Chapter 117 ⇾ How Did You Get Yourself into Such a Mess?

After saying goodbye to Cole, Swablu returned to its family's tree, where they all watched Milotic depart.

Noticing its good friend gazing longingly at Cole's departing group, Swablu fluttered over and landed beside them.

"Swa~ Swa~" — Do you want to go see the outside world with them?

"Swa~"

The good friend nodded instinctively.

"Swa~ Swa Swa Swa~" — Then go! Haven't you always dreamed of singing in the outside world? This is your chance!

Swablu playfully nudged its friend with its wing, almost causing them to lose their balance on the branch.

"Swa~" — But...

The good friend hesitated, torn between their dream and concern about leaving their family.

At that moment, two Altaria gracefully descended and landed beside their friend.

"Swa~ Swa~" — Dad... Mom...

Unable to meet their gaze, the good friend lowered their head.

The female Altaria tenderly stroked her daughter's head with her wing, "My dear child, if this is what you want, then go!"

Startled by her words, the good friend looked up at their mother, then to their father. Seeing his teary-eyed nod of approval, they fell into their parents' embrace.

The Altaria mother gently patted her daughter's back, "Don't be sad, follow your dreams with confidence. We trust this human — he has Lady Milotic's approval. And don't worry about us — we're safe under Lady Milotic's protection."

The Altaria father nodded in agreement, "That's right, and besides, we're strong too. Even without Lady Milotic's help, we can protect ourselves."

They had watched their daughter perform with the Brionne band and seen how truly happy she was.

After a while, the good friend emerged from her parents' embrace and gathered the courage to fly from the branch, "Mom, Dad, I'm going now. I'll come back to visit you."

The Altaria parents waved their wings with tears in their eyes, "Go on then, we'll be waiting for your return!"

After bidding farewell to her parents, the good friend turned to Swablu, "Thank you for giving me courage too. After I'm gone, take good care of yourself — and stop wandering around everywhere!"

Swablu nodded with tears in its eyes, "I understand. Make sure to listen to Cole, he'll definitely protect you well!"

After saying goodbye to everyone, the good friend flew off in the direction the others had gone.

When the good friend caught up with them, Cole had already boarded the ghost ship.

This time, Mismagius would also accompany Milotic to the human world.

Little Misdreavus's condition had improved significantly — now able to stay conscious for half the day — so Mismagius decided to follow Milotic until its son fully recovered.

With Mismagius's ghost ship accompanying them, Cole was spared from having to drift at sea, which would have been quite uncomfortable during this season.

"Swa~ Swa~"

Just as the ghost ship was about to set sail, Cole suddenly heard Swablu's voice and quickly asked Mismagius to wait.

Sure enough, moments later, Swablu appeared in everyone's sight.

When Swablu landed on his shoulder, panting heavily, Cole asked, "Why did you come?"

"Swa~ Swa~" — I... I want to join... to become a member of the band.

Swablu said between breaths.

Cole responded with delight, "You're saying you want to come with us and join the band?"

"Swa~"

Swablu nodded happily.

Brionne, Kricketune, and Chatot jumped out too, even more excited than Cole about Swablu joining. Having spent these days together, they had formed a deep friendship.

When Swablu saw everyone, it landed before them with a "Chirp" and started chattering away.

Cole was somewhat surprised — he hadn't expected this particular Swablu to follow them. He had thought if any would come, it would be the one he was closer to!

Still, though he felt a bit disappointed that the other Swablu hadn't come, he respected their choice.

The ghost ship set sail to the band's cheerful songs, with Milotic gliding silently beneath the waves. Protected by the ghost ship, Cole and his group's return journey proceeded smoothly, encountering neither hostile sea Pokémon nor storms.

He calculated they were nearly at Coumarine.

At noon that day, however, he suddenly heard cannon fire. When he went to the deck to investigate, he saw several ships flying pirate flags surrounding another vessel not far from the ghost ship.

The pirates were raiding the vessel, their ships equipped with cannons that continuously bombarded their target.

Cole immediately recognized Captain Sanders' ship and quickly asked Mismagius if they could help the Captain and his crew.

This was his lifesaver — he couldn't stand by while they were in trouble.

Mismagius naturally had no objections. After all, if it weren't for Cole helping it find Milotic, Little Misdreavus would never have had a chance for treatment. How could it refuse such a small request?

Because the ghost ship was hidden in a special energy field, neither the pirates nor Captain Sanders and his crew had noticed its presence.

At Mismagius's command, countless ghost-type Pokémon poured out from the ghost ship, forming an intimidating dark mass.

The pirate captain, who had been gleefully bombarding the other ship, suddenly heard his subordinates shout.

"Quick, look at that!"

The pirate captain looked where his subordinates were pointing and saw a mass of ghost-type Pokémon converging on them, while a pitch-black ghost ship slowly emerged from a whirlpool.

"It's... it's a ghost ship!" One of the pirates stammered.

As pirates, they knew better than anyone how terrifying ghost ships could be. Only the most powerful ghost-type Pokémon could gather such numbers and form a ghost ship with its special energy field.

Some evil ghost ships would capture people at sea, leaving them with only one fate: having their life force drained by ghost-type Pokémon.

The most fearsome ghost ships in legend were said to be built from piles of human bones.

This ghost ship approached menacingly — could it be one of those evil ones?

At this thought, the pirate captain shuddered and shouted, "Quick, quick, retreat!"

Following their captain's order, all the pirate ships ceased fire and turned to flee, wishing they could sprout wings.

Damn it, how could there be a ghost ship here? They were so close to Coumarine — ghost ships shouldn't appear here!

But their ships' speed was no match for ghost-type Pokémon. Before long, many pirates and their ships were subdued.

Some pirates still tried to use cannons against the ghost-type Pokémon, but the cannonballs passed harmlessly through their spectral forms.

Captain Sanders and his crew also saw the ghost ship. Having spent years at sea, they knew the terrifying reputation of ghost ships, and many crew members trembled in fear.

To everyone's surprise, Sanders' daughter Elia was aboard. She turned to her father and asked, "Dad, what should we do? Once the ghost ship finishes with the pirates, will we be next?"

Sanders frowned, "What's there to fear? Whether it's pirates or a ghost ship — what's the difference?"

Elia fell silent, realizing he was right — death was death either way.

Talk about bad timing — she rarely came home from school, and on her first vacation voyage with her father, they found themselves caught between pirates and a ghost ship.

Soon, the ghost-type Pokémon had subdued all the pirates, gathering and confining them to a single ship.

"Captain, that ship's heading straight for us. What do we do?" A crew member asked, his face full of dread.

"Captain Sanders!"

Sanders perked up — someone was calling his name.

"Did anyone else hear that?" He asked.

Suddenly, crew member Mogu pointed at the ghost ship, "Captain, look — isn't that Cole?"

Sanders squinted at the ghost ship and spotted Cole waving energetically from the deck.

So he hadn't imagined the voice after all.

"It is Cole!" He exclaimed joyfully, "No wonder the ghost-type Pokémon haven't attacked us! With Cole there, we're safe!"

Though they couldn't fathom how the boy was connected to the ghost ship, knowing he was a friend rather than foe brought immense relief.

Many crew members knew Cole, and upon seeing him, they erupted in celebration — all except Elia.

Her face darkened as memories of her battle with Popplio filled her with shame.

"Captain Sanders!"

Cole was still waving as the ghost ship pulled alongside Sanders' ship. He jumped directly onto their deck.

"Well done, kid! We owe you one this time!" Sanders stepped forward and gave him a big bear hug.

Cole smiled and said, "I just got back from a long journey myself — didn't expect to run into you all."

Sanders released him, and the crew members gathered around, expressing their thanks in a chorus of voices. Throughout all this, Cole remained unaware of Elia's presence.

In fact, he had nearly forgotten about her, having met her only once before.

As for Elia, watching Cole chat with the crew members without noticing her left her with mixed feelings of relief and sadness.

Brionne, however, did notice her. From its spot on the ghost ship's deck, it immediately recognized the woman who had left such a deep mark on its life.

Though the sight of the woman who had abandoned it still stirred anger, Brionne held no hatred in its heart — after all, Cole was now its most beloved person.

Cole continued chatting with Sanders and the others while Elia kept her distance, eventually sneaking into the cabin to hide.

Sanders, understanding his daughter's embarrassment, made no mention of her.

He had grown quite fond of this boy, and would have been delighted to see him and Elia become friends, but now that seemed impossible.

After Cole left Sanders' ship, both parties agreed to meet again in Coumarine before parting ways.

As for the pirates, the ghost-type Pokémon had knocked them all unconscious, and Sanders would handle turning them over to the League.

Being a former League member himself, he knew exactly where to deliver these pirates.

By the time the ghost ship sailed near Coumarine's port, night had fallen completely. Cole and his companions decided to follow the coastline from Coumarine to Shalour the next day to meet Ember.

This meant passing by his home without entering.

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The next day, under Cole's command, the ghost ship swiftly headed toward Shalour. Like Coumarine, Shalour was situated on the coast — perfect for their ghostly vessel.

That afternoon, moving at full speed, Cole arrived at Ember's courtyard gate with Milotic and Mismagius.

Milotic curiously examined the villa before them and asked Cole, "Does Ember live here?"

Cole nodded and said, "Yes, wait a moment while I knock."

Milotic and Mismagius nodded.

Goodra opened the door, appearing somewhat surprised to see him. It politely invited Cole and the two Pokémon into the courtyard and served them tea.

From Goodra, Cole learned that Ember wasn't home.

"Goo~ Goo~" — Please wait a moment, my master will return soon.

After telling this to Cole and the others, Goodra waved into the courtyard. A Natu flew out from the bushes and was sent to notify Ember to return.

Goodra then informed him that she had gone to oversee the construction of a swimming pool.

Despite having little hope that Cole would bring Milotic, she had decided to build a pool where it could temporarily stay.

Just in case Milotic actually came.

Hearing Goodra's words, Milotic pursed its lips, "So she's finally learned some social graces!"

About half an hour later, Ember rushed home and froze at the sight of Milotic in her courtyard. She stared in amazement — Cole had somehow convinced the very Milotic that despised her to come.

But Milotic was even more taken aback, asking in disbelief, "What on earth have you done to yourself?"

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