Ash naturally knows Electrode and Avalugg.
But considering the Hisuian Growlithe and other regional forms of Pokemon encountered earlier, it is still hard to directly judge how different the kings of these eras are from the modern forms he's familiar with.
"So, the kings and queens of all five regions are influenced by this thunderbolt?"
"That's indeed the case with the information we have right now."
Irida looked up at the sky above the volcano which had already returned to normal.
"As for why those golden thunderbolts appear from the Space-Time Rift and why they hit the kings precisely, we currently don't have answers."
Ash frowned.
Earlier, Arcanine had just inherited the king's power, and the thunderbolt almost immediately appeared.
If other kings are under similar circumstances, this level of precision does not seem like mere coincidence.
Irida continued, "Some members of both clans also believe that these Space-Time Rifts might be related to the Venerable Sinnoh, but since no one has the capability to truly investigate these rifts, everything remains speculative."
Cynthia, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke.
"Is Electrode at the Coronet Highlands still in a rampaging state?"
"Yes."
Irida nodded, and her expression turned somewhat troubled at the mention of Electrode.
"Electrode is the king worshipped by the Diamond Clan. Adaman knows more specifics, but if you're planning to go to Coronet Highlands to deal with Electrode, it's best to prepare yourself for a certain person there."
Ash was curious.
"Who?"
"Melli."
Irida's face instantly showed obvious displeasure as soon as she mentioned this name.
Ash: "..."
Cynthia: "..."
Having known Irida for quite some time, this was the first time they'd seen her have such a strong reaction just by mentioning someone's name.
"What did he do to you?"
Ash couldn't help but ask.
"It's not what he did to me, it's just that the person is really difficult to communicate with."
Irida took a deep breath.
"Melli is Warden responsible for taking care of Electrode in the Diamond Clan. He's very self-centered normally, and he believes the king's current rampage is a blessing from the Venerable Sinnoh, so he's been against anyone trying to pacify Electrode from the start."
"Even Adaman finds it troublesome to change his mind. If you're planning to deal with Electrode, you'll surely encounter him first."
Irida paused for a moment and couldn't help but add one last comment.
"In short, that guy is really annoying."
Ash: "..."
Cynthia's mouth slightly raised into a smile.
For someone to irritate Irida to such an extent, that Melli must truly have some skills.
"Got it."
Ash nodded with a smile.
"If we really go to the Coronet Highlands in the future, we'll take note."
As the conversation went on, a somewhat weak growl suddenly sounded from nearby.
"Wooof…"
The three simultaneously turned their heads.
The Arcanine, who had been lying on the ground resting, slowly opened his eyes, and the violent and chaotic golden light on his body completely faded away, leaving only the original mix of gray-black and dark red fur.
Irida quickly walked over.
"Arcanine, you shouldn't move around yet, you need to rest."
But Arcanine looked at Irida once and then forced himself to stand up, bit by bit.
Just as he fully stood up, his four legs wobbled noticeably.
"Arcanine!"
Irida was about to stop him again when the blue light in Ash's eyes flickered slightly.
Arcanine's consciousness had fully returned to normal.
And he wasn't just trying to move around.
"Miss Irida, let him go for now."
Ash watched Arcanine.
"He seems to have something he wants to do."
"Something?"
Irida was puzzled.
Arcanine dragged his visibly weakened body, step by step towards the edge of the plain near the lava.
This time, instead of jumping directly into the magma like when rampaging, he stopped a short distance from it.
Then Arcanine raised his head and let out a deep roar towards the rolling crimson magma ahead.
"Wooof—!!"
Bang!!
The originally rolling magma suddenly boiled violently!
A scarlet pillar of fire first shot up from the magma, followed by a second and third pillar rapidly emerging, soon surrounding a large area with a fiery ring!
Ash and Cynthia's expressions changed at once.
The next second, a fiery red light rose slowly from the center of all the fire pillars.
A plate floated out of the magma!
"A plate!"
Ash's eyes lit up instantly.
Unexpectedly, the first thing Arcanine did upon returning to normal was summon a plate!
Arcanine looked up at the fiery red plate, and after it completely left the magma, he gently exerted strength with his limbs and leapt a short distance forward, biting onto the plate.
When he landed back on the plain, his four legs, still not fully recovered, immediately weakened, and his body almost collapsed.
Ash hurriedly ran over to support Arcanine.
"Take it easy!"
"Wooof…"
Once Arcanine steadied himself, he lowered his head and gently placed the fiery red plate in front of Ash.
Ash looked at the plate, then raised his gaze to Arcanine.
"Is this for me?"
"Wooof."
Arcanine lightly nodded.
Ash's face immediately broke into a smile.
"Well, I'll accept it. Thank you, Arcanine."
He reached out and picked up the fiery red plate.