After parting with Hatterene, who wanted to make friends, Summer and Thwackey arrived at the clearing where they had planted apple trees. He intended to pick some apples to thank Milotic for protecting the forest in his absence.
However, as Summer approached the apple tree, he noticed a green apple bouncing around strangely as if trying to climb the tree.
"Well, this is undoubtedly an Applin, and a shiny one at that. How rare," Summer quickly identified it.
When the forest ranger assistant had given him the apple sapling, they mentioned that this type of fruit would attract certain Pokémon to settle.
Summer immediately concluded that in Galar, where there were apple trees, this Pokémon must be Applin. After all, its life and evolution are closely tied to apples.
Applin, akin to Magikarp and Feebas, is typically weak. It usually only knows two moves: Astonish and Withdraw. As a result, it's often prey for bird Pokémon. So, the fact that this Applin had made it to this apple tree was already impressive, considering the number of bird Pokémon in Sunset Forest.
Once evolved, Applin's power undergoes a dramatic transformation, much like the aforementioned Pokémon. From a weak bug, it evolves into a powerful dragon, although even as Applin, it possesses Grass and Dragon attributes.
Applin's evolution depends on the apples it consumes. Besides the apple it inhabits at birth, the second apple it eats determines its evolutionary path.
Eating a Tart Apple will evolve it into Flapple, which can fly and spit corrosive acid.
Eating a Sweet Apple will evolve it into Appletun, which walks on land and secretes sweet, sticky nectar from its back.
"If you eat an apple from this tree, you'll probably evolve into an Appletun since these apples are very sweet," Summer mused as he approached the Applin, lifting it in one hand. Startled by the sudden height, Applin quickly retracted its eyes into its shell, only peeking out after a long while.
"Alright, I mean no harm. Seeing your struggle, I'm here to help," Summer said, picking an apple and handing it to Applin.
Applin couldn't resist the luscious red apple and started devouring it. Summer placed it on the ground and remarked, "I didn't expect Applin to eat so ferociously. It's quite a sight."
"Oh, it's finished. How did it manage to eat an apple the same size as itself?"
As Summer pondered, Applin suddenly began to glow with the light of evolution. Its size doubled, and a sharp spike emerged from its head. This wasn't what Summer had expected.
When the light faded, Summer was even more surprised. The originally green Applin had turned golden. Uh, nothing else had changed, so he decided to call it Golden Applin.
[Dipplin, Grass/Dragon-type Pokémon, Ability: Honey Gather. The seemingly single-headed and single-tailed creature is actually two separate entities. They wrap apples in honey produced within their bodies, using the aromatic honey layer to confuse opponents. It is said to evolve only with a special apple from a specific region.]
"Dipplin? Special apple? Does that mean this apple tree produces a special type of apple?"
[Honey Apple, a unique apple from the land of Kitakami. Known for its juicy, honey-like sweetness, it's a famous local specialty and reportedly ten times more expensive than regular apples.]
Summer fell silent. Kitakami was another place he hadn't heard of. For now, he needed to find a safe place for Dipplin. As a shiny Pokémon, it was highly coveted by Pokémon hunters and was also a regional specialty, making it even rarer.
The newly evolved Dipplin seemed very happy, expressing gratitude towards Summer. Having eaten a delicious apple and evolved, what could be more delightful?
"Applin, no, I should call you Dipplin now. I know you're very happy about evolving, but do you realize how dangerous it is for you now?"
Dipplin's big eyes showed confusion. Dangerous? After evolving, they no longer feared bird Pokémon.
"No, the danger isn't what you think. I need to find a safe place for you. The safest place in Sunset Forest... Oh, I have an idea," Summer suddenly thought.
"Anyway, follow me for now. I'll take you there tomorrow."
Dipplin didn't mind, as long as they had apples to eat.
Meanwhile, Summer learned more about Kitakami and its culture.
The land of Kitakami, located in the mountains, is a remote area unaffiliated with any league. Its most famous event is the Festival of Masks, which attracts many visitors.
The website didn't elaborate on the story behind the Festival of Masks, leaving Summer to speculate that it was some sort of masked celebration.
Seeing it was getting late, Summer put his phone down and lay in bed. The sweet smell of honey lingering in the air made for a particularly restful night's sleep for both him and Thwackey.
In the morning, Summer took Dipplin and Thwackey to Misty Lake, where he saw the rare sight of Milotic and Hatterene chatting.
Milotic finally opened its sleepy eyes as it saw Summer approaching. Hatterene had dragged it up early for a chat, initially to ask why it had broken its promise, only to be told that Summer had allowed it.
This response shut Milotic up, leaving it to drowsily listen to Hatterene. This Pokémon had a lot to say; perhaps it didn't often have anyone to talk to.
Hatterene chose Misty Lake to start her friendship plans because there weren't many emotions to read. Milotic usually kept its emotions in check, and the other lake residents were rather dull, without extra emotions.
"Ah, Nana, why are your emotions suddenly high?"
Nana? Milotic repeated Hatterene's words in confusion. Since when had they become so close? They had just fought yesterday, hadn't they?
No, what mattered now was that Summer had arrived, and he had a golden apple in his hand. Could it be a new variety? Milotic really wanted a bite!
Summer felt Dipplin trembling in his hand. Was it due to Hatterene's psychic pressure?
Summer had forgotten one thing: despite their differences, Milotic and Dipplin both belonged to the Dragon egg group.
And Milotic's regal aura worked especially on Pokémon of the same egg group. Besides, Milotic still thought of Appletun as a tasty apple.
(Chapter End)