"We've arrived, big brother~ This is Ballonlea~"
Opal kept her promise and brought Summer to Ballonlea, the heart of Glimwood Tangle, where the most glowing mushrooms grew.
People built their houses under the giant trees, seemingly unconcerned about mushrooms growing on their roofs. The colorful lights gave this forest town a dreamlike quality.
"Thank you, Opal."
Ballonlea now wasn't much different from Summer's memory, except it lacked the grand Ballonlea Stadium.
In its place was a two-story, quaint little house with a simple battle area in front of it, likely the predecessor of the Ballonlea Stadium.
The commercialization of battles in Galar began after Mustard won the championship for five consecutive years. His immense popularity made the then League President realize a huge business opportunity. Ignoring widespread opposition, he built a huge arena in Wyndon for spectators to experience the excitement of the tournaments firsthand.
The invitation mechanism was also invented by the League President to filter out excellent challengers and thus improve the quality of the battles.
Only the champion was retained, while the Elite Four were removed and reassigned to the eight gyms. The peak of popularity was reserved for the champion, and having gym leaders participate in the tournaments was to enhance the excitement of the battles.
His reforms laid a solid foundation for Galar's battle industry, which his successor, Rose, further developed. Rose introduced the more visually appealing Dynamax phenomenon and invented the Dynamax Band through his Macro Cosmos company.
Dynamaxing was dangerous and could harm spectators? No problem, build special arenas for Dynamax battles! Required huge funds? No problem, Macro Cosmos would cover all expenses. Everything was for the future of Galar.
After two generations of efforts, the battle industry had now surpassed the energy sector to become Galar's most commercially valuable industry, attracting investments from around the world.
These stories were shared with Summer by old man Gaide. As for Opal, who belonged to the same era, she was still a child, so naturally, there couldn't be a huge Ballonlea Stadium here.
"Hey, big brother~ Are you here to challenge the gym in Ballonlea?" Opal suddenly asked.
"No, I'm more of a wandering traveler."
"That's a pity. I wanted to show you how strong my mom is. Do you know? My mom is the gym leader of Ballonlea Gym~ She's very powerful!" Opal showed a regretful expression, but her eyes lit up when she mentioned her mother, the gym leader.
"Gym leaders are very strong. I've experienced that firsthand," Summer said.
"Big brother, do you know any gym leaders?!" Opal asked excitedly. "Can you tell me about them, please~?"
"Sure, no problem. Let's find a place to sit, and I'll tell you everything I know."
"Great, follow me!"
Opal led Summer to a large tree stump that could seat five or six people.
Summer found a spot to sit, with Opal hugging her Hatterene next to him, Milcery resting on her hat. Milotic and Thwackey also found spots, quickly filling up the stump.
"The first one is a Dark-type gym leader. He's into music and looks tough, but he's actually a trainer who loves his family and partners."
"But he's a Dark-type trainer?"
"Judging a trainer by their Pokémon's type is impolite, Opal."
"Got it," Opal nodded, half understanding. "But trainers using Fairy-type Pokémon can't be bad, right?"
"Some are," Summer replied affirmatively.
"What?! Oh, big brother, continue with the gym leaders you know!" Opal was dissatisfied with Summer's answer. To her, her Fairy-type Pokémon-using mother was the brightest existence, and other trainers shouldn't be bad either.
"You'll understand when you see more. Now, let me continue."
Opal listened intently, seemingly aspiring to be a gym leader. After Summer finished recounting the gym leaders he had met, Opal still wanted more. Gym leaders were indeed amazing people.
"Opal, it's time for dinner," a woman's voice called out gently from behind.
"Mom, I want to listen a bit longer. Big brother knows many gym leaders. I want to learn more about them so I can inherit the gym!" Opal's mother had a refined appearance, with blue-purple eyeshadow adding a touch of mystery. She had waterfall-like black hair, a tall figure, wore a high-neck white blouse, and a tight black skirt, exuding a noble air.
Upon hearing Opal's declaration about becoming a gym leader, her expression turned stern.
"No, Opal. We're returning to our hometown soon. How can you stay in Galar to be a gym leader?"
"I can become a gym leader back home too." Opal bit her lip, trying to negotiate with her mother.
"No, you can't be a gym leader. You only see the glamorous side. What about the hard work behind it? I want you to have an easier, happier life."
"Of course, I know it's hard, which is why I admire you, Mom. I want to be a gym leader like you!" Opal was emotional. "I've been working hard, studying Pokémon knowledge!"
Distressed by Opal's emotions, Hatterene was startled and ran towards the depths of Glimwood Tangle.
"Ah, Hatterene! Mom, you're a fool! Hatterene!" Opal jumped off the stump and chased after the scared Hatterene, leaving her mother standing there, stunned by her daughter's rare outburst.
"Are you just going to stand there? Find Opal and then have a proper talk. What family issue can't be resolved?" Summer called to Opal's mother. "Though I've only known her briefly, I can tell she truly admires you and genuinely wants to be a gym leader."
"If she truly admired me, she would listen to me more. I..."
Seeing her stubbornness, Summer gave up persuading her and went to find Opal in Glimwood Tangle with his Pokémon.
Although Summer wasn't familiar with the forest, he quickly found Opal with Thwackey's keen sense of sound.
A Grimmsnarl was raising its hands, about to attack Opal, who was huddled under a tree, clutching Hatterene.
"Milotic, Water Gun!"
A powerful stream of water blasted Grimmsnarl, sending it flying into a tree and knocking it out.
"Are you alright, Opal?" Seeing Grimmsnarl defeated, Summer ran to Opal, checking on her.
Relieved to see Summer, Opal relaxed and fainted.
At this moment, Opal's mother arrived with Gardevoir's Teleport. Seeing Grimmsnarl and her unconscious daughter, she felt a pang of guilt. If not for the young man's help, Opal might have been hurt.
She realized she was, indeed, as her daughter said—a stubborn fool of a mother.
(End of Chapter)