Chapter 86 A New Anomaly
When the group arrives at the Highlands Camp, they find Mai and Munchlax, and Mai says, "So we meet here again. I've been hearing plenty about your impressive exploits. But of course, I've always known you would impress us, ever since you dealt with that alpha Kricketune for me. I've had my hands full as well. I've no idea why, but Munchlax keeps trying to run off in different directions..."
"What do you mean?" Adaman asks, and then they see Munchlax trying to run off again. Mai yells, "Munchlax! Where are you off to now?"
Munchlax stops after hearing Mai's voice, and she says, "I'm not sure what he's so focused on, but he just up and disappears without warning...Keeping track of him has been quite the task."
Just then, both Ash and Serena's Arc Phone beeps, and they take it out to check what's going on. "What was that just now? It almost seemed to be responding to Munchlax."
Adaman looks at the phone and he says, "That map...the direction it is pointing...that place is Ramanas Island."
"My, my, isn't this exciting... I wonder if we're about to see another strange phenomenon sweep across Hisui..." Mai says.
"Or perhaps you're reading too much into things." Adaman says with a sigh. "I mean, the almighty Sinnoh already said that Ash and Serena managed to stop everything that might danger this Hisui Region."
"Then could I ask you guys to visit Ramans Island to try to shed some light on this new mystery?" Mai asks.
As they walk towards Ramanas Island, they are surprised to see something that they aren't expecting: An outbreak of Hisuian Zorua. They quickly dodge to the ground before those Zorua spot them.
Irida says, "What the...I thought they only lived in Alabaster Icelands..."
"Maybe this is the strange phenomenon Mai was talking about..." Serena adds.
They quickly rush back to the camp to report Mai, and she says, "Done with your investigation? Please, tell me what you found."
"We found a pack of Zorua on the island, and it is very strange since we know for sure that they only appear in Alabaster Icelands." Ash says.
"The spiteful fox, Zorua? Well, you came across a rare Pokemon. I've seen them in the icelands before, but not here." Mai says.
"That was just what I've said..." Ash mutters.
"So was that it, Munchlax? You were curious about Zorua?" Mai asks.
But much to their surprise, there are two Munchlax, and they all act the same like each other. Mai says, "Well this is unexpected. It seems there are two Munchlax now. But naturally, I would never fail to recognize my own Munchlax."
She points at one of them and asks, "It's you, right? Not the Munchlax next to me - the other one!"
"What?" Ash asks, and Mai says, "The imposter."
Then the Munchlax jumps into the air and turns into a Zorua who is giggling before running off. Serena says, "That was a Zorua?"
"I guess even it is in its Hisuian Form, it can do the same thing as a normal Zorua can do..." Ash sighs, remembering how many times that he was mocked by it.
"So it was Zorua." Mai says. "How odd for it to appear in the fieldlands. I only hope that this isn't an omen of something unpleasant yet to come. As a precaution, it might be best for you to report this to your captain."
Ash sighs, "And we were just about to relax...I guess trouble never stops..."
"Well, this is important right now." Serena adds as they all head to the Galaxy Hall.
When they find Captain Cyllene at her seat, they report her about the whole thing. Cyllene says, "A gathering of Zorua in a place other than their natural habitat...Could this also have been caused by the space-time rift? I suppose we don't know enough yet to say for certain."
"Yeah, the Space-time rift has already closed..." Serena adds.
"At any rate, thank you for the report." Cyllene says, and to reward them, she gives them 30 Ultra Balls, 60 Apricorns, and 60 Tumblestones. But just as they head outside, they hear Mai rushing into the hall.
"Ash! Everyone! Things are growing worse!" Mai rushes in a hurry, and Adaman asks, "What's wrong, Mai?"
"After we parted, Munchlax reacted to several different locations - and there was a mass outbreak at each of them!"
"Wait, simultaneously in multiple locations?" Irida asks.
"These must be somehow different from the mass outbreaks we know. Why don't we call this new phenomenon...a massive mass outbreak?" Cyllene asks. "Your new orders are to investigate this massive mass outbreak!"
"Yes, ma'am." Ash and Serena say.
"It sounds like I can count on you to keep investigating? Well then, I'll be waiting for you by the front gate!" Mai leaves the Galaxy Hall. Ash and Serena also report to Delia about the whole situation and she agrees to tell the others about what you're doing.
When they get back to the gate, Mai says, "I suppose I should tell you exactly what I witnessed first. Munchlax suddenly took off running into a rainstorm. I tried to stop him lest he gets wet, but then I saw those mass outbreaks appearing all over. Perhaps it was the massive mass outbreak that Munchlax was so curious about...If that's the case, Munchlax might be able to help us investigate this phenomenon. I'll also work with you, as I'm concerned about Munchlax."
The others nod as they get to the Obsidian Fieldlands, but just as they arrive there nothing is out of the ordinary, and Munchlax doesn't react to anything. But as they are wondering what is going on, the rain suddenly pours down.
"It's raining...and it looks like it's going to get worse." Mai says as she notices the concerned face of Munchlax. "Are you worried about the rain, Munchlax?"
"We still don't know what's causing these mysterious massive mass outbreaks..." Serena says. "So how will we find one?"
"Perhaps that fancy map of yours can show us something..." Irida asks.
Ash and Serena take out the Arc Phone and they are shocked, on the map, there are over 10 Mass Outbreaks in the whole fieldlands, instead of showing what Pokemon it is, the map only shows questions marks.
"It seems you have some idea where to look for these outbreaks now." Mai says, "Why not check out a few? Seeing at least three ought to give us some idea of what is going on."
Ash, Serena, Adaman, and Irida all walk towards the question marks, as they walk to one of them, they are surprised to see Pikachu and Raichu together. Ash says, "What the...wild Raichu!"
"And not to mention their levels! They are almost the same level as those we saw in Victory Road..." Serena gasps.
"Looks like we don't need to buy more Thunder Stones if we want to quickly finish Raichu's Research Tasks." Ash chuckles a little as they decide to check out what the group is going on.
They are also shocked to see in some groups, there are Alakazam, Golem, Gengar in the wild, along with Spheal and Sealeo, who are supposed to be in Cobalt Coastlands, or Golbat and Crobat, who only appears in the nighttime. What's more, they also see wild Wyrdeer and Kleavor in the wild as well.
"Just great...this is basically a blessing for us if we want to finish the research tasks without wasting more time." Serena says.
"I know what you mean, back then we just wanted to reach level 10 of each research task, but if we encounter them more, we can just get perfect data like Unown." Ash says as he shows the perfect stamp on it.
But just as they do some research for a while, the rain stops, and all the Pokemon just vanish instantly. Irida asks, "Okay, this is going to freak me out...just where did those Pokemon vanish to?"
"I don't know." Ash says as he takes out the map. "All those Mass Outbreaks are gone from the map."
"It should be fine, we have already researched a lot about these outbreaks, I must say we should go back to the camp and discuss the whole thing with Mai." Serena says.
"You're right." Serena says as they quickly rush back to find Mai. She says, "Thank you for your investigation in the Obsidian Fieldlands!" She gives them 30 Tumblestone, 40 Iron Chunks, and 20 Smoke Bombs as gifts, and then she asks, "Did you learn anything about these massive mass outbreaks?"
"Well, you told us that you found them during the rain, and when it is not raining, they just vanished. So I guess this is related to rainstorms?" Ash asks.
"What could that mean? Do Pokemon gather when there's especially heavy rain? I wonder whether Munchlax was reacting to the rainstorm, or to the massive mass outbreak itself. We'll just have to investigate further. But how best to do so..."
Adaman says, "We've had a good look around the Obsidian Fieldlands, but it on;y raised more questions..."
As they are thinking, they hear a voice, "That frown doesn't suit you at all." They turn around to see Calaba. Irida gasps, "Miss Calaba? Well, you see..."
As they explain everything, Calaba says, "Mass outbreaks that occur during rainstorms? I've never heard of such a thing. But of course, life is full of surprises. After all, it's not often that Pokemon from beyond our world appear at the Temple of Sinnoh, either. Perhaps these Pokemon are reacting to the arrival of mighty Palkia or Dialga?"
"We don't know..." Ash says.
"Why don't we head back to Jubilife Village? Arezu's shop may be a good place to visit. That girl's place is awfully popular, after all - and where people gather, information abounds."
"Of course! The hairdresser's!" Irida gasps. "That is a good thinking!"
"If anyone there has seen one of these massive mass outbreaks, they might be willing to share the details with us." Mai adds.
"It's settled, then. I'll wait for you at the hairdresser's." Calaba then leaves, along with Mai. Ash and Serena want this to get over as soon as possible, so they also catch a carriage back to Jubilife Village.
"What do you mean Ash and Serena aren't coming back yet?" Everyone in the Aether Foundation asks Lillie such questions that she is frightened a little. Gladion says, "Calm down, guys! Just as she said, something happened in the past Sinnoh that forced them to stay longer there."
"I guess that means we are going to stay here for a little longer." Cynthia says.
"It is a good thing that we have helicopters so that we can bring you to your work without wasting time waiting for Ash and Serena here." Lusamine sighs.
"Indeed..." Professor Oak says, "But I just hope that Ash and Serena aren't getting into trouble again..."
"With Ms. Ketchum being in the past as well, I doubt Ash will try to get himself stabbed again." Lillie says.
"That might be true." Brock adds.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, we are going to be in the Daybreak Arc, and I am not sure how many chapters there are going to be, but once this is done, I am going to finish the story. At first, I was very confused about what I had to do in this arc, and I have to wait for another Massive Mass Outbreak because of it...Anyway, I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the end of Obsidian Fieldlands.