The sudden drumming of Thwackey left Summer and Corviknight stunned. The intense beat was unlike anything they had heard before, and Pokémon sharing their curiosity began to head towards the mountain's summit.
"Is that... Marowak?"
A group of Marowak, racing towards the summit, caught Corviknight's attention, making it glance nervously at Summer, questioning whether they should flee. The eerie green flames on the bones carried by these Pokémon unnerved it.
These were the Alolan form of Marowak, a fire and ghost-type rather than ground-type.
The humid environment of Alola had transformed the ecosystem, favoring grass-type Pokémon and increasing the number of predators for the ground-type Marowak. This harsh setting forced them to live together, developing abilities to manipulate fire and communicate telepathically.
The green flames on their bones were said to be the spirits of their mothers, accounting for their fire and ghost attributes.
"Don't worry, Corviknight, I can feel they mean no harm," Summer reassured. His long experience with Pokémon allowed him to sense their emotions.
His words were soon validated. The black Marowak surrounded Thwackey as it drummed, spinning their bone clubs in rhythm and dancing a sad, mysterious dance.
The sorrowful dance influenced Thwackey, prompting it to gradually stop drumming and observe the Marowak. Their dance commemorated their deceased kin, allowing them to connect with their spirits through the dance.
As Thwackey ceased its drumming, the Marowak halted their dance and looked at it. The leading Marowak spoke:
"Marowak~ Marowak~" (Why did you stop drumming, friend?)
Seeing Thwackey as a fellow musician, the Marowak considered it a friend.
"Thwack?" (How can you dance so earnestly with such sorrow?)
After a moment of silence, the lead Marowak resumed its dance, spinning its bone, creating green fiery rings. As the speed increased, ghostly figures emerged within the flames.
More ghostly figures appeared, representing their deceased relatives. This mysterious dance allowed them to sense the living world, reuniting with their kin through the dance.
Understanding their sincerity, Thwackey realized why they danced so earnestly despite their sorrow. It was their way of reconnecting with their departed loved ones, transcending the boundaries of life and death.
"Resonating with spirits through dance... Music can do the same, reaching the soul," Summer excitedly explained, seeing Thwackey's potential.
"Try it, Thwackey, shake our souls. I believe in you!"
"Thwack... Thwack!"
Though challenging, Thwackey accepted it. If Marowak's dance could summon spirits, why couldn't its drumming do the same?
Corviknight, baffled by their leap in logic, wondered if they were serious. Did they forget that the green flames were spirits? Yet, Thwackey and Summer's determination was undeniable.
"Being surrounded by soul fire, isn't this a perfect environment?" Summer noted.
"Grass-types are closely tied to life, and the soul is part of life. Plus, Thwackey has visited the afterlife, so why not?"
Corviknight's eyes widened. When had they gone to the afterlife? That was intense!
A sudden drumbeat shook Corviknight, stirring powerful emotions within it, as if touching its very soul.
"Alright, Thwackey, I admit it. You can do this!"
The Marowak, too, were entranced by the beat. Their leader, noticing the restlessness in their bone flames, cried out and began to dance, recalling joyful times with their lost kin.
Responding to their leader, the other Marowak joined in, sharing the same joyful memories.
The air buzzed with restless spirits, resonating with Thwackey's drumming. It opened its eyes, having found it—the soul.
A powerful drumbeat resonated at the volcano's peak. Summer, Corviknight, and the Marowak felt their souls vibrate with the drum's hope and bonds.
The Marowak danced with increasing fervor. Their spirit flames transformed, showering them with green light, manifesting into spectral Marowak gazing fondly at their living kin, silently blessing their future.
Summer was deeply moved. Thwackey had succeeded. Suddenly, the forest ranger assistant's voice echoed:
[Thwackey's "Virtuoso Musician" has advanced to "Soul Musician."]
[Soul Musician, Requiem Drum. Effect: Increases the power of sound-based moves, boosts damage of sound-related moves against ghost-types, and allows normal-type moves to hit them.]
What? Summer was shocked. Could potential evolve further? The ranger assistant never mentioned this.
[Yes, but the conditions are unknown. It requires exploration and is full of uncertainties.]
That's hardly helpful! Still, it didn't matter. Today was a triumph because Thwackey's hard work had paid off immensely!
"Hissss!"
Suddenly, countless Salandit appeared around the mountain, led by a massive Salazzle, its eyes fixed on Thwackey, drawn by the soul drum.
It wanted Thwackey as its musician, deeming all others unnecessary!
"Hisss!"
At its command, the Salandit swarmed up the mountain, aiming to eliminate everyone but Thwackey.
In this dangerous situation, the Marowak stopped dancing, gripping their bones tightly, ready to defend Thwackey, who had brought them this miraculous moment.
Thwackey ceased drumming, sensing the multitude of hostile intentions toward its new friends, Corviknight, and Summer.
The soul drum had touched its own soul, making Thwackey realize its purpose to evolve: to protect those it cherished. It needed to become stronger to shield them from harm.
A brilliant light engulfed Thwackey. It was beginning to evolve!
(End of Chapter)