I was almost left speechless by Ash's maneuver just now. When it comes to livening up the atmosphere, it's got to be you, Professor Laventon!
Professor Laventon: ...
I don't believe you!
Shy?
If it's shy, why is it only kicking me?
Why not kick Ash and Cynthia?
"Originally, I planned for Wyrdeer to carry all four of us across..."
Mai patted Wyrdeer's head and gave Professor Laventon a "sorry" smile.
"But now, it seems your actions, Professor Laventon, have annoyed Wyrdeer."
"So... only Ash, Cynthia, and I can go together."
"You know where Deertrack Heights is, right, Professor Laventon? We'll leave it to you to walk over yourself~"
Mai blinked her sparkling eyes, then leapt onto Wyrdeer's back, waving to Ash and Cynthia.
Cynthia and Ash exchanged glances, then smiled apologetically at Professor Laventon and joined Mai on Wyrdeer.
"Hey! Wait a second! Ash! Cynthia! Are you leaving me behind?!"
Professor Laventon panicked.
"Sorry, Professor Laventon, it's just that..."
Cynthia smiled apologetically.
"You're still young and strong, it's the perfect time to exercise. We two can't walk that much, you know~"
As soon as she finished speaking, Wyrdeer started running swiftly forward.
Leaving Professor Laventon with a sad expression, standing there dumbfounded.
You're still young? Saying Ash is young is one thing, but how are you young?! You look at least over twenty!
"Professor Laventon!!"
Just then, a voice called out to Professor Laventon.
Turning around, Professor Laventon saw Rei running towards him.
"Huff... huff... Professor Laventon, I want to... go with you to see that Kricketune Boss!"
Rei, out of breath, had clearly been running non-stop, afraid of missing Professor Laventon.
If Wyrdeer hadn't left Professor Laventon behind, even if Rei had run non-stop, he might have missed meeting Professor Laventon.
"Waa, Rei, you're a lifesaver!"
Professor Laventon couldn't hold back his sorrowful tears.
"I was worried no one would go to Deertrack Heights with me!"
This confused Rei a bit.
"Huh? Where are those two people from the other region?"
"They... they went ahead..."
So, as Professor Laventon poured out his grievances, he and Rei made their way quickly towards Deertrack Heights.
Meanwhile, on Wyrdeer's back.
Munchlax sat at the front, Mai in the second position, Ash in the third, and Cynthia in the fourth.
If it were Brock right now, he'd probably have passed out from excitement.
But since it's Ash... he was naturally oblivious.
"Um, Miss Mai, I have a question."
Cynthia suddenly spoke up.
"What do you mean by 'king' here?"
"The so-called 'king' is actually a special Pokemon."
Mai replied without hesitation.
"They are larger in size than boss Pokemon and possess terrifying strength."
"For example, the king in the Obsidian Fieldlands is called Kleavor."
"Unlike Wyrdeer, kings are selected Pokemon."
"The king in the Obsidian Fieldlands is chosen from the Kleavor species, generally the strongest among them."
Mai explained about the kings to the two without any second thought.
This information isn't really a secret in the Hisui region.
Besides, they might need their help in subduing that rampaging king later.
After all, neither the Diamond Clan nor the Pearl Clan could deal with the rampaging king.
It's not that they couldn't beat it.
But because of the king's special status.
On the Diamond Clan's side, out of reverence for the king, it's nearly impossible for them to attack the king.
And asking them to let the Pearl Clan attack the king is even worse than death.
The king is a sacred presence in their hearts, their object of worship for generations.
How could they possibly let the Pearl Clan attack their king!
Even if the king has started going wild, losing its senses...
The same goes for the Pearl Clan.
In other words, neither side could attack their respective kings nor would they allow the other side to do so.
It's a deadlock.
As for Team Galactic...
It's even less likely for them to get involved.
Even though the leader of the Diamond Clan calls the leader of Team Galactic 'big brother,' in reality, they don't get involved in Team Galactic's affairs and don't let Team Galactic interfere in theirs.
That term 'big brother' is purely surface-level.
After all, in just two years, Team Galactic's power has grown stronger than the local big players.
They don't dare to get too close to Team Galactic.
Otherwise, as they cooperate, they might suddenly get swallowed up, which would be a joke.
After listening to the explanation about the kings, Cynthia nodded in understanding.
"I see..."
In other words.
Mount Pokemon like Wyrdeer, with their special abilities, appear randomly and can be found in any Wyrdeer within the group.
Whereas kings are different.
Kings are chosen by the power of the previous generation of kings, generally the strongest among their group, traceable and immensely powerful.
The common trait between kings and Mount Pokemon is—they are Pokemon blessed by Arceus.
However, Mount Pokemon possess a certain special ability.
Like the Wyrdeer they are riding now.
Despite running at such high speed, they don't feel the wind at all.
While it's a bit bumpy, the ride is quite stable overall.
This must be one of Wyrdeer's special abilities.
But the kings... embody the purest power.
Though they haven't seen the king here yet.
Moreover, this place's king is named "Kleavor," a name neither Cynthia nor Ash remembers at all.
It's likely another exclusive Pokemon of the Hisui region, just like Wyrdeer.
Or rather...
All the five Mount Pokemon and five kings here could be new Pokemon?
These, they could only be sure of after witnessing the king in person.
But for now, they've finally gotten some clues about the king.
After dealing with the rampaging Boss Kricketune, they would start investigating the kings and Mount Pokemon...
After a period of rushing, the three finally arrived at Deertrack Heights.
There lies a long slope, and ascending it leads to the habitat of the Boss Kricketune.
Up there, besides the Boss Kricketune, many ordinary Kricketune reside.
Even now, Ash, standing at the foot of the slope, could faintly hear the sharp and restless cries coming from above.
His expression slightly tensed.
With the Aura Power, he could clearly sense the mass of tense and wild Pokemon energy at the top.
At the center of that energy, a particularly massive and wild presence, like the eye of a storm, was emitting unsettling waves.
Needless to say, that's the Boss Kricketune!
Cynthia glanced at Ash, aware that Ash would have to handle this, given she didn't have any Pokemon, and her physical condition couldn't compare to Ash's. Even if she wanted to help, she couldn't.
Since becoming Champion, she's never felt so powerless...
Now she realized how important it was to improve her physical condition with special abilities!
Looks like she'll have to train her body once she returns.
Though, even training won't make her catch up to Ash's physical condition...
Just as Cynthia was about to speak, a resounding dragon's growl suddenly echoed!
Cynthia froze, then looked up at the sky in sheer delight!
There, a purple shadow, resembling a jet, was speeding towards them!
Garchomp!