Corsola?
No, this was more like a "Core-slump."
Rarely do you find a Pokémon whose face is perpetually set in a scowl, constantly radiating "emo" energy, but Galarian Corsola was clearly a master of the craft.
It was completely opposite from the regular Corsola, which was always brimming with life and often possessed the Hustle ability. This variant's mouth was permanently turned downward, reflecting a constant state of lethargy or dissatisfaction.
Looking at it, Kashiwagi felt as if he could hear it saying:
"I'm already dead, what else do you want from me?",
"Give it a rest, my coral is gone, just let me lie here", or
"Please just let me die in peace."
Of course, that was all just Kashiwagi's imagination.
After parting ways with Max, he fully immersed himself in communicating with Galarian Corsola—if one-way communication could even be called that.
Fortunately, while this creature wouldn't take the energy he actively offered, it was absolutely obsessed with "glowing" cuisine. It especially loved the Pokémon food he specifically prepared for it; it would eat as much as he provided. The process was unique: it would extend its smoky mist from the holes in its head, shroud the bowl, and when the mist retracted, the bowl would be licked clean.
At least the effort Kashiwagi put in the kitchen wasn't going to waste.
The downside was that after eating, it would immediately sink back into depression, turning back into a stone and playing dead... well, technically, it was already dead.
Essentially, as long as no one attacked it, it did absolutely nothing. No matter how much Kashiwagi poked or prodded, it gave no reaction.
This state of self-isolation lasted until Deino charged over and took a bite out of it.
Perhaps the Trainer had been paying too much attention to the newcomer lately, leading to some resentment. Or maybe the way the Corsola ignored their Trainer was just so annoying that Deino felt it needed a lesson. Regardless, Deino found the Galarian Corsola very displeasing.
As a blind dragon, Deino's most direct way of expressing dissatisfaction was simple: ramming and biting.
Before Kashiwagi could even react, Deino had lunged and clamped its jaws down.
Crunch!
The Galarian Corsola, having been attacked, wasn't about to take it lying down. While it didn't look for trouble and wasn't afraid of death, it immediately activated its battle form. All its semi-transparent tentacles burst forth, and it retaliated with a "bite" of its own.
As its smoky tentacles poked Deino, a sickly green light surged from the dragon's body and was injected back into the coral.
Kashiwagi panicked for a second before he realized what was happening.
That's Strength Sap!
Sure enough, after being "sipped" by the Corsola, Deino's biting strength weakened significantly. Seeing that biting wasn't working, Deino began to charge energy in its mouth...
"Hey! Not that! Stop!"
Kashiwagi intervened just in time to prevent Deino from blasting his room to pieces.
"Dei-no~"
Deino felt a bit wronged, so it insistently tried to gnaw on Kashiwagi's hand instead.
He decisively sacrificed his left hand to the dragon and used his right to stroke the Galarian Corsola. "Don't be nervous. Fighting is wrong. I'll scold—"
Before he could finish, the coral had already retracted back into its stone shell.
Kashiwagi: "..."
Talk about not giving me any face!
Just as he was thinking this, he saw Corsola's eyes light up again. It extended a smoky tentacle and gave him a gentle poke.
Hmm... I don't feel anything?
It wasn't absorbing his energy. What did that mean? A polite response?
Kashiwagi decided to call in a lifeline. He dialed N back in Pyrite Town. "Help!"
"What's the matter?" N's face always wore a warm smile, which soon turned to curiosity as he saw the slacker coral.
After an explanation, N tried to communicate with the Galarian Corsola remotely...
No response.
"It seems it isn't very fond of communicating with others," the green-haired young man noted. "This is actually quite common among Pokémon. Just like humans, there are individuals who aren't good at socializing. Instead of words, you should try more physical contact."
"Physical contact?"
"Yes. Things like stroking, gentle patting, or even some Pokémon massage techniques. Once it gets used to you, things might improve."
"Got it."
Kashiwagi nodded. He spoke less and increased the frequency of rubbing its surface, much like how he used to polish a lucky wooden charm. Perhaps due to its long stay on the seabed and the corrosion of the seawater, the Corsola's surface looked smooth but actually felt quite rough.
"Would you punch me if I used sandpaper?" Kashiwagi asked idly, though he figured it didn't know what sandpaper was. He continued to polish it with one hand.
After a few rubs, the Corsola peeked its eyes out. Its horns followed. Once it realized it was just Kashiwagi "buffing" it, it retracted again.
Is this a sign of trust?
Kashiwagi wasn't sure. He used the voice command on his phone's Pokédex to check its stats.
-----
Pokémon Profile
- Pokémon: Corsola (Galarian Form)
- Type: Ghost
- Gender: Female
- Size: 53cm / 0.48kg
- Ability: Cursed Body
- Level: 35
- Moves: Tackle, Harden, Astonish, Disable, Ancient Power, Hex, Curse, Whirlpool, Strength Sap, Destiny Bond, Haze, Confuse Ray
-----
A Hidden Ability, level 35, and twelve moves. As a wild Pokémon, this Galarian Corsola was undeniably excellent; the clue he had followed hadn't lied.
Even though it was another low-speed Pokémon, Kashiwagi knew that rather than waiting for a Pokémon that perfectly fit his team's current composition, it was better to find a strong one and build around it.
The only problem was its crushing lethargy. How could he spark some motivation in it?
Kashiwagi pondered for a moment and decided on a plan: he would get it used to multiple meals a day, then suddenly cut off the food and stop the "polishing" sessions.
-----
Two days after the Fishing Tournament ended.
The Eros Milotic reached Max's destination: the Unova Region.
Strictly speaking, they hadn't known each other for long, but Max had developed a deep respect for Kashiwagi, especially since the latter had saved his life.
"Big Brother Kashiwagi, goodbye!"
Standing on the pier, Max waved frantically. He cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone. "When I get back to Hoenn, let's battle again! I'll definitely win next time!"
The best way for Pokémon Trainers to express their feelings was, without a doubt, through a battle. In that surge of adrenaline, both sides could clearly feel the other's will.
"Deal!"
Kashiwagi waved back, a broad smile on his face.
As a ten-year-old boy, the newly departed Max was still green, reckless, and full of a sense of justice—not much different from Ash during his early Kanto days. But Max had his own unique traits: he was humble and knew how to learn from his mistakes.
The experience and caring from Norman's Pokémon at the Petalburg Gym had given his Kirlia and Shuppet a solid foundation. Even without Brock by his side, his Pokémon were unlikely to be weak in the future.
And soon, Kashiwagi would begin his own new journey.
A land both familiar and strange was waiting for him.