novelraw Chapter 789: Prototype of a Signature Z-Move
Chapter 789: Prototype of a Signature Z-Move
Professor Kukui’s research field is "moves," and it’s not limited to Z-Moves;
signature moves are included as well.
So his proposal for a signature "Haunter Z" move was not fanciful, it was based on real examples.
Some trainers form peculiar bonds with their Pokémon, and from that create their own full-force poses, evolved forms, and so on.
Beyond real-world records, the anime also showed Pikachu Z and Dusk Form Lycanroc.
Given Teacher Lu’s bond with Haunter, it wasn’t impossible to develop a signature Z-Move of their own.
Island Kahuna Lillie spotted the flicker of interest on Teacher Lu’s face and smiled:
"Why not try training tonight? The Life Relic on Akala Island has a rich island aura, perfect for training Z-Moves."
"Life Relic? Isn’t that where Tapu Bulu appears?" Professor Kukui asked.
"Yes, that’s the site of Akala Island’s trial. Trainers and even wild Pokémon make a point of going there to train," Lillie said with a smile. "If Tapu Bulu favors a trainer, it will appear and use pollen to heal their wounds."
Building a signature Z isn’t an overnight thing, but they could start experimenting.Besides, Lu really should meet Tapu Bulu — so Sylveon can absorb Akala Island’s Ultra Aura.
Lu Ye nodded, "Then please lead the way when the time comes, Kahuna Lillie."
"No problem at all~" Lillie waved her hand.
The banquet was sumptuous, with Alolan fruits and seafood spread across the table.
There were also steaming malasadas, fried dough with sweet and savory fillings, an Alolan specialty.
As evening deepened, a tan-skinned Officer Jenny roared up on a two-seater motorcycle, stopping under a palm tree in front of Lillie’s villa.
Most of Officer Jenny’s Alolan form were fans of Teacher Lu, and many of her partners were Gumshoos.
"Teacher Lu, I’m here to present you with the 'Akala Medal,'" Jenny explained.
It’s a civic honor awarded to professions like Tentacool Throwers and beach lifeguards.
Because Teacher Lu had eliminated the threat of the Sand Boss Shiftry, they awarded him the medal in recognition of his "sand hazard management" contributions.
"This is embarrassing—" Lu Ye said, "Is there a cash prize?"
"No cash… but there’s a Lure Ball, which increases the chance of catching fishing Pokémon," Officer Jenny said.
Akala Island relies heavily on fishermen, and Lure Balls are common here.
Lu Ye accepted the medal. As for the Lure Ball, it wasn’t very useful to him now, so he gave it to the top-performing student in Outdoor Practice, Lana.
"Good luck, try to reel in Kyogre soon," Lu Ye encouraged.
Lana’s eyes sparkled as she hugged the Lure Ball and nodded vigorously: "I’ll do my best!"
After the award, Officer Jenny asked Lu for a photo, left satisfied, and rode off.
Night blurred the coastline. Palm fronds rustled, and the small white houses by the beach glowed faintly.
This was their first night on Akala Island, and they were sleeping at Lillie’s place.
The students excitedly discussed what they’d seen that morning and arranged to attend an overnight party together.
"Well then, I’ll lead Teacher Lu to the Life Relic."
Lillie put her hands on her hips and smiled, "Please take care of these kids, Professor Kukui."
From a room came the students’ noisy laughter. Professor Kukui rubbed his temples and said helplessly:
"I understand… we’ll come back as soon as possible."
Without Teacher Lu to steady them, he might be dragged into a pillow party.
The night was like water, stars glittering, insects rustling in the shrubs.
Lu Ye and Lillie headed to the Life Relic, chatting about the island gods’ personalities.
"Among the island guardians, Tapu Koko has the worst temper, but even the gentle guardians… ah!"
Lillie walked beside a Lycanroc in Midnight Form and suddenly exclaimed, her high heel stepping on a loose stone, and she tumbled face-first to the ground with a thud.
Lu Ye and Haunter were equally startled: Σ(ﾟДﾟ;
)
"Kahuna Lillie, are you alright!"
Lillie pushed herself up on her hands, rubbed her reddened forehead, and laughed: "I’m fine, I’m used to it… haha!"
Lu Ye looked her over.
This Island Kahuna’s defining trait seemed to be tripping on flat ground.
Was she an airhead? She couldn’t walk steadily yet always wore high heels.
On the way to the Life Relic, Lillie fell three times in total, the last time Lycanroc caught her in time.
Lycanroc in Midnight Form, its eyes bloodshot and looking unamused, glanced at Lu Ye and howled, indicating the Life Relic ahead.
Lu Ye followed its gaze. Beside a cliff under the night sky, a huge circular stone platform stood, a statue carved into the cliff face.
The slope was shrouded in mist, and four or five pairs of eyes peered silently — likely wild Pokémon.
"This… is the Life Relic, with a special island aura," Lillie said as she took off her high heels and stood barefoot, the metal rings on her calves jingling.
"You can train here, just don’t disturb the local wild populations," she added.
Lu Ye nodded lightly, "Kahuna Lillie, you should head back first… I’ll have Latias escort you."
"No need, haha, I’ll walk back," Lillie said.
She lifted her heels and turned up the mountain path. A moment later came her cry of "ouch" and then a loud thump.
Lu Ye: "…"
I remember Kahuna Lillie is single. With airhead Aunt Lorelei, they’d probably have much to talk about.
Turning to the cliff statue, Lu carefully sensed the island aura and noticed subtle differences from Melemele Island.
But the essence was the same: Ultra Aura, also called "light," and that’s the key to constructing a signature Z.
Lu looked down. His Z-Ring, strengthened by Tapu Koko, had already been upgraded to a Full-Force Z-Ring.
Compared to the original, it could hold one extra Z-Crystal.
Lu embedded Dark Z and Ghost Z simultaneously into the Full-Force Z-Ring, took a deep breath, and struck a full-force pose:
"Let’s give it a try, Haunter!"
"Gar?" Haunter stood in the center of the circular stone platform, ready.
Previously, Teacher Lu’s full-force poses weren’t precise — channeling Z-Moves relied more on bond power than Ultra Aura.
Since they would be using the island aura, they needed to follow the "awkward dance" procedure strictly to execute the full-force pose.
First try Dark Z — Z Dark Pulse.
Dark Z’s pose is to raise both hands and form claws by the ears, like an intimidating big cat.
Lu looked dejected:
"ヽ(ー_ー)ノ Black Hole Devour All—"
"Gar!ヾ(ﾟдﾟ)ﾉ" Haunter turned its head;
its voice was too small and didn’t mobilize the Z aura.
Lu’s expression stiffened. He pressed the Full-Force Z-Ring;
a pitch-black aura spread in an instant. He threw caution to the wind, clenched his claws, and roared:
"Black Hole! Devour! All Things—!!"
"Gar! (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ"
Haunter raised its hands high. A black hole formed in the air above its palms. It didn’t have the gravity of a Dark Void, just a gigantic mass of Dark-type energy.
Next, they added Ghost Z — Z Shadow Ball.
Ghost Z’s stance is embarrassingly silly: you stick both hands out beside your eyes like a pair of binoculars, then swing your arms.
Of course, Gladion had clearly refined the Ghost Z details, making the pose somewhat heroic instead of awkward.
Lu glanced at the demonstration on the Rotom Pokédex while reluctantly forming the binocular gesture, shouting:
"Temptation of the Endless Night!"
Because of Lu’s constitution, in an informal setting and with the Full-Force Z-Ring, he could execute two Z-Moves at once.
Double awkward dance, double the fun!
"Gar~" The chubby purple fellow grinned and dexterously struck the Ghost Z pose, cutely making the binocular sign, then swung with fierce momentum.
Shadows erupted beneath their feet like a black curtain swallowing the entire circular platform. From the darkness stretched countless ebony arms, converging on the black hole in the sky.
The scene turned grim, shadow spilling outward.
Wild Pokémon in the mist trembled;
Ghost and Dark energy together were rare and terrifying to most Pokémon!
Lu realized Ghost Z had a "shadow limb" effect, using shadows to control opponents.
Combined with Dark Z’s black hole, it could bind or even induce sleep while hammering down a massive black hole — this could be the prototype of a signature Z!
"But…"
Standing on the shadow-engulfed stone platform, Lu stared at the giant black hole against the night and murmured:
"Where should this move be sent…"
Tapu Bulu hovered in the night sky, sweating profusely.
Wait, the Island Kahuna brought him to the Life Relic!?
Looking up at the black hole under the night sky, Tapu Bulu’s expression trembled.
If I go out and take it head-on, I’ll probably be near death!
"Darkrai!" Lu called. "Send it to the Reversed World — and deliver a truckload of energy cubes to Giratina!"
"Those energy cubes from Barren City you still haven’t settled for!" Darkrai snapped.
Mainly time was tight;
even Little Rotom running full throttle couldn’t make that many.
Lu laughed awkwardly, "Next time, next time for sure."
Darkrai snorted, dashed coldly out of the shadow, and in a blur its claws tore open a spatial rift — the void swallowed the entire black orb!
Tapu Bulu was flabbergasted.
Besides a legendary-level Haunter… now there’s a legendary-level Darkrai!?
At the same time —
The Reversed World.
Giratina looked at the void sky and split open a familiar crack. A surging Dark-type energy sphere burst through the rift, half-exposed like a meteor.
Giratina: "…"
Forget it.
Considering how many times he’d saved the world — basically saving the Reversed World too — and that the cubes tasted pretty good… I’ll handle the cleanup.
Back at the Life Relic.
The shadow that had swallowed the circular stone platform gradually dispersed.
Teacher Lu and Haunter wiped sweat and breathed out.
The stacking effect of Dark Z and Ghost Z was unquestionably powerful.
Next they had to consider how to combine Haunter’s own traits, like Hypnosis, Perish Song, and Toxic, to craft a signature Haunter Z.
The Ghost Z’s "shadow arms" were a good medium;
they could try using them to transmit Hypnosis and Toxic effects.
Then they’d build the signature full-force pose to simultaneously mobilize bond power and Ultra Aura.
A one-handed shoulder pat — much better than two hands making binoculars.
Although Haunter has no shoulders, there are roughly corresponding areas.
Lu formed a preliminary plan, and while thinking he faintly heard a sound and looked up.
Atop the statue at the Life Relic, a pink island guardian hovered, watching Lu with a complicated expression.
Akala Island’s guardian, Tapu Bulu!
Lu froze slightly, then recalled that the Life Relic was Tapu Bulu’s habitat, and smiled in relief:
"Sorry to disturb you… but I do have a matter to discuss…"
Lu had planned to use the spiel he’d used with Tapu Koko, but Tapu Bulu agreed quickly.
"I can agree to help your Sylveon absorb Akala Island’s aura," Tapu Bulu said with a complex look, "But I have one condition…"
"Fight an Ultra Beast?" Lu asked curiously.
Tapu Bulu shook its head. "My condition is that you don’t train Z-Moves on Akala Island."
Not only are the wild Pokémon panicking, the guardian is panicking too!
Quickly accept its condition, then send the trainer away!
Lu: "…"
Negotiations went surprisingly smoothly.
With Melemele Island as the foundation, Sylveon absorbing Akala’s natural aura will be faster.
That leaves two islands: Ula'Ula Island and Poni Island.
The Poni trip is set for this weekend;
Lu promised Lillie he’d go with her to investigate the Solstice Altar at Poni Canyon.
It’s said the Solstice Altar leads to Ultra Wormholes, and it’s the birthplace of Solgaleo and Lunala…
Under the moonlight, Sylveon’s white fur seemed silvered, ribbons trailing on the ground, radiating faint rainbow light.
Tapu Bulu scattered pollen around Sylveon, helping it sense the island aura.
No wild Pokémon around dared challenge the big sister, and Sylveon’s "jungle" skills were maxed out.
Lu returned to the villa reassured and told Professor Kukui about meeting Tapu Bulu and the Z-Move results.
"I see… the Full-Force Z-Ring can hold two Z-Crystals," Professor Kukui said slowly. "I roughly understand the commonalities among trainers who develop signature Z-Moves."
Ash’s Pikachu Z also succeeded only after the island guardian helped upgrade the Z-Ring.
Lu looked at his Full-Force Z-Ring and thought, Thankfully, Togepi — otherwise I wouldn’t have had any chance of upgrading!
Knock knock knock.
Someone knocked on the door. Lu and Kukui looked up.
"Teacher Lu~ Come join our pillow party!" Mallow held a pillow, smiling.
"Little Rotom’s showing us full-force poses on the demonstration, it says it includes Ghost Z and Dark Z examples — Teacher Lu, want to watch?" Kiawe invited.
"I’ll pass."
Ghost Z and Dark Z templates…
Lu suddenly realized something, his face changed, and he shouted:
"Little Rotom!! Activate crash mode!!"
"Beep beep… can’t understand, Roto~ヾ(^▽^*)))"
…
Two days and one night of Akala Island outdoor practice came to an end.
Teacher Lu took the students back to Melemele Island and resumed half a day of classes as usual.
In the afternoon, Professor Kukui found Lu to discuss the school’s schedule for tomorrow.
"Tomorrow is the first Open Day after school starts. Parents and relatives can visit the campus, and a new transfer student from Pallet Town, Ash, will arrive," Kukui said with a smile. "It’ll be quite lively."
"Will the students’ parents all come?" Lu asked curiously.
"Hmm… last year Lillie’s family had the butler fill in," Kukui frowned. "However… this year the Aether Foundation released Lusamine’s schedule."
"She’s coming to the school tomorrow and asked Principal Nene Oak for a meeting with you."
"With me?" Lu furrowed his brow.
"Yes… probably about a business cooperation." Kukui stroked his chin.
Lu pondered for a moment. "I think she’s coming most likely because of…"
The two teachers exchanged a look and spoke in unison: "Ultra Beasts."
The Aether Foundation oversees research into Ultra Wormholes.
Lusamine personally traveling here couldn’t be just for Lillie’s Open Day.
Also, the disappearance of the Stufful child and the Aether Foundation had some connection.
Lu decided to use the opportunity tomorrow to ask Aether Foundation personnel some questions.
Meanwhile —
With Bewear out and about, the Trio went to the beach to relax.
Hau’oli City, Scenic Beach.
James lounged on a beach chair with sunglasses and a floral shirt, his blue hair styled with mousse, propping his head on his arm.
Jessie wore a sun hat and a white dress, her legs crossed elegantly as she sipped juice.
Meowth napped on the beach chair between them, eyes half-closed in comfort.
A broadcast suddenly blared Officer Jenny’s urgent warning: "Bewear spotted at Scenic Beach! All visitors please evacuate immediately!"
The Trio froze: "Eh?"
They turned to see Bewear bristling with hostility, purple aura billowing behind it.
The Trio’s faces paled as they huddled together and Bewear scooped them up like chicks and carried them toward a tree hollow.
Team Rocket teared up:
"What is this feeling~!"
"Sora~ nashi!"
…