It's been a few days since everyone left Akala Island after the students extracurricular activities and Niku's Grand Trial. And after Ash faced Olivia, his Rockruff evolved into a rare form of Lycanroc.
This form of Lycanroc is known as a Dusk Form, the typing is different, in other words a Rock/Fighting. When Niku heard of his succession of defeating Olivia and earning the Z Crystal, he was impressed with his progress. During the time when they were heading back to Melemele, they wanted to hear what Niku did and so he explained what he did and earned on his time in Akala. He left out the details of what he caught and who he used for good reason.
When they arrived back at the island, Niku went back to his mansion and added his new crystals to his collection and seeing what he got, he is now getting more stronger and is more determined to face other challenges. The next day, he decided to make a few trades and return some of his Pokemon back home. But first he wanted to see if his Vulpix wanted to evolve. It didn't so Niku decided to cover the Fire Stone in a cloth and wrapped it around its neck so it can evolve when it wants to.
He returned some Pokemon but only kept a couple. His Eevee stays and Feebas and Shelgon decided to leave and head to there new home in Paldea. Like with Feebas he gave wrapped the scale around Feebas and it will decided when it wants to evolve. The mansion is quiet and less populated with most of his Pokemon sent back to home. He wanted them to rest after everything they went through and so now things are new now.
Time Skip
The next day is now, Niku and Mallow were at Lana's house, as Popplio, Steene and Eevee are eating some Pokemon food Mallow has made. Lana asked Niku because she needs someone who already knows how to use the Waterium Z Crystal.
Mallow: I'm so glad Popplio seems to be doing fine.
Lana: Thanks for coming to check on it.
Mallow: No worries, I couldn't help but worry about it after yesterday.
Lana: Thanks for coming all this way.
Mallow: No worries, I couldn't help but worry about it after yesterday.
Niku: So you haven't mastered the Z move yet, huh?
Lana: Mmm. Popplio was woozy for a while.
Mallow: Also it got sick?
Niku: But you're still trying hard to get it.
Lana then looked down saddened.
Lana: Maybe the fact that I'm not used to battling... Makes it tough for me to picture the concept...
Niku: I don't think the battling concept is what's holding you back. You just need to practice. I'll help you with however I can until you get it down.
Lana smiles at him.
Lana: Right.
Later
The three of them decided to take a walk on the beach, when they heard a crowd of people near a building near the beach.
Niku: Something's going on over there.
The 3 of them walked over and saw a woman performing for a crowd with her Brionne.
Lana: Brionne!
Niku: Popplio's next evolution.
Lana: It's so cute!
Popplio: Popplio!
The performer's Brionne noticed Popplio in the crowd and tosses a balloon to it, which Popplio tossed back. Brionne proceeded to create more balloons as they floated around the crowd.
???: Aye!
Lana: Whoa! So beautiful!
Popplio: Pop!
???: And now, let's move into the final act! Darling, everything ready or what?
Everyone looked out into the water and saw a man on a surf board.
???: All okay, Ida!
Ida: The man over there is my darling, Kanoa. Now with a little bit of help from the Gods of Alola, us two are gonna showcase our love!
Ida then crossed her arms and proceeded to prepare a Z Move, surprising everyone but not Niku and Eevee.
Mallow: What?!
Lana: It's a Z Move!
Using the Water Type Z Move, Hydro Vortex with her Brionne, Ida created a vortex of water under Kanoa.
Now Kanoa is surfing on top of it, with Brionne joining him and creating more balloons.
Niku: Impressive.
Lana continued to look at Ida and her Brionne completely astonished, and with a determined look, she walks over to her.
Mallow: Huh? Hey...
Niku: Oh boy.
Lana the grabbed the hand of Ida, surprising her.
Ida: Huh?
Lana: U-Um... Please take me on... as your apprentice!
Everyone but Niku: Huh?!
Niku: ...-_-... Saw that coming.
Eevee: ...-_-... Vee
Later
After the performance, Ida and Kanoa had taken everyone back to their boat to talk to Lana.
Lana: I was... I was totally blown away. And you were in perfect sync with Brionne. Popplio and I want to fire off a Z Move like that!
Ida: I hear you, but...
Kanoa: Eh, just go ahead. I mean, we're gonna be here awhile.
Lana: Thank you so much!
Niku: That was quick. You're in luck Lana.
Lana smiled at Niku for his apprectiation but then remember what he said.
Lana: Ahh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings! I just think I'd have am easier time with Ida...
Niku grinned showing no sadness.
Niku: No worries Lana. I kind of was expecting this. I'm not really much of a teacher. Good luck Lana.
Lana: Thank you!
Ida: We're the Seafolk, one of a kind people who travel the seas of the world. Most of our procure and sell all kinds of items in all kinds of places.
Kanoa: Us though, we're not the same. I treasure hunt.
Niku: A Treasure Hunter, huh?
Mallow: I'd love to see the treasure you've found if possible.
Lana: I do, too!
Kanoa: Eh, you see... I haven't..
Niku: What's the matter?
Ida: Kanoa is the middle of chasing his dream. That's why Brionne and I do what we do to put food on the table.
Mallow: Oh dear...
Kanoa: But it's different this time! This time I went and got the right kind of clues.
Kanoa then pulled out some old documents.
Kanoa: See? These are some documents I went and got. They talk about a ship sinking during a very bad storm and the remains still being there, with its cargo. So I came to find it.
Niku: That so.
Ida: See as to why me and Brionne gotta work for our money. But if you really like to be my apprentice, I can help you out.
Lana: That's great!
Timeskip
After talking, Ida took Lana and everyone onto the beach, to begin Lana's training.
Niku: This kind of training must be different compared to battling.
Ida: So here's the thing. From what Lana has told me, Popplio doesn't have enough power to use a Z Move. So first we need to do a little strength training.
Lana: Right!
Popplio: Popplio!
Ida: Brionne, balloon!
Brionne: Brionne!
Brionne proceeds to create multiple balloons.
Ida: These are pretty strong balloons made by Brionne. Try popping them with Popplio's balloons. Lana, tell Popplio what it has to do.
Lana: Yeah, Master! Popplio, balloon!
Popplio: Popplio!
Popplio attempted to pop Brionne's balloons with it's own, but it instantly popped making contact with Brionne's, surprising them.
Ida: Plenty of work to do. Brionne, continue!
Brionne: Brionne!
Brionne creates even more balloons.
Lana: Popplio, balloon!
Popplio tried again to pop them, but failed again.
Ida: More strength!
Brionne: Brionne!
Lana: Balloon!
Later
It's now nearing the end of the day, and Lana and Popplio have been trying the entire time, with no success. Mallow had dozed off while Niku went near a tree and slept with Eevee on his lap. Popplio fell to the ground.
Lana: Popplio!
Niku heard the shout and woke up. He ran to see Popplio's condition.
Niku: I think we should call it a day. Popplio can't keep going like this.
Ida: I agree.
Lana: Alright...
Lana looked down saddened, but Niku walked up to her.
Niku: Lana, it's only been one day.
Lana: I know, but I didn't think it'd be this hard... We couldn't pop even one...
Niku: Don't let that stop you. Remember you trained before trying to make bigger balloons? If you give up now, all that work will be for nothing. Keep making progress and you'll succeed.
Lana looked at Niku surprised, before giving him a determined look.
Lana: Right!
Niku: Good. And if you stumble on the way, I'll stand in an help you.
Lana: Thank you, Niku.
Kanoa: I'm back...
Everyone looked back to see Kanoa walking over to everyone.
Ida: How'd it go?
Kanoa: I went searching the south side, haven't found anything...
Ida: I see. But I'm sure you're gonna find them for real tomorrow.
Kanoa: Yeah.
As Kanoa walked away, Lana walked up to her.
Lana: You're a kind person, Master.
Ida: Well of course. He's my darling. Back when I was younger, Brionne and I weren't able to use Z Moves either. But Kanoa was right there, cheering us on.
Lana: Wow.
Timeskip
It's been a few days since Lana started their training with Ida, Popplio's balloons have grown much more stronger, as they were able to quickly and effortessly pop Brionne's balloons.
Ida: Success!
Lana/Popplio: Yay!/Popplio!
Mallow: That was amazing!
Niku walked up to Lana and smiled.
Niku: See? That's making progress.
Lana then smiled at Niku.
Lana: Yeah!
Kanoa: Ida! I got a strong lead!
Everyone looked over and saw Konoa running over.
Konoa: I met someone off the coast who said they had heard of a sunken ship near here.
Ida: That's wonderful! You may be on to something this time!
Konoa: Yup! It's finally time I found some treasure.
Niku: Agreed. Any idea of what the treasure could be?
Konoa: According to the documents, it's Mystic Water.
Mallow: Mystic Water?
Lana: Mystic Water makes a Water Type's moves stronger.
Mallow: Really? I'd love to see it.
Konoa: Alright. I'm sailing out tomorrow. How about we all go?
Ida: It's going to be a early morning.
The Next Day
Everyone is currently riding in Ida and Kanoa's boat home to the location of the sunken ship.
Konoa: Alright, it should be right around here.
Eevee: Eevee.
Niku: You must have an idea of how to search the bottom, correct?
Konoa: You got that right. That's where Ida and Brionne's help come in. Alright, please do your thing.
Ida: Okay. If you would, Brionne.
Brionne: Brionne!
Brionne proceeded to create a perfect human sized balloon, that Kanoa could fit inside.
Everyone: Wow!
Konoa: Look forward to my return!
Both Konoa and Brionne submerged underwater and after nearly and hour, the two of them had returned.
Ida: How'd it go?
Konoa: Yeah, I found it alright. It's definitely there.
Mallow: Was there nothing inside?
Konoa: No, it already has a visitor.
Niku: A visitor?
Konoa: A Pokemon called Dhelmise is already there.
Niku: A Dhelmise? I've heard about them.
Konoa: I know about them. My dad told me to never approach one if you see it.
Mallow: So does that mean it'll be difficult to recover the treasure?
Ida: Seafolk know how to deal with all sorts of dangerous Pokemon. Just like Dhelmise.
Konoa: You see, it likes to attach it's self to things like ships. But Dhelmise are uninterested in things that can't be used as parts. Which means as long as we approach without angering it, were fine. Once more, Brionne.
Suddenly, the boat was hit by something underwater, surprising everyone but Niku didn't panic.
Niku: We aren't alone. It might have found us.
Everyone looked at the water and saw the Dhelmise surface, looking ar everyone. Without warning, it used it's anchor to hit the ship.
Lana: It's angry!
Konoa: We gotta get out of here. Everyone, get inside!
As everyone made their way inside, Konoa attempted to drive the boat away, but Dhelmise grabbed it with it's anchor, holding them in place and pulling them under.
Lana: Ir's drawing us in?!
Niku: Eevee, let's go!
Eevee: Vee!
Cloud and Eevee quickly ran outside and towards the anchor.
Niku: Shadow Ball, now!
Eevee jumps and hit's Dhelmise's anchor with Shadow Ball, but it still wouldn't let go.
Niku: It won't budge!
Ida: My turn! Brionne, Aqua Jet!
Brionne jumped and leapt into the water and hit Dhelmise witn Aqua Jet, making it rock the boat.
Ida: Brionne, one more time!
Brionne hit Dhelmise once again, making it let go of the boat.
Mallow: Alright!
Niku: Nicely done!
Without warning, Dhelmise hits Brionne with it's anchor pushing it out the water and knocking it out.
Ida: Brionne! Konoa! Set sail right away! We gotta take Brionne to the Pokemon Center!
Lana: Master!
Everyone looked at the water and saw Dhelmise using Whirlpool to trap the ship in place.
Konoa: Hurry inside the boat!
Returning back inside, the ship was getting closer and closer to the center.
Ida: Is Dhelmise planning to drag us down in the Whirlpool or what?
Konoa: We need more power to escape! This isn't good...
Suddenly, Popplio pointed outisde, with a determined look.
Lana: Huh?
Popplio: Popplio, lio, Popp!
Lana looking at Popplio, finally understand what it wanted.
Lana: Master, a Z Move might do the trick. If we fight the Whirlpool with another Whirlpool and hit it one rotating in the other direction...
Niku: Then they may cancel out. That could work. But Lana, I think you should do it.
Lana: Thank you for understanding, Niku.
Ida: But...
Niku looked at Lana and Popplio, seeing how determined they were and just nodded, while smiling.
Niku: She can do it. Just trust her and Popplio.
Ida looked at Niku surprised, but then saw Lana and Popplio's determined looks, understanding.
Ida: I understand.
Lana, Niku and Ida all walked out, as they looked at the whirlpool.
Ida: The heart of the Whirlpool is over there. Aim well!
Lana: I will.
Niku: You got this, Lana. I know you do.
Mallow: Believe in Popplio!
Lana: Right.
Both Lana and Popplio closed their eyes to focus, before getting into the stance.
Lana: Let's go, Popplio.
Popplio: Popplio.
Both Lana and Popplio began doing the pose to charge up the Z Move, mimicking one another.
Lana: Sail forth. Beyond the Sea Horizon! Hydro Vortex!
Jumping into the water, Popplio proceeded to use the Water Z Move, Hydro Vortex, defeating the Dhelmise.
Lana: Popplio! You did it!
Niku: Well done, both of you.
Timeskip
After defeating the Dhelmise, Konoa returned to the ship and retrieved the Mystic Water, surprising everyone.
Mallow: Wow!
Niku: It's pretty!
Lana: It is.
Ida: This is the Mystic Water Drop!
Konoa took the Drop out the chest and proceeded to tie it around Ida's neck, surprising her.
Ida: Eh? What's this all about?
Konoa: Sorry for putting you through all this trouble. I love you.
Ida looked at Konoa happily and pushed him into the water.
Ida: Aw, Konoa!
After returning to the island to drop off everyone, both Ida and Konoa got ready to leave.
Ida: Lana, congratulations on mastering your Z Move.
Lana: I owe it all to you, Master. And Niku.
Niku: What do you mean? I didn't teach you anything.
Lana: That's not true, you're always cheering me on, and you even opened my eyes about using the Z Move.
Niku: You're welcome, I guess.
Mallow: So, are you two going to keep traveling the seas now?
Konoa: For real.
Ida: We are Seafolk, yeah?
Konoa: All of the seas are linked together. We're gonna meet again some time.
Ida: And I'd like to see how my apprentice is going to grow, yeah?
Lana: Yes, Master!