Chapter 23 Crimson Mirelands
Before walking to the gate, they find Akari there. She says, "Oh, hello. Ash and Serena. I was just getting the itch to battle with you, and now here you are. It must be a sign!"
"Sure, I can have another battle." Ash says.
"Let's have a fine battle, so I can grow closer with Pikachu!" Akari says, and this causes Pikachu to be interested.
Akari goes for Mime Jr. and Pikachu to battle, Ash goes with his own Pikachu to fight, Akari is surprised to see how Pikachu can learn Iron Tail and how it just defeats Mime Jr. with ease. And when both Pikachu are fighting, Ash can see that Pikachu is trying to cope with Akari's moves.
"Oops! I keep finding myself caught up in observing the way the Pokemon use their moves..." Akari sighs. "Pikachu may not be very happy with me, after that. Thank you for battling with me. Here - have this new recipe."
As they get the recipe for Stealth Stray, they find that it needs 1 Hopo Berry and 3 Bugwort blooms for it.
"So I've been working on studying those strange space-time distortions. Do you know the ones I mean? They've been appearing here and there lately." Akari asks.
"I'm not sure what you mean..." Serena says.
"It seems like they hold wonderful items - but frightfully strong Pokemon, too. If you plan to go into one, be careful about it! Now, time to head to the Mirelands Camp."
As they ride on the carriage to the Crimson Mirelands, they find that they are passing the Obsidian Fieldlands as they arrive at the said place. They find that there are a lot of maple leaves around the area as they are watching in awe.
"So this is the Crimson Mirelands...it sure is swampy..." Serena says.
"Here we are, my boy and girl! The Crimson Mirelands! An area teeming with poison-wielding Pokemon and plenty of others besides!" Laventon says.
"I've heard about your mission, Ash, Serena." Akari says. "If you're looking for the Solaceon Ruins, they're off that way."
They notice the entrance from afar, and she says, "For now, I'll keep searching for those space-time distortions. There's little way of knowing when or where one might appear, but I'll do my best! It sure would be handy if my map could tell me..."
Ash and Serena nod as Laventon says, "I'm counting on the three of you to carry out your survey work as best as you can! But be mindful of your limitations as well, won't you? If wild Pokemon are giving you trouble, I suggest you go to the training grounds and have Captain Zisu teach your Pokemon some strong moves."
As they start moving, they find a Pokemon that catches Serena's eye. "It's a Budew!"
"I was just wondering where we are going to see this Pokemon." Ash says. "Let's capture it, should we?"
Serena nods as they feed the Budew and capture it without being spotted, and it is a good thing that it is daytime, so they also manage to finish that request.
Budew's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number you've caught without being spotted:1,2,5,10,20 Number caught during daylight hours:1,2,5,10,20 Number defeated:1,2,3,4,5 Times you have seen it use Absorb:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've given it food:1,2,3,4,5 Number you've evolved:1,2,3
Hisui Dex Entry No.89 Budew: The Bud Pokemon: Grass- and Poison-type. When the sun's light strengthens, the bud atop this Pokémon's head opens. This is a sign to the people that the harsh winter is over, and the season of budding has begun.
"And there is a Carnivine...it sure reminds me of how Team Rocket used to have one." Ash says.
"Really?" Serena asks. "Speaking of them, I wonder what they are doing right now? Considering they can't go to the past so that they can try to steal Pikachu."
"Yeah." Ash chuckles.
As they walk around, they are surprised to find an Alpha Pokemon inside the group of Carnivine, so they first stun it with the Mud Balls, defeat it with Staraptor's Aerial Ace, and then capture it.
Carnivine's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number of alpha specimens caught:1 Number of large specimens caught:1,2,5,7,10 Number defeated:1,3,6,12,25 Number of you've defeated with Flying-type moves:1,2,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Acid Spray:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,2,4,10,15 Times you've stunned it by using items:1,2,3,4,5
Hisui Dex Entry No.92 Carnivine: The Bug Catcher Pokemon: Grass-type. Though this is a plant Pokémon, it has a gluttonous and unruly temperament. Carnivine attacks its prey with its cavernous maw wide open.
They also shake the trees and they find a Sand Cloak Burmy inside it. Ash says, "Now that's another form we need to catch."
"You're right." Serena says as she throws a Poke Ball to catch it.
Hisui Dex Entry No.43 Burmy (Sand Cloak): The Bagworm Pokemon: Bug-type. It creates a cloak by weaving together sand, mud, and silk it has spat out. This earthen cloak is ruined by wind and rain, so the Pokémon hides away in caves and other such places.
They also find a Sand Cloak Wormadam in one of the trees, and they decide to capture it as well.
Hisui Dex Entry No.44 Wormadam (Sand Cloak): The Bagworm Pokemon: Bug-and Ground-type. Evolved from Burmy at LV:20. Its earthen skin is reasonably hard—it has no problem repelling a Starly's pecking, at least.
And much to their surprise, they also find an Alpha Raichu there, Pikachu is not happy to see him, but Ash has decided to catch it by having Pikachu use Dig to knock it out.
Raichu's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,6,10 Number of alpha specimens caught:1,2,3 Number defeated:1,2,4,6,10 Number of you've defeated with Ground-type moves:1,2,4,6,10 Times you have seen it use Iron Tail:1,3,8,20,40 Times you have seen it use Thunder:1,3,10,30,70 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,2,4,10,15 Number of different forms you've obtained:2
Hisui Dex Entry No.57 Raichu: The Mouse Pokemon: Electric-type. Evolve from Pikachu with Thunder Stone. It can discharge bursts of electricity exceeding 100,000 volts— a single strike with that amount of power would incapacitate one of the Copperajah of Galar.
And while training, they find that both Rowlet and Oshawott start to evolve, they have become Dartrix and Dewott.
Dartrix's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,3,4,5 Times you have seen it use Leafage:1,2,4,10,15 Times you have seen it use Roost:1,2,4,10,15 Times you have seen it use Aerial Ace:1,2,4,10,15 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,2,4,10,15 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,2,4,10,15 Number you've evolved:1,2,3
Dewott's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,3,4,5 Times you have seen it use Aqua Jet:1,2,4,10,15 Times you have seen it use Water Pulse:1,2,4,10,15 Times you have seen it use Slash:1,2,4,10,15 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,2,4,10,15 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,2,4,10,15 Number you've evolved:1,2,3
Hisui Dex Entry No.2 Dartrix: The Blade Quill Pokémon: Grass- and Flying-type. Evolve from Rowlet at LV:17. Regularly basks in sunlight to gather power—presumably due to the frigid climate. Nonetheless, the edges of the blade quills set into its wings are keen as ever.
Hisui Dex Entry No.8 Dewott: The Discipline Pokémon: Water-type. Evolve from Oshawott at LV:17. Its exquisite double-scalchop technique is likely the result of daily training, and it can send even masters of the blade fleeing in defeat.
"So should we just go to the Solaceon Ruins? Or should we go to Gapejaw Bog first?" Ash asks.
"I want to check out the Gapejaw Bog." Serena says. "Maybe we still have time to go there once we are done."
After arriving, the first Pokemon they found is a Roselia, the evolution of Budew. They have to defeat it with a Psychic move, something that Alakazam can help with.
"So we have Budew and Roselia...I was wondering if there is an Alpha Roserade near here..." Serena asks.
"I don't know." Ash replies.
Roselia's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number caught during daylight hours:1,2,4,6,10 Number defeated:1,3,6,12,25 Number of you've defeated with Psychic-type moves:1,2,4,6,10 Times you have seen it use Poison Powder:1,3,8,20,40 Number o different forms you've obtained:2 Number you've evolved:1,2,3
Hisui Dex Entry No.90 Roselia: The Thorn Pokémon: Grass- and Poison-type. Evolve from Budew by leveling up with high friendship. Though beautiful, it has highly poisonous thorns. There is an old tradition in Hoenn wherein one would send these thorns to an opponent to challenge them to a duel.
And they also find some Tangela and an Alpha Tangrowth in the area, Ash says, "Just great, for what I knew about Tangrowth, I met one who tried to absorb our Pokemon's energy to save a tree."
"That sounds interesting. But that Alpha Tangrowth sure is a big one." Serena adds.
Tangela's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number you've caught without being spotted:1,2,4,6,10 Number defeated:1,2,4,10,15 Number of you've defeated with Fire-type moves:1,2,4,6,10 Times you have seen it use Ancient Power:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've given it food:1,2,3,4,5 Number you've evolved:1
Tangrowth's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,6,10 Number of alpha specimens caught:1,2,3 Number defeated:1,2,4,6,10 Number of you've defeated with Poison-type moves:1,2,3 Times you have seen it use Double Hit:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Energy Ball:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've stunned it by using items:1,2,3 Number of different forms you've obtained:2
Hisui Dex Entry No.95 Tangela: The Vine Pokemon: Grass-type. It is cloaked entirely in blue vines, preventing any glimpse of its true identity. The vines impart a refreshing sensation when chewed—they're useful as a spice.
Hisui Dex Entry No.96 Tangrowth: The Vine Pokemon: Grass-type. Evolve from Tangela by learning Ancient Power. Draped with long vines, it resembles a shrub in appearance. It swings bundles of vines as though they were arms, wrapping them around prey to ensnare them.
Inside the river, they also find some Barboach and Whiscash, so they decide to fill that Pokemon as well.
Barboach's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number you've caught without being spotted:1,2,5,10,20 Number defeated:1,2,4,10,15 Number of you've defeated with Grass-type moves:1,2,4,6,10 Times you have seen it use Mud-Slap:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Mud bomb:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've given it food:1,3,5,7,10 Number you've evolved:1
Whiscash's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number of heavy specimens caught:1,2,5,7,10 Number defeated:1,2,4,10,15 Number of you've defeated with Grass-type moves:1,2,5,10,20 Times you have seen it use Mud Bomb:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Aqua Tail:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,3,6,12,25
Hisui Dex Entry No.97 Barboach: The Whiskers Pokemon: Water- and Ground-type. Makes its home in swamps with murky water. The poor visibility hides this Pokémon from predators, and the slime on its body makes grasping it difficult.
Hisui Dex Entry No.98 Whiscash: The Whiskers Pokemon: Water- and Ground-type. Evolve from Barboach at LV:30. Strikes its caudal fin against the swamp bed to shake the ground and startle its prey. It will then swallow the fleeing prey whole. People mistook this behavior as the cause of earthquakes.
They also notice some Croagunks in the bogs, and Ash says, "Croagunk...it was also one of the Pokemon that Brock had..."
Serena says, "You mean one of those people who murdered us...I still can't believe that they will go this far to hurt us..."
"But now that I've thought about it...some of them, like Brock and Dawn...they didn't attack us with their Pokemon, right?" Ash says. "Do you think I'm very harsh to list them as murderers with the real ones?"
"They didn't do anything to stop them, though. But then again, they might be scared and not bold enough like Gladion or your mother..." Serena says. "Do you think there is a chance they might be guilty about what they haven't done?"
Ash frowns, "Maybe I should ask Lillie about it right now, we can also ask her about the Pokemon Ursaluna. All I know is that it might be related to Ursaring."
As Ash dials the number on Arc Phone, this time it is the Professor who answers the call. "Ash! My boy, how are you?"
"Wait, Professor Oak? Are you with Lillie?" Ash asks. "And aren't you surprised that we're still alive?"
Serena says, "He already knew, when I asked about Overqwil, he was also there."
Professor Oak says, "Indeed, but I only get to talk with Serena, not you, Ash."
"But why are you answering the phone? Where is Lillie?" Ash asks.
"Lillie is currently at Professor Cerise's lab as she wants to know more about those murderers." Professor Oak says. "So I guess you want to ask another Pokemon in your timeline, right? I can also help you out."
"That will be great. We want to know about Ursaluna and its relation to Ursaring." Serena says.
"Okay." Professor Oak says as he starts to flip the pages of the book, until he says, "There it is. Ursaluna is an evolution of Ursaring. To evolve it, you'll have to have it hold a Peat Block and under a full moon. Both of the conditions are hard to achieve considering that Peat Block can't be found normally in the world right now."
"I see." Ash says, "Time flies very quick here in this timeline, so maybe it will be fast for us to achieve this evolution. Thanks a lot, Professor."
"No problem. I'm glad to help." After that Professor Oak ends the call as Ash and Serena decide to capture the Croagunk for the dex.
I'll end the chapter right here, the next chapter will be going to Solaceon Ruins, and more Pokemon capturing. I hope you like this chapter.