Pokemon Paldea [178-180] (Patreon)

Chapter 178: The Cave's Secret Treasure – Anyone Can Be Palafin Hero

Based on the features of the spaceship this group arrived in, Lucas was sure they were linked to Hunter J, likely some of her henchmen who managed to escape.

Lucas was certain that every member of the poaching team on Glaseado Mountain led by Hunter J had been arrested. The only explanation for these people remaining was that they hadn't participated in the Glaseado Mountain operation, or they had been stationed outside.

Soon after his call, Geeta replied, asking Lucas to send his location so she could dispatch a team to apprehend the Pokémon hunters.

Lucas immediately shared his location with Geeta, then handed his phone to Dragonite, instructing, "If someone calls, answer and bring them over. Don't let these five escape."

"Drago~!"

Dragonite, usually so dopey, suddenly stood up straight and saluted, his expression serious.

"Great, then I'll go underwater with the Finizen. Also, please watch over my clothes and backpack."

Lucas smiled, ruffling Dragonite's head. He pulled out a swimsuit from his bag and headed to the bushes to change.

Soon, wearing only the swimsuit and showing off his well-trained physique, Lucas emerged barefoot and handed his clothes and bag to Dragonite.

Good thing he prepared a swimsuit—swimming in just underwear would've been awkward.

With everything entrusted to Dragonite, Lucas approached the water's edge and nodded at the waiting Swampert and the Finizen.

The leader of the Finizens let out an ethereal call, then dove underwater, with the others—including the husky Finizen that had rejoined the group—following suit.

Lucas gripped Swampert tightly from behind as it began to sink.

The water was chilly. Just before his head submerged, Lucas took a deep breath and disappeared beneath the surface.

Watching Lucas vanish, Dragonite waddled over to the five hunters tied to the tree and sat down, looking as harmless and gullible as ever.

The hunters eyed each other, clearly plotting another escape attempt.

Underwater, a magnificent scene unfolded.

But Lucas didn't have time to admire the view. He focused on following the swiftly moving Finizen pod, hoping to reach the cave they mentioned quickly.

After all, he wasn't carrying professional diving gear or an oxygen tank—his time underwater was limited.

Thankfully, the Finizens had chosen a spot near the cave entrance. Before Lucas ran out of breath, they'd already led Swampert and him straight into the cavern.

Surfacing, Lucas was dazzled by the fantastical scene. The only entrance was through the waterway, hidden beneath the island's mountain—rarely visited by any living creature.

The Palafin leader had only found it by accident.

"Finizen~?"

The leader swam over to Lucas and Swampert, its gaze questioning.

"Let me take a look."

Understanding its intent, Lucas scanned the cave.

The reason the Finizen brought him here was the same as when Wailord led him to this island.

To Pokémon with pure hearts, repaying kindness is a must—especially since Lucas, Dragonite, and Palafin Hero had saved their kind from evil hands.

Whether out of respect for the sea's hero Palafin Hero or a sense of gratitude, the Finizens wanted to repay them.

Finizen are clever—they know how to tell good people from bad, not assuming all humans are evil because of one bad experience.

Learning that Lucas was looking for a Damp Rock, and seeing the photo he showed, the Finizen leader immediately thought of this cave, recalling having seen something similar here once.

Recalling this, Lucas's gaze landed on a huge rock, and he was stunned.

"This is...!!"

Lucas patted Swampert's back, who immediately swam over.

Upon closer inspection, Lucas saw the stone was over a meter tall and more than two meters wide.

Its surface was covered in blue crystals, making the whole thing at least three or four meters in size.

Lucas was sure this was a Damp Rock—but why was it so enormous? The ones he'd used before were only palm-sized and already quite expensive.

The value of this massive rock was beyond money.

Swampert closed its eyes and sensed the energy in the rock, feeling the pure water-type energy inside.

Lucas and Swampert exchanged a glance, both shocked. After a moment, Lucas asked, "Are you really giving me this rock?"

The Finizen leader nodded firmly—this was its way of repaying Lucas and a gift for Palafin Hero. Compared to itself, quietly leading its group on the island, Palafin Hero, who fought evil at sea, deserved it more.

To the Finizenn leader, anyone who does what Palafin Hero does can be the sea's hero, Palafin Hero!

Not knowing the full scope of the Finizen's thinking, Lucas took a deep breath and said to Swampert, "It's up to you to move it out."

"Swamp."

Swampert nodded, flexed its muscles, and effortlessly lifted the massive Damp Rock from the wall.

…

Back on the island—

Dragonite still sat there, looking like a giant cuddly toy.

Meanwhile, the five hunters looked even more miserable than before Lucas left—soaked and with their hair mysteriously burned off.

Their leader, terrified, stared at Dragonite, who now seemed like a demon in cute disguise.

Dragonite ignored their looks. After a while, the phone it held rang.

Eyes lighting up, Dragonite answered as Lucas had taught him. On the other end: "Hello, is this Mr. Lucas? We're the Marine Patrol, and we're near the island—"

"Drago~!" ("Hello!")

The person paused. "Uh, is this Mr. Lucas?"

Dragonite tilted its head. "Drago~" ("Nope~")

The commander nearly lost it—why was a Pokémon answering the phone?

Chapter 179: Poisoned

In the end, Dragonite simply flew over to the Marine Patrol's boat and brought them to the five tied-up hunters.

Amidst a series of "Drago-drago~" sounds, the bewildered commander completed the handover. Even as they sailed back with Hunter J's remaining poachers, his mind spun with one question—

Was the Lucas that Geeta had mentioned actually a Dragonite?

Not long after the patrol left, the Finizen leader carrying Lucas leapt from the water, followed by Swampert, who swam ashore clutching the massive rock—leaving the other Finizens in awe of Palafin Hero's strength.

Swampert gently set the Damp Rock down. Lucas, ignoring the water dripping from him, grabbed a towel from Dragonite and began drying off.

Unfortunately, the towel was tiny—his hair was still wet after using it. Lucas thought for a moment and called Dragonite over. "Give me some warm air."

"Drago?"

Dragonite covered its mouth in disbelief—its tail even forgot to wag.

Lucas, knowing what Dragonite was thinking, added, "Just like a hairdryer, not like last time when you almost burned off my eyebrows and hair."

That happened shortly after Dragonite evolved and learned Heat Wave. It wanted to help dry Lucas off after a shower, but its control was lacking and nearly scorched him.

"Drago~..."

Dragonite pouted, but its wings started fanning, enveloping Lucas in a comfortable warm breeze. Soon, he was dry.

Lucas wasn't surprised; after all, he'd seen Dragonite practice Heat Wave countless times since then.

…

At sunset, Lucas looked at the sad Finizens reluctant to part with Swampert, the hero. He smiled, "Don't get lost anymore, and don't be so impulsive."

The Finizen leader promised to teach the naughty one a lesson.

The young Finizen's sobbing stopped instantly, replaced with terror.

Seeing this, Lucas chuckled. Indeed, only parents can handle rowdy kids. He was about to leave but couldn't help but add, "Though it's a bit noisy, its courage to protect its companions is praiseworthy."

The leader paused, then nodded.

Yes, courage is one of the most precious qualities. Maybe, someday, this immature child will become a true Palafin Hero.

"Finizen~?"

Finally, the Finizen leader looked at the giant Damp Rock, asking how Lucas planned to take it away.

"Leave it to me." Lucas walked over to the waiting Swampert and said, "Hold it tight!"

Swampert nodded, hugged the rock, and once its energy synched with the Damp Rock, Lucas recalled Swampert into its Poké Ball—rock and all.

The Palafins were stunned.

Lucas explained, "Damp Rock is a tool, after all. Even if it's huge, it can still be carried into the Poké Ball with Swampert."

Honestly, he'd been uncertain whether it would work until he tried, but it went smoothly.

Examining the now-shrunken Poké Ball, which felt no heavier, Lucas marveled at Pokémon world technology.

Amazing, isn't it?

As the Finizens watched, Lucas mounted Dragonite and vanished into the dusk.

From then on, a new legend of Palafin Hero began to spread among the Wailord family and the Finizen pod—a legend of a Palafin Hero who became partners with a human.

…

By the time Dragonite flew near Los Platos Town, night had fallen. Just before reaching his farm, Lucas noticed flashing lights on the ground nearby.

The lights flashed rhythmically, accompanied by sirens and ambulance wails, adding gravity to the night.

Lucas's heart tightened—had something happened on his farm? But the emergency vehicles soon stopped at Jones Farm, a bit away from his own.

Relieved, Lucas hesitated, then had Dragonite fly him over to see what happened.

After all, Peter from the Jones Farm had helped him before, and had introduced him to a fish supplier. As neighbors, he should check in.

After landing, a police officer greeted Lucas and, after hearing his reason, brought him to Officer Jenny, who'd just finished her investigation.

"Officer Jenny, this gentleman says he's from a nearby farm and wants to know what happened."

Lucas greeted her, "Hello, Officer Jenny."

Jenny hadn't planned to reveal much, but seeing Lucas, she changed her mind. She'd planned to visit local residents anyway to issue reminders.

"You've come at the right time. I was about to visit your farm too," Jenny said gravely.

Lucas asked, puzzled, "Did something happen?"

Jenny nodded. "Mr. and Mrs. Jones and some employees were poisoned. The cause isn't clear yet, but we do know one thing."

"It's likely related to a Poison-type Pokémon."

Chapter 180: Horn Leech and Contest

"We'll be searching the area for the culprit, so if you notice anything suspicious, please contact us. Since you run a farm nearby, pay special attention to your environment's safety."

Jenny had intended to lecture Lucas on safety, but recalling the powerful Pokémon she'd seen at his farm she relaxed.

With such strong Pokémon, his farm would likely be fine even if wild Pokémon went berserk. It was odd for a farmer to be so strong as a trainer.

Lucas nodded and asked, "Can you tell me how they were poisoned? Was it an attack or food poisoning? I'm always careful about these things myself."

Jenny exchanged a look with the officer and replied, "It was food poisoning. They got sick after tasting freshly harvested crops. It's a shame—one family had planned a trip for the Naranja Academy spring break, but now everyone's in the hospital, and the trip's canceled."

…

Back at his farm, Lucas was greeted by Luxray and the now-polished patrol members, Growlithe and Dachsbun. They walked proudly, clearly imitating police dogs, and looked the part.

"Lux~?"

Luxray rubbed its head against Lucas's palm, its gaze questioning—clearly curious about the emergency lights and sirens.

Lucas explained the poisoning incident at Jones Farm and told Luxray to stay alert for anything unusual.

Luxray understood the seriousness, taking Growlithe and Dachsbun to strengthen the farm's defenses.

Luxray knew all too well the dangers of poison. In the Championship battle, Geeta's Glimmora's toxins had given it a hard time. If not for its strong bond with Lucas, it might have lost.

With many farm Pokémon lacking resistance to poison, especially the Grass-types, Luxray took its new task seriously.

Lucas then headed to Thunder Lake to release Swampert and the Damp Rock.

Sinking the rock at the lake's bottom would help prevent wild Pokémon from stealing it. Water-types could absorb its energy as needed.

A rock this large was like catnip for Water Pokémon.

Indeed, the Politoads and Poliwhirls watched Swampert with hungry eyes as it carried the Damp Rock into the lake. Even Dragonair and Dragonite were envious of the water energy inside.

"This rock will last a long time. Don't fight over it—share nicely."

Lucas reminded them, then told them about the poisoning incident and to report any clues.

Poisoning was miserable, even if it could be cured—the pain was real. Lucas didn't want his Pokémon to suffer.

After settling things at the lake, Lucas walked to the still-empty pasture, flashlight in hand. He felt at ease about the Grass-types—Luxray would warn them.

Before he even reached the fence, the sounds of collisions made him frown—what was going on? Had wild Pokémon broken in, or were Sawsbuck and Mudsdale fighting?

Speeding up, Lucas found the male Sawsbuck and Mudsdale wrestling, while the female Sawsbuck watched quietly.

At first glance, it looked like a fight, but Lucas knew better.

Mudsdale was calm by nature, and Sawsbuck weren't troublemakers. Lucas had brought them to the farm for their courage and character.

So, there was only one explanation.

After a stalemate, the male Sawsbuck stepped aside, and the female took its place. Her large antlers glowed green, growing several times larger as she charged Mudsdale.

That was the move "Horn Leech."

Mudsdale lifted its head, its brow covered in metallic sheen—using "Iron Head."

The two Pokémon clashed—ground trembling, dust flying, and grass bending from the force.

So that was the source of the noise. Lucas watched quietly.

The Sawsbuck had grown much stronger than when he found them at Casseroya Lake. Now, they could easily defeat the Lycanroc they once struggled against.

Lucas wasn't surprised—their diet was excellent, and the farm was full of strong Pokémon for them to spar with, plus his own guidance.

Seeing Pokémon thrive under his care was rewarding.

When the contest ended, the three Pokémon noticed Lucas and eagerly dashed over.

Mudsdale licked Lucas's face, and the Sawsbuck nuzzled his clothes affectionately.

Lucas didn't dodge.

Pokémon express their love in many ways—like James's Victreebel or Cacnea's crushing hugs, or Ash's Charizard's unique fireblasts.

Lucas believed trainers should accept their Pokémon's affection, however it's shown.

After all, to most Pokémon, you are their whole world.