"Mega punch!"

Lana punched her fist forward. Popplio punched the air with it's flipper, following the exact movements of its trainer.

"Omega kick!"

Lana confidently karate kicked with a large grin. Popplio, on the other hand, felt incredibly awkward. It simply had no legs to kick with.

It was a warm day on Akala island, and the lake was glistening as it was struck by the sun's rays. The serene Brooklet hill, with its large ponds and its elegant waterfalls, had a calming aura. However, Lana was full of energy despite usually having a calm temperament. Today happened to be a special day for her. It was the day she was to begin her official training with one of Akala's Trial Captains, Tides!

It was 1:00 in the afternoon, and the two agreed to meet at Brooklet Hill precisely at 1:02. Lana did not await Tides's arrival by herself, as she brought a friend to stand alongside her during her first training session. She didn't see any harm in that. Besides, two trial captains are better than one, right?

"Keep it up, Lana girl." Ilima sat on the grass, watching Lana's warm up from the sidelines. He wore his usual charming smile as he patted the head of his Smeargle, who happily sat in his lap. "At this rate, you'll be able to defeat Superman without so much as a scratch."

"Anything's possible with hard work, determination, and plenty of juice!" Lana stood tall, placing her hands on her hips. Popplio mimicked her stance. "You watch, I'm going to become the strongest trainer in Alola!"

Ilima nodded his head. "I believe it. I wasn't lying when I told you that you would make for a great trainer. It's a role that fits you so naturally. Your fighting spirit shines like the blazing sun.~"

"Oh please, Li. No need for such fancy words!"

"But they are words well deserved. My friend, there is no need for such modesty."

"Calling the kettle black, Mr. Pot?" Lana giggled. "You're the poster boy for modesty."

"Ah, I can't deny that. But honestly, at the same time, a title such as 'poster boy' is filled with such honor." Ilima spoke in the most dramatic tone possible. "I don't think such a lowly soul as myself could accept such a prestigious title. Please, give it to someone worthy, for I am not."

"Now you're just messing with me!" Still caught in laughter, Lana approached the boy and began to poke at his forehead. "You think you're clever, don't you?"

Ilima chuckled himself. "A simpleton like me? Lana girl, dear Lana girl, you give me to much credit. Someone as low and little as I would never even dream of being called clever."

The two continued to laugh with each other, beginning to lose awareness of their surroundings. It wasn't long until a third person began to walk towards them without their knowledge, and when he called out to them, they both jumped in surprise.

"You two seem as lively as ever. That will serve you well during today's training, Lana!" Tides waved at the two, wearing a welcoming expression. He wore a pair of swim trunks as well as a pair of sunglasses, and tucked under his arm was a surfboard. He was unphased by the look of shock on both Illima's and Lana's faces.

"Goodness Tides, you nearly gave me a heart attack," Ilima said, taking a long sigh.

"That... must have been a part of our training, right?" Lana asked, looking to Tides with her bright eyes. "You're trying to teach me to be prepared for anything in a battle, right?"

"Um... We'll go with that. Yes!" Tides puffed out his chest. "Aren't I such a great sensei?"

"Mhmm!" Lana agreed, before tilting her head with curiosity. "But Sensei, why did you bring a surfboard? What purpose does that serve?"

Ilima couldn't help but smirk, raising a single finger as he offered an explanation. "Tides is just being Tides. He likes to float in the lake on his surfboard, taking nice little naps. Admittedly, I doubt he ever used it for actual surfing.~"

"Oh, come on pretty boy. We both know I'm an awesome surfer." Tides was unbothered by Ilima's teasing, simply dismissing him with a wave of his hand. "But that's not important right now. What is important is that I will be a good mentor to Lana. Are you her friend, Ilima?"

"Of course. We've been friends for a very long time."

"And you never offered to train her?"

Ilima paused, caught off guard by Tides's question. He forced himself to maintain his polite smile as he scratched the back of his head. "Well, I did offer. She was never up for it."

"... I was just unsure," Lana admitted. "But not anymore! I have a water-type specialist here to turn me into a champ! Let's begin already!"

Lana could barely wait, Tides finding Lana's enthusiasm quite endearing. Tides set down his surfboard, preparing himself to play the role of a teacher. Lana stood in a battle stance, ready for her first instruction. Ilima sat back onto the grass, watching the two from a safe distance.

"First, I want to see what your partner Pokémon is capable of!" Tides pointed to little Popplio, who had a bit of nervousness sitting in its stomach. "Show me one of Popplio's attacks!"

"Right," Lana said with a nod. "Popplio! Use Water Gun!"

With three sets of eyes staring directly at it, Popplio had the urge to run away and hide. However, despite its performance anxiety, the last thing it wanted to do was disappoint Lana. It held its ground, taking in a deep breath of air through its pink little nose. It braced itself, pushing itself forward and unleashing its attack.

Only about an inch of water flew from its mouth, an amount that was far from ideal. Everyone was silent, as Popplio's cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

"Um... Is that normally what Popplio's Water Gun looks like?" Tides asked.

"Oh goodness no!" Lana scooped up Popplio into her arms, vigorously shaking its head. "Popplio's Water Gun usually has much more power behind it. I fear that the little thing might just be nervous. Isn't that right, Poppi?"

"Pop..." Popplio nodded its head with a frown.

"Ah, I understand. Just a bit of stage fright, no big deal." Tides folded his arms, beaming with pride. "I'm equipped to handle this! I have a full-proof plan."

Ilima raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

"Maybe," Tides answered. "It's simple really. Lana, you must share your energy with your Pokémon!"

Lana looked to the Pokémon that she held in her arms, and looked back at the boy. "Huh?"

"Let Popplio know that you're confident, in both it and yourself. You guys are a team after all! If you face your challenges together, there won't any reason for doubt!" Tides almost sounded like a cheerleader as he pumped his fist forward. "I promise you, that'll cure the stage fright in a jiffy. Like I said, full proof."

"Are you... certain about that?" Lana asked.

"Not convinced? Well, don't take my word for it."

Tides suddenly stuck two fingers in his mouth and let out a loud whistle. At first, nothing happened. Then, a small group of air bubbles fizzed on the lake's surface. Then, the water began to ripple, which later formed into large waves. Finally, a large, blue Gyarados popped up from underneath the water. Lana shrieked, jumping back from the large Pokémon. Gyarados, despite having just scared Lana, wore a giant, goofy smile.

"Ah, Tides. Your Gyarados is looking well," Ilima said.

"Thanks, it's always in good spirits," Tides said with a nod.

"Am I... am I missing something?" Lana took a step back from the lake, her eyes locked on the face of the Gyarados. "This is your Gyarados, Tides? Then why?—"

"Dropped him off this morning," Tides said with a chuckle. "His loves swimin' in the lake here. It's no Lake of Rage, but it still loves it. Ain't that right, buddy?"

Gyarados nodded its large head, before Tides continued to speak. "My friend here used to be a really nervous wreck when it came to battle. But, after a few prep talks, he turned into a true monster on the battlefield!"

Lana could have sworn she saw the Gyarados blushing.

"I'll show you!" Tides shouted. "Gyarados! Hydro Pump!"

Before any more words could have been uttered, Gyarados fired a large pillar of water into the distance. Stray droplets of water sprayed the three witnesses, as the Pokémon proudly displayed its power. Once Gyarados ceased its attack, Lana stood in awe and admiration.

"So cool!" Lana beamed, her eyes wide and sparkling. "Popplio, I bet one day you'll be able to attack like that, too!"

"Pop..." Popplio looked to the side, eyeing the ground with an uncertain gaze. Lana puffed her cheeks, and hugged her Pokémon closer to her chest.

"Maybe Tides is right, you need to know how confident I am in you. That might be exactly what you need."

She lowered the Pokémon to the ground, placing it in a position where they both stood face to face. Tides watched in anticipation, wondering how Lana would use his advice. Ilima, on the other hand, could barely focus on the scene that played before him. He tried to shake off the water he was drenched in, heavily annoyed by the sogginess of his clothes. His face didn't display his agitation, however. His expression was mild as always.

Lana placed her hands on her hips, standing with perfect posture. Her voice and one were strong. "I was uncertain of myself. Uncertainty must be contagious! Wouldn't you say, Popplio?"

Popplio tilted its head. "Pop?"

"Doesn't matter!" Lana continued. "What does matter is that you could do anything! Don't let your dreams be dreams! Make your dreams come true, Popplio! Do it! I have faith in you, Popplio! Do it, just do it! Yes you can, just do it!"

Popplio was completely and utterly lost. It called out for Lana to stop, but at that point, she became far too immersed in her role as a motivational speaker.

"Yesterday, you said tomorrow! Just do it! Like I said, Popplio, make your dreams come true!"

Popplio wanted Lana to stop.

"Some people dream of success, Popplio! But you, you're going to wake up and work hard at it, cuz nothing is impossible!"

Popplio really wanted Lana to stop.

"Just do—"

Out of the blue, Popplio sprayed Lana with a powerful Water Gun. She was nearly knocked back, but she caught her balance before she fell to the ground. The small blue Pokémon was immediately burdened with regret, as it hopped over to its trainer.

"Pop! Pop pop!" It cried out with remorse and concern, but Lana simply looked down at the seal with a straight face.

Until she suddenly lifted the Pokémon into the air. "Ah, my speech worked! You did it, Popplio! You did it!"

With awkward smiles, Tides and Ilima both applauded the duo's victory, as strange as it was.

"Quite amazing, Lana girl," Ilima said with light drops of sweat.

"Agreed," Tides said with a slight nervous laugh.

Popplio cheered as Lana nodded, a sense of resolve emanating from her smile. "It's nothing, I'm just doing what a trainer should do! I'm going to become powerful enough to breeze through your trial, Ilima!"

"I await the day," Ilima said.

"It's coming soon," Lana said. "It's coming very soon! But first, the two of us need to start some real serious training! Don't you agree, Popplio?"

Popplio clapped its flippers. "Pop!"