Counting the Splash Plate handed over by Basculegion earlier, this was already the seventh Plate they had obtained.
After securing the Plate, Ash looked helplessly at the Arcanine, who was so exhausted it could barely stand steadily.
"Has everything been delivered?"
"Woof..."
"Then you can finally rest now."
Ash placed his hand on Arcanine's head again, and the gentle Power of Viridian flowed from his palm back into its body.
Earlier, to complete the Governor's task quickly, Ash primarily dealt with the abnormal Golden Power and stabilized Arcanine's considerably poor condition, without fully healing all the injuries caused by the continuous battles.
Now that the anomaly had been resolved, there was no need to worry about these things anymore.
The Power of Viridian began to truly work on the injuries left by the battle, and Arcanine's previously heavy breathing gradually calmed, while the pain in its limbs slowly diminished as the healing progressed.
"Woof..."
Arcanine let out a low growl, finally ceasing its restlessness and lying down beside Ash to rest.
Irida stood quietly to the side, watching as Arcanine willingly handed over the Plate for the entirety of the action.
As the Power of Viridian continued to flow into Arcanine's body, its previously weak breaths stabilized, and its four legs no longer trembled as they had when it stood up.
A flash of surprise crossed Irida's eyes, but she did not interrupt Ash.
By the time Ash withdrew his palm, Arcanine seemed much more energetic, even lifting its head to nuzzle his hand.
"That's more like it."
Ash rubbed Arcanine's head.
"Everything's been delivered, so now you can just rest well. No jumping into magma today."
"Woof..."
Arcanine responded with a low sound.
Ash squinted, did that sound a bit defiant?
"Pika pi."
Pikachu sat on his shoulder, seriously shaking its paw at Arcanine.
Listen to Teacher Dapi's advice, don't cause any problems today!
Arcanine: "..."
Cynthia stood nearby, watching the two who had just caused havoc in the volcanic crater, now communicating normally, and couldn't help but smile slightly.
The unexpected chaos at the Cobalt Coastlands had finally come to an end.
The missing Growlithe was rescued, and the child of the former King crossed the most feared sea with its own strength, successfully evolving into Arcanine.
Inheriting its King's power, it swiftly escaped the influence of the abnormal Golden Light.
In the end, it even willingly handed over a Plate hidden in Firespit Island's magma.
Irida glanced again at the resting Arcanine, and the last bit of worry in her heart was finally put to rest.
But when she thought of the remaining two areas, her recently relaxed expression turned a bit more serious.
Electrode at Coronet Highlands was still rampaging, and Avalugg in Alabaster Icelands was recognized as the hardest King to deal with among the five areas.
Especially Avalugg.
With its incredibly enormous size, just standing in Icepeak Arena was enough to create an indescribable sense of pressure for first-time viewers.
Strangely, despite being influenced by abnormal Golden Light, Avalugg did not behave like Kleavor and Lilligant, attacking around its area.
It merely stayed near Icepeak Arena and mostly remained inactive.
This made the Pearl Clan even more cautious about taking any hasty actions.
No one knew what would happen to Alabaster Icelands if Avalugg was truly provoked.
At least, in Irida's view, it wasn't a problem solved by merely increasing the number of Trainers and Pokemon.
"Miss Irida?"
Ash's voice snapped Irida back to the moment.
"What's wrong?"
"We're planning to return to the coast first. Miss Palina must be waiting for news, and we should inform her that Arcanine is okay now."
Irida looked at the resting Arcanine and quickly nodded.
"Let's go."
The trio didn't force Arcanine to leave with them; Firespit Island was the dwelling place of successive Kings, and it was the ideal place for the current Arcanine to rest and become familiar with its power.
Before leaving, Ash reminded it once again not to jump into the magma today, then headed back the way they came with Cynthia and Irida, leaving the volcano center.
Back at the coast of Firespit Island, Iscan was still stationed there.
Spotting the three return unharmed, he immediately stood up.
"How did it go?"
"It's resolved."
Ash responded with a smile: "The abnormal Golden Light has been completely cleared, and Arcanine is back to normal, currently resting inside."
Iscan let out a long sigh of relief.
"That's a relief."
Irida looked at Basculegion resting in the nearby sea.
"Take us back to Ginkgo Landing. Once Palina hears the news, she'll probably rush over."
"Woof."
Basculegion waved its broad tail and gradually approached the shore.
After so many trips back and forth today, Basculegion was noticeably less energetic than it was at first.
When Ash sat on it, he even sensed a bit of reproach in Basculegion's eyes.
"Ahem, thank you for your hard work."
"Woo..."
"I'll give you extra food tonight."
"Woo!"
Basculegion instantly perked up.
Iscan: "..."
Really, this is how it is?
Ash, Cynthia, and Irida climbed onto Basculegion, while Iscan stayed behind on the shore to wait for Palina. With its broad tail continuously propelling the seawater, the three of them quickly left Firespit Island.
When Ginkgo Landing came back into view, they could already see Palina holding a Growlithe by the sea from afar.
Basculegion had just approached the shallow waters when Palina quickly came up to them.
"How's Arcanine?"
"It's fine now."
Ash jumped off Basculegion.
"The abnormal power has been completely cleared, and part of the injuries have been treated. It's resting inside Firespit Island now."
Palina was visibly stunned for a moment, then completely relaxed.
"That's great..."
She looked down at the Growlithe in her arms, which promptly lifted its head and barked in the direction of Firespit Island.
"Woof!"
"I know."
Palina gently petted the Growlithe.
"Let's go see him now."
Irida didn't stop them.
"Iscan is still waiting on the island's edge. Once you get there, he can accompany you in."
"Okay!"
This time, Palina didn't hesitate at all and prepared to board Basculegion with the Growlithe in her arms.
Just after Teacher Dayu had made the trip, he saw this scene and seemed to freeze.
Basculegion: "..."
More guests?
Ash couldn't help but laugh.
"Double portions!"
"Woo!"
Let's go!
Palina gave them a slightly baffled look but didn't waste time. Once seated, she had Basculegion head back to Firespit Island.
It wasn't until that massive figure was far off again that Irida withdrew her gaze.
"This time, Cobalt Coastlands really owes you a big favor."
"Miss Irida, you've thanked us countless times along the way."
Ash waved his hand somewhat helplessly.
"And for Arcanine to become King, the most important thing was its own willingness to cross that sea. We just dealt with the troubles afterward."
"Pika."
Pikachu nodded in agreement, thinking they could resolve the final issue so smoothly thanks to its efforts!
Irida chuckled.
"Anyway, I'll honestly report this to both the Pearl Clan and Team Galactic."
Then she suddenly thought of something.
"You won't be heading to Coronet Highlands immediately, will you?"
"Definitely not."
Ash answered decisively.
"We haven't stopped since the morning, and Pikachu's been in several battles. My sister and I plan to rest for a few days."
Cynthia nodded in agreement.
"There's no need to rush through managing the King issues. Besides, we need to organize the information we've gathered this time."
Irida had no objections to this.
"While there are still issues with Electrode at Coronet Highlands, a few days won't make much difference."
"If you run into Adaman in the next few days, let him know. If you don't, I'll pass the message along for you."
"Thank you, Miss Irida!"
"No problem."
After a brief farewell, Cynthia blew the Celestica Flute, and soon they heard the sound of Wyrdeer galloping from afar.
"Yoo!"
Wyrdeer came to a stop in front of them, and Ash and Cynthia smoothly mounted it, with Pikachu lounging back on Ash's shoulder.
"We're off then!"
"Goodbye."
"Pika pika~"
Pikachu even turned around to wave a paw.
Irida raised her hand in response until Wyrdeer carried the two away into the distance, then she chuckled softly.
On normal days, they seem pretty tame, but when it comes to battles, they're as fierce as can be.