"I'm right here."
Everyone turned their heads simultaneously.
A very tall man was approaching from a distance.
The man was wearing blue clothing with prominent Diamond Clan features, his skin was dark, and his limbs were robust, making him look significantly stronger than an average adult male.
Yet, contrasting with his powerful physique, his facial features appeared very gentle.
Especially when his gaze fell on Palina, the gentleness seemed to increase several folds.
"Iscan?"
Palina was visibly surprised: "Why are you here?"
"Actually, I've been around here for the past two days. After hearing about Growlithe's disappearance, I've also been helping search the entire Cobalt Coastlands."
"I was worried you might hastily go to some dangerous place alone, so I've been paying attention to your actions all this time, just didn't tell you before."
Palina was slightly taken aback.
The initial tense expression due to Growlithe's disappearance softened considerably at this moment.
Ash glanced at Palina and then at Iscan, then quietly turned to look at Cynthia.
Cynthia gave him a glance as well.
The siblings were very tacitly silent.
Hmm... It feels like something's off between these two, but now is obviously not the time for gossip.
Iscan quickly refocused on the main issue.
"I've seen the tracking process just now. Actually, in the past two days, I've searched through most places on Cobalt Coastlands but also haven't found that Growlithe."
"So I was wondering if it might have been taken to Firespit Island."
"That's perfect," Ash immediately said, "Palina the Warden said you're in charge of Basculegion, we just need to go to Firespit Island now."
Iscan: "..."
His originally natural expression suddenly froze.
Ash blinked.
What's wrong? Weren't you just saying you were also planning to go?
"Um..."
Iscan's eyes started to wander: "Of course I can call Basculegion, and I'd love to go look for Growlithe on Firespit Island, but I have a rather troublesome problem."
"What problem?"
"I'm a bit afraid of Ghost-type Pokemon."
Ash: "..."
Cynthia: "..."
Pikachu: "..."
Wait, wasn't Basculegion described as possessing Water and Ghost attributes?
Ash's expression gradually became strange.
A Warden in charge of Basculegion is afraid of Ghost types?!
What kind of odd combination is this!
"Pika..."
Pikachu had already raised its small paw to cover its mouth.
Can't laugh. After all, he's a Warden, gotta give him some face!
But why does it feel so funny!
Iscan evidently was already used to the strange expressions people made when hearing this for the first time.
"I know it sounds strange, but fear is not something you can just dismiss by saying it."
"In the past two days, I've been doing mental preparations and even considered riding Basculegion to check Firespit Island, but every time I really prepare to go, I find it hard to completely overcome this fear."
Palina looked at Iscan without any ridicule, and instead softly said, "You've been helping me search for so long, no need to force yourself."
"I came because I don't want you to take risks alone."
Iscan almost answered directly without thinking.
After saying it, he seemed to realize this sentence was somewhat direct, his expression immediately turned unnatural.
Palina also fell silent for a moment.
Ash silently looked up at the sky.
What nice weather today.
Cynthia had a smile at the corner of her mouth that she couldn't hide.
These two indeed have some issues!
"Ahem."
In the end, Iscan brought the topic back: "Anyway, although I'm reluctant to ride Basculegion, there's no issue summoning it."
"Plus, I brought his favorite food today. Once you familiarize yourselves with him and give him some food, you should easily gain his approval."
Iscan lifted the iron bucket he had been carrying.
Ash just then noticed that inside were fish foods already prepared.
Cynthia's eyes slightly brightened.
This fits their plan perfectly. They needed the approval of Mount Pokemon from Cobalt Coastlands.
Now, not only have they identified the Mount Pokemon, but also the Warden caring for it and ways to establish rapport have appeared.
More convenience than they could ask for.
"Thanks a lot."
Ash clenched his fists: "Warden Iscan, please summon Basculegion, we'll handle the rest!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu also raised its small paw.
Making friends is something it's quite adept at!
Iscan was influenced by their energetic spirit, showing a smile once more.
"Alright."
He took out the Celestica Flute from his waist.
The melody distinctly different from those summoning Wyrdeer and Ursaluna soon echoed by the coast.
The flute sound carried by the sea breeze spread far.
Initially, the sea remained very calm.
A few seconds later, Ash suddenly looked towards the distance.
"It's coming!"
A wave quickly approached from the sea.
That wave was incredibly fast.
Starting as merely a thin white line from afar, it quickly closed in on Ginkgo Landing.
Next second, splash!!
A large swath of seawater suddenly exploded outwards!
A massive silhouette leapt directly from the sea!
The elongated body appeared deep green under the sunlight, with structures like whiskers extending from both sides of a broad head, with striking red structures surrounding its body and tail.
The huge body curved through the air, then fell back into the sea by the shore.
Boom!
A huge splash instantly spread out.
Ash and Cynthia's eyes widened simultaneously.
What a big fish!
Iscan stood behind, although still a bit nervous facing a Ghost-type Pokemon, his tone showed the Warden's seriousness again.
"This is the Mount Pokemon of Cobalt Coastlands, blessed by the Venerable Sinnoh, Basculegion!"
After returning to the sea, Basculegion didn't immediately look at the food Iscan had brought. Instead, its eyes stayed on Ash and Cynthia.
Ash and Cynthia were also observing this unique Mount Pokemon they were seeing for the first time.
The two sides just stared at each other across a small stretch of water for several seconds.
"Woo—"
Basculegion suddenly let out a low call, its wide tail swished under the water, and its massive body dove into the sea.
Splash!
In an instant, the Basculegion that had paused before them vanished into nowhere.
Iscan: "???"
What happened?
Why did it leave?
Iscan glanced at the fish he prepared, then at the spot where Basculegion disappeared, and was stunned.
This was Basculegion's favorite food! Why didn't it even take a look today?
Could it be... Iscan looked towards Ash and Cynthia again.
Do they really have something special, astonishing Basculegion enough to lose its appetite?
"Warden Iscan, what's up with Basculegion?"
Cynthia was equally puzzled.
"I have no idea; it doesn't usually leave unexpectedly after responding to the Celestica Flute."
Iscan was even more confused than her.
Ash wasn't worried too much.
When Basculegion left, he didn't sense any rejection or wariness from its Aura.
Instead, it felt more like telling them to wait a bit?
"It should come back."
No sooner had Ash finished talking than the distant sea made movements again.
Splash! The familiar giant figure broke through the sea and leapt into the sky again!
"It really returned?"
Iscan was baffled.
Basculegion dove back into the sea and swam straight towards Ash and Cynthia's spot.
This time it didn't halt far off but slowed down only upon arriving directly before Ash.
"Woo~"
A low call entered their ears.
Ash's eyes opened a bit wider.
"For me?"
"Woo~"
Basculegion nodded lightly.
Then it directly opened its crimson mouth wide.
A completely azure plate lay quietly inside!
Wave-like patterns on the plate's surface were evident, with light blue energy flowing slowly inside, the pure Water Attribute power could be felt even across a small distance.
Ash: "!"
Cynthia: "!"
They couldn't possibly not recognize this item?
Splash Plate!