Chapter 28 Noble Lilligant Battle
After leaving the Jubilife Village and heading to Crimson Mirelands, they hear from the staff member about Arezu. "The girl who set out earlier must've been eating some of Beni's potato mochi. I could still smell them on her. That reminds me - I've seen Mistress Calaba riding around on that Ursaluna she serves, digging for treasure in the ground. I wonder if Ursaluna uses his sense of smell to suss out where treasure might be?"
"That might be perfect, Ursaluna can smell much better than us. We can follow her scent." Ash says as Serena plays the flute and asks him to find Arezu.
"You won't mind if I come with the two of you?" Ash and Serena see that Adaman is also there, Ash asks, "Adaman? What are you doing here?"
"I was about to go to Lilligant's arena, but then I thought why not go with you two to find Arezu instead? I mean, for some reason, I have sensed some familiarity from the both of you." Adaman says.
"Is that so?" Serena asks. "You are the leader of the Diamond Clan, are you sure it is fine to hang out with two Galaxy Team members like Ash and I?"
"Unlike Irida, I would never doubt if you two were from the future or something. After all, our almighty Sinnoh is said to mess with time, after all." Adaman says. "Besides, much like your clan resides close to Lake Verity, my clan resides close to Lake Valor, which is over there."
"You mean Lake Valor?" Ash asks with interest. "That's where Azelf was located."
"Besides, I worry about Arezu as much as you two are." Adaman says.
"I see." Serena says as she thinks, "Maybe it will be better to learn what my ancestor is like..."
As they walk on the road, they have Ursaluna help searching for Arezu, and Ash asks, "But don't you think it will be a waste of time if you're coming with us?"
"At least I will be able to do something, rather than waiting while doing nothing at the Arena." Adaman chuckles. "You really are an interesting one, huh? Ash?"
"I guess?" Ash asks.
After arriving at Scarlett Bog, they find Arezu on the ground with a wounded leg. Adaman asks, "Arezu, are you alright?"
"Adaman?" Arezu is surprised to see him, but then she also notices Ash and Serena as she says, "Oh, Ash and Serena...How did it all go with Ursaluna?"
"You can see right here, we managed to calm him down." Ash says.
"Thanks a bunch, fella. But...how'd you find me all the way out here?" Arezu asks.
"Ursaluna manages to track your scent of those potato mochis you ate, and that's why we find you here." Serena adds.
"That Ursaluna sure is something. I know he's descended from one of the Pokemon that were blessed by almighty Sinnoh...but still, wow!" Arezu says. "My luck's run out, though...as you can most likely tell."
"What happened to your leg, Arezu?" Adaman asks with concern.
"I got chased by a Pokemon and sprained my ankle pretty bad as I was running away. It's almost like the world wants to punish me..." Arezu says.
"Ahhh, there you are, Arezu, right?" Just then, Calaba appears in front of them, and she says, "Oh, and the leader of the Diamond Clan..."
"M-Mistress Calaba! Uh, I-I-I didn't..." Arezu is now panicking.
"I owe you an apology. I treated you with disrespect, thinking you were just some whelp from the Diamond Clan. I'm sorry for that. I should've treated you better." Calaba says.
"Huh? Wait. But..." Arezu is confused.
"It's not your fault that Lilligant became frenzied nor that my Ursaluna was so enraged. You were trying to help them both, weren't you? I didn't even have the courtesy to listen to you. You'd think someone who's lived as long as I have would be more patient."
"It's OK...I didn't do a good job explaining myself, either." Arezu says. "Ursaluna only started acting weird after he got too close to Lilligant and smelled her perfume. She was already frenzied by that point, so I'm sure that's what caused it..."
"Ah, that explains the strange powder I found on Ursaluna. It must've been powder from Lilligant." Calaba nods. "But what happened to your leg, dear?"
"I was gathering ingredients to make balms...But I...I fell and sprained my ankle." Arezu frowns. "See, the reason I went to Jubilife was to get help for Ursaluna and also learn about crafting. But while I was there, I bumped into Professor Laventon, and he told me about the balms you used to quell Kleavor. So I thought I'd make some for Lilligant using her favorite foods..."
"Just great, it seems that something same is going to happen again..." Ash mutters.
"You Galaxy people know all sorts of things. I'd like to learn even more from you, really..."
Adaman sighs and says, "Well, then we'd better take care of our lady and get all this mess resolved first!"
Then he gets angry at Arezu. "What were you thinking, doing all this yourself? Did you think I couldn't help you?" But he turns to a frown, "Though...no one would blame you for thinking so. Not much of a leader, am I? I've never even seen almighty Sinnoh with my own eyes. And I failed to imagine that Lilligant might have become frenzied, too..."
"Stop blaming yourself, Adaman." Serena says, much to the leader's surprise. "We can't predict the fact that Lilligant has become frenzied, that's why we have to bring it back to normal."
Ash takes the basket of balms and says, "We have what it means to stop her, so there's still some time to return it back to normal. Don't just give up until it is over."
Calaba says, "Ash and Serena are right, you don't need to worry. Lilligant would be calmed, and that will be that. Things should settle down. Head to Brava Arena, that's where Lilligant's seat lies. Arezu will be taken care of. My dear Bibarel and I will make sure she reaches her lady."
Adaman says, "And you're right about that, Ash and Serena. I can see why you two are very special."
With Adaman's assistance, Ash and Serena manage to get to the Brava Arena without wasting some time, though both of them really want to capture some Pokemon on the way, they know for sure it is not the time since Adaman is a kind of person who doesn't like to waste time.
After arriving at the arena, Adaman looks forward and says, "Lady Lilligant's a sight to see, even in her frenzy. Behold her, and be grateful!"
"I hope we didn't keep you waiting." Ash, Serena, and Adaman are surprised to see both Arezu and Calaba manage to arrive much quicker than they thought.
"That was fast..." Ash says.
"All it took was one of my poultices to get Arezu's leg all patched up." Calaba says.
"Calaba, ma'am. I'm deeply sorry we've had to lean on your help so much - especially as we're from different clans." Adaman says.
"Arezu tried to solve the whole situation herself." Calaba shakes her head and says. "I daresay she bit off more than she could chew and caused some trouble, but her heart was in the right place."
Arezu shows her confidence and says, "Listen! The Lady of the Ridge, Lilligant, is like a dancer - always in motion, always darting about. You'll wanna watch her real close and learn how to dodge her moves!"
Adaman says, "That's right. If you keep on dodging, she might get tired out - and that'll be your opening! That's when you can bring out your own Pokemon and prove your might. Don't let me down!"
"Sure." Ash says as they walk towards the arena, but all they see is fog. Just then, strong winds are blowing and then Lilligant appears in front of them.
"Is that Lilligant? But what happened to the skirt?" Serena asks.
"I don't know, but that doesn't seem like the Lilligant we knew about." Ash says.
Lilligant starts to spin around and starts to jump and sing at the same time, with some notes appearing in the air. Ash and Serena start to throw the balms at the Pokemon. Just then, Lilligant goes for the Jump Kick, and Ash and Serena dodge before it lands on the ground.
"Is that a Jump Kick? Does that mean the Lilligant is a Fighting-type?" Serena asks.
"I know for sure that the Lilligant I know was a pure Grass..." Ash says.
After throwing some more balms, it starts to charge up its energy and sends shockwaves to Ash and Serena, causing them to fall to the ground, but then it is tired and Ash uses the chance to go with Staraptor.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Ash yells, and Staraptor shoots the attack and causing it to faint.
"So it is a Grass- and Fighting-type! That must be a Hisuian Form!" Serena gasps.
"Just wonderful...not only we have new Pokemon, but Pokemon with new forms as well." Ash says.
But as long as the Frenzy is not over, Lilligant can come back up to fight against them, and they have to dodge the attacks, but Serena takes a hit from the knee as she falls down.
"Serena!" Ash rushes towards her and asks, "Are you okay?"
"I hurt my knee..." Serena frowns.
Ash notices that Lilligant is trying to make another shockwave and he clicks his tongue. "Rapidash!" Ash sends out his Alpha Rapidash and asks him to carry Serena on his back, and then Ash continues to throw the balms until the last one hits Lilligant and returns it back to normal.
"Serena, dear. You should have this." Calaba takes out the poultice, and Ash says, "Let me do it for her."
Calaba nods as she hands it over to Ash, and Ash ties it around Serena's leg, Serena says, "Much like our first meeting, huh?"
"Yeah. That's why I should be the one to do that for you." Ash says. "Pain pain go away."
Serena chuckles at Ash's words, and the Lilligant walks towards Ash and takes out a green plate for Ash. "The Meadow Plate...A stone tablet imbued with the essence of plants and boosts the Grass-type attacks..."
He reads the words and says, "The powers of Plates are shared among Pokémon."
Adaman says, "Ash and Serena, thank you. You didn't just save Lilligant - you saved Arezu as well. I appreciate it."
"First Ursaluna and now Lilligant! You're amazing, you know that?" Arezu asks. "Being all frenzied didn't suit Lilligant one bit. I'm so happy she's back to her graceful self."
Lilligant nods as she jumps around. Adaman turns to Arezu and says, "Arezu! You still owe someone an apology."
Arezu is confused, but Calaba says, "Oh, don't worry about it. A young one like her is bound to get caught up in some trouble from time to time. Remember what's written in the Solaceon Ruins? "All lives touch other lives to create something anew and alive." There's wisdom in those words...I imagine they're the teaching of almighty Sinnoh itself. Of course, I'd completely forgotten about them until a certain somebody helped me remember."
"We owe you one, ma'am." Adaman nods.
"Don't try to solve everything by yourself, Arezu." Calaba says. "You're a warden. Of all people, we should know how to stand in solidarity with others. It's our job to stand side by side with Pokemon, after all."
Arezu lowers her head, "Yes, I know...I'm sorry..."
"Well, I can hardly start yelling at you now after Calaba wrapped all that up so nicely. Just one more thing, Arezu. I know you were trying to do what you thought was right, and I approve of that. But from now on, do it without keeping things from me. Agreed? Other than that, no need to change a thing." Adaman says. "Except maybe to put in some training! If anything else happens to Lilligant, I need you ready to protect her like the warden you are!"
"I understand..." Arezu nods.
"Let's work together from now on to keep the mirelands safe, Arezu." Calaba asks. "I'll be sure to inform Irida that both the Diamond Clan and Galaxy Team helped save Ursaluna. You did well, Ash and Serena. All our different groups finally joined hands to work together today. I admit, it was a fun day for me. But now it's about time I will be on my way."
"Thank you for everything, Ash and Serena. I think I'll stay and talk to Lilligant for a while." Arezu says as she walks towards the Pokemon. "What happened, Lilligant? How'd a kindhearted Pokemon like you end up all frenzied, huh? Though it's not like I'm perfect...I hid things and lied and couldn't even keep you safe. I'm really sorry about everything..."
Lilligant walks towards her and assures her not to worry, and both Ash, Serena, Adaman, and Calaba decide to leave them alone for now.
"So where are you guys going next?" Adaman asks.
"Well, we might go to the Professor and tell him about the news of the Lilligant." Ash says.
"You don't mind if I come with you, just like I said, right?" Adaman asks. "I am curious how you guys survey the Pokemon as well."
"Wait, you're going to travel with us for a while?" Serena asks.
"Listen. You know me - I'm Adaman, leader of the Diamond Clan, and I worship almighty Sinnoh, the ruler of time. Time is all about change, and we can't live in fear of that - we can only try to help the time we live in change for the better. Something tells me helping you folks out will help me do that. I'm looking forward to it!" Adaman says.
"Okay, that will be great." Ash sighs.
I'll end the chapter here, as you can see, I have decided to have Adaman travel with Ash and Serena in the Crimson Mirelands from this chapter. I'm thinking about having Adaman and Irida being Ash and Serena's traveling partners in the story from now on, with Irida coming later. I hope you like this chapter.