"Alright." Lusamine thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. Fortunately, Aether Paradise still had some Z-Crystals in stock. Otherwise, she would have had to send someone outside to find them for Maki.
The Firium Z was, of course, meant for Charmeleon. Even though it hadn't evolved into Charizard yet, its ability to harness Solar Power made it one of the strongest Pokémon in Maki's team—second only to Mega Mawile.
That said, considering that Mega Mawile's transformation had a time limit and also suffered from a type disadvantage, it was hard to say who would win if they ever faced off.
After all, while Charmeleon's sustained burst damage wasn't the best, it still lasted longer than Mega Mawile's.
As for the Darkinium Z, it was mainly for Absol, though Charmeleon and Mawile could also make use of it thanks to their access to Crunch.
Originally, Maki had also wanted a Fairium Z or Steelium Z for Mawile, but since there were only three Z-Crystals available, he decided to prioritize the Darkinium Z. After all, trying to use a Z-Move while in Mega Evolution was just pushing things too far.
Maki could already picture it—he'd barely be halfway through the Z-Move dance when he'd collapse from exhaustion.
The Normalium Z, on the other hand, was meant for Whimsicott. But why not a Fairium Z or Grassium Z, which would have matched better? The reason had everything to do with its move, Nature Power.
Normally, even if moves like Weather Ball or Multi-Attack were transformed into Z-Moves, their typing wouldn't change based on external conditions. Instead, they would simply become Breakneck Blitz under the influence of Normalium Z.
However, since Nature Power itself wasn't a direct attack move but a status move, it bypassed this limitation. As a result, when used on Grassy Terrain, it would turn into Bloom Doom, and on Psychic Terrain, it would become Shattered Psyche.
And all of this could be achieved with just one Normalium Z. For Whimsicott, this single Z-Crystal could function as multiple different ones, making it the most valuable of the three.
"I'll take this Houndoominite, then," Lusamine said, putting away the Mega Stone. "Your three Z-Crystals will be delivered to you before the end of the day."
Maki nodded, not worried in the slightest about her keeping her word.
For the next few days, Maki stayed at Aether Paradise, training his Pokémon and even putting himself through some training as well.
And what exactly was he practicing?
Z-Move dance routines.
"Raise your hands a little higher—ahh, Maki, your movements are way too stiff! Relax!"
Lilie stood off to the side, coaching Maki as he struggled through the awkward dance steps. Meanwhile, a few Pokémon sat nearby, watching his training like spectators at a show. After all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle!
Especially for Whimsicott, who seemed thrilled to be back in the human world. The mischievous Pokémon had even snagged a whole pile of snacks—chips, biscuits, and more—from the Aether Foundation staff and was happily munching away while watching Maki suffer through his training.
For a Pokémon like Absol, who had only ever eaten Berries before, these new snacks were irresistible. The end result? A group of Pokémon gathered together, enjoying their food while watching Maki embarrass himself.
Listening to Lilie's instructions, Maki wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into.
Z-Moves were great and all, but why did the dances have to be so ridiculous?
And it wasn't just one or two poses he had to learn. Thanks to Whimsicott's Nature Power, Maki had to master at least ten different dance routines.
"Isn't there some way to use a Z-Move without doing this ridiculous dance?" Maki asked, grasping at one last shred of hope.
"Well... technically, the dance isn't absolutely necessary," Lilie said after thinking about it.
Maki's eyes lit up. If he could skip the dance, he'd take that deal immediately. There was no way he was performing these moves in front of an audience in an official battle—he'd rather forfeit the match.
"What's the alternative?"
"If your Pokémon are strong enough, and if your bond with them is incredibly deep, then yes—you can activate a Z-Move without dancing."
But then Lilie glanced at Maki and his Pokémon, who were currently devouring snacks like they were at a movie theater.
"Never mind. Keep practicing."
Maki sighed in defeat.
Right now, he was working on the full Inferno Overdrive stance. The movements were actually pretty simple—raise both arms twice in a wavy motion, then crouch slightly while extending his right arm forward with an open palm. His left palm rested on his right arm, mimicking a "launch" pose.
The real challenge wasn't the technique—it was overcoming the sheer embarrassment of it all.
"...What are you recording?"
Maki turned to see Whimsicott holding his phone, clearly recording his entire practice session.
"Wait—did you touch my phone right after eating chips?!"
Hearing Maki's outburst, Whimsicott immediately panicked, shoving the phone deep into its fluffy cotton-like body while putting on an innocent face.
"What did you record? Hand it over!"
Maki immediately lunged at Whimsicott, realizing that it must have captured something absolutely humiliating.
But Whimsicott was fast—in the blink of an eye, it darted behind Mawile, who was too busy enjoying a chocolate biscuit to notice the sudden chase.
"Mawile—grab her!!"
Mawile, startled by the sudden command, instinctively chomped down on Whimsicott with its massive jaws.
"Whiiiimsiiiii!!"
Whimsicott's eyes widened in shock—it had just been betrayed by its own teammate!
Maki wasted no time. He pinned the struggling Whimsicott down and started rummaging through its cottony fluff, finally pulling out his phone. The recording screen was still open.
Whimsicott had recorded the entire Z-Move dance practice.
If this footage got out, it would instantly become a piece of blackmail-worthy dark history.
And worse—Lilie's coaching had been recorded too. If Sabrina ever saw this, Maki's life might actually be in danger.
"Hmph! That's what you get for recording me. Your snacks are confiscated."
Maki smirked as he snatched away the bag of chips Whimsicott had been enjoying and stuffed a handful into his own mouth.
"Whiiiim..."
Whimsicott's eyes filled with fake tears, hoping to earn Maki's sympathy.
Too bad for it—Maki wasn't falling for the act.
Lilie simply chuckled, watching the chaotic scene unfold. Though she had gotten along well with Maki and his Pokémon over the past few days, she still hesitated to get too close.
Meanwhile, Maki deleted every last second of the embarrassing footage.
Some blackmail material could be tolerated—but this?
Absolutely not.
Just as he finished wiping the video from existence, Lilie suddenly spoke up.
"The Pokémon School I attend is about to start a new semester. Maki, would you be interested in visiting?"
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