"What's this, isn't that the timid little Growlithe who doesn't even dare to get near the seaside?"
"How did he end up at Firespit Island?"
Coin looked equally puzzled while Charm was more direct, looking at Growlithe with obvious disdain.
"That supposedly useless child of the King?"
Ash didn't have the heart to pay attention to the sisters' jeers.
Right now, he was more bewildered than they were.
Wasn't this Growlithe supposed to be with Palina and Iscan staying at Ginkgo Landing?
But here's Firespit Island, with a wide sea in between!
"Growlithe?! "
Cynthia also recognized the little fellow in front of them.
Growlithe didn't turn back, remaining steadfastly in front of his companion.
His four legs trembled lightly due to the prolonged movement and the surrounding high temperature, yet what caught Ash's attention the most was that his fluffy coat was completely wet!
Wet?
Ash's pupils slightly shrank, as a suspicion that was hard to believe suddenly emerged in his mind.
Before Ash could open his mouth to confirm, hurried footsteps echoed once more from the rocky path behind them.
"Growlithe!"
"Wait for us!"
Palina and Iscan finally sprinted out from the other side, evidently having chased all the way; Palina was supporting her hands on her knees, panting heavily, and Iscan was also drenched in sweat.
"Miss Palina, Mr. Iscan, how did you also come here?"
Ash hurriedly went to meet them, initially assuming they had brought Growlithe across the sea using Basculegion, but upon glancing at Growlithe's thoroughly soaked fur, he immediately realized things were likely not so simple.
After catching her breath for a while, Palina was finally able to speak somewhat normally.
"It wasn't us that brought this child here; he swam here himself."
Ash: "?"
Cynthia: "?"
"Swam here himself?!"
The two were genuinely stunned this time.
Palina nodded affirmatively, then slowly recounted the events that took place after Ash and Cynthia left Ginkgo Landing.
...
When Basculegion carried Ash and Cynthia to Firespit Island, Growlithe remained standing at the edge of Ginkgo Landing, his eyes obscured by fur continuously gazing at the distant island where his father had once lived.
Wave after wave surged up the shore, and each obvious sound of waves made Growlithe's body tremble instinctively. Palina knew he was reminded of past events and refrained from urging him, quietly accompanying him with Iscan.
Until sometime later, an exceedingly bright golden thunder light suddenly erupted high above Firespit Island!
BOOM!!!
The enormous lightning almost illuminated the entire sky above the volcano, even across the vast sea; Ginkgo Landing could clearly see the bright golden streak piercing through the sky.
"Woo-oo!"
Growlithe suddenly raised his head.
Ash and Cynthia had just headed toward Firespit Island.
And his missing companion very likely might be on that island too!
Thinking of this, Growlithe's body trembled even more.
Before him, the continually undulating seawater and the repeated sound of waves crashing against the beach replayed the scene where his father rushed into the sea to protect him and never returned in his mind.
"Growlithe?"
Palina quickly noticed his odd behavior, just about to crouch down to comfort him, yet the child, who normally would instinctively avoid the sea by retreating beside her, for the first time stepped forward.
As his paw fell onto the moist sand, Growlithe's body stiffened noticeably, but he did not retreat, instead advancing with another step.
Just as a wave came rolling in.
The freezing seawater instantly submerged his four paws.
"Woo..."
Growlithe emitted a soft growl clearly tinged with fear.
He was undoubtedly afraid of the sea, a fear inscribed deeply in his heart that never truly vanished.
But now, the companion who always stayed by his side, stood up for him when he was scared, and never dismissed him even when he was timid and tense over the slightest sound, was on Firespit Island.
Growlithe glanced at the seawater retreating by his feet, then once more gazed toward the distant Firespit Island.
The next moment.
"Woo-oo!!"
His petite form suddenly surged forward, leaping straight into the sea!
"Growlithe!!!"