Shore.
Palina kept watching as Basculegion carried the two further away.
Only when that massive figure gradually turned into a small dot on the sea did she softly speak.
"Iscan."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think... they can really find Growlithe?"
Iscan nodded without much hesitation and said, "Of course they can!"
Palina looked at him in some surprise.
"So confident?"
"Absolutely."
Iscan gazed at the distant sea, saying, "Though I haven't met them myself this past month, I've heard enough stories about these two."
"They appeased the enraged Kleavor, resolved Ursaluna's abnormalities, brought Lilligant under control... All sorts of problems this team and the other struggled with were ultimately handled by Ash and Cynthia."
"Moreover... the first time Basculegion met them, it willingly gave away the Plate it guarded."
A smile appeared on Iscan's face. "Even it trusts those two so much; what do I have to worry about?"
Palina was slightly taken aback, then she smiled too. Yes, these were the people approved by Basculegion.
If it's them... they'll definitely succeed!
On the other side.
Basculegion was speeding across the sea.
Firespit Island, which looked quite a distance away from Ginkgo Landing, was visibly enlarging rapidly.
"Faster than I imagined!"
Ash squinted into the sea breeze.
"Pika Pika!"
Pikachu, lying on his shoulder, was watching the rushing sea around them with unabated excitement.
This was far more exhilarating than any boat ride!
Soon enough, a vast stretch of dark brown volcanic rock appeared before them.
Basculegion delivered them to a part of the shore where they could land properly before slowly coming to a stop.
"Thanks for the ride."
Cynthia was the first to jump ashore.
Ash followed, reaching out to touch Basculegion's head.
"We'll go in and find Growlithe, and be back soon."
"Oo~"
Basculegion responded softly, showing no intention of leaving, choosing instead to leisurely swim nearby.
Clearly, it intended to stay and wait for their return.
Ash and Cynthia wasted no time and, with Pikachu, officially stepped onto Firespit Island.
At first, they didn't feel much difference.
But the further they progressed, the hotter it became!
The dark brown volcanic rock absorbed the sunlight and heat constantly radiated from underground, making the air temperature significantly higher than at the beach.
In the crevices of some rocks, wisps of heat could be seen rising.
"It's so hot..."
After just a few minutes, beads of sweat already glistened on Ash's forehead.
Though fit, he was still human!
He could feel the heat just like anyone else.
After walking further, Ash couldn't take it anymore, so he took off his jacket and stuffed it into the Space Backpack, leaving only his lightweight shirt underneath.
Without the jacket, his healthy tan arms and shoulders were fully revealed.
"Pika Pika..."
Pikachu was even worse off.
First excited to jump from Ash's shoulder to the ground.
It didn't take long for his four little paws to set foot on the sun and geothermal-heated dark rock...
"Pika?!?!"
In the next instant, the yellow figure shot up and landed back on Ash's shoulder!
He steadfastly refused to step down again, almost becoming a roasted Pikachu!
"Is it really that hot?"
Ash checked the ground temperature; it was fine, bearable.
But shoes insulated him, unlike Pikachu, who was barefoot!
Cynthia wasn't any more comfortable now.
Especially with her long blonde hair reaching down to her waist, feeling like an extra layer in this environment.
"Never thought... long hair could feel so hot."
Cynthia raised her slender hand to fan her face, her fair skin covered in a thin layer of sweat due to the high temperature.
No choice.
She promptly took off the outer clothing and tucked it away, leaving only her sleeveless shirt suitable for movement.
Then retrieved a headband from Ash's Space Backpack, tying her long blonde hair into a high ponytail.
The sweeping fringe typically covering one eye was clipped back too.
Refreshing!! This was much cooler!
Ash turned to look and was stunned.
"Sis."
"What?"
"So your other eye is perfectly fine."
Cynthia: "..."
She slowly turned her head.
"What do you mean by that?"
Ash suddenly sensed danger.
"No, I mean, Sis always has her bangs covering up, so I rarely see both your eyes like this!"
Pikachu quietly turned his head to the other side; he didn't need to speak.
Really.
Cynthia narrowed her eyes.
"Keep up the nonsense, and make your own dinner tonight."
"I was wrong!"
The shift was as swift as if nothing had happened earlier; Cynthia complacently gave a soft hum.
Yet it was still hot.
After such a short walk, she already yearned for the cool breeze over the sea.
"Come out, Samurott."
Cynthia opened the Ancient Pokeball.
The white light landed on the nearby black rock surface, where Samurott appeared, hesitating slightly.
"Dai..."
This place was truly uncomfortable!
"Samurott, help us cool down a bit; don't overdo it."
"Dai."
Samurott managed its power to emit a stream of water.
The cool water fell onto the cloth towels Ash and Cynthia had prepared.
After they both gently wiped their faces and necks, much of the accumulated stuffiness was relieved.