Poliwag's friendliness baffled Ceruledge. Previously, the Poliwags had avoided it because of its appearance.
Why was Poliwag seeking it out now? Or did it need help?
Ceruledge looked at Poliwag questioningly. "Ceru?"
Poliwag bounced over, radiating friendliness. It looked at the apron in Ceruledge's arms and gestured. "Poli-Poli!"
Ceruledge paused. Did Poliwag want it to lay out the apron? Though reluctant to display something so precious, Ceruledge, out of respect for Lucas, sheathed its flames and swords, and carefully laid out the apron.
Poliwag glanced at Ceruledge, then understood. Just as it had observed at the barbecue party, this apron meant a lot to Ceruledge.
With an idea, Poliwag gently blew a stream of Bubble Beam, covering Ceruledge and the apron in bubbles.
Ceruledge's face went from confused to angry—it hadn't expected Poliwag to play a prank!
Ceruledge could easily disperse the bubbles with a sword swing or evaporate them with fire, but for the apron's sake, it dared not move or use fire. It just waited for the bubbles to dissipate.
After a moment, the bubbles cleared.
Ceruledge, now more calm after evolving, only lost its cool over the apron. Normally, Poliwag's pranks wouldn't matter, but this time Ceruledge grew stern, ready to lecture Poliwag—only for Poliwag to signal it to look at the apron.
Ceruledge looked and was astonished.
The once oil-stained yellow duck apron, aside from some creases, was now spotless!
"Poli-Poli!"
Poliwag cheered at the success of its plan.
Ceruledge finally understood—Poliwag had used Bubble Beam to help clean the apron!
…
The next morning, Lucas woke up surrounded by Growlithe, Serperior, and Mimikyu.
He was used to Pokémon crawling under the covers overnight. He yawned, got ready, and changed clothes.
Today, there was no rush to plant trees or sow new crops; Lucas planned to visit a friend in another city about an urgent matter.
Cascarrafa was some distance from Los Platos, so Lucas decided to bring another Pokémon along, besides Dragonite, whose flying speed was essential for travel.
He also chose Ceruledge as a companion, since Cascarrafa had some highly-rated clothing shops—he could buy Ceruledge a new apron there.
Dragonite was easy to find, usually at home or flying around, occasionally sitting nearby deep in thought.
Not finding it at home, Lucas checked with Moltres, who said Dragonite had gone to Thunder Lake to play in the water.
There, Lucas found Dragonite, as well as the lead Poliwag and Ceruledge together.
The three younger Poliwags were napping on the water.
Poliwag leaped up to spray Water Gun at Ceruledge, who parried with a sweep of its sword.
Poliwag was undeterred and attacked from another angle.
Was Ceruledge actively helping Poliwag train…?
Lucas looked puzzled. "That's odd, were they always this close?"
After gathering Dragonite, Ceruledge, and the eager Poliwag, Lucas left the farm in Luxray's care and set off for Cascarrafa, the Water City.
…
With Dragonite's speed, they soon landed outside Cascarrafa before noon.
The city's architecture was unique, with beautiful patterns on the ground and walls, resembling Azulejo tile art and cobblestone streets like those in Portugal.
Waterways crisscrossed the city, and many people chose to travel by boat, reminding Lucas of Alto Mare, the water city home to Latias and Latios.
Lucas recalled Dragonite to its Pokéball, leaving the small Poliwag to walk beside him.
Most cities in Paldea allowed Pokémon to walk the streets, but Dragonite was a special case.