"Growlithe!!!"
Palina's face changed instantly. She never expected that the child who had been trembling at the seaside would actually jump into the sea of his own accord!
Iscan was equally startled, but Growlithe had already started paddling vigorously, using an ordinary and somewhat clumsy dog-paddle style, swimming bit by bit towards Firespit Island!
Palina instinctively wanted to rush into the sea to rescue Growlithe.
Iscan grabbed her.
"Don't go down there, last time was already enough!"
He had no intention of watching Palina rush into dangerous waters again for the sake of rescuing Growlithe.
Iscan immediately took out the Celestica Flute, and the long melody spread rapidly across the sea surface, which was quickly heard by Basculegion waiting near Firespit Island for Ash and Cynthia's arrival.
"Woof?"
With a powerful swing of its large tail, Basculegion swiftly turned and raced towards Ginkgo Landing with the fastest speed.
This distance was not considered far at all to Basculegion, and soon the familiar gigantic silhouette reappeared on the surface of the sea.
Upon seeing Basculegion, Iscan's body instinctively tensed.
He still feared Ghost-type Pokemon.
This childhood fear would not disappear completely just because he had ridden one once before.
But looking at Growlithe desperately swimming toward Firespit Island, and Palina beside him, desperate enough to jump into the sea at any moment, Iscan finally gritted his teeth.
"Let's go!"
He bravely jumped onto Basculegion's back, then immediately reached out to Palina.
"Hurry up!"
Palina looked at Iscan's clearly tense face, then at the outstretched hand before her, eventually not wasting time and used his strength to sit on Basculegion's back as well.
"Basculegion, catch up with Growlithe!"
"Woof!"
Basculegion instantly surged forward, and the distance between them began to close rapidly, soon reaching the vicinity of Growlithe, which was still paddling its limbs in the sea.
Just as Iscan was about to order Basculegion to move closer and lift Growlithe from the water, Palina suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Wait, don't rescue him just yet."
"Why?"
Iscan was puzzled.
Palina stared intently at the small figure tirelessly paddling ahead, her eyes slightly reddening.
"This was his decision, and it's the first time he's willingly entered the sea that has always terrified him."
"If you rescue him now, he may never muster the same courage again."
Iscan was silent for a while but finally nodded.
"Then let's stay alongside, and if he truly can't hold on anymore, Basculegion will save him immediately."
Thus began a very special scene on the sea.
A Growlithe with Fire Attribute and Rock Attribute, deeply scarred psychologically by this sea, was inching towards Firespit Island in a simple dog-paddle style.
While Basculegion maintained a distance close enough for immediate rescue.
Palina and Iscan sat on its back, accompanying him across the sea he once dreaded to approach.
Growlithe was tired, its paddling limbs gradually slowing, but it never looked back, solely focusing on the nearing Firespit Island.
Until the last stretch of distance was crossed bit by bit, Growlithe's front paws finally touched solid ground again.
"Woof woof!"
The soaked little guy emerged from the sea, all four legs trembling from prolonged swimming, its chest rapidly rising and falling from exertion.
But he swam across the sea that had always frightened him, relying solely on his strength!
...
After hearing the whole story, Ash and Cynthia fell silent for a while.
Their gaze returned to Growlithe guarding its companions.
The wet fur clung to its body, its legs still twitching slightly from the exhaustion.
Having swum from Ginkgo Landing to Firespit Island and run from the island's outskirts to the volcano's center, he must be thoroughly worn out by now.
Yet, even so, he continued to stand in front of his companions, facing three adults who formerly frightened him without retreating a single step.
"Can't believe it..."
The surprise in Ash's eyes gradually transformed into admiration.
A Fire and Rock Attribute Pokemon that dislikes water, profoundly intimidated by the surrounding sea.
But for his companions, this little guy relied on his four legs to swim from Ginkgo Landing to Firespit Island.
Such a feat required more than physical strength.
"Impressive." Ash looked at Growlithe, a smile gradually forming on his face, "This little guy... is braver than he believes himself to be!"
Growlithe remained in front of his companions, even though his legs still trembled slightly from the sea journey and run, yet his barking grew louder each time.
"Woof! Woof!"
The dense fur covered Growlithe's eyes, obscuring his current expression.
But the aura emanating from his small body clearly conveyed his intended message.
Let him go!
The Miss Fortunes were ready to retreat, but Coin couldn't help glancing back upon hearing this bark.
"Tsk, didn't expect such a brave personality for a guy looking like a little runt, but it's useless; you really can't become King in that form!"