They get up bright and early, Izuku cuts up some berries and breaks up some Stantler Jerky for the morning to eat (he found it in one of the shops in Jubilife). He wants to get started early so they can get more done today. Even if he's a little tired from staying up a little later past sundown so he could scout and catch some of the night-time Pokemon, he managed to catch a few Drifloon and Dusclops (the Dusclops seemed interested in him for some reason), he plans to release them later in this day when he's done marking stuff for their respective dex's.
Izuku has a quick chat with the guard at the camp while he's making more items to use for the day, he's found that potions made and set to rest work better then freshly made ones. He also makes a few more Poke-balls.
The group dynamic switched up a bit for the day, with Cinnamon taking off with Lola and Drake joining him and Bell in a nice walk up to Appom Hill. He's pretty sure Cinnamon is close to evolving, they're getting a bit more active, and from what he remembers his dad talking about how his Cyndaquil got a bit cranky before evolving.
Izuku sighs, hopefully it happens soon so Izuku can know how much more food he'll have to stock up, maybe he should get packs for them when they are fully evolved so they can carry their own things that they want to take with them.
He also thinks about how the guard talked about seeing a Ginko Guild member at the camp before they left to go back to the Village, which was strange since there's not many people here who do buy their wares. (He has a feeling it's Volo… the feeling of being watched lingered around the camp the night before. Izuku thinks he's going to try to avoid Volo, the man makes the teen paranoid.)
True to its name, Appom Hill is filled with the purple ape Pokemon, they bounce around, throwing berries at each other and playing around. A few brave ones walk up to him, one particularly brave one climbs up and takes his cap to play with.
"Hey!" Izuku laughs as Appom dances away with his cap, who grins at him as it waves it around, "Okay.. Just make sure to give it back when we leave."
The Appom giggles before running off towards a group of them. Drake and Bell look up at him and deadpan.
"What? They aren't hurting anyone." Izuku comments before speeding up to catch up with Lola and Cinnamon, who seem to be challenging a group of Appom into a berry eating contest.
...
As they finally get to the area where Iscan lives they are met with a hut that is built more to withstand rain and wind then the other limited amount of tents and buildings that he's seen, it also has a small little campfire with a metal pot hanging above it. Walking up to the tent he knocks gently on the wooden door.
"Do… Do I have a visitor." A nervous voice squeaks out from inside the tent and Izuku gets the feeling this man doesn't like to be crowded… Izuku understands that, so he recalls his team except for Cinnamon.
"I'll be right out… G-Give me a moment…"
Izuku and Cinnamon take a few steps back, when the door opens a man who seems timid in nature, and is rather buff even if his baggy Diamond Clan clothes hide it very well.
"So, umm…I'm Iscan of the… of the Diamond Clan." he pauses and seems to be listening to something that Izuku can't hear, "A Galaxy team member… with a Celestica flute? O-oh you must be Izuku, right?"
"Yeah, that's right." Izuku restrains himself from asking how Iscan knew about the flute, 'Maybe it has something to do with being a warden? I'll ask later."
"H-Have I done something to warrant your visit?"
"Sort of.."
"Well, sudden visits give me quite the shock… I do hope you'll give me advance notice in the future. So ummm… why are you here?"
"I need Basqulegion's aid."
Iscan seems to read between the lines as he lights up a bit, "So you… So you want to go to Firespit Island? W-Well, if you insist… then you'd probably need Basqulegion's favourite snack. That should help him warm up to you." he smiles gently before furrowing his brow, "But prepping his favorite… Oh… It's, um, more than a little difficult… more like an impossibly high hurtle… or really… just impossible, if I'm being honest…"
"How so?"
"I-I'll tell you… I have the right materials, but…then you… well, you see, this next part is something I could never manage, but you need to catch this one Pokemon that appears at night."
"Which one?"
Iscan looks astonished and slightly worried, "Y-Y-You really want to know? You… really don't value your own life, do you?" he frowns gravely, "It's D…. D…. Dus… Dusclops, oh even saying its name fills me with dread. So, the materials for the food… have to be imbued with the flavour of Dusclops's Dark Pulse… That's the only way you can make Basqulegion's favourite food, you see."
Izuku just kinda stands there, Iscan looks at the young teen cautiously.
"Oh…" 'I thought it would be like… you gotta swim to the bottom of a certain lake or something…' Izuku blinks, "I uh…. Caught one last night."
Iscan looks even more amazed, "W-Wow, is everyone in the Galaxy Team like you? Your nerves aren't just steel… there're… titanium. It's positively frightening how, um, fearless you are. Dus.. Agh, I can't even say it… well if you already have the Pokemon I need, then I guess we can get started already."
Izuku smiles and offers to help, which Iscan agrees with nervously. Izuku follows his lead in cooking, asking when he doesn't understand something, and sees how Iscan brightens as he talks about both cooking and about his Lord.
That's something Izuku has seen with the people of the clans, but mostly the wardens, they truly love their Lords and Ladies. It makes Izuku happy to be in the past, even if he's separated from those he loves like his mom, and uncles and aunts, but… Izuku thinks… if he had the choice to go back to the future or stay in the past-
"Thank you, Izuku." Iscan takes the cut up plants from him.
- He's not sure what he would choose.
The hard work was done, now all they needed was to let it simmer while Dark Pulse melds with it. But first…
"You can stand back Iscan… I can have Cinnamon protect you, and we can do a countdown."
Iscan scoots back from the fire immediately, with Cinnamon following after him and guarding him. Izuku takes that as agreement and releases Dusclops, Iscan squeaks in terror before freezing as the ghostly aura surrounds the area.
The Dusclops is smaller than the average and its one eye zips between the bandages before settling on Izuku. He smiles gently and waves, "Hello, I was hoping you could help us. We are making food for Lord Basqulegion, and we need your help."
The Dusclops looked particularly happy to help.
"Can you use Dark Pulse on the food in the cauldron? After that I will release you to go on your way."
It nods.
"Great! I'm going to count down from 3… if you would use the move then that would be great. 3.. 2.. 1..!"
Druussssh!
Iscan yelps as a ball of pure darkness is released from within the folds of cloth and launched into the collection of food. The darkness swirls around, mixing the food together and making the concoction a dark green colour with light blues and pinks.
Izuku smiles at the Dusclops before snapping the Poke-ball it was held in, a light flash from the Poke-ball signifies the release of the Dusclops.
"Thank you for the help."
The Dusclops nods before disappearing.
"It's done in Iscan."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah."
Iscan nods before he sets to work on portioning and cutting the food into shape and wrapping it in wax paper. After that they head out to Ginko Landing to summon Basqulegion.
...
As they walk to Ginko Landing, Iscan talks more about the adventures he's had with Basqulegion, how they had travelled all around the ocean surrounding Hisui. Izuku hopes to do that at some point, it sounds really fun.
They are just about to summon the water lord when-
"Hello Iscan."
-They are interrupted.
Iscan blushes, "O-Oh, Palina! I.. I thought you said we shouldn't be seen together?"
"I'm sure Izuku can keep a secret. Besides, both I and the pups were eager to meet with the great Basqulegion again."
Izuku is pretty sure this is some sort of forbidden relationship, which honestly, go for it, if it makes them happy.
"I see… Well in that case, let me summon basquelegion." Iscan turns towards the water and pulls his Celestica Flute out of a large pouch on his waist.
As he plays the flute, Izuku thinks about how all the wardens and Clan leaders have a certain quality to how they play. Lian has sharp spikes in sound, Mai has graceful changes in pitch, Irida is grounded and strong, Arezu is a shifting dance, and Iscan is a soft wave that reflects off the waves of the ocean.
Izuku thinks it has to do with the Pokemon and people they are attached to… and he wonders what his will sound like when he gets better at the flute.
The water gains a red colour as a large ghostly water Pokemon breaches the surface launching high into the sky and almost splashing them with sea water.
Shraaaaa!
Iscan smiles, "Go on, Izuku. You can give the food to Basqulegion now."
Izuku nods, taking out the wrapped food he throws chunks to the Lord until none is left, the food actually smells pretty good, and Izuku wonders if there are other foods that would taste good with added flavours of Pokemon moves.
Skraaaa!
Iscan smiles in relief, "O-oh, thank goodness. I was a little worried about whether Basqulegion would accept this flavour… So, uhh, Izuku… you should let Basqulegion hear your playing."
"Right." Izuku nods in agreement before pulling out his Celestica Flute and playing it.
Basqulegion seemed to take into heart the sound of Izuku's playing, he splashed a bit of water at the two of them (Paline standing a bit further away with the pups) before diving back into the water. When he came back up there was a pinkish-red cloud that drifted out of the water towards Izuku, reaching out Izuku took the item from the clouds and revealed it was another Plate.
The Splash Plate, Izuku puts it away with the others. Basqulegion nods briefly before heading back underwater.
"Now, I believe you can ride on Basqulegion across Tranquility Cove and head to Firespit Island."
Growow!
"My congratulations to you, Izuku."
Izuku smiles gratefully at the two Wardens, "Thanks."
They smile before looking at each other, "Palina, do you want to tell him?" Iscan asks.
Palina nods, "I mentioned to you before how the previous lord rescued his Growlithe pup. During that incident, Iscan and Basqulegion saved my life as well. Since then, I've felt a great deal of affection for Iscan here, I truly adore him… but I know that there are those who speak ill of me behind my back, so I try to meet with Iscan where there are no prying eyes.. To preserve his reputation."
'Oh, they are dating… that's really sweet.'
"W-Well, I was just doing what any decent person would do when I saved you…"
"Perhaps… but nonetheless. After that day, I found the strength to accept Growlithe as he is and not force him to become the next lord." she turns to look at Iscan, "And it was all thanks to the courage you showed me, Iscan."
Izuku thinks his eyes are tearing up, he's happy they found their own happiness.
Iscan looks sheepish, "Ah… Perhaps we should save this discussion for another time, after all."
Palina smiles and laughs quietly, she looks quite happy.
"I bring good luck to my sisters wherever I go- and ill luck to anyone who crosses our paths. I'm the eldest and I'll be your unlucky Charm."
And there goes all of Izuku's happiness.
"Thought you spotted a four-leaf clover? Well, I'll soon have you seeing double! I'm the middle sister, and I'm one Clover you can't pick!"
Izuku wants to interrupt but they probably put a lot of time into this.
"Heads, I win, and tails, you lose- you've got no choice in this game of fortunes. I'm the youngest, Coin, but I'm definitely not your good-luck piece."
They all strike a pose, and really all Izuku can think about is heroes with their catch-phrases and honestly, as long as they don't do anything too bad, he might compliment them on their work.
"We're the Miss Fortune Sisters, known across the frigid land of Hisui- and your luck's just run out!" the three yell out.
"Now get ready to hand over that Growlithe!" Charm speaks out.
"You want to take… my partner? If your aim is to pester us with bad jokes, those ridiculous introductions of yours were more than enough!"
"Y-Yes, exactly what she said!" Iscan speaks up.
Charm stands up stiffly as the other girls sneer at Palina and Iscan, Izuku feels a shiver go down his spine.
"Now, Gengar!"
Izuku spins around and tries to reach for the Growlithe but doesn't make it in time. Even if he couldn't get there in time for Paline's friend he was close enough to grab the lord's son, with a whispered apology Izuku holds the Growlithe close to him.
Cinnamon jumps in front of the three of them, growling at the sisters.
"Thanks for the Growlithe fools!" Clover laughs evilly… or tries too.
Growlithe lays on the ground behind Gengar looking dazed.
Charm shakes her head, "We three can't live the kind of lives we want because of the narrow-minded groups like the Diamond Clan and Pearl Clan. If we want to live freely in the great land of Hisui, we need to have powerful Pokemon on our side." she grins, "Don't worry- We'll make sure this pup grows up nice' 'n' strong. We'll even make him a lord for ya!"
Coin looks at Charm, "Let's just take the mutt back to our camp and get to work. No one will bother us in a place so miserably hot!"
Their Gengar grins before a Smoke-screen covers them all, by the time the smoke clears they are long gone. Izuku turns back to look at Palina as she screams, being held back by Iscan.
"What!? NO! Growlithe!" Tears well up in her eyes.
Izuku decides then and there that he will get Growlithe back.
"Paline, It'll be alright, I'll get him back for you!" Izuku nodded determinedly, "They said it's too hot where they're going right. Firespit Island looked like a volcano from on top of the mountain, that's probably where they are."
Palina, who Iscan had released, pulls Izuku and Growlithe into a tight hug, "Oh! Thank you! Thank you! W-We'll head over to Firespit Island as well." She releases him as Iscan places a hand on her shoulder.
"No, Palina. You should wait here and keep little Growlithe safe, I'm sure he needs you right now."
Izuku nods and hands Growlithe over to her, who immediately pushes his head into the crook of her neck and cries.
Bowow-...
Iscan seems to psych himself up, "I'll go with you Izuku! E-Even if I haven't fought beside my Pokemon before.."
"That's fine Iscan, but we need to get going."
"R-Right!"
Izuku recalls Cinnamon before he walks about a foot into the water, it will probably dry off on Firespit, tugging off his outer coat he shivers as the cold sea wind hits him and ties it around his waist. Pulling out his Celestica Flute he plays and watches as Basqulegion rises to the surface.
He has what looks like a saddle wrapped around him, seeming to sense Izuku's intentions he allows Izuku and Iscan to climb onto his back, Iscan is nervously Quiet and it is slowly causing Izuku to be nervous, but Izuku thinks about how happy Palina will be when Growlithe is back and uses that to drown out his nerves.
...
There are a few other smaller Islands surrounding Firespit. Izuku plans to look at those after this has been sorted out, but first… they gotta save Growlithe. Quickly getting off of Basqulegion, Izuku yells out a quick thanks before releasing Cinnamon and Lola, they are his strongest right now, Iscan said he'd meet them at the top after he calls his Pokemon over.
"Lola! Deal with any Wild Pokemon! Cinnamon, with me!" Izuku charges forward as Lola bounds in front of them.
Lola takes out the wild Pokemon as fast as she can, or at least gets them out of the way as Izuku and Cinnamon run forward. The Pokemon that Lola can't deal with they just run past and ignore.
Getting to the top they come across a platform of rocks in the centre of the volcano, Growlithe in the middle edge forced there by the Gengar in front of it, with the Sisters behind the ghost Pokemon.
"Come on- evolve already!" Charm grounds out angrily.
Clover stomps her feet, "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!"
Coin pipes up, "You will get stronger. Like it or not!"
Growow!?
Izuku runs up, "Hey!" He can hear Iscan catching up with him.
"Oh look. This pest again." Coin grumbles.
Clover jumps forward, "Don't worry sisters! I'll take care of him- Abomasnow! Smash this fool into pieces!" she pulls out a worn looking Poke-ball before releasing said snow giant Pokemon.
Izuku almost feels bad… who is he kidding, he doesn't feel bad for her stupidity.
"Flame Wheel, Strong Style!"
Fooooooom!
"What!? How'd I lose! You know it's not fair! Abomasnow can't reach full power in this crazy heat!"
Izuku just kinda looks at her, "It… It wouldn't be fair anyways."
"Why's that huh!?"
"Two of my Pokemon know Fire-type moves… Abomasnow is Ice-Grass… he's four times weak to fire…"
"Oh…. W-Well it's your fault Abomasnow had to fight!"
Coin snickers before piping up, "You're the one that sent out Abomasnow, Sister." Coin smirks at them, "Go on then, Toxicroak. Pour out some poison for our unwelcome guest."
As she releases Toxicroak, Izuku is about to release Bell, she has a Ground-type move that will help in this, but Cinnamon stops him… seems they have a grudge against Toxicroak.
Cinnamon growls at Toxicroak who, for good reason, looks a little wary. The air seems to gather around Cinnamon, and Izuku realises this is probably personal for them.
"Well if they want to do this on their own, I'll let them."
As Cinnamon jets forward on bursts of air streams they start to glow and a harsher wind kicks up, the Toxicroak yelps as it gets headbutted and then buffeted by wind and rocks and dust. When the wind dies down and they can finally look better, Cinnamon has Toxicroak's throat in their maw, their teeth digging into him, and their claws digging into the poison Pokemon's arms.
The frog Pokemon is obviously fainted, so Izuku calls Cinnamon back to him, the now Typhlosion huffs and glares at Coin before walking back to him. Izuku thinks Cinnamon might have a grudge against Coin.
Coin winces before sighing, "I guess I lose the coin toss sometimes."
Charm stalks forward, "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 single slight."
Izuku might have a grudge against Charm. Backing up as she releases a Rhydon, Izuku doesn't have any Water-types, but that's fine, Bell would work better for this.
He recalls Lola to her ball, Cinnamon stays out but by his side, releasing Bell.
"Baby-doll Eyes."
A pulse of pink and a swirl of purple and Rhydon looks significantly weaker, Charm commands her Rhydon to use Bulldoze.
"Tackle the leg!"
As Rhydon charges forward, Bell sticks close to the ground and rams into one of Rhydon's legs, causing him to go off balance. As he stumbles Bell backs off into optimal hitting territory.
"Bell, Bulldoze Strong-Style!"
Raaaaaah!
Bell growls out as she puts all her weight into hitting Rhydon with the Bulldoze, Rhydon gets launched back and almost hits Charm but she quickly jumps out of the way. Charm sneers before recalling Rhydon and sending Gengar forward.
She tries to Hex Bell which… obviously doesn't work (Izuku thinks these girls never learned about type matchups). Bell responds by using Bulldoze ones again, which clips the Gengar. Gengar circles around before launching a Dark Pulse at Bell which hits her head on. She stumbles before standing up again, pink powder swirls around her as she launches herself at the Gengar with a loud growl.
She pins the Gengar, keeping a hand on him so that he couldn't warp away, and just keeps pummeling him with Play Rough before he faints. As Charm recalls Gengar, Bell stalks back to Izuku huffing and growling before standing with Cinnamon.
"H-How could all of us have been-!?"
"Hey Charm! I healed both my Abomasnow and Coin's Toxicroak! Now we can keep battling until we run out of potions-!"
She's cut off by the sound of tiny footsteps, and suddenly a tiny Growlithe joins them.
Bow!
"Wha-? Hey!? No one invited you, tiny!" Clover shouts out.
"You're really going to insist on getting in the way, you little runt?" Charm grounds out.
Grrrrrowow!
Coin grabs her Poke-ball, same as Clover.
"Take him down, Toxicroak!"
"I know it's hot, but hang in there, Abomasnow! Smash that runt!"
Izuku can hear Iscan and possibly Irida speaking behind him, he can't make out what they're saying as he's more preoccupied with how the hairs on the back of his neck and arms started to rise, slowly Izuku backs up, recalling his Pokemon. Looking up Izuku watches as clouds seem to gather against the wind.
Rowr-
He's cut off by a roar that seems to reverberate around the volcano.
ROOOOOOWR!
Growlithe responds back before a wind kicks up around him, he glows as his form expands to a massive height, truly befitting a lord.
The others say something but Izuku can't hear it over the roaring in his ears, looking up he notices it at the same time as Coin…
Clouds gather above the volcano, bolts of electricity gather in the centre right above the now Arcanine, it grows in size in light before striking down on the newly evolved Pokemon.
As the light dissipates what's left is a glowing, enraged Pokemon.
Lord Arcanine has gone into a frenzy.
Izuku barely Notices Charm reviving her Gengar and using it to get away with her Sisters, as all Izuku can do in that moment is grab Palina and Iscan and run, he hears the other Growlithe yelp and run after them as the new Lord howls one last time before they escape.
...
He stretches before leaning back against Melody, the Hydreigon yawning as she stretches as well, he watches as Cyren plays with Greta mostly working on new moves. Gothen was somewhere around here, probably with Geo, hopefully they don't make Geo's back explode again, it's a pain in the ass to clean.
Blaze was chilling in a tree, his bone club leaning against the base.
Gothen floats by, the ghost dragon followed by his tiny companions.
He's about to fall back asleep when the sky explodes, jolting up he sees the clouds swirling dangerously near the Coastlands.
Must be another frenzy, or at least that's what Cogita called them.
Speaking of Cogita… he has to head back to her place to get a few more supplies.
Sigh, "Alright guys! Pack it up, we need to get moving."