Ash felt like a merman, swimming in the Puel Sea with Blu and Kellyn. He still didn't understand how Blu could move so gracefully. He didn't have webbed feet—no indication of being a Water Pokémon. Ash leaned more toward Flying/Psychic. Yet there Blu was.
Puel Sea was shallow where Ash and Kellyn were, with an extensive coral reef, light sand, and Water Pokémon swimming about.
A stingray-like Pokémon, Mantyke, swam to Blu and circled him.
Blu did the same.
Ash and Pikachu ducked behind some coral, watching as Kellyn caught a few Chinchou for extra light, but his Vatonage didn't change color. Still, Ash didn't see frustration in Kellyn's eyes for once. He saw confidence, even though J had been messing with his head since they reached Almia.
Mantyke soon swam toward Kellyn.
He pulled up a picture of a Mantine, Mantyke's evolution, on his Styler and showed it to the Pokémon.
That was when Ash did notice something in Kellyn's eyes. Pain? Was his arm bothering him? Brock hadn't treated it yet that day. He wished he could ask, but couldn't with the Micro Aqualung in his mouth.
Mantyke studied the picture on Kellyn's Styler for a moment, then flapped its wings and swam to the left, bubbles escaping from its mouth.
As they followed, Ash noticed Kellyn reach for his arm, but when their eyes met, Kellyn dropped his hand. He was still trying to be tough. He and Sven were more alike than Kellyn thought—Ash knew that. Kellyn wasn't expecting a baby, though.
He and Ash swam deeper and rode through a few currents, passing Pokémon until they reached a deep, black trench.
Ash and Pikachu peered into the darkness, flinched, and backed away from the edge. They hugged, but Kellyn stayed focused and spotted two Mantine in the trench.
He tucked Blu behind him, pointed his Styler, and released his Capture Disc.
The Mantine quit swimming but bumped heads, dazing them. Kellyn caught them with little effort and waved them over.
One Mantine caught Ash on its back; the second caught Kellyn.
He waved goodbye to the Mantyke, and he, Ash, Blu, and the Chinchou headed toward the Puel Sea's surface, leaving the trench behind.
Ash almost wondered what was on the other side. There was so much to see and do in Almia, but he didn't have time right now. J was out there, holding his friends and the ferry hostage. He trusted Sven and Wendy, but Wendy was pregnant, and Sven was sick. Both were causes for concern.
Ash and Kellyn soon reached the surface and floated in the last light of day over an empty Puel Sea, removing their Micro Aqualungs.
Blue-Bird hopped out of the water and shook his feathers, then hovered before Kellyn.
That was when Ash found himself asking, "What is Blu, Kellyn? How can he breathe underwater?"
Kellyn paused. He finally opened his mouth and said, "I'm sorry, Ash—it's confidential."
"But we're in this mission together," Ash argued. "I've saved the world more than once, Kellyn."
"I know, but…" Kellyn's voice trailed off. Blu nudged him, and Kellyn looked at him.
"Blue, Blue," Blu said, glancing between Ash and Kellyn.
"Are you sure, Blu?" Kellyn said. "It's supposed to be confidential."
Blu nodded. "Blue, Blue."
Ash closed his eyes and begged, Please, please, in his head, then opened them.
With Chinchou lighting the way, the Mantine skimmed across the open ocean toward the darkening sky. One by one, stars appeared, and then Kellyn faced Ash as droplets from Mantine's wings splashed onto his legs.
"Ash, Parity and Blue-Bird are Rainbow Pokémon."
"Rainbow Pokémon?" Ash had never heard of that before.
"They're a rare Type from their region," Kellyn continued, setting his hands in his lap. "Parity and Blue-Bird were the first discovered Rainbow Pokémon."
Ash and Pikachu listened intently. So that was why Parity and Blue-Bird were Legendaries. That didn't explain what a Rainbow Pokémon was, though.
"Like Eevee," Kellyn explained, "Rainbow Pokémon have a unique genetic makeup. Whereas Eevee can evolve into many Pokémon, the Rainbow Pokémon are a little of everything—meaning they carry all Types in their genes."
All Types? So, the Rainbow Pokémon were a little of everything?
"So that's why Blu can breathe and swim underwater," Ash guessed.
Kellyn nodded. "And one of the main reasons J wants them. Rainbow Pokémon get their power from nature, so they tend to connect more with people and Pokémon who are closely connected to it."
"Like Rangers," Ash said.
Kellyn nodded again. "Scientists are still learning about the Rainbow Pokémon, but they believe the Pokémon are closely connected to the Rangers."
"Wow." Ash's mouth fell open. There was always something new to learn in the world of Pokémon—and this was one of the coolest.
Kellyn cleared his throat. "Well, I told you what I could. Get some sleep, Ash. The Mantine will have us in Boyleland in the morning, and we can figure out how to help the Gem Guardian and others."
Ash yawned, and his eyes drooped. "But what about you?"
Kellyn's voice was tender. "I'll go to sleep in a little while. You need your rest, though, Ash."
"I guess so," Ash mumbled. He settled onto Mantine's back, and Pikachu ducked under Ash's arm, resting his chin on his belly. He wrapped his tail around himself and fell asleep almost instantly.
Ash yawned again, and then he, too, fell asleep.
***
Kellyn plopped down on his back, tucking his hands behind his head. Blu slept soundly beside him, and Kellyn rubbed him. He watched the stars, pointing out a few constellations, then lifted his hand and summoned his power. He tried, but Vatonage didn't turn rainbow, and he groaned.
Kellyn launched the ball into the warm air, watching it break apart and rain down on him and Blu. He then sat, cupping his hands, and begged, "Come on, come on." As the Prince of Almia, he had to master this power, channeled by the Rainbow Pokémon, and soon.
Or else he was never meant to be a Pokémon Ranger in the first place.