"Well done Tanyu, that was a fabulous battle!" Ilima exclaimed, excitement in his voice as he congratulated Tanyu on his victory.

"Thanks," Tanyu replied, shifting his attention to the Totem Raticate as he began to stir. "He was a tough opponent...are all Totems like this?"

"Oh yes. They're all incredibly strong. The others you will face, will be much stronger than this one," Ilima informed, getting a wide-eyed expression from Tanyu.

So they're all stronger than that Raticate huh? That's kinda terrifying to think about. On top of that, it means they're all going to be as big or bigger. Tanyu thought as a rustling sound caught his attention.

The Alolan Raticate slowly rose up from the ground, wincing at the pain it felt from the blow it had been dealt. It looked over at Tanyu, a serious expression on his face as he dusted himself off. He'd been defeated, and he needed to accept it. Dawnin a calmer look, the Totem Raticate beckoned Tanyu to follow him.

Tanyu glanced over at Ilima who nodded, signifying that it was okay to follow. Tanyu shrugged, watching as the titan used its remaining strength to jump high onto the platform of his domain. Bracing himself, Tanyu bent his knees and focused. Ilima watched in amazement as Tanyu launched himself off the ground to the high platform and landed behind the Totem Raticate who had gone into the cave. Before he could question Tanyu about it, the Totem had returned with a crystal in hand.

Tanyu looked down at the crystal and then at his Z-Ring. It was exactly the same shape as the center. Which meant only one thing. The Totem Raticate was handing him a Z-Crystal.

Pokémon

The Moon's Rising

'Umikūmāhāono

Tanyu closed his fist on the Z-Crystal and placed it into the slot on the Z-Ring.

So this is a Z-Crystal huh? Looks cool, but what's all the hype about? Tanyu pondered, glancing up at the Totem Raticate who was still staring him down.

"Good fight," Tanyu said, giving him a two finger salute before the Totem Raticate walked back into the cave. Tanyu turned and headed towards the ledge.

Looking down, he saw Ilima was no longer there. Hearing footsteps beside him, Tanyu glanced off to his left to see Ilima coming up a pathway that lead up to the cave he was standing in front of.

"Well I'll be. It looks like you've acquired a Normalium-Z crystal," Ilima said, stroking his chin as he glanced over at the cave where the Totem Raticate had withdrawn to.

"The Normalium-Z. I'm just spitballing here, but it probably has something to do with Normal-types, right?" Tanyu wondered.

"You're half right, however it's not the type of the one using it that matters. It's the move they are using and its type that matters," Ilima explained. "Anything that knows a Normal-type move can use that crystal. However," Ilima went on, "you can only use it once you complete a short dance sequence."

"A...dance sequence?" Tanyu blinked, getting a slight laugh out of Ilima.

"Shootz. Every Z-Crystal has to be activated by a dance sequence. Without proper execution, the crystal won't respond," Ilima added.

Tanyu looked down at the Z-Crystal and then back at Ilima, a question lurking in his amethyst depths.

"Fortunately for you, as captains, we must teach the dance to those who pass our trials," Ilima grinned, getting Tanyu's interest. "So what do you say? Shall we begin learning?"

Tanyu fully faced Ilima and nodded. "Show me what to do..."

Hau stood on Hao'oli Beach looking up at the many stars that lit up the night sky with their brilliance. A smile curved onto his features as he admired the constellations that spread across the cosmic canvas above.

"How're you doing Hau?" Came a voice from behind him, causing Hau to smile broadly and turn around, hands behind his head as he leaned back a bit.

"Howzit Lillie!" He beamed. "I'm good, just gettin' ready for my first trial," Hau grinned.

"You seem pretty excited about it," Lillie said, walking up to Hau with a smile on her face.

Nebby popped its head out of the bag and floated out, much to the annoyance of Lillie.

"Must you always do this?" Lillie frowned, crossing her arms and tapping her feet as Nebby circled round her legs.

"Still poppin' out of the bag huh?" Hau laughed, getting a sigh out of Lillie who scooped up Nebby and placed it in the bag again.

"Yes. The little stinker just doesn't seem to understand that it needs to stay put. In the home is fine, but while we're out here? No. I can't take chances with it," Lillie huffed, shaking her head as Nebby poked its head out to look around.

"Pe-ee-eew!" Nebby squeaked.

"Nuh-uh. Not happening," Lillie snapped, turning her head back to Hau and giving an apologetic look.

"So, why aren't you at the trial site?" Lillie questioned.

"Because I wanted some time with my friends before I went in there," Hau replied. "That...and I was wondering if you wanted to come watch," Hau asked with a goofy grin.

"You want me to watch you? I-I well...see, you know me Hau. I don't really like battles. They get messy and hard to watch," Lillie mumbled, wringing her hands as she spoke.

"Awww, come on Lillie. You saw the battle Tanyu and I had. Ya gotta admit it was fun to watch," Hau grinned.

Lillie couldn't deny it. Watching how much those two seemed to enjoy the fight they were in was something she'd never witnessed before. With a sigh, she rested her cheek in her right hand, eyes cast away for a moment as she ceased deliberation.

"W-well, maybe it can't hurt. Okay, I'll come with you. But only to make sure you're going to be okay!" Lillie added quickly.

"Chee! Alright!" Hau exclaimed. "Mahalo," Hau added his grin widening at her words.

"You're welcome Hau," Lillie smiled.

"Alright...so first I cross my arms," Tanyu muttered, crossing his arms as Ilima instructed, following as best he could the sequence he'd seen in his head.

"Then I uncross to my waist and thrust both fists out with my arms together like...this?" Tanyu asked, extending both arms out in the manner he'd seen Ilima do before.

"Exactly like that, you've got it. Now keep going," Ilima urged, watching Tanyu's execution of the technique.

"Okay, I think I've got it," Tanyu sighed, taking a breath as he executed the next step, proceeding to do the final two motions in rapid succesion, ending in the pose with one arm above his brow while the other was at his chest, forming a sort of box.

"That's it! Well done, you've got it," Ilima applauded, a grin on his face as he watched Tanyu run through it once more on his own. "You're quite the fast learner. It must be a trait of your mother," Ilima added, getting a quizzical look from Tanyu.

"Sorry, it's just a little hard for me to believe that my mother was a great trainer. I'd never known her to be interested in battling, so this is still new to me," Tanyu said in a firm tone.

"I see. My apologies for my continued mention of her battling prowess, I thought you'd known, given she was your mother and all," Ilima replied.

Tanyu frowned and clenched his fists, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "No, I didn't know. And it's alright, I understand," Tanyu stated, letting his arms down as he practiced yet again.

"You said this dance is supposed to connect me to one of my teammates and empower them. Do they get a new move or just a powered up version of the one they already have?" Tanyu inquired, executing the final movement of the dance once more.

Ilima shook his head and explained the mechanics of the Z-Crystal and the relation to the move it would be used in conjunction with. After a few minutes, Tanyu looked paused and looked down at his partners.

"I get it. As long as my partner knows a Normal-type move, the power is converted into a new move. I'll have to see what that looks like in battle," Tanyu responded, getting a nod from Ilima.

After a brief conversation, Tanyu and Ilima made their way out of the Verdant Cavern. Ilima departed to his home while Tanyu headed for the beach he'd seen in Hao'oli City.

It didn't take too long for Tanyu to reach the beach. From the moment he'd seen it from the plane, he'd been itching to get a better look. To feel the sand under his feet as well as the chill of the water as he waded in, was somewhat of a stress reliever. Heaving a sigh of relief, Tanyu closed his eyes and focused.

"Yo, yo yo, what do we have here!?"

"Looks like the punk who dissed us a while back."

Tanyu let out an exasperated sigh, frustrated about having been interrupted while meditating.

"For real bro? This is the dude? He don't look like nothin'."

Tanyu shifted himself to face what appeared to be five members of Team Skull. Narrowing his eyes he fixed them with a threatening glare.

"What do you clowns want?" Tanyu quipped.

"Yo, you dissin' us again? Not cool homie!" The thug growled, clenching his fists and hitting his open palm, a sign he was prepared to get aggressive.

"Yeah, don't try to act all hard when you outnumbered. My bros and I have a score to settle with you. I told you we'd be back," another grunt snarled.

"By that did you mean back to talk smack, or to get your ass handed to you again?" Tanyu shot back, an amused look spreading onto his face.

"You should take a look around homie. We've got you outnumbered five to one. And we ain't here for no battle. We came to teach you a lesson on what happens when you mess with Team Skull," the grunt said flatly, cracking his knuckles as he advanced towards Tanyu, the others doing the same.

And we're stopping there! Tanyu now knows the dance for the Z-Crystal he's obtained and Hau will be doing his challenge soon! But what's this? It looks like Team Skull is back for some payback. What will Tanyu do now? Find out in the next chapter! Ciao for now folks!