Sludge Mound.
This was south of the Crimson Mirelands, the habitat of Ursaluna, the "Noble."
Scorched yellow leaves fell from withered branches and blanketed the swamp's sediment-filled mud. Bubbles occasionally rose as though something inside were constantly fermenting, and the slightly pungent smell left every Stunky and Skuntank deeply intoxicated.
As Poison-type Pokémon, the marshland was nothing less than paradise to them.
Thus, even though a notoriously troublesome Hippowdon herd lived nearby, the Stunky were unwilling to leave.
Of course, the relatively mild-tempered Hippowdon rarely went looking for trouble. Even when they did, they could be driven away with potent, foul-smelling poison, so the two kinds of Pokémon coexisted peacefully.
Yet even paradise occasionally had "demons" passing through.
"Grrr!!"
The wildly twisting Giant Steelix streaked across the sky. Having surged greatly in level, it was arrogant beyond measure, like a metallic mountain range stretching across the heavens and casting an enormous shadow over the ground.
The wild Pokémon either fled in panic or hid in corners, trembling.
Baimu looked down over the marsh, wondering whether Ursaluna could really remain unmoved by such a grand display.
Sure enough.
Before long, ripples spread across the tranquil swamp pool.
Amid violent tremors and a low rumbling sound, a massive mud-caked brown bear charged from the dead forest. Its tank-like body barreled forward, looking rather irritable.
"Guma!!"
It raised its head and roared at the Steelix, its threatening cry brimming with the intent to drive it away.
Yet the other party showed no intention of leaving and instead lowered its altitude.
Ursaluna, unwilling to start a conflict, fell silent.
Where had this damned thing come from?
It was bad enough that it would not let a bear sleep early in the morning, but it even dared approach openly?
Ursaluna felt that it had probably