"Splash Plate!"
Ash's face instantly lit up with surprise.
Before coming to Cobalt Coastlands, they had already guessed that as a special mount Pokemon influenced by Arceus's power, Basculegion might also have a plate in its possession.
But they hadn't expected it to happen so soon!
How long had the two sides just met? Was it even a minute?
Basculegion simply stared at them for a few seconds, then turned and dove into the sea, and when it returned, it delivered the plate directly!
This efficiency...
Except for Rei proactively bringing the Blank Plate to battle them, no other plate has been obtained so easily!
"Is this for us?"
Ash still verified seriously.
"Woo~"
Basculegion nodded again.
No need to be polite then? Ash reached out and took the Splash Plate.
A cool sensation came from his palm, and the blue plate shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Ash looked down at the Splash Plate in his hand, and the smile on his face became more apparent.
The sixth one!
Counting the five plates they'd already obtained before, this was the sixth one they'd truly gotten!
Upon entering Cobalt Coastlands, they hadn't even found the abducted Growlithe yet, and their first major goal had already come to them.
The mount Pokemon truly were reliable!
"Thanks, Basculegion!"
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu happily waved its little paw at Basculegion as well.
Basculegion softly chirped, showing no attachment whatsoever to the plate it had just given away.
Beside them, Palina and Iscan were a bit baffled.
When they saw Basculegion earlier, their faces were filled with surprise, not a hint of pretense.
Clearly, they didn't know Basculegion before.
But what was Basculegion's behavior?
Meeting, a few glances, then diving to the sea and directly retrieving the plate to give Ash.
The entire process was so proficient that it seemed they'd known today was going to happen!
"This..."
Iscan opened his mouth, unsure of what to ask for a moment.
Palina, however, recalled something spreading recently among two teams.
After Kleavor returned to normal, it proactively handed the plate it guarded to Ash.
A few days ago, Lilligant was pacified and similarly gave one plate to the two.
Now, it was Basculegion's turn, and it's still explainable as coincidence for a single event.
It's hard to attribute to coincidence when it happens numerous times.
Furthermore, that blue plate was probably the special plate Ash and Cynthia had been searching for that people kept mentioning lately?
Palina and Iscan glanced at each other but chose not to inquire further.
Everyone has their own secrets.
What's more, Ash and Cynthia have consistently been helping Hisui resolve issues during this time.
If someone is unwilling to share things voluntarily, there's no need to press them for answers.
Ash placed the Splash Plate into the Space Backpack.
With Palina and Iscan present, it wasn't suitable to take out the Arceus Phone for absorption directly.
He'd handle it when alone later.
"Woo~"
Basculegion suddenly called again.
Ash looked up and realized it no longer gazed at him.
Basculegion's eyes were fixated straight at the iron bucket in Iscan's hand.
Ash: "..."
Understood, the plate was delivered, now time for a meal!
Only then did Iscan belatedly react and quickly pulled out a large fish prepared in advance from the bucket.
"This is for you; this is his favorite."
"Okay."
Ash took the large fish, said cheerfully to Basculegion while waving it, then tossed it forward with both hands. The fish flew toward the sea.
"Catch it!"
"Woo!"
Basculegion's massive body instantly leaped out from the water!
Its big mouth opened wide.
Roar!
The whole fish vanished into its mouth before it could fall.
Bang!
The enormous body returned to the sea, and Basculegion closed its eyes in satisfaction.
Ash stared at the empty sea surface.
"Such a big fish, gone in one bite?"
"Pika pika."
Pikachu also widened its eyes, seemingly amazed by Basculegion's large mouth.
What a huge appetite!
Pikachu suddenly glanced at Ash.
Ash: ???
Why are you looking at me? Are you implying my appetite is just as big?
After finishing the fish, Basculegion quickly turned its gaze to Cynthia.
More specifically, to another fish in Cynthia's hand.
"Hehe."
Cynthia naturally understood its meaning: "This one is for you too."
She threw the fish forward.
Basculegion repeated its trick, jumping out of the sea to swallow it in one gulp.
With both fish in its stomach, Basculegion seemed even more satisfied, and it proactively swam closer to shore, slightly lowering its broad head.
Ash reached out to touch him.
Basculegion showed no intention to dodge.
Seeing this scene, Iscan finally shook off the shock from the plate incident.
"Looks like Basculegion has acknowledged you guys now."
Cynthia also looked to Iscan at this moment.
"Warden Iscan, since Basculegion is willing to let us ride, could you please teach me the melody to summon him?"
"Of course, you've already got the plate he always guarded, much higher recognition than I expected."
Iscan didn't refuse and took out the Celestica Flute again, slowing down the melody to summon Basculegion.
Cynthia stood nearby, listening carefully.
She had already mastered the melodies to summon Wyrdeer and Ursaluna and was quite familiar with using the Celestica Flute.