Plumeria sat in the living room of Team Skull's hideout, her feet propped up on the table as she leaned back, her eyes looking up at the ceiling.

That guy...

She shifted seat, her mind running through each scenario that had played out on the beach. He puzzled her to a surprising extent.

He's no run-of-the-mill trainer, she thought, remembering his quick reflexes during each strike she'd made. He was able to get around my attacks and even cushion my kicks. Whoever trained him was very thorough...

He was right about one thing. I did take something similar to kick boxing. However, it's not the same thing. But he'll soon find out just how deadly lua is...

Pokémon

The Moon's Rising

'Umikūmāiwa

"Fighting-types huh?" Tanyu said aloud as he stood on the beach of Hao'oli City. "This is going to be complicated..."

Tanyu sighed and reached down and snapped the two spheres off his belt and tossed them into the air, his teammates immerging into the light of day. Meowth slowly opened her eyes and stretched her paws to the sky. Lifting her head, she met the gaze of her trainer with an amused expression. Rowlet happily flashed out of his and perched on Tanyu's shoulder.

"Listen up you two," Tanyu said sternly, getting their attention immediately. "We'll be facing the Kahuna and we've got some work to do."

Tanyu shifted his gaze to Meowth who crossed her arms and looked up at him expectantly.

"This won't be an easy battle for you Meowth. Which is why we need to work on a few things," Tanyu addressed the scratch cat, watching as she canted her head in a questioning manner.

"I know you've got a great moveset. It was one of the things I got excited about the moment we first met. However, against an opponent like Hala, what you have currently just won't cut it. Which is why we're going to work on a new technique that will give you more of a chance," Tanyu added, turning tail to walk towards the water, prompting Meowth to follow.

Tanyu stepped into the water and waited for Meowth to follow him in. Turning, he saw Meowth looking at him with a confused expression. Fixing her with a stern look, Tanyu urged her into the water, saying all that needed to be said with his eyes. Meowth narrowed her eyes and trekked into the water after Tanyu and stood before him, not exactly too fond of the cool feeling of the ocean. Tanyu however, relished it.

"Rowlet, go fly for a bit. You need to get some time to warm up before we face Hala," Tanyu commanded the owl.

Obeying, Rowlet took to the skies, looking back for a moment before taking off on a flight around the island.

"Okay, I'm going to teach you a technique that's going to be absolutely necessary in this fight. It's going to require a lot of concentration, so pay close attention," Tanyu stated, looking around at the beach to see how far down the beach the crowds of people were.

There were a great number of tourists in the area as well as locals just having a good time in the water. Children were at play as well. A sigh left his lips as he looked back at Meowth.

There's so many people here. I guess I underestimated how crowded this place would be at this hour. It's seven in the morning and people are swimming. Back in Unova, nobody was up at seven unless they had school or work. Oh well...not my problem, Tanyu thought, turning to Meowth and spreading his legs shoulder width apart.

"Watch closely and try to mimic what I do," Tanyu said firmly.

As instructed, Meowth spread her legs the same distance and watched. Tanyu put his elbows out and placed his open hands facing each other, his eyes focused on the center of his hands. Meowth did the same, her paws now facing each other.

I can't exactly do this fully out in the open, but that doesn't mean I can't do something small scale, Tanyu thought as he continued focusing his concentration on the center of his hands.

Sparks began to crackle in the center of his hands, causing the water to ripple beneath him as he focused the energy in his body into a single point. Several small spheres of blue-gray energy formed in the center of his hands, only to orbit around him soon after being formed. Tanyu brought the energy back into his body as quickly as he'd formed it and looked up at Meowth.

"That is called Hidden Power. I want you to do that, only focus on the energy to the point where you can create that color. Our adversaries will be weak against it, so do your best to master it," Tanyu stated, glancing over his shoulder to see if anyone had noticed what he'd done.

Thankfully, everyone seemed too preoccupied with their own activity to notice. Everyone except the figure that was floating high above the beach, its eyes looking down on Tanyu with more curiosity in them than the day it met Tanyu. Sensing something above him, Tanyu looked up to spot a dark figure hovering high above the beach. Before he got the chance for a better look, it took off, leaving a trail of electricity behind as it blasted off.

Tapu Koko? Tanyu mused, admiring the trail of electricity it left behind. Seems like I had an audience. Neat...

Meowth couldn't process what she'd just seen. Her trainer had just produced a Hidden Power attack. Confused didn't begin to describe what she felt in that moment after witnessing that. Were humans supposed to be able to produce energy that way? If so, why hadn't she seen it before? So many questions buzzed around in her head. Shaking her head, she forced the questions to the back burner of her mind and refocused on the task at hand.

A small surge of energy caught Tanyu's attention, alerting him to turn his gaze to Meowth. Sparks of energy were forming between Meowth's palms. Meowth continued to maintain a steady flow of energy between her palms, doing her best to replicate the actions of her trainer.

Just a bit more...you've almost got it, Tanyu thought to himself as he watched the energy pour into Meowth's paws.

"Almost there Meowth, don't lose it," Tanyu said firmly, getting a nod of confirmation from Meowth who continued focusing on the energy in her paws.

"Now, I want you to take control of it. The power it holds rests with you. Let's see what you come up with. Once you do, I want you to attack me," Tanyu ordered, gaining a surprised look from Meowth.

"Don't look at me like that, just do it," Tanyu commanded.

Meowth couldn't believe her ears. Was she being asked to attack her trainer? Was this a test? She couldn't read his face as it gave no hints otherwise. Swallowing, Meowth agreed with great reluctance. While Meowth kept control, Tanyu monitored the energy, aiming to determine the typing based on the coloration. What he had conjured up was a Flying-type aura. Currently, he could see that it was the neutral emerald shade.

Meowth kept her stance in the water, watching as it rippled out from the force of the sphere she was forming. Smaller spheres flickered in and out of view. Tanyu smiled faintly as he saw the progress Meowth was making.

"Oi! Tanyu!" Came the voice of Hau, causing him to flinch, a frown creasing his brow as his attention was once again being diverted.

"Take five," Tanyu sighed, holding up a hand for Meowth to halt her progress.

Meowth broke up the energy in her paws and breathed a sigh of exhaustion.

Tanyu glanced over at Hau who was on his way over to meet him, Lillie tagging along with him, the same bag still strapped to her shoulder. Hau was in his swim trunks while Lillie was in a one-piece swimsuit.

"What'cha doin' brah?" Hau asked, a wide grin on his face as he splashed into the water.

Composing himself, Tanyu gave Hau a neutral expression and shrugged. "Not much, just prepping for your grandpa."

Lillie raised a brow and looked behind Tanyu at Meowth. "A-Are you planning on using her in that battle?" Lillie inquired with wide eyes.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Was Tanyu's reply.

"I may not be an expert, but aren't Dark-types weak to Fighting-types? That's what it says in the dex anyway? Speaking of which...didn't you get one from Kukui? I don't see you using it," Lillie questioned him.

"Rotom's taking a break. Besides...I've a few tricks up my sleeve for Hala anyway," Tanyu said, a smirk dawning on his features.

Rotom is actually my backup here. Since it can come in and out of the dex if it wants to, I can technically use it. Depending on what I'll be facing while battling Hala, I just might use it in place of Meowth. Blondie here is right, Meowth isn't exactly equipped for battling Fighting-types...yet, Tanyu thought, reaching for Meowth's ball and returning her. She will be though...

"Really!? That sounds awesome!" Hau exclaimed. "Can you show me? Please?" Hau begged, his eyes shimmering with excitement.

Tanyu shook his head. "Sorry, no can do. I don't exactly like to reveal strategies before battle. If you want to see what I have in mind, you can watch me battle your grandpa," Tanyu replied, turning tail to walk out of the water.

"Hey Tanyu, where ya goin'?" Hau called out as Tanyu walked away.

"Somewhere I can train," Tanyu called out, heading towards the city without looking back.

"Hey Hau? Is it just me or is Tanyu not very social?" Lillie asked Hau as the two sat on their towels after a while of swimming and playing in the water.

Hau sat up and looked over at Lillie with a contemplative expression.

"Come to think of it, he doesn't seem to talk much," Hau replied, stroking his chin. "Maybe he's just reserved."

"And mouthy," Lillie muttered under her breath.

"Huh?" Hau asked.

"N-Nothing. Sorry, he's just so strange to me is all," Lillie added, her mind flashing back to the bridge incident.

I still can't get that out of my head. People just don't randomly appear out of nowhere...

Tanyu sighed as he stepped into Verdant Cavern. Rowlet had seen him entering the cavern and followed him inside. Rowlet perched on Tanyu's shoulder and nipped his ear lightly. Tanyu reached up and stroked his beak.

I can't ever seem to catch a break can I? Whenever I want some peace, something interrupts, Tanyu thought, closing his eyes with a sigh. "Okay Rowlet, I need you to work with me here. I want you to help Meowth," Tanyu said, reaching down and grabbing Meowth's ball before tossing it into the air and releasing the scratch cat.

"Ready to continue?" Tanyu questioned, getting a nod from Meowth.

"Right...let's begin."

As Tanyu prepared for Hala, a certain something had been watching. Like in the anime, where Tapu Koko takes particular interest in Ash, the same seems to be the case here. Then again, if I could manipulate ki, I wouldn't be shocked that I'd be drawing attention. Some of you may be wondering, does this have ANYTHING to do with the Shadow Triad? Partially...yes. The rest is something else entirely.

Anyway, ciao for now!