Seeing that Thwackey had successfully learned Knock Off, Old Man Gideon showed a satisfied expression and then said, "Training requires a balance of work and rest. Let's head back to the restaurant first, Summer. We can use the berries you brought to make some new curry."
"Hey, I'm looking forward to it, Old Man Gideon."
"Thwackey!"
Summer and Thwackey looked expectant. Old Man Gideon's curry was always exceptional, and this time they could experience a new flavor.
"Of course, look forward to it," Gideon laughed heartily.
At the Spikemuth restaurant, Gideon opened the door and found three girls sitting on the chairs, taking pictures. These were the tourists they had seen earlier, but why did they seem familiar?
Just then, a girl with twin tails noticed Gideon entering and waved enthusiastically:
"Grandpa~ Welcome back~"
"Grandpa... Luna?" Gideon asked, puzzled.
"Yes, yes, it's Luna~" The girl took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of sharp eyes very similar to Gideon's, although her pink hair with milky white highlights seemed a bit mismatched, explaining why she wore the sunglasses earlier.
"But weren't you studying in Paldea? How did you end up in Spikemuth?"
"Grandpa, pay a little more attention to me. I graduated a year ago~"
"Sorry," Gideon said, showing a rare apologetic expression.
"So, this is Summer? My dad mentioned you a lot~" Luna waved at Summer. "Besides visiting Grandpa, my second purpose is to challenge you."
"See the prowess of the Fairy-type~"
"That's right, see..."
Before the second follower could finish, Luna pressed them down forcefully, whispering in their ears, "Didn't I tell you not to call me that?"
"Ahem, anyway, come accept my challenge. I'm here to avenge my dad!"
"Luna, what did Warren tell you?" Gideon asked.
"He just said he lost to a ranger named Summer," Luna admitted.
Gideon's expression turned dark, "Hmm, looks like I need to visit him again."
"But, Luna, Summer isn't easy to beat."
"Grandpa, don't support the opponent. I'll prove to you that Fairy-types are stronger than Dark and Fighting-types!"
Grandpa trained Dark-types, the son trained Fighting-types, and the granddaughter trained Fairy-types. This family dynamic was certainly interesting.
"Alright, I accept. Let's head outside," Summer said, having no reason to refuse.
"That's the spirit~" Luna grabbed Gideon's hand and led him outside. "Grandpa, you'll be the referee."
Outside the restaurant, Luna kissed her Poké Ball before throwing it confidently, "Go, my knight, Tinkaton!"
Tinkaton, a Pokémon Summer hadn't seen before, was entirely pink with twin pigtails of pink and white. The most striking feature was its massive hammer, much larger than its body, seemingly cobbled together from various metals.
Having briefly studied the Paldea Pokédex, Summer knew this Pokémon's types were Steel and Fairy.
"Let's battle, Thwackey," Summer said.
Thwackey leapt forward, ready to fight.
"Show them your blood-stained hammer!"
"Go, Gigaton Hammer!"
"No, it's a cute Tinkaton, right?" Luna emphasized, and her two followers quickly covered their mouths.
"Doesn't matter, Thwackey."
"Wait, Summer, Spikemuth never loses in spirit!" A voice called from behind. Summer turned to see Team Yell's trio standing there.
"How did you appear suddenly?" Summer asked, surprised.
"It's the cheering radar," Tim adjusted his imaginary glasses.
"Exactly," Nayo said.
"Prepare, one, two," Aya cleared his throat and took a stance.
"Crush the opponent, King of the Forest!"
King of the Forest. Summer felt it was a bit over the top, but their enthusiasm was touching.
"Alright, let's not lose then."
"Hmph, first strike wins, Tinkaton, use Gigaton Hammer!"
"Aha~"
Tinkaton gripped its massive hammer, preparing to swing it with rotational force.
"Fake Out."
The sudden clap made Tinkaton flinch, and Thwackey struck it with a branch.
"Annoying, but Normal-type moves won't do much. Again!"
"Jump onto the hammer, Thwackey!"
Thwackey flipped onto the hammer, leaving Tinkaton unsure how to attack.
"Don't panic, use Play Rough to shake it off!"
The hammer glowed darkly as Tinkaton spun, trying to throw Thwackey off.
"Now, use Grass Knot."
Tinkaton lost its balance, tipping towards its hammer.
"Knock Off!"
"Using such weak moves, how annoying!" Luna's voice changed, showing a familiar fierceness.
Her followers and Gideon nodded, recognizing the real Luna.
"Fine, let's increase the power. Thwackey, use Thief, then Branch Poke, Slamming Style!"
"What?! The hammer!"
Tinkaton's hammer was knocked out of its hands by Knock Off and stolen by Thwackey using Thief. In Luna's disbelief, Thwackey wielded the massive hammer, striking with green energy, sending Tinkaton flying. Without its hammer, it lost its Steel typing and couldn't withstand the blow, collapsing.
"Yay, we won!" Team Yell's trio cheered.
"Lost... So unfair, if it were a direct fight..." Luna grumbled.
Summer didn't reply immediately, reflecting on the new moves Thwackey had learned.
[Thwackey has learned the move Wood Hammer.]
Wood Hammer, one of the strongest Grass-type moves, was now in Thwackey's repertoire thanks to the battle.
"Well, no helping it. Battles have no right or wrong. I lost~"
"No, Thwackey and I gained a lot," Summer said honestly, having honed two moves and learned a new one.
"Such humility, I can't stay mad," Luna sighed, putting on her sunglasses. "Grandpa, I want curry. And make some for Tinkaton too, it worked hard~"
"Of course, this time there's a new flavor. You three come too, it's on me," Gideon said.
"Yay!" Team Yell's trio cheered together.
The group poured into Gideon's restaurant, leaving Summer and Gideon outside. Gideon leaned over to Summer and whispered, "What do you think of Luna?"
"Her strength is decent, but her battle style is too straightforward, easy to predict."
"You're right, but I meant her personality, appearance, and such."
"She's popular, but I prefer someone with a cold exterior and a gentle heart."
"Alright, let's go inside." Gideon sounded slightly disappointed.
Meanwhile, in Sunset Forest, Corviknight suddenly felt a shiver, as if sensing a disturbance in its bloodline. What was going on?!
(End of Chapter)