On the mountain path, Kieran and his two companions quickened their pace when they heard the loud explosions. By the time they arrived at the cave, Summer, now wearing a mask, had already left with Albert.
"Summer, are you okay?" Kieran asked with concern, looking at the pockmarked ground.
"I'm fine, and Ogerpon is fine too, but Loyal Three got away, and they took Ogerpon's mask," Summer replied.
Seeing Kieran and Carmine's faces, Ogerpon was startled and quickly hid behind Summer, peeking at the three who had just arrived.
"Is this adorable little one Ogerpon?" Carmine asked in surprise.
"Yeah, and it's really afraid of us, Sis." Kieran's voice was filled with sadness, but he quickly softened his tone, squatting down and apologetically saying:
"Sorry, Ogerpon. The villagers treated you terribly. You must be so sad. I'm really sorry."
Kieran knew all too well the feeling of being ostracized, so he sympathized deeply with Ogerpon. But Ogerpon had once been accompanied by a kind man, and now it had Summer.
Summer was truly amazing, able to communicate openly, make friends, and was also incredibly strong. That's why he could protect Ogerpon from Loyal Three. But I'm so weak. If only I were as strong as Summer...
"Boni?"
"Don't worry, Ogerpon, they won't hate you."
Summer patted Ogerpon's head. It cautiously looked at the three of them, and saw not panic or disgust, but expressions of kindness, just like the good person who made the masks.
Ogerpon jumped out from behind Summer. Not all villagers are bad, Boni~
"By the way, aren't we going to look for those three Loyal Threes?" Perrin asked. Taking back the three masks that belonged to Ogerpon was the truly happy ending.
"Right, we haven't settled the score with those three nasty guys!" Carmine waved her fist, getting angry just thinking about them.
"Yeah," Summer nodded, noticing that Ogerpon's mask was slightly damaged, with most of the crystals embedded in it shattered. "Kieran, your grandfather is a mask craftsman, right?"
"Uh, yes, Grandpa makes masks." Kieran snapped out of his thoughts at Summer's words.
"Ogerpon's mask got damaged in the battle just now, so I'd like to ask your grandfather to repair it first."
"Of course, no problem. Those nasty Loyal Threes even damaged Ogerpon's mask. I'll make sure Morpeko gives them a good electric shock!" Carmine immediately responded.
Kieran lowered his head, then raised it with a determined look and said, "Summer, can you leave it to me? The broken crystals on the mask need to be repaired, and I know where to find the same crystals."
"Kieran, are you talking about the Crystal Pool? And you're not coming with us to teach those Loyal Threes a lesson?" Carmine was very surprised. Her brother loved ogres the most, so why did it seem like he was avoiding it now?
"I'll pass this time. I want to train on my own. There are many powerful Pokémon on Oni Mountain. I can take the opportunity to challenge them while I go to the Crystal Pool."
"Is that okay, Kieran? How about I go with you?" Carmine asked worriedly. Kieran seemed a bit strange now.
"Kieran, I'll leave it to you then," Summer said affirmatively.
"Summer?!"
"Sis, it's okay. This is a decision I made myself. I'll take the mask to Grandpa first, then head to the Crystal Pool. Don't worry, I won't let the mask get damaged again," Kieran said, lifting his head. He was happy to get Summer's affirmation.
"I'm worried about you, Kieran," Carmine said softly.
"Trust Kieran, Carmine. Your brother is more mature than you think," Summer said. Her protection for Kieran came from kindness, but that kindness also restricted his growth.
"I…" Carmine looked at the determined Kieran and then sighed, "Kieran, don't let me see you come back crying. Make sure you complete the task beautifully. If you do well, I'll treat you to caramel apples at the Festival of Masks!"
"Sis. Mm, definitely!" Kieran walked over to Ogerpon, squatted down, and asked, "Ogerpon, can I temporarily keep your mask?"
"Boni~"
Ogerpon carefully handed the mask to Kieran, who also carefully took it, smiling, "Thank you for trusting me, Ogerpon. You... no, this is enough."
"Bo?"
"Alright, Summer, I'll head back to Mossui Town first." Kieran stood up and said goodbye to Summer.
"Good luck, Kieran. I look forward to your growth." Summer patted Kieran's shoulder, giving him an encouraging look.
"Of course, I'll show you!"
Kieran turned and walked towards the mountain path. It was great to be friends with Summer. Staying by his side was the best outcome for Ogerpon. The Kitakami didn't deserve an ogre.
"Kieran." Watching Kieran leave, Carmine was still a bit worried.
"Time is a magical thing. Every moment brings change, and familiar things change before you know it."
"Perrin, you sometimes say things that are hard to understand."
"Well, it's a family tradition. But seeing things change for the better is always a happy thing." Perrin smiled in response to Carmine's teasing.
Carmine looked sad. The little brother who used to follow her, needing her protection, always crying and clumsy, had now become a somewhat capable Kieran with his own ideas?
"Well, little Kieran, whatever. I'm going to vent my anger on those bastards. I'll tear them to pieces, cut them into thin strips, roast them over a fire, and then eat them with matcha!" Carmine said, glaring and looking very angry.
"Anyway, we need information on the Loyal Three. Hopefully, they haven't escaped from the Mossui Town." Ignoring Carmine, who was sad about her brother growing up, Perrin looked at Summer and said.
"Yeah, we'll have to ask the villagers. They love the Loyal Three so much, they must have noticed similar Pokémon. It feels a bit ironic, though." Summer said.
"Ogerpon will come with us too." Summer patted Ogerpon's head. It didn't have much combat power now, and leaving it alone in the wild was too dangerous.
"Boni~"
Ogerpon let out a happy cry, satisfied just to be by Summer's side.
"Mm, good kid~ here you go." Summer handed Ogerpon a berry from somewhere.
Ogerpon's eyes lit up. Boni, another delicious treat!
In Jubilife City, a modern city in the Sinnoh region, Summer brought Albert to the police station after crossing the mountains and sea from the Mossui Town.
Seeing Summer wearing a mask and carrying a bloodied Albert, the police initially thought he was a criminal turning himself in.
But after entering Albert's name into the computer and cross-referencing, the police were shocked. This was a notorious bounty hunter from Paldea and a wanted criminal!
They were just about to thank Summer for his act of justice when they suddenly realized he had vanished.
Sometimes, those wearing ogre masks aren't necessarily ogres. This was the most frequently mentioned phrase when the police later discussed this event. Indeed, judging people by their appearance is very wrong.
(End of chapter)