Chapter 25 Ursaluna Battle
After leaving the Solaceon Ruins, they are now heading to Sludge Mound to find Calaba. On the way, they arrive at Scarlet Bog, where they find Hippopotas and Hippowdon resting in the mud.
"Why is that Hippowdon fully black when the others are yellow and black at the same time?" Serena asks in confusion.
"That's the female Hippowdon, and those yellow ones are male." Ash says. "And we don't want to get hit by those Pokemon's Yawn attack."
They decide to capture Hippopotas by feeding it with berries and then capture it without being spotted, and for Hippowdon, they change into stunning the alpha one and catch it.
Hippopotas' Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 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 Bite:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've given it food:1,2,4,6,8 Number of different forms you've obtained:2 Number you've evolved:1
Hippowdon's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number of alpha specimens caught:1,2,3 Number defeated:1,2,4,10,15 Number of you've defeated with Ice-type moves:1,2,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Mud Bomb: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:1,2,3,4,5 Number of different forms you've obtained:2
Hisui Dex Entry No.107 Hippopotas: The Hippo Pokemon: Ground-type. Though large and languid, Hippopotas is difficult to detect due to its tendency to burrow into and lurk beneath the soil. When agitated or excited, it expels sand from its nostrils.
Hisui Dex Entry No.108 Hippowdon: The Heavy Weight Pokemon: Ground-type. Evolve from Hippopotas at LV:34. Short-tempered and easily moved to violence. It whips up whirlwinds of sand to crush its foes' spirits, then goes in for the attack.
"But this place sure is like what the name implies, the bog here sure is red..." Serena says as she looks around.
"Yeah. And to think of it, this place is also smelly..." Ash says. "Perhaps because of the Stunky and Skuntank?"
They decide to also capture the Stunky and alpha Stuntank in the area, by throwing Mud Balls at them to make them stunned and capture them.
Stunky's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number defeated:1,3,8,20,40 Number of you've defeated with Ground-type moves:1,2,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Poison Gas:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Acid Spray:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've stunned it by using items:1,2,3,4,5 Number you've evolved:1
Skuntank's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number of alpha specimens caught:1 Number defeated:1,3,6,12,25 Number of you've defeated with Ground-type moves:1,2,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Venoshock:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Flamethrower:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use a strong-style move:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've stunned it by using items:1,2,3,4,5
Hisui Dex Entry No.110 Stunky: The Skunk Pokémon: Poison- and Dark-type. The poison that gushes from its aft end is accompanied by an utterly evil-smelling odor with such potency that one whiff can induce memory loss.
Hisui Dex Entry No.111 Skuntank: The Skunk Pokemon: Poison- and Dark-type. Evolve from Stunky at LV:34. Sprays a poisonous fluid to take down prey. Sometimes, unable to stomach the stench of its own fluid, it leaves the bested prey uneaten.
After quickly leaving the area, they finally arrive at Sludge Mound, which is filled with Geodudes and Gravelers. Calaba is already there as she says, "Over here, Ash and Serena."
As they walk towards the old lady, she says, "Ursaluna is enraged, yes, but...he must still recall his long relationship with the Pearl Clan. He never fails to show up the moment I play my Celestica Flute."
Then Calaba takes out her own Celestica Flute and plays the tune, much to their surprise, the ground is shaking and a giant bear arrives. Ash says, "So that's Ursaluna..."
"You have to show your mettle to him." Calaba says. "But remember that Ursaluna is a Pokemon very dear to the Pearl Clan. I will not permit you to catch him."
"We are not going to think about that." Serena says.
Pikachu wants to battle, and Ash says, "No, Pikachu. Ursaluna is a Ground-type Pokemon. Your Electric attacks won't do a thing."
Pikachu frowns as he really wants to get in action, Serena says, "Maybe another time, Pikachu. For now, we should try to calm it down. I'll be using Infernape."
As Infernape comes out of the Pokeball, Serena says, "As for me, I'll go with Carnivine."
As both Pokemon appear, Infernape goes with the Close Combat to deal a lot of damage, but Ursaluna glows and slams into Infernape, causing it to faint.
"What's that?" Serena asks.
"That was Ursaluna's Headlong Rush. It is his powerful move." Calaba says with a calm tone.
Ash notices that the defense stats are lowered, and he says, "Serena, its Defense stats! Now it is your chance to use a move!"
"I know. Carnivine! Energy Ball!" Serena says as the move eventually defeats Ursaluna and returns it back to normal.
Calaba slowly walks towards Ursaluna and pets it, she says, "Ursaluna, my poor darling. You must be exhausted from running around like that. Come. Let me make you all better. I have here a special medicine of the Pearl Clan. It'll clear out any poison in a Pokemon's body. If poison's what's causing Ursaluna's rage, this is sure to calm him down. We call it...Toxi-Gone!"
She offers to heal both Ursaluna and all of Ash and Serena's Pokemon, Ursaluna coughs at the medicine healing, and Calaba turns to Ash and Serena, "It's so potent that we can only use it on tough, resilient Pokemon, like Ursaluna. There, there, dear Ursaluna. You've calmed down now, haven't you?"
Ursaluna nods, and Calaba mutters, "This is all very strange, though..."
"I mean, he doesn't seem to be glowing like that Kleavor..." Serena says.
"Very astute of you, Galaxy Team recruit who looked like Irida." Calaba says, "You're exactly right. When you quelled Kleavor's frenzy, I could see the strange light rising into the sky all the way from here. But no such strange light erupted from Ursaluna after you defeated him, nor was he glowing. And what is this clinging to Ursaluna's coat? It seems like some kind of powder..."
"Maybe it was from a Grass-type Pokemon?" Ash asks.
"That girl from the Diamond Clan, Arezu...Now, why did she of all people find the need to come and tell me about Ursaluna, I wonder?" Calaba asks. "Oh, but I almost forgot something important. Play your Celestica Flute for me, won't you?"
Serena nods and plays the flute, and Ursaluna nods at the tune and takes out a plate for them. Ash says, "Our third plate: The Earth Plate. A stone tablet imbued with the essence of the earth. When used on a certain Pokémon, it allows that Pokémon to gain the power of the Ground type."
"What does it read?" Serena asks.
"When the universe was created, its shards became this Plate." Ash says. "It is reasonable. I mean, it is also one of the plates that become the Jewel of Life."
"Ursaluna is very good at finding things that are buried in the ground. We say that he's digging for treasure, even if these treasures might not always glitter or gleam. Now go and let your commander know of what transpired here, children of the Galaxy Team."
Ash and Serena nod as they leave, Serena says, "So Ursaluna is our itemfinder now."
"It is interesting, it was just like Stoutland from the Alola Region." Ash says.
After getting back to the Mirelands Camp, they find Professor Laventon and he says, "Er...Ash? I think you've got something stuck to you..."
"What?" Ash asks as he starts to shake and jump around, until an Unown A appears in front of them and floats away.
"Unown?" Ash gasps.
"So that's the Unown?" Serena asks.
"Was that a Pokemon?!" Laventon also asks. "Come to think of it, Volo did mention that there were carvings that resembled writing on the walls of the Solaceon Ruins...But supposing that the Pokemon we just saw is a species with multiple forms, perhaps the carvings are actually likenesses of this very Pokemon! I'm going to add a section specifically for that species to your Pokemon, Ash, Serena!"
"Just great." Ash says, "It seems we have to capture all 28 of them."
But just as the Professor finishes adding the page, they find that the Arc Phone beeps and uses a sort of psychic power causes some sort of words also appear each in 28 blank spaces.
"What's this, now? Letter-like markings seem to have appeared in this section I've just added..." Laventon gasps. "And was that your Arc Phone I just heard? If your mysterious device is reacting to this new species, I wonder what that could mean..."
"It might be that Arceus is playing games with us..." Serena says.
In the Hall of Origin, Arceus coughs a little as he is thinking if someone thinks of him right now.
"But it seems we need to find them all of the Hisui Region." Ash adds.
"Anyway, you have splendiferous results! I daresay you've earned yourself a promotion to the next rank!" Laventon says. "Best report to Captain Cyllene, eh? I'd get right on that, if I were you!"
Once that's done, they find Captain Cyllene and show her the progress. "Hm. You have made progress. It seems you have earned yourself a star."
As they get the fourth star, she adds, "With this, you have officially attained the rank of Fourth Star in the Galaxy Expedition Team. Have these as well. They are further recipes you'll need for crafting."
They get a recipe for Leaden Balls, which is a Great Ball version of Heavy Ball, and then a recipe for Hyper Potions. After leaving the hall, they've decided to buy some stuff at Choy's store, only to see him sighing.
"What's wrong?" Ash asks.
"You there, valued customers. Wouldn't you rather I had more wares for you to choose from?" Choy asks.
"Well, all you have is normal Poke Balls, Potions, Revives, and Cake-Lure Bases...that sure is not enough." Serena says.
"That it would! Unfortunately, Tao Hua refuses to provide me with any new goods to offer. He won't listen to a word I say, so would you try to persuade him for me?" Choy asks. "I'm sure you'll get somewhere if you bring him some Hearty Grains as a token of goodwill! Two or three stalks ought to do it...But I'd make it three to play it safe!"
Ash and Serena nod as they go to the Supply Corps to find Tao Hua, since they were just back from Crimson Mirelands, they already have a lot of Hearty Grains. "Oho, if it isn't the Survey Corps recruits who quelled the Lord of the Woods! Here as Choy's errand people, are you?"
"You know about that, huh?" Ash sighs.
"Don't waste your breath! I've got nothing to sell to him and his store anyway. Now go on, scurry! Pestering me for goods when I'm already tearing my hair out trying to get Hearty Grains...Sheesh!" Tao Hua mutters.
"We do have some Hearty Grains to share you." Serena says as she shows him.
"Wait - you've got Hearty Grains! Would you let me have some? Please, just three stalks!" Tao Hua says as Ash and Serena hand them over. "Ah, Hearty Grains! The Crimson Mireland's finest feature! The sway of those golden-brown stalks across the landscape...It fills me with yearning for home! I'd wager if you combined Hearty Grains with other ingredients, it'd bring out tasty aromas that would make Pokemon gather round. All right, I won't send you back a failure, since you so kindly brought me these Hearty Grains."
"So you're willing to help us!" Serena says with delight.
"Tell Choy I'll set him up with some new wares." Tao Hua says as Ash and Serena leave.
After getting back to the store, Choy says, "We've got new goods in stock, thanks to you!"
"That was fast." Ash comments.
"I'm sorry you have to deal with all this. Tao Hua and I have some...complications before. But thanks to you, we've got excellent new items to offer. Do buy some!" Choy says as they check out the inventory, which adds Heavy Balls, Feather Balls, Super Potions, Smoke Bombs, Mushroom Cakes, and Honey Cakes, and they really need some of them.
I'll end the chapter here, and as you can see, Ash and Serena get their third plate and their second ride Pokemon. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be continuing the quests.