Chapter 90 Tricky Treat Strategy
Back at the Jubilife Village, they find Mai and Munchlax at the Galaxy Hall, Mai says, "Ash and Serena...I have something important to discuss with you. I heard an odd rumor...I believe it may be the key to unlocking the mysteries behind massive mass outbreaks. You must first acquire ten Mushroom Cakes. Then bring them to the Secret Hollow in the Alabaster Icelands. I call this...My tricky treat strategy!"
"Alabaster Icelands? I thought we are going to Coronet Highlands next..." Ash is confused.
"We have change of plans. I'll be waiting for you in the Alabaster Icelands - in the Secret Hollow." Then Mai and Munchlax leaves.
"Strange...I wonder what is this all about...Mushroom Cakes for Massive Mass Outbreaks?" Adaman asks.
"Or importantly...did something happen to Mai?" Irida asks.
They decide to do what she requests, and then they head to the Secret Hallow, which is close to the Icepeak Camp. As they get inside, they decide to wait for Mai to show up.
"Geez...even though we are in the cave...this place is as cold as hell..." Serena says while she is shivering.
"Yeah..." Ash adds.
"You guys are overreacting." Irida sighs. "It's not that cold."
Mai and Munchlax arrive and Mai asks, "Did you bring me ten Mushroom Cakes?"
"We do." Ash hands over the cakes, and Mai gives a creepy smile, "Hehehe...Well done. Mushroom Cakes...And some quality ones, at that! Now we're just getting started. Leave the rest to me. You can return to Jubilife Village. I'll share how successful my strategy was when I'm finished."
The four of them look at Mai with confusion before they head back to Jubilife Village. When they are back at the camp, Adaman says, "I know Mai for years...but I am pretty sure that she won't be acting like this..."
"Yeah..." Irida says, but they are stopped by Lian, who comes and says, "I had a visit from Melli. He came all that way just to boast about giving you some Aguav Berries. He said you lit up with so much joy that your smile nearly split your face. I can't imagine that was the case - I'm sure it was a confused grimace or a smile you merely forced yourself to give him out of pity. But..."
"Yeah, if we would get joy from something Melli did for us..." Ash mutters. "All he does is boasting himself."
"I still can't let myself be outdone by him." Lian says. "So I've been looking for you all over Hisui. To give you this: my very own reward to you! It is, naturally, far superior to anything Melli can offer."
He gives them 30 more Aguav Berries, and Serena says, "Thank you, we would really need them."
"Oh, and I did see one of those massive mass outbreaks on my way here to find you..." Lian says, "I wonder if they might be caused by the geology of the place where they occur? Perhaps there is some mysterious kind of stone in the ground which draws Pokemon near..."
"Maybe." Irida says, "Nice find, Lian."
"Oh! And I had a message for you from Mai! She would like to meet you in Jubilife Village!" Lian says.
"Back in Jubilife?" Ash asks in confusion. "But..."
"Yes, she's been waiting there for you four. Though I suppose it's more accurate to say that she's been chatting away with Tsumugi from the Security Corps about Bidoof. As for me, I think I may visit the hot springs since I've come all this way." Lian says."Do be careful of any massive mass outbreaks as you head back - strong Pokemon might appear!"
After Lian leaves, Irida asks, "If Mai was at the Jubilife Village this whole time, then who were the imposters back in the Secret Hallow?"
At the same time, the fake Mai and Munchlax reveal themselves to be a Zoroark and a Zorua, as they chuckle while eating the Mushroom Cakes.
"We've no idea...but this is creeping me out..." Serena says.
Once they get back to Coronet Highlands, Mai and Munchlax are waiting for them as Mai asks, "My, my. What's on your mind?"
"Didn't you suggest something about your tricky treat strategy? Using the Mushroom Cakes in the Alabaster Icelands to lure the Massive Mass Outbreaks?" Ash asks Mai, who seems to be confused.
"What in the world are you talking about? Mushroom Cakes and strategies..?" Mai asks. "Come to think of it, Irida also came to me with an odd request."
"Me?" Irida asks.
"Yeah, didn't you ask me for Hearty Grains, so I gathered some for you..." Mai says.
"I don't think I would do such a thing." Irida says. "Could there be some Pokemon taking the guise of people to stir up mischief?"
Ash gasps and says, "Wait, Zoroark and Zorua...those two might be the case..."
"So we were tricked by Zorua and Zoroark, huh..." Mai sighs. "Anyway, sorry for letting you guys find me."
She gives them 3 Star Pieces and 30 Iron Chunks as compensation, then Mai continues, "None of this is why I called you here, mind. I meant to tell you that a massive mass outbreak has been reported in the Coronet Highlands. The next step in our research is to investigate the Coronet Highlands! Let's see what we can find."
On the carriage, Ash says, "I should've seen through the disguise of Zoroark...and we just lost 10 Mushroom Cakes..."
"It's not that bad, right?" Serena asks, "Let's not focus on that and we should try to continue our work."
"You're right." Ash says with a nod.
Once they arrive at the highlands camp, Mai says, "Now then, let us continue our investigation into these outbreaks here in the Coronet Highalands!"
"Ash! Serena! Adaman! Irida! And Mai!" They turn to see Sabi walking towards them.
"Sabi? What brings you here?" Adaman asks.
"I hurried here 'cause of a vision my clairvoyance showed me!" Sabi says. "Some poor soul was running for their life from a bunch of alphas. I just barely saved them!"
"It's as I feared, then...These massive mass outbreaks really are growing out of hand." Mai says. "We must endeavor to find the truth behind why they keep happening!"
Sabi closes her eyes and says, "Big packs of Pokemon might not be much trouble if you've got a trusty partner, but if you don't...Eeep! I'm scared just thinking about it!"
"You did well to save that person, Sabi. You're as fine a protector as any lord or lady Pokemon!" Adaman smiles.
"Thanks, Adaman! If my clairvoyance shows me anyone else in trouble, I'll do my best to save them too! Just be careful while you're out here, OK?" Sabi asks.
"She's right. We know how strong you are, but we should move with caution here." Mai says.
Then they start to explore the Coronet Highlands, and they find Ponyta and Rapidash outbreak, and a group of alpha Gengars, which causes them to get surprised.
"Alpha Gengars in one group...that sure is terrifying..." Irida mutters.
"Let's get out of here before they see us." Serena says as they nod.
They also find Electrode, Mr. Mime, Mismagius, Garchomp, Snover, Gliscor, Probopass, Electivire, and even Sneasler and Decidueye. Ash says, "I guess that group of alpha Gengar was the only terrifying one in this whole place."
"Yeah, I think we also have enough research here, let's get back to Mai." Serena says.
After getting back to the Highlands Camp, they find Mai and she says, "Good work out there. It seems we may have learned all we can from the highlands for now."
Adaman says, "And by the way, while you guys are hunting Pokemon, I found these that might come in handy for you guys. Materials for those Sticky Glob things!"
"Thanks, Adaman." Ash says as they get 100 Spoiled Apricorns, 100 Balls of Mud, and 100 Caster Fern leaves from Adaman.
"How leader-like of you, Adaman!" Mai smiles.
"Don't make fun, Mai! I'm trying to help!" Adaman groans.
"You misunderstand me, Adaman. As the sister who helped raise you, I'm truly proud to see how far you've come."
Adaman sighs and he says, "Listen, Ash and Serena. I've been wondering...Do you think these massive mass outbreaks could be some sort of trial from mighty Dialga or mighty Palkia?"
"I don't think so, or else they would tell us." Ash says.
"But it kind of feels like it, right? As if someone's telling us, "If you've got the guts to face a real test with your partners, take on these Pokemon. Otherwise, stand back." Adaman says.
"Quite like you to see it that way, Adaman." Mai nods. "It would seem to have a trusted partner causes one to view these outbreaks in a rather different light...Now then. The Alabaster Icelands still await - one more steep hurdle for us to overcome."
"You're right." Irida adds. Mai then gives them 30 Apricorn, 30 Tumblestones, and 20 Balls of Mud before heading back to Jubilife Village.
At the Summit Camp, they find the Balloon Race Man once again, and he says, "That glint in your eye...I'd bet my balloons you're quite capable young people! Do you think you could show me your balloon bursting technique? You just need to burst as many of my adorable balloons as possible while riding a Pokemon. It's captivating, really! If you manage to burst, say...40 balloons, well, that'd be an impressive start!"
"So this is a new balloon race..." Ash says, "This must be very hard..."
"I know, but I'll do it." Serena says, and Ash nods as he lets Serena tries it out.
"There are a total of 60 balloons on the course! Let's see how many of them you can burst in 1 minute and 50 seconds! Now get out there and get bursting!"
Serena rides on Wyrdeer as the race starts, but just as she reaches the cliff, she has to switch into Braviary to hit the balloons, and then dive down to switch into Wyrdeer again, and then Braviary to get up again.
"This is getting complicated...Serena is doing a good job." Irida says.
"I know." Ash says as they see how Serena changes into Sneasler to climb the cliffs to pop 20 balloons so far, and then she rides to the spring and changes into Basculegion, before jumping off the waterfall, it changes into Braviary to fly into the sky.
"Now there are 40 of them popped!" Ash says.
And Serena manages to finish just by a second as she lands at the Fabled Spring.
"Welcome back! You burst...60 balloons! P-perfection! You popped every single balloon! You're definitely a balloon-bursting boss - that's for sure. And that means you deserve something special to mark the occasion!" They get 30 Nuggets and 10 Grit Rocks in the end, and the man adds, "Well whaddya know! You beat my target of bursting at least 40 balloons! Well done, you!"
He also gives them 5 Nuggets as rewards, once they are done, Ash says, "Looks like we are rich with these Nuggets."
"Yeah." Serena says as they leave the camp to continue their research.
Here is a new chapter, and there are still some more before we end the Massive Mass Outbreaks arc. In the next chapter, we'll be heading to the final area of the game: Alabaster Icelands. What will Ash and Serena learn about these Massive Mass Outbreaks, not only that, there are still a few more Pokemon that are waiting for them to capture. I hope you like this chapter.