Chapter 40 Frenzy Now
With the safety of Growlithe in their minds, Ash and Serena decide not to capture any Pokemon while riding on Basculegion. Ash says, "Serena, how are you feeling riding Basculegion with me?"
"I can feel the breeze, it is amazing." Serena says, "But I still can't believe that Basculin will evolve into a Ghost-type like Jellicent."
"Me neither, I just called Professor Oak and it seems that only Basculin with white-striped form can evolve into this Basculegion, not to mention that its evolution is as annoying as Wyrdeer and Overqwil." Ash says.
"But still, we have to get to the island quick so that Basculegion can go back to bring Adaman and Irida with us." Serena says.
"You're right. Now it is not the time to capture the Basculin." Ash says.
Once they arrive at Firespit Island, Basculegion goes back to carry Adaman and Irida. The two of them are not that willing to ride with each other, but there are no other choice, and it seems that Irida also enjoys riding with Adaman in the end. And after the two get here, Iscan also arrives.
"Whew...Firespit Island...It's certainly hot enough to feel like a sweat bath, isn't it?" Iscan asks.
"I feel like I'm going to melt if I continue to stay here..." Irida frowns, Serena asks, "You're afraid of hot?"
"If you live in a cold area, you won't get used to the hot environment." Irida replies. "After all, our clan lives close to Lake Acuity."
"And now we've got a ghost and bandits to deal with on top of the heat..." Iscan adds.
"But we have to go! That poor Growlithe...I don't dare imagine what those bandits are doing to him now..." Adaman says.
"Maybe they are much like Team Rocket, just put them inside some sort of bindings and then celebrate on their own..." Ash thinks.
After walking up the volcano, they find a lot of Fire-type Pokemon around there like Magmar, but they decide to ignore them for now as they have a mission to do. Once they reach the lava arena, they see that Gengar is hurting Growlithe, who is still struggling.
"Come on - evolve already!" Charm says.
"We've done our homework! Any Pokemon gutsy enough to come to this lava trap is s'posed to evolve - so get on with it already!" Clover adds.
"You WILL become stronger. Like it or not." Coin says.
"You guys better let that Growlithe go!" Ash says as the three bandits notice they are here.
"Oh, look. The pests again." Charm mutters.
"Stand back, sisters - I'll take care of him. Go, Abomasnow! Smash this fool to pieces!" Clover says as she sends out the Pokemon.
"Great, she's using the same Pokemon as Candice..." Ash thinks. "I'll battle you if you want. Go! Quilava! Use Flamethrower!"
Ash sends out the Pokemon and goes with the attack because the Fire-type is 4 times super effective towards Grass- and Ice-type. Abomasnow is defeated with ease. At the same time, Quilava evolves and becomes a Typhlosion, but something is not right.
"What the...This isn't the Typhlosion we know..." Ash says.
"It's a Hisui Form!" Serena gasps.
"I don't get it! How'd I lose?!" Clover yells as she recalls Abomasnow. "Y'know Abomasnow can't fight at full power in crazy heat like this! It wasn't a fair battle...We were basically goin' easy on you! In fact, how dare you make poor Abomasnow battle in such a stupidly hot place!"
"Excuse me? You're the ones that bring us here." Ash says with annoyance.
"He's right, you're the one who sent out Abomasnow, sister." Coin adds. "Go on, then, Toxicroak. Pour out some poison for our unwelcome guest."
Serena says, "Then I'll battle you with Dartrix!"
After sending out the Pokemon, Serena has Dartrix go for Pluck and defeat Toxicroak with ease. But Toxicroak manages to use Poison Jab to deal super effective damage. After the battle, Dartrix also evolves and it also looks different from the Decudieye they know.
"So now only Typhlosion, but Decidueye has a new form..." Ash gasps in surprise.
"That means maybe Samurott might have a new form as well. And we still have one more sister." Serena says.
"I guess I lose the coin toss sometimes..." Coin sighs as she recalls her Pokemon.
"I did warn you, didn't I - that I had a score to settle with the Galaxy Team? All the pain and suffering I experienced after coming up here from the Kanto region to work - I'm going to make you pay for every last slight!" Charm yells as Gengar floats in front of them, she also sends out a Rhydon. Both Ash and Serena use Decidueye and Dewott to battle. But much to their surprise, Decidueye uses some kind of arrow shotting move that causes Rhydon to faint.
"What was that?" Serena asks.
"If I remember correctly, that move is called Tripple Arrows, it is a Fighting-type move. That explains why it is super-effective..."
And much to their surprise, Dewott also evolves into a Samurott, but this one is also looking darker, and it goes with the move that is similar to Razor Shell, but the attack is darker and it just slams into the Gengar to knock it out.
"And that move is Ceaseless Edge, it is a Dark-type move." Irida says.
"Wow..." Ash says in awe.
"H-how could all of us have been -?!" Charm gasps.
"Hey, Charm! I healed up Abomasnow and Coin's Toxicroak, good as new! Now we can keep battling until we run out of Potions!" Clover says.
"Just keep going, no matter how many times you try, you'll always lose." Ash says, and Serena nods as both Starters just roar at them.
Just then, a Growlithe arrives and it starts to bark at them. Clover says, "Wha-? Hey! No one invited you, tiny!"
"You're really going to insist on getting in the way, you little runt?" Charm asks.
"Take him down, Toxicroak!" Coin yells as the Pokemon starts to charge the attack.
"I know it's hot, but hang in there, Abomasnow! Smash that runt!" Clover adds as Abomasnow also tries to attack. But Growlithe manages to dodge both of them but tripped on a small rock.
"Growlithe! Please, stop! You cannot beat such foes!" Palina also arrives, and Iscan asks, "P-Palina?! What are you doing here? I thought you were waiting with little Growlithe..."
"I was! But then he jumped into the ocean without warning and swam all the way here..." Palina says.
"Into the ocean?! But he was terrified of the ocean after it swallowed up the former lord-" Iscan gasps. "his own father!"
But Growlithe manages to stand back up and it roars, much to their surprise, its roar gets its response, and suddenly, a Fire Stone drops from the air and gets in contact with Growlithe, causing it to glow.
"Where did that Fire Stone come from?" Serena gasps.
"I have no idea, but Growlithe is evolving..." Ash says.
And then, an Arcanine with some Rock body stands in front of them, Iscan adds, "Looks like he finally found his courage..."
"The late lord's child...He's evolved!" Palina adds. "His true bravery lay not in crossing the seas, but in finding the strength to face hardship head-on."
"You gotta be joking me! Why'd the puny one evole?!" Clover yells.
Coin looks up to the sky and says, "Uh...Sisters? Something's not right..."
A bolt of lightning strikes down from above and hits the Arcanine, causing it to roar and glow yellow. "You've gotta be kidding...it's becoming Frenzied...now..." Ash mutters.
"Palina, stay back!" Iscan says.
It starts to use Raging Fury at them, and all of them manage to dodge in the nick of time without touching the lava on the ground.
"Wh-what's happened to him?" Palina asks.
"That strange lightning hit him...He's become frenzied, just like the other nobles! Ooh, th-this is exactly why I didn't want to come to this island..."
Charm grits her teeth and says, "Ugh. Everything was going just as we'd wanted before that awful mutt ruined everything. Enough of this, sisters. We leave this place. We won't be making any living without our lives."
As they start to run away, Ash yells, "Come back here! This is all your fault!"
"We should get out of here, too. Otherwise, we're fair game for Arcanine!" Adaman says as they decide to retreat to the altar. Once they are done, Irida asks, "So Lina, what are you going to do about Growlithe - I mean, Arcanine?"
"That dear little Pokemon is my responsibility! As his warden, it is my duty to protect him with everything I have!" Palina says. "What must we do to quell his frenzy? Please tell us what we need!"
"We'll need to make some balms!" Irida yells.
"Balms...? Irida, what are you talking about?" Palina asks.
"I'm the leader of our clan! Is it so surprising that I know a little more of these things than you, Lina?" Irida asks.
Palina starts to get annoyed and she says, "I held my tongue before now, but now I must insist! Stop calling me Lina in front of everyone! And yes, I'm well aware you're our leader, Irida. How could I forget that you were the one chosen? You, who can use your Celestica Flute to summon Pokemon and have them carry you to even the farthest reaches of vast Hisui..."
"It is not just her." Adaman says, "We've learned a little about these frenzies as well. There's a special method for dealing with them. We can make balms - pouches containing a mix of the lord's favorite foods - and throw them from a safe distance. Isn't that right, Ash and Serena?"
"Yeah, that's right." Ash says, "Looks like we are going to do this the third time."
"Well, uh...in that case, I do always carry some of Growlithe's favorite foods with me...so I can thank him when he uses his flames to help prepare Basculegion's favorite meal..."
"Why, Iscan, once again your thoughtfulness saves the day! Now we can make those balms right away!" Palina says.
"Yes! Let's get right to work." Iscan nods.
After making enough balms with the help of both the Diamond Clan and the Pearl Clan, Adaman and Irida are now surprised at how they are good at working with each other. Iscan says, "They're ready! Here are the balms we need."
"Yeah, we can use them to calm Arcanine." Serena says as they take balms and head over to Arcanine, with the other four watching them leave. Palina stops them and says, "Wait, Ash and Serena. I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Ash asks.
"Please do your utmost to save my dear Arcanine. He may have finally become a lord, but it is clear this frenzy is causing him to suffer greatly..." Palina says.
"Be on your guard - the late Lord Arcanine would launch devastating attacks after standing still and gathering light around himself!" Irida says.
"Remember that while you're dodging, moves will slip right by you. Good luck!" Adaman says as Ash and Serena nod and go towards Arcanine, now Lord of the Isles.
I decide to write the Arcanine battle in the next chapter. And trust me, Arcanine battle is the first one that is giving me a hard time. I have been defeated by this Pokemon a lot of times before finally defeating it. And I hope you like this chapter and after the next chapter, it will be a long Post Cobalt Coastlands.