Before, when Ash chose Typhlosion for the battle, it was because the fight itself had the purpose of training new partners.
If Pikachu had truly been put on the field at that time, Espeon probably would not have had much chance to shine.
Just knowing Pikachu is strong is one thing.
But now, seeing that Thunderbolt almost lighting up the sky over Firespit Island from such a distance is quite another.
Irida was silent for a few seconds.
How does Ash manage to raise such an outrageous Pikachu that perches cutely on his shoulder all day long?
"Are Palina and Iscan still on the island?"
"Yes, they didn't return after going over there with Growlithe, and Basculegion is also still near Firespit Island."
A hint of worry immediately appeared on Irida's face.
The information she received only went as far as the previous King's child suddenly rushing into the sea, and what happened afterward, the people at Ginkgo Landing had no clue either.
Adding to the complexity, the only way to safely and swiftly cross the sea, Basculegion, was still near Firespit Island, making it impossible for Irida to just swim across.
"Let's wait a bit longer."
Irida suppressed her inner worry with difficulty.
"Ash and Cynthia are both on the island, and with their abilities, unless there's another severe space-time anomaly, there shouldn't be any major issues."
Even though she said this, her gaze never left the distant Firespit Island.
After a while, a familiar large silhouette finally appeared on the sea surface.
"Woo——!"
Basculegion's broad tail continuously slapped the water, approaching Ginkgo Landing at high speed, with Palina and Iscan sitting on his back.
Palina was tightly holding the long-missing Growlithe in her arms.
"Palina!"
Irida immediately rushed forward to meet them.
After Basculegion slowed down near shallow waters, Iscan dismounted first and then turned to help Palina ashore.
"Irida?"
Palina clearly hadn't expected her to be there.
Irida couldn't be bothered to explain why she was there; her gaze instantly fell on the Growlithe in Palina's arms.
"How is this little one?"
"It's fine, just a bit shaken from staying on Firespit Island after being taken and then frightened by the recent commotion, so it's a bit fatigued."
Upon hearing that Growlithe wasn't seriously injured, Irida visibly sighed in relief, then looked toward the still rumbling Firespit Island.
"What about the other child?"
Palina's expression immediately became complicated.
"Evolved."
"What?"
Irida was stunned.
"He swam across the sea with his own strength, made his way to the center of the volcano, and then evolved to protect his companion, inheriting the power left behind by the former King."
When Palina mentioned this, the joy that should have come with the birth of a New King was instead absent, and her voice lowered.
"But right after becoming an Arcanine, a space-time rift suddenly appeared in the sky, and a golden thunderbolt came down directly, making Arcanine just like those rampaging Kings before."
The joy on Irida's face had no time to emerge before it completely froze.
"Just became a King, and already rampaging?"
Palina nodded bitterly.
"Now Ash and Pikachu are in there trying to suppress Arcanine. Ash told us to bring the other Growlithe out first, and once Arcanine loses the ability to keep attacking, he will use the Power of Viridian to clear out the abnormal golden energy."
Hearing this, Irida finally understood who the massive thunderbolt from inside Firespit Island had been targeting.
It seemed that this region still could not avoid the rampage of the King.
Not even by an extra day.
The New King had just appeared when that strange energy found its way there.
It's too timely!
Irida stayed silent for a while, then refocused on the Growlithe in front of her.
She took out a potion for wounds from her ordinary bag she always carried and carefully checked the scratches on Growlithe from the kidnapping and running.
This potion, while unable to handle the King's internal strange forces, was perfectly fine for treating ordinary injuries.
After confirming that Growlithe had no serious injuries, Irida looked up and directed her gaze to Iscan, who was standing beside her.
"I heard from the people here that you called Basculegion back after Growlithe rushed into the sea and accompanied Palina to Firespit Island, right?"
Iscan hadn't expected the topic to suddenly shift to himself, and he nodded instinctively.
"I didn't really do much; Growlithe swam over there on his own. Palina and I just had Basculegion follow along in case he couldn't make it, so we could rescue him."
"That's more than enough. Thank you."
Irida sincerely thanked Iscan.
Though she didn't agree with the Diamond Clan's interpretation of the Venerable Sinnoh, the arguments over ideology were one thing, but Iscan's repeated assistance to Palina and the Pearl Clan was another.
On this point, Irida was very clear.
Iscan was somewhat embarrassed by the thanks, and he quickly waved his hand.
"No need to thank me, I just couldn't let Palina go alone."
By the end of his sentence, Iscan's voice became noticeably smaller.
Irida glanced at Iscan, then at Palina who had suddenly quieted down, and naturally moved her gaze away.
Understood.
It's best not to get involved in such matters.
"So what do we do now?"
Iscan looked at Firespit Island.
"Even after that thunderbolt, it doesn't seem completely calm in there yet."
Irida also turned her gaze back to the distance.
"Since Ash specifically told you to bring out Growlithe, it means he doesn't want to be distracted protecting others while suppressing Arcanine. Going back in will just increase his burden."
Though still worried about Arcanine, Palina nodded gently at these words.
The previous incidents with Kleavor and Lilligant had already proven that Ash could use the Power of Viridian to resolve the anomalies within Kings. As long as Pikachu could calm Arcanine, this time should be no exception.
Irida came to Basculegion's side, gently patting his broad body.
"Let Basculegion rest here first. If Ash and Cynthia return, or if there's a long period of no activity inside, or if the space-time rift appears again, then we'll go in."
"Woo!"
Basculegion gently swayed his tail, then sank back into the slightly cooler sea, leaving just over half of his head above the water.
Irida and Palina raised their heads to look in the direction of Firespit Island.
Meanwhile, the golden figure that had just been blasted directly into the rocky ground by Thunderbolt in the volcano's center was slowly standing up again from the shattered black stones.
"Roar——!!"
Arcanine stood up again from the broken black stones, the abnormal golden aura enveloping him surging violently, a low growl spreading along with increasingly intense heat waves.
Ash's Aura firmly enveloped Arcanine, quickly perceiving his current state clearly.
That Quick Attack and Iron Tail combo followed by Thunderbolt had already put Arcanine in severe distress, his Life Aura much weaker than when he first went berserk.
But though weakened, he hadn't fallen yet.
"It can still stand up?"
Ash couldn't help but marvel.
A Pokemon with the Venerable Sinnoh's legacy has a vitality that ordinary Pokemon can't measure up to, not to mention this Arcanine also absorbed a significant amount of power by entering the magma mid-way.
However, according to the Aura feedback, it indeed only required one last push now.
Just as Ash prepared to have Pikachu continue the assault, a large amount of deep red flames suddenly burst from around Arcanine's body!
Woooosh——!!
The scorching flames instantly enveloped his body, adding a layer of crimson to the previously strange golden glow, while the surrounding air distorted under the intense heat.
Ash immediately recognized the move.
"Flare Blitz?"