angry firebird back home.
It was already a legendary Pokémon, meaning it had a ridiculously long health bar—
And now it had Grassy Terrain's healing on top of that?!
If they didn't take it down quickly,
Tapu Bulu would just keep regenerating.
Kai quickly analyzed the situation.
With just him and Mimikyu, beating Tapu Bulu was extremely difficult.
But if he had Luxray here,
They might actually stand a chance.
Now that he'd tested Tapu Bulu's strength,
Kai no longer intended to continue the battle.
Instead—
He raised his arm, revealing his Z-Ring,
Its Mimikium Z already locked in place.
"Mimikyu!"
Upon hearing its name,
Mimikyu trembled with excitement—
Even Dragonite, who couldn't participate,
was already mimicking the opening stance.
Then, suddenly—
For reasons even he himself didn't understand,
Kai had a random thought—
And pulled out his fully charged Tera Orb from Naranja Academy.
His expression turned a little strange.
"Since there's no held item restriction… this should work, right?"
Why not try?
If it failed, he'd just pester Tapu Bulu for another chance.
Kai had a hunch about Mimikyu's Tera Type.
So, without hesitation,
He hurled the gleaming Tera Orb toward Mimikyu.
Kukui stared in shock.
Tapu Bulu looked confused.
The crisp chiming of crystallization echoed through the battlefield—
Even the approaching Serperior, Eldegoss, and Growlithe froze in their tracks.
Behind them, a group of Pokémon with shimmering green eyes gazed forward, captivated—
"So… pretty!"
A sharp crack resounded—
And then, bathed in Tera energy,
Mimikyu's body became fully crystallized.
Atop its head—
A massive, pink heart with white angelic wings shimmered brilliantly.
Bingo!
Mimikyu's Tera Type was Fairy!
With Tera Evolution complete,
Kai knew—
This was their one and only shot.
Without hesitation,
He crossed his arms before him—
And the Z-Ring erupted in radiant light!
His energy, his Z-Power,
Poured into Mimikyu's Shadow Claw—
Even Dragonite, thoroughly enjoying the dance,
Was fully committed to the choreography.
The luminous Z-Symbol materialized in front of Mimikyu—
Proof that the Z-Move had activated!
Suppressing the secondhand embarrassment,
Kai swore to himself—
One day, he'd find a way to remove the dance from Z-Moves.
Then, with absolute resolve,
He roared—
"Mimikyu—Let's Snuggle Forever!"
Beside him, Dragonite threw its arms up and let out a mighty roar—
"Booooohhh!!"
---
Mimikyu's true eyes—hidden within its disguise—flared with dazzling light.
Its speed skyrocketed—
And in a flash, it lunged straight for Tapu Bulu.
Now, it was the hunter—
And Tapu Bulu, the prey!
Tapu Bulu's keen instincts sensed the overwhelming danger hurtling toward it.
There was no doubt—
The threat came from that crystallized, Z-Move-empowered Mimikyu.
With no time to counter,
Tapu Bulu made the only choice it could—
Run.
On the vast Grassy Terrain,
The chase began.
One pursued, the other fled—
But ultimately, in its current enhanced state,
Mimikyu was faster.
As it closed in,
Mimikyu leaped high into the air—
And its disguise expanded,
Morphing into a giant capturing net,
descending upon Tapu Bulu!
Faced with imminent danger,
Tapu Bulu reacted on instinct.
Its shell-like horns snapped shut—
Taking on the defensive form unique to the Tapu.
It pinned all hope on its hardened shell withstanding the attack.
Then—impact.
Mimikyu ensnared Tapu Bulu.
A thunderous crash echoed across the battlefield—
Pink mist exploded outward,
As Tera-infused light fragments scattered like fireflies in the wind.
Kai watched intently.
He knew—
Right now, Mimikyu was raining down relentless blows upon Tapu Bulu.
Like a downpour of strikes,
Each hit slammed into the guardian deity.
For a full minute,
The onslaught continued.
By pure coincidence,
Mimikyu had pinned Tapu Bulu down
near the very crater left by its initial Wood Hammer attack.
Yet now—
That crater had expanded several times over.
As the attacks finally ceased,
Mimikyu, visibly exhausted,
rose from the crater.
Then, as Dragonite blew away the lingering pink mist—
The scene beneath was revealed.
"...Oh, Arceus."
Kukui's eyes widened in pure disbelief—
Like he had just witnessed something that shattered his entire worldview.
There, lying at the bottom of the crater—
Tapu Bulu.
Its shell was shattered.
Its body was battered.
Wounds covered its form—
A sight unthinkable for the guardian deity of an island.
And yet—
Even as Grassy Terrain's energy flooded its body,
Even as it instinctively absorbed the vitality of the surrounding plants,
Even as its shell and injuries rapidly regenerated—
Kukui had to accept the truth.
Kai and Mimikyu's attack had severely injured Tapu Bulu.
Something unbelievable for a native Alolan like him.
Even after challenging the Kanto Elite Four,
Kukui had never once imagined himself fighting and actually defeating an island guardian.
In just ten seconds,
Tapu Bulu's state had already recovered significantly.
Its shattered shell was whole once more.
Floating into the air,
A lingering sense of dread flickered in Tapu Bulu's eyes.
Just a little more…
If not for its greater endurance and strength,
If not for its legendary resilience,
It would have been defeated instantly.
Who the hell is this outsider?!
Compared to the shocked expressions of Kukui and Tapu Bulu,
Kai, Mimikyu, and Dragonite lowered their gazes in frustration.
Even after all that—
They still couldn't take down Tapu Bulu?!
From their perspective,
Tapu Bulu had recovered in mere moments,
While Mimikyu, weighed down by the dual burden of Tera and Z-Power,
could no longer keep up the fight.
If the battle continued—
They would lose.
Tapu Bulu had no idea what they were thinking.
It simply, and solemnly,
dispelled Grassy Terrain.
Then, it turned to Kai and Mimikyu—
And spoke.
"Moo-moo!"
You have passed the trial.
---
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