Chapter 36 Cobalt Coastlands
As Ash, Serena, and Adaman arrive at Cyllene's office, Captain Cyllene says, "The next area for you to investigate will be the Cobalt Coastlands. It is farther afield than the Crimson Mirelands - much farther - and the path is long and trying. With your current rank, you should be capable of braving the Cobalt Coastlands. You know your mission. Investigate Firespit Island."
"Okay." Ash and Serena nod as they leave the office, only to see Irida waiting for them. "Irida? What are you doing here?" Serena asks.
"It is simple, I can't lose to this guy here, if he is traveling with you, then I should do the same as well. I know much more about Cobalt Coastlands than this guy does." Irida says.
"Here we go again." Adaman sighs. But Ash says, "Sure, it will be more interesting to know more about you."
"You're going to let her in the group, huh? Ash?" Adaman asks. Serena says, "Why not? The more the merrier."
Irida smiles, and then she says, "Cobalt Coastlands is a beautiful area, you'll know why when you get there."
"Really? Now I'm excited to see what kind of Pokemon we can find there." Ash says as Pikachu nods.
Before going to Cobalt Coastlands, they hear a voice, "Ah, if it isn't Ash and Serena."
They see Lian and he says, "Even Irida and Adaman. Though I suppose it's to be expected that I'd run into you in the village. Where are you going to study Pokemon next?"
Ash says, "Irida is going to show us around the Cobalt Coastlands."
"Really? Palina's certainly in a bit of a situation over there." Lian says.
"Palina?" Serena asks Irida, who replies, "She is the warden with the deceased noble Pokemon."
"She's a warden, and yet she has no noble to see to." Lian frowns. "There are even some people in the Pearl Clan that speak ill of her, though not to her face."
"Lian." Irida says to Lian, who flinches and says, "Oh, but do forgive me. Perhaps I shouldn't be airing dirty laundry. A piece of advice, then, as an apology for wasting your time! Some Pokemon are strongly affected by certain stones, which hold mysterious powers. With the right stone, you can even evolve some Pokemon. You need to look no further than Kleavor for proof of that!"
Ash notices that he is looking at Pikachu, and he says, "Pikachu refuses to become a Raichu, so don't think of asking me to use a Thunder Stone on it."
Adaman says, "Really? This is the first time I see a Pokemon who doesn't like the evolution."
"Don't worry. What I'm trying to say is basically this: if you and the Survey Corps want to learn all there is to know about the Pokemon of this region...then the stones you find throughout Hisui will be very important. There's even a tale of a stone that contains the power of creation - the very same power almighty Sinnoh used to create the universe! I trust you'll take my advice to heart and not underestimate how important stones can be. To help grind this fact into you. Here. I'll give you some rather handy stones and things I found."
He gives them two Grit Pebbles and three Grit Gravels, and then he says, "And should you want some stones that can help Pokemon evolve, I believe the Gingko Guild has them from time to time!"
Irida says, "He means those people over there." Ash and Serena look to see some people in yellow uniforms in front of the Galaxy Hall, and one of them looking like Volkner.
After Lian leaves, Adaman says, "Looks like your warden is also someone very capable."
"He is always capable." Irida says back.
After getting off the carriage towards the Cobalt Coastlands, Ash and Serena are in awe at the sight of the ocean and the beach in front of them.
"Ah, the Cobalt Coastlands! A simply lovely corner of Hisui Sea and sky as far as the eye can see!" Laventon says. "What kinds of Pokemon await us here, I wonder? Water-types? Or Flying-types, perhaps? Oooh, I simply can't wait to study them all! Now I'm sure you're just as excited as I am to research this area's Pokemon, but let's not forget that you've a mission to accomplish!"
After Laventon leaves, Serena asks Irida, "So about Firespit Island...what kind of island is that?"
"It is an offshore volcano - and trust me, it is very hot over there." Irida says. "But you'll need to cross the sea to reach it."
"If you want to go to the sea, then you can find one of my wardens who lives here, Iscan." Adaman says. "Knowing him, he will surely help you find your way."
"So you even have a warden here..." Irida says.
"Are you serious about that question?" Adaman says in a deadpan tone, and Irida just walks forward and starts to play the Celestica Flute. The melody is very soothing as both Ash and Serena can feel at ease.
"I do love the flute. It feels as if its tones carry to the very ends of space. But I am here, and so are you. So now I'm going to focus everything I have on battling you." Irida says.
"Right now? I don't mind about that." Ash says.
"Very good. You who have seen the vast space beyond the rift...Here I come!" Irida says as the Glaceon and Eevee jump in front of Irida, Ash and Serena decide to go with Pikachu and Sylveon to battle, with the Iron Tail and Moonblast, both Pokemon are defeated.
"Ah, now I feel better!" Irida sighs. "The world is vast...and I am small within it. Thank you!"
"You're welcome?" Ash asks.
"With you...I think with you I can be frank." Irida says. "I can't afford to look weak in front of your commander or that guy over there, but in truth..."
"Ouch..." Adaman mutters, not long enough to make Irida hear it.
"I sometimes wonder how I've ended up with the burdens I bear. You see, Palina tends no lord or lady. And she will not raise a successor to fill the late lord's empty seat, either. Some people have started to question her worthiness to be a warden at all. But Lina - that is to say, Palina - she's very dear to me, no matter what anyone might say. We were both in the running to become leader of the Pearl Clan. We strove to surpass one another, but...she taught me a great deal, too."
"Sounds like you two are really close." Serena says.
"Having said all this, I have a favor to ask of you. Please help her raise the Pokemon she looks after into a true heir to his father - the late lord! With the help of your strength, I think our late lord's heir would grow into a worthy successor. And if he succeeds, it should silence Lina's naysayers. I don't know of anyone I'd trust more to help with this than the people who helped the Pearl Clan by quelling Kleavor's frenzy." Irida says.
"Of course we will help. So where is she? Firespit Island?" Ash asks.
"No, you'll be able to find Lina up on the headland. Head down this hill, and turn left. You should find a slope leading up onto the ridge." Irida says as Ash and Serena walk forward. Adaman says, "Listen, Irida."
"What now? Are you going to mock me again?" Irida asks with annoyance.
"From what I heard about you, I don't think you are weak. Like you, I sometimes wonder how I've ended up with the burdens I bear." Adaman says. "But if there is a problem, what I have in mind is to think how to solve it as fast as possible."
"So?" Irida asks.
"The fact that you ask Ash and Serena for help is the right choice. If I were in the same shoes as you, I would do the same." Adaman says. "Those two are something else, don't you think?"
Irida sighs and shows a small smile. "I agree..."
As for Ash and Serena, the two of them are looking at Glameow and Purugly, Serena says, "Purugly really is fat after evolving..."
"Yeah, but that makes this Pokemon interesting." Ash says.
Glameow's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number of light specimens caught:1,2,5,7,10 Number you've caught without being spotted:1,2,5,10,20 Number defeated:1,2,4,10,15 Times you have seen it use Nasty Plot:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've given it food:1,2,3,4,5 Number you've evolved:1
Hisui Dex Entry No.152 Glameow: The Catty Pokemon: Normal-type. Bewitches humans with its helical tail and piercing gaze. Its hidden claws are quite sharp as well, making this Pokémon an exceedingly tricky opponent if antagonized.
Purugly's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number of heavy specimens caught:1,2,5,7,10 Number you've caught without being spotted:1,2,4,6,10 Number defeated:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Play Rough:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Double-Edge:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've given it food:1,5,10,15,20 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,3,6,12,25
Hisui Dex Entry No.153 Purugly: The Tiger Cat Pokemon: Normal-type. Evolved from Glameow at LV:38. Though impudent and difficult to tame, Purugly enjoys great popularity due to its fur, the beauty of which surpasses even velveteen.
As they shake the trees, they also find Trash Cloak Burmy and Womadam in the trees nearby, and they also capture them for the Pokedex.
Hisui Dex Entry No.43 Burmy (Trash Cloak): The Bagworm Pokemon: Bug-type. When confronted by a lack of other materials, Burmy will create its cloak using dust and refuse. The cloak seems to be more comfortable than one would think.
Hisui Dex Entry No.44 Wormadam (Trash Cloak): The Bagworm Pokemon: Bug- and Steel-type. Evolved from Burmy at LV:20. Its body, composed of refuse, blends in to the scenery so much as to be inconspicuous. This seems to be the perfect way for the Pokémon to evade the detection of predators.
"Hey, where are Irida and Adaman?" Serena asks Ash.
"There, those two are talking." Ash points at them. "When Irida also asked to come with us, I was worried a little if she would be fighting with Adaman a lot considering they're from different clans. But it seems that they are doing just fine."
"I agree. I very approve of them being together." Serena says, "Or else I won't be able to exist in the future..."
"Because both of them are your ancestors? Is that what you're thinking about?" Ash asks.
"Well, my Mom just sent me a message to confirm this. The reason I was called Serena is actually because of what we are doing right now." Serena says.
"That's good, I had the experience of almost being wiped out of existence because of rewriting history." Ash says while shivering, "I don't want that to happen."
And I'll end the chapter right here, as you can see, I am going to develop the feelings between Adaman and Irida. And we are now at the third location: Cobalt Coastlands, the next chapter will be them capturing and researching Pokemon while being on their way to find Palina, the Pearl Clan Warden without a Noble.