Chapter 37 Palina and Growlithe

With Irida and Adaman getting back to the group, they are now at Ginkgo Landing. They notice some Spheal rolling around with an alpha Walrein watching over them, so they've decided to do their research.

Spheal's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number of heavy specimens caught:1,2,5,7,10 Number defeated:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Rollout:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've given it food:1,2,4,6,8 Times you've scared it off with a Scatter Bang:1,2,3,4,5 Number you've evolved:1,2,3

Hisui Dex Entry No.143 Spheal: The Clap Pokemon: Ice-and Water-type. During the season when drift ice approaches the shore, Spheal prefers living on the ice—where fewer predators lurk—rather than the land. Its fur retains heat superbly and resists harsh cold.

Walrein's Research Tasks: Number caught: 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 Fighting-type moves:1,2,3 Times you have seen it use Ice Beam:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Blizzard: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:1,2,4,6,8

Hisui Dex Entry No.145 Walrein: The Ice Break Pokemon: Ice-and Water-type. Evolved from Sealeo at LV:44. Its thick tusks are strong enough to shatter drift ice. They have been known to break, but they will grow back by the next year. The Hisui region is well known for these broken tusks.

"So this is how you research Pokemon? I must say that the Professor really gives you a lot of tasks." Irida says.

"But we're enjoying doing what we are doing." Serena says while releasing another Spheal. "And just capturing and letting go doesn't hurt their feelings that much, unless they really want to go with us."

"Is that so." Irida says.

"You'll learn some more after you know them with much more time." Adaman says, causing Irida to slightly glare at him.

They walk west and they also find Skorupi and Drapion. Ash says, "I always thought that those two Pokemon would be living at Crimson Mirelands...but I guess we can only find them in the Cobalt Coastlands, huh..."

Serena says, "That sure is shocking to know."

Skorupi's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number of small specimens caught:1,2,3,5,7 Number defeated:1,3,6,12,25 Number of you've defeated with Fire-type moves:1,2,4,6,10 Times you have seen it use Poison Sting:1,3,6,12,25 Number you've evolved:1

Hisui Dex Entry No.148 Skorupi: The Scorpion Pokemon: Poison- and Bug-type. Its claws are not only razor-sharp but poisonous, making Skorupi a highly dangerous Pokémon. It seems to be weakened by cold temperatures, however.

Drapion'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:1,2,3,4,5 Times you have seen it use Venoshock:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Cross Poison:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've stunned it by using items:1,3,5,7,10 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,3,6,12,25

Hisui Dex Entry No.149 Drapion: The Ogre Scorp Pokemon: Poison- and Dark-type. Evolve from Skorupi at LV:40. Has a brutish, ferocious temperament. With immense strength and a sturdy shell off which swords will bounce, it rampages about and wreaks havoc.

And on the way, they also find some Machop and Machoke hanging around the area, so they decide to do that Pokemon as well.

Machop's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number of heavy specimens caught:1,2,3,5,7 Number defeated:1,3,8,20,40 Number of you've defeated with Flying-type moves:1,2,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Rock Smash:1,3,6,12,25 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 Number you've evolved:1,2,3

Hisui Dex Entry No.154 Machop: The Superpower Pokemon: Fighting-type. Though as small as a child, it has strength enough to easily throw a well-built adult. Striving to become ever stronger, Machop trains by carrying a Graveler on its shoulders.

Machoke's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,4,10,15 Number defeated:1,3,8,20,40 Number of you've defeated with Psychic-type moves:1,2,4,6,10 Times you have seen it use Bullet Punch: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 Number you've evolved:1,2,3

Hisui Dex Entry No.155 Machoke: The Superpower Pokemon: Fighting-type. Evolved from Machop at LV:28. A sturdy creature boasting a robust physique and boundless stamina. Loves training above all else and voluntarily assists with tasks such as construction and clearing land.

"And there is also an Octillery!" Serena says. "Look at that size...it must have been an alpha!"

"Let's go!" Ash says as they rush there. Irida turns to Adaman and asks, "Does that happen often? I mean, that's not where they're supposed to go."

"Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be back very soon." Adaman says.

Octillery'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 Electric-type moves:1,2,5,10,20 Times you have seen it use Hydro Pump:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Hyper Beam:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,2,4,10,15 Number of different forms you've obtained:2

Hisui Dex Entry No.147 Octillery: The Jet Pokemon: Water-type. Evolved from Remoraid at LV:25. While Octillery still shoots water from its mouth, the drastic anatomical difference between it and Remoraid meant that for a long time, no one believed the former evolved from the latter.

"This cliff sure is tall...Serena, do you think we should climb it?" Ash asks.

"I don't think we are going to do that..." Serena says with a sweatdrop.

"You don't have to." Irida sighs, "There's a small path that can reach the top."

As they follow Irida, they arrive at Veilstone Cape, and Ash says, "Veilstone, huh... So this will be Veilstone City in the future..."

Serena says, "Let me guess, Veilstone City is also one of the gym locations in Sinnoh?"

"Yeah, Maylene and her Lucario are strong." Ash says.

"What are the gyms you speak about?" Adaman asks.

"Oh, a Pokemon Gym is like a special place where you can face an opponent of that specific type. There are 8 in total and if you win all 8 of them, you'll be grant access to battle the region's strongest trainers, which we called the Elite Four and the Champion."

"That sounds very confusing." Irida says. "So you mean that there are 8 people who only use one type of Pokemon, and they stay at some sort of quarters so you can go there and challenge them to battle, after defeating them, you get the badge, and for getting 8 of them you can fight the top 5 trainers in the region?"

"That's right." Serena says, but their attention shifts as they see a Vulpix passing by. Serena adores the Pokemon's cuteness as they decide to do the research tasks.

Vulpix's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number you've caught without being spotted:1,2,4,6,10 Number you've caught while they were sleeping:1 Number defeated:1,2,4,10,15 Times you have seen it use Ember:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've given it food:1,2,3,4,5 Number of different forms you've obtained:2 Number you've evolved:1,2,3 Investigated about Vulpix from the Alola region:1

Hisui Dex Entry No.168 Vulpix: The Fox Pokemon: Fire-type. In its belly burns a fire, which Vulpix spits out in the form of fireballs. When young, this Pokémon has but one white tail. As the Pokémon matures, this single tail splits into six.

"And there she is. Palina!" Irida shouts at the woman who is standing in front of a grave, with two Growlithe beside her. Ash and Serena also notice that the Growlithe is also different from the ones they used to know. And they are barking at them.

"Hush, now. Settle down." Palina stops the Growlithe. "I'm Palina of the Pearl Clan. And who might you two be?"

Irida says, "They are Ash and Serena. They are the children from the Galaxy Team."

"And Irida, why is the leader of the Diamond Clan with you?" Palina asks.

"More like we decided to see how Ash and Serena are going to handle this. After all, they are the ones who aided Kleavor and Lilligant when none other could quell their frenzy." Irida says.

Palina nods as she turns to Ash and Serena. "Your strength must be amazing, and yet...you have such gentle faces. So what brings you to the Cobalt Coastlands? We have no lord here, much less a frenzied one for you to quell."

"We've heard about it, the previous lord was swallowed by the waves..." Serena frowns. "But we didn't know the details."

"He was rescuing his young pup that had been swept out to the sea and ended up giving his life to ensure the pup's safe return...If you were to guess, which of these Growlithe would you say is the previous lord's child?" Palina asks.

"The small one? I can see some tears in its eyes." Serena asks.

"Oh, you have quite a good eye. This quiet, skittish Growlithe is the child of the previous lord. I've no doubt this little one has the potential to be a fine lord, but witnessing his father's demise has left deep scars in his heart...There are those who expect me to train him more strictly and force lordship upon him before he is ready...but I could never bring myself to do that."

"Hold on, is that the reason why you refuse to train Growlithe? Why didn't you tell me this?" Irida asks. "Aren't we best friends?" Irida asks. "If you told me sooner, I would not have tried to force you to train it strictly."

"You're the Pearl Clan Leader, and I can't bring myself to tell you the whole truth because of your burdens. No matter what the rest of the Pearl Clan says, my mind is quite made up. I'll stay by this little one's side and let him live his life as he wishes." Palina says. "So now that you know our situation, might I ask your purpose in coming to the coastlands?"

"Since after hearing what happened to the poor Growlithe...I don't think we can force him to train...but our commander asks us to go to the Firespit Island." Ash says.

"A survey of Firespit Island? I see...There are rumors the place is haunted by strange shadows these days. You'll need the aid of a Pokemon known as Basculegion if you wish to cross the sea."

"Basculin?" Ash and Serena are confused, Adaman says, "Basculegion is the evolution of Basculin, and our Diamond Clan's warden Iscan should be able to help you."

"Even Basculin gets a new evolution...interesting." Ash says.

"There is definitely something strange happening out on Firespit Island...Those shadowy figures are concerning, of course, but then there's also the odd lightning that came from that rift in the sky...Lightning is a sign that the heavens are angry...I worry that we may have offended almighty Sinnoh somehow. In the past, the Pearl Clan and Diamond Clan were locked in conflict over which side revered the true almighty Sinnoh...Even if we've reached an uneasy peace, the true almighty Sinnoh must be angered because there are still those who worship a false image of it."

"She was right about that, though." Adaman says.

"But I don't think both sides are wrong as well..." Ash says, causing them to be confused, "Never mind what I say."

"Ah, but I digress...I do apologize. Iscan lives on Aipom Hill, just past Ginkgo Landing. I imagine you'll find him there." Palina says.

The others nod as they leave to find Iscan.

I'll end the chapter here, and as you can see, Ash and the others meet Palina, one of the Pearl Clan Wardens, the next chapter will be meeting Iscan. I hope you like this chapter.