The Festival of Mask, the most lively festival in Mossui Town, had streets lined with various stalls. Each stall was decorated with bright lanterns, illuminating the large characters on the banners.
There were stalls serving steaming takoyaki, with the vendors and octopus barrels working non-stop, and candy apple stalls, with candied bugs as their signature treat.
Stalls with unique small toys and those that allowed for games were busy, but the most popular was the mask stall, especially the masks of Ogerpon.
The once-popular Loyal Three masks were ignored as everyone switched to Ogerpon masks, displaying joyful expressions and enjoying the new Mask Festival.
"Boni~ Boni~"
Ogerpon was happily enjoying the food given by the vendors, savoring the delicacies it hadn't tasted for a long time.
Summer had changed into the unique clothes of Mossui Town and wore the mask given by the vendors, though he felt a sense of familiarity.
"Summer, look, there's a lottery stall over there. Let's check it out!"
Kieran, holding an apple candy, pointed to the stall ahead, and Carmine also showed an excited expression: "Let's go quickly, we have to make back the spending money!"
At the lottery stall, there was an assistant in addition to the vendor, wearing a mask. Excited, Carmine was the first to try, winning fourth prize: Mossui Sticky Rice Cake.
Then Wuling slowly reached out and won fourth prize: Mossui Sticky Rice Cake.
"Over to you, Summer!"
"Give it your best shot, Summer!"
With the siblings' expectations, Summer slowly extended his hand and then shook the lottery machine vigorously. A silver ball rolled out, and the vendor immediately rang the bell, shouting:
"Congratulations, you've won second prize: Fairy's Feather!"
"Yay!"
"You truly are amazing, Summer!"
"Well then, please follow me to collect your prize," said the masked man in a deep voice.
Summer nodded and followed him behind the stall, directly asking, "Is it time?"
"Yes, it's up to you now," he said, taking off the mask and placing it on his head. There was no doubt that he was Summer.
"Of course, I will protect Ogerpon." Summer's eyes were firm as he transformed into light, disappearing from the spot, returning to the past at Sunset Forest, and then rushing to Mossui Town.
Thus, the cycle of history was reconnected.
Reappearing, Summer held a dreamlike feather and approached the vendor, saying, "The other masked person asked me to tell you that he took your assistant away."
"Oh, I see. Thank you for relaying the message," said the vendor, nodding. Then he muttered quietly, "Is there a new arrangement from the Ogre Clan? Oh well, it's just temporary help anyway."
"What a beautiful feather!" Carmine said, her eyes shining at the feather in Summer's hand.
"This feather boosts the power of Fairy-type moves. It's a great item,"
But Ogerpon noticed, and the food it was holding hovered in the air. Summer could perform magic, which was truly amazing.
Happy times are always brief. The Mask Festival ended for the night, but Ogerpon didn't want to leave. This was where it met Summer, and it wanted to express its feelings here.
"Boni!"
In front of the shrine, Ogerpon tightly held Summer's hand, gazing determinedly at the Poké Ball at Summer's waist. "I don't want to part with you, so I want to become your Pokémon!"
"I'm glad that Ogerpon finally expressed its feelings," Carmine said with satisfaction.
"Summer, you said you came for the Mask Festival, so you'll be leaving soon. Please take Ogerpon with you!" Wuling urged. "Only by being by your side can it freely show its smile!"
"Okay, I understand." Summer took out the Poké Ball.
But Ogerpon shook its head, took out the Hearthflame Mask, and called out:
"Gao, Boni!"
"Oh, you want to battle too? I understand. Let me see your power, Ogerpon!" Summer realized Ogerpon's intention.
"Boni! Gao!"
Wearing the Hearthflame Mask, Ogerpon's originally green outfit turned fiery red. With its roar, shimmering crystals suddenly surrounded Ogerpon and shattered. It had the ability to independently Terastallize!
Then, the Hearthflame Mask instantly became gigantic, wrapped in shining crystals, transforming into a demon with a giant horn on its head, its large mouth open, surrounded by blazing flames.
For some reason, Summer could clearly feel Ogerpon's emotions—anger, the raging, endless flames of fury! Misunderstood, excluded, losing a close friend.
Carrying the infamy alone, confusion, sadness, loneliness, eventually turning into endless rage.
During the long night, did it ever think of taking revenge on humans to quell the burning vengeance within?
The demon's furious roar was the manifestation of this emotion. Summer took out the Poké Ball. "Let me calm your anger, Ogerpon!"
Elegant Milotic appeared in front of Summer. "Lady of the Lake, please, quell this anger."
The intense flames were extinguished by the giant waves. The Hearthflame Mask shattered, and Ogerpon's form became unstable. The experience it shared with Summer turned into its strength. Then it took out the Wellspring Mask and changed into a water-blue outfit.
That's right, you appeared when I was at my lowest, preventing me from being controlled by rage and falling into endless loneliness, giving me hope to move forward.
The Wellspring Mask transformed into a weeping woman, surrounded by shimmering waves.
Was it sadness this time? The source of Ogerpon's distress was the sadness of losing a close friend.
Like a well, constantly overflowing with sad water, trying to drown it.
Summer recalled Milotic and sent out Lilligant. "Let this healing aroma help you overcome your sadness, Ogerpon!"
The well was filled with fragrance. The Wellspring Mask shattered. Yes, it was you who helped me reclaim the important mask, regain my bond, so I could move past the sadness and look ahead!
Regaining joy once more!
Ogerpon took out the Cornerstone Mask. The mask transformed into a grinning demon with sparkling rock hair.
Joy, yes, this is how Ogerpon should be—carefree joy, the very foundation of its being, just like this rock mask!
Anger and sadness have been found again. This is wonderful, Ogerpon.
Summer recalled Lilligant and sent out the Rillaboon. "Let this music bring the joy to its peak!"
The Cornerstone Mask shattered in the rhythm of the drums. I remembered that carefree joy. Ah, Summer, Perrin, Carmine, Perrin, it's wonderful to have met you all.
Because I can finally smile.
Ogerpon took out the last mask, the Teal Mask.
The enormous mask of laughter, surrounded by dazzling green vines.
Unrestricted, unrestrained laughter! This joy is unbound by anything, coming from the heart's ultimate bliss!
Summer recalled the Rillaboon and sent out Corviknight. "Come, let's laugh unrestrainedly together, ignoring others' gazes and enjoying the joy!"
The Teal Mask shattered in the strong wind. I remembered the close friend who was like a father, who despite being excluded by the villagers, never felt sadness and lived happily, even in a small, dark, and narrow home!
What I lost during the long time was this ultimate bliss, the source of my power, and the massive mask resonated with my feelings. My reflection shines brightly!
Ah, the time spent with you even surpasses my most precious memories, so I can regain this ultimate bliss. Thank you, Summer. Meeting you is truly wonderful.
The last shattered mask revealed Ogerpon's happy smile. Its smile told Summer, "Throw the Poké Ball. Being with you is what I long for! The only way I can respond to your companionship and happiness is by becoming your Pokémon!"
"I understand. Thank you for choosing me, Ogerpon."
Summer threw the Poké Ball without hesitation, as they had already established an unbreakable bond.
(End of Chapter)