Chapter 49 Wayward Cave Exploration
After arriving at Coronet Highlands' Hightlands Camp, Ash and Serena are in awe at the close sight of Mt. Coronet. Ash says, "Mt. Coronet...And the Spear Pillar is just up there..."
"Thinking of bad memories of Team Galactic again?" Serena asks with a frown.
"You have no idea." Ash says. "The world was about to be destroyed because of them."
Professor Laventon walks towards them and he says, "There you are! Welcome to Coronet Highlands! I expect you'll find all sorts of Rock-type and Ground-type Pokemon wandering about these craggy, boulder-strewn heights! And up there...Right beneath that great rift in space-time is the peak of Mount Coronet itself! The magnetism from it may well exert some sort of influence on the Pokemon throughout the area. Fascinating stuff."
"Yeah." Ash says as they walk on the Heavenward Lookout. They also find Adaman, Irida, and Ingo in front of the cave.
"The Electrode known as the Lord of the Hollow is somewhat different from the Electrode I recall. But its electrical discharges, at least, are familiar. One false step around it could put you in danger." Ingo says.
"Indeed. If you're going to face it, you might consider catching Pokemon that can withstand electricity." Irida adds.
"We got a couple of those." Ash says, and Pikachu nods in agreement.
"It must be difficult being a Pokemon, don't you think? Especially one as irritable as Electrode." Ingo sighs. "Then becoming frenzied, to boot..."
"So true! It's a tough old life for Pokemon and humans alike!" Just then, Melli also arrives, and he says, "Well, well. Adaman, Warden Ingo and Leader Irida of the Pearl Clan...And...oh my! The Galaxy Team grunts from before. You're punching well above your weight to seek out the great Electrode, Lord of the Hollow! But! B the sheer tenderness of my heart, I'll grant you a trial to see if you're worthy."
"Didn't I just prove them they are worthy?" Adaman rolls his eyes.
"The greatest obstacle you'll ever face awaits you right here! Battle me - if you dare!" Melli says.
"If you-" Before Ash can say anything, Serena quickly covers his mouth and says, "No, Ash. We're not going to waste our time battling."
"Hmph! Well then, let me tell you the great Melli's take on this whole situation." Melli says. "The frenzy of our nobles is nothing other than a mark of almighty Sinnoh's favor and protection! Why? Because it makes them stronger! Do I really need to spell out that that's a good thing?"
"Are you kidding me right now?" Irida mutters.
"We must let my lord frenzy as it may, to demonstrate to almighty Sinnoh that the Diamond Clan lives as is right and good!" Melli says. "This may even be - dare I say it - the very reason I am here on this earth!"
"How many times do I need to tell you?" Adaman says. "Being frenzy is not right and good. So we should let Ash and Serena handle this."
"What business is it of the Galaxy Team's, anyway, if Electrode lets lose a few sparks out here in the mountains? Really, you should do us all a favor and slink back home to that village of yours, rather than persist in this folly. And with that...bon voyage!"
After he leaves, Irida says, "Adaman, why do you keep that guy in your team anyway? He is so selfish..."
"Indeed. These frenzies cause the Pokemon themselves such suffering!" Ingo agrees.
"Trust me, there are some times I really want to kick him out of the clan, but I can't do it because of his family status." Adaman turns to Ash and Serena. "But what is it you want to do, Ash and Serena?"
"We're going to continue on. We already endure a lot of taunts, this won't harm us." Ash says.
"Very well! The tracks ahead will be perilous, but I pride myself on safe driving!" Ingo nods. "To meet Sneasler, Ash and Serena, you must pass through here: Wayward Cave. Here you'll find Pokemon like Golbat and their ilk, which are quite at home navigating in the dark. It's quite dim inside, so you'll need to watch your step!"
"We will." Ash says as they enter the Wayward Cave. But inside the cave, Irida says, "Well, this is odd. The torches that light the way through the cave are gone. Could this be Melli attempting to obstruct us?"
"Or maybe Melli did it to keep the Pokemon safe from the light?" Ash asks. "I mean, I met some Pokemon who hate the light."
"Why are you helping Melli? We all know how selfish that guy might be, do you think he will do such a thing?" Irida asks.
"I don't know..." Ash lowers his head.
"Either way, there's no need for concern. I know my route, and I'll conduct us safely. No darkness nor foul weather will delay us! Onward we roll! Take care not to come uncoupled from me!" As Ingo leads the way, they walk in the cave and he mutters, "I recall, faintly, that I had a partner once. A precious one."
"Really?" Serena asks.
"Its name escapes me, but I remember that it wielded flames with mastery." Ingo says. "If only it were here, I'm sure it would light the way, luring us onward..."
Ash knows that the Pokemon he is talking about is Chandelure, after all, he loses the battle to him back then.
"Please forgive the unscheduled stop. I detected an alpha Crobat to our right." Ingo says. "Under normal circumstances, I doubt its presence would obstruct someone so competent as you...But given the poor visibility, I propose a track change in the interest of safety."
"You don't need to do that, this is our chance to record this Pokemon." Ash says as Serena nods.
Ingo looks at Irida, who sighs and says, "Let them do it for now, I'm sure they're really capable."
Crobat's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,2,3,4,5 Number of alpha specimens caught:1,2,3 Number you've caught while they were in the air:1,2,3,4,5 Number defeated:1,2,3,4,5 Number of you've defeated with Ice-type moves:1,2,3 Times you have seen it use Cross Poison:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Leech Life:1,3,8,20,40 Times you've seen it use an agile style move:1,3,10,30,70
Hisui Dex Entry No.36 Crobat: The Bat Pokemon: Poison- and Flying-type. Evolved from Golbat with high friendship. Its hind limbs have become another set of wings. Crobat expertly maneuvers its four wings to dart in exquisite fashion through even the most confined caves without losing any speed.
"Now if you're done, please follow me. Take care not to come uncoupled from me!" Ingo says as they continue moving. Ingo adds, "I'm starting to recall a man who looked...like me. We'd battle and discuss Pokemon, I think...The words "I like winning more than anything else" flashed through my mind just now..."
Ash sighs and says, "Ingo, the person you mentioned...Do you think it might be your brother?"
"It could be..." Ingo says, "We'll soon be arriving at Wayward Cave's exit. Even if the memories themselves have faded...it appears much still lives on in my heart."
"That's good to know." Serena says.
"So you think that Warden Ingo is from the same place as you two?" Irida asks.
"It is not impossible." Ash says, "In our world, there is a person named Ingo and his brother Emmet who owns the Battle Subway. I battled them once and I lost...against his Fire-type Pokemon."
"I see." Adaman says, "Maybe asking you two to recover his memory might be a good idea."
"This is fine progress. We're nearly home free." Ingo says as they stop at a pond, then they notice the torches on the ground. "Let me put those torches back where they belong. This darkness could be perilous for the next person to pass through here."
As Ingo goes to do his work, they feel the ground shaking a little and Ash asks, "What's going on here..."
"I have no idea..." Serena says as the four of them start looking around. Just then, out of the ground, a Gible pops out of the ground and bites on Ash's head.
"Ash!" The other three are worried, but Ash just quickly grabs the Pokemon and asks, "Gible? Is that really you?"
Gible just nods, and Serena asks, "Wait, your Gible? You have a Pokemon that could potentially become a strong Pokemon like Garchomp?"
"Yeah...but now that I think of it, I never trained that much with Gible..." Ash says. "But anyway, welcome back to the team."
Irida asks, "So this Gible was from the space-time rift like you two?"
Adaman says, "Interesting."
Gible's Research Tasks: Number caught:1,3,6,12,25 Number of heavy specimens caught:1,2,3,5,7 Number defeated:1,2,4,10,15 Number of you've defeated with Ice-type moves:1,2,4,6,10 Times you have seen it use Twister:1,3,6,12,25 Times you have seen it use Slash:1,3,8,20,40 Number of different forms you've obtained:2 Number you've evolved:1,2,3
Hisui Dex Entry No.187 Gible: The Land Shark Pokemon: Dragon- and Ground-type. It nests in caves untouched by sunlight. Its sharp teeth may fall out when worn away or after an impact, but they regrow within a few days.
But after getting the Pokeball back, Ash notices that Gible starts to glow and now it becomes a Gabite, and then it glows again to become a Garchomp. "Wow, now you're a Garchomp!"
Garchomp carefully nibs on Ash's head, and Serena says, "It reminds me of Noivern. But still, Garchomp is probably the greatest choice if we are going to fight Electrode."
Ingo also comes back and says, "I beg your pardon for the delay. I have lit and returned the torches. My safety concerns have been addressed. Ready for departure!"
Ash nods as he recalls Garchomp back into the Pokeball. Ingo adds, "If you follow the track marked by the torches, you'll reach the terminus of this cave!"
After doing some Golbats, Barboaches, and Whiscash, they finally get out of the cave, and Ingo says, "Professor Laventon told me how you two fell to this land from the sky."
"But what about you? Did you fall through the sky like us?" Ash asks
"For my part, I simply found myself one day here in Hisui, a region whose name I'd never heard...All I could remember was my own name. I was still standing there in bafflement when the Pearl Clan came to my aid. I showed a natural affinity for taming Pokemon, which is why I eventually became a warden." Ingo says.
"His skills are similar to you two." Irida says. "If you think of it."
"But still I wonder what my true purpose is here..." Ingo shakes his head and says, "Ah, but now I've sidetracked us with this talk. Let's hurry onward!"
Ash and Serena nod as they go into the Wayward Wood, hoping everything can go smoothly.
I'll end the chapter right here, Ash and Serena reunite with Gible in this chapter, and I decide to make Gible a Garchomp since he has been waiting for days in this cave for them. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be more about Coronet Highlands.