Chapter 41 Noble Arcanine Battle
Ash and Serena are now going to battle Arcanine with their own hands, as they start to throw some balms at the Pokemon. They notice that Arcanine glows and it goes for a Wild Charge, Ash and Serena dodge in the nick of time before getting hit by the attack.
"We have to be careful not to touch the lava." Ash says. "But there is not much space for us to dodge the attacks as well."
Serena says, "We can't give up, right now it is still charging, this is the good chance to throw balms."
After throwing some balms, they notice that Arcanine is growling and five fire balls form on top of it. "Watch out! It is going for Raging Fury!" Irida yells.
Serena and Ash quickly use the chance to throw a balm, causing one of the fireballs to disappear. "We need to throw four more!"
"Got it." Serena says as they continue to throw some balms until it is getting tired. "Now it is our chance."
Ash goes with Samurott to battle the Pokemon, and Samurott goes with Razor Shell, which is super effective. But Arcanine also deals a lot of damage by using Wild Charge.
"Samurott! Aqua Tail!" Ash commands, and then Samurott defeats the Arcanine, giving Ash and Serena the chance to throw some balms. But after throwing more, Arcanine manages to get back up and jumps into the air, it lands on the ground causing fire tornados to surround the middle area.
"Crap! We're now stuck on the alone tile!" Ash says as Serena is also horrified at the sight of the wildfire in front of them. And Arcanine still tries to use Wild Charge at them. They can only wait until Arcanine is getting close before hitting it with the balms.
"Crap...we're stuck at the corner..." Ash says as they notice the Growlithe is facing them in the same tile as it prepares for the Wild Charge, they try to dodge, but Ash gets hit by the arm and he groans in pain.
"Ash!" Serena says, "Are you alright?"
"I can feel the pain from my arm..." Ash says as he holds his arm. Serena notices it and says, "This is a first-degree burn, we need to do some icing. Walrein! I need your help."
Serena sends out the Ice Type Pokemon and asks it to cool Ash's burn pain, as for herself, she has to make sure that Arcanine won't be able to hurt Ash as she continues to throw the balms. But when Serena manages to dodge the attack, it starts to charge up the five fireballs again, Serena knows that if it is unleashing the attack, it will be trouble, and she only has 4 more balms left. Serena takes a breath and says, "I won't give up until it is over. Here we go!"
Serena throws four balms and Samurott helps shooting water to make it hit, and in the end, Arcanine's glow is disappearing and it returns to normal.
"Oh, look! The strange light has left Arcanine and...is vanishing into the space-time rift...?" Iscan asks.
"Yeah..." Adaman replies.
Serena rushes to Ash and says, "Are you still hurting from the burn, Ash? Use this."
Serena uses the handkerchief that Ash tied for her during the battle against noble Lilligant, and with the cool water to help cool the burn. Ash says, "It should be fine...it is a good thing that both of them didn't fall into the lava."
Arcanine walks towards them and gives them a red plate, Serena takes it and says, "The Flame Plate..."
"A stone tablet imbued with the essence of fire." Ash says as he reads the words on the plate. "The power of defeated giants infuses this Plate."
Palina looks into the air and says, "What could possibly lie on the other side of the rift, I wonder..."
"A future where Ash and I stayed from." Serena says, causing Adaman and Irida to nod while Iscan and Palina are still confused. Just then, they hear two loud growls.
"What?! Were that two different Arcanine cries just now...?"
They look up the volcano and see a shadowing leaving, Palina smiles and pets the Pokemon. She says, "Oh...Now I understand...My little Growlithe...Ah, no, I misspoke. Lord of the Isles, Arcanine! You and I must now live apart so that we may attend to our separate duties."
Arcanine nods at Palina, but is still sad to leave. Palina says, "Now now, all will be well. You're strong. Far stronger than me, in fact. From now on, let us each strive to fulfill our duties as lord and warden! Now go, Lord Arcanine. Your realm awaits."
Arcanine roars and then jumps into the lava and leaves. Iscan asks, "Um...Was I the only one who felt like they heard the cry of the previous Lord Arcanine earlier?"
"Oh? How odd. I certainly didn't." Palina says.
"My neither." Adaman says as the others just give out small giggles.
"P-please, I do hope you're joking...I'm easily scared as it is. What am I to do if I start hearing the cries of ghosts all the time?" Iscan panics.
"No need to worry, Iscan. I only kid." Palina says. "I also heard the voice of the previous lord calling out to us."
"We all do." Ash says as the others nod.
"It seems I wasn't the only one watching over his young pup this whole time...Ash and Serena, you have my heartfelt thanks for helping my dear little one, the new Lord Arcanine." Palina says.
Before the group can leave, Palina whispers to Ash and Serena, "I'm sorry to ask even more of you, but...please look after Irida as well."
"You bet, we will help my big sister." Serena smiles.
"Now then, Iscan, I believe we'd best be off." Palina says. Iscan nods as they leave the four alone.
After Ash and Serena catch up to Adaman and Irida, Irida frowns, "Ash and Serena...I wasn't much use just watching from the side, was I...You know, when Lina wouldn't raise Growlithe to be the new lord and people in our clan were doubting her fitness as a warden...I urged her to put Growlithe through the proper training, but she snapped at me."
"How come?" Serena asks.
"This poor Pokemon saw his own father die," Palina yells at Irida, who flinches. "Is it a warden's duty to force a child in such pain through that training?"
"Those words left me with...much to consider." Irida frowns. "And even when Arcanine became Lord of the Isles and grew frenzied, all I could do was watch."
"That's not true at all." Ash says, "Without you and Adaman, we wouldn't make the balms to save Arcanine."
"But that's something you could have done without me." Irida says. "Is that so praiseworthy? Do I deserve to be recognized for such a slight contribution? I took on leadership of the Pearl Clan so young, with no grand vision for what it should be...Still, I tried to respect our old customs and sites, even as some called me old-fashioned for it."
"But you're changing right now." Adaman is the one to speak, much to Irida's shock. "It is not just you, I was the same as you. But watching Ash and Serena, I finally see. I know what I want to do. I want to protect this vast land of Hisui. You're feeling the same, right?"
"You're right." Irida says as her confidence starts to get restored. "I want to battle alongside my partners so we can grow strong enough to be of help to all of you...and to broaden the horizons of the world I see!"
"That's for sure." Serena smiles. "I know you can do it."
"Looks like I've got Lina to thank for yet another lesson that I've learned. I should let her know." Irida smiles. "And hear more about her relationship with Warden Iscan, while I'm at it! But right now, I need to get off this oven of an island!"
"You're right, Ash already has a burn and it won't be helping if we continue to stay here." Serena says as they call the carriage to send them back to the Coastlands Camp.
Once they get back to the camp, they decide to do the research of the Pokemon, starting with the three final evolved Starters.
Decidueye's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,3,4,5 Times you have seen it use Triple Arrows:1,3,8,20,40 Times you have seen it use Leaf Blade:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Leaf Storm:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,3,8,20,40
Hisui Dex Entry No.3 Decidueye (Hisuian Form): The Arrow Quill Pokémon: Grass- and Fighting-type. Evolved from Dartrix at LV:36. The air stored inside the rachises of Decidueye's feathers insulates the Pokémon against Hisui's extreme cold. This is firm proof that evolution can be influenced by the environment.
Typhlosion's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,3,4,5 Times you have seen it use Infernal Parade:1,3,8,20,40 Times you have seen it use Flamethrower:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Overheat:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,3,8,20,40
Hisui Dex Entry No.6 Typhlosion (Hisuian Form): The Ghost Flame Pokémon: Fire- and Ghost-type. Evolved from Quilava at LV:36. Said to purify lost, forsaken souls with its flames and guide them to the afterlife. I believe its form has been influenced by the energy of the sacred mountain towering at Hisui's center.
Samurott's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,3,4,5 Times you have seen it use Ceaseless Edge:1,3,8,20,40 Times you have seen it use Aqua Tail:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Hydro Pump:1,3,6,12,25 Times you've seen it use a strong style move:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,3,8,20,40
Hisui Dex Entry No.9 Samurott (Hisuian Form): The Formidible Pokemon: Water- and Dark-type. Evolved from Dewott at LV:36. Hard of heart and deft of blade, this rare form of Samurott is a product of the Pokémon's evolution in the region of Hisui. Its turbulent blows crash into foes like ceaseless pounding waves.
While they are researching Pokemon, they also decide to do some requests as they go back to the Jubilife Village, with the Professor talking to them. "Hm? You quelled the new Lord Arcanine? Oho! Let's tell Commander Kamado the good news, then, shall we? Back to Jubilife we go!"
"Yeah, we really need to tell him about this." Ash says as they all head back to the Galaxy Hall. Kamado says, "You did well on your mission in the Cobalt Coastlands. Your efforts there aided not only the Galaxy Team but the Pearl Clan as well. I do hope your efforts will also have an impact on the space-time rift, somehow. If we are able to get rid of that rift, it should clear any lingering doubts about your origins. Though how we might actually close the rift, I haven't the slightest idea. Remain true to the mission."
Ash and Serena nod as they leave the hall so that they can start doing their missions and side requests.
And this wraps the chapter of the Arcanine battle. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be a lot of post Cobalt Coastlands stuff.