"Hmm, just the smell of this makes my mouth water."
In front of the cabin, Summer chopped up Candlefruit and placed it in an iron pot, cooking it over a high flame. The sweet and sour aroma wafted through the air with the steam. Once it seemed sufficiently cooked, he lowered the heat to let it simmer.
The recently acquired Candlefruit, as described by his ranger assistant, was ideal for making jam. So, after handling matters in Sunset Forest, Summer immediately set about making Candlefruit jam.
He planned to make an all-natural jam, without adding anything else, to retain its purest flavor.
Summer had considered mixing several types of berries to make the jam, but given his culinary skills, he decided against it to avoid waste. Instead, he asked professionals to experiment with that while he stuck to making simple jams.
And now, judging by the smell, it was turning out well. The optimized fruit trees truly lived up to their reputation.
Nearby, Ogerpon watched Summer diligently making the jam and wisely chose not to disturb him.
Meanwhile, the Pokémon accompanying Ogerpon in play had become Rillaboom.
As a naturally communal Pokémon, Rillaboom had an inherent instinct to care for other members of its group. Now, it considered all the Pokémon in Sunset Forest as part of its tribe.
Being Summer's Pokémon alongside Ogerpon, they shared a close bond.
Rillaboom, like an indulgent big brother, let Ogerpon play and prank without any complaints. It always maintained a smile and would even play a lullaby for Ogerpon to help it rest better when tired.
"Thank you, Rillaboom. Ogerpon is full of energy, so taking care of it must be tiring, right?"
Summer finished making the jam, placing several jars of orange-yellow goodness on a wooden bench to cool.
"Boom."
Rillaboom responded with an expression that said it was no trouble. When it was still a Grookey, the leader of its tribe had always been patient with the mischievous children, never getting angry.
Upon evolving, Rillaboom inherited this patience and was very tolerant of small Pokémon.
"Hmm, this child is actually quite afraid of being lonely. It wakes up periodically at night to check if we're still by its side, fearing that we might not be there anymore," Summer said softly, watching Ogerpon's sleeping face.
Rillaboom silently nodded. It had noticed this too, which is why it cared for Ogerpon so attentively.
"Ponio?"
Hearing its name, Ogerpon opened its eyes and quickly returned to its usual energetic self.
"Did you rest well? Did we disturb you?" Summer asked with concern.
"Gao!"
Ogerpon ran around Summer, as if to say it had rested well and wasn't disturbed at all.
"Hmm, then how about I play with you now? Is there something you want to do?" Summer squatted down to ask.
Ogerpon thought for a moment, then its eyes sparkled. It wanted to learn Rillaboom's powerful move, Wood Hammer, which could send an opponent flying with a single strike.
After conveying this idea to Summer, Summer smiled:
"Of course, wanting to become stronger is a good thing."
He patted Ogerpon's smooth head. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen all the moves Ogerpon had learned yet. This was a good opportunity to check.
[Ogerpon (Teal Mask), Grass-type Pokémon, learned moves: Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Spiky Shield, Thorn Whip, Double Kick, Low Sweep, Counter, Endure, Revenge, Sturdy, Quick Attack, Look at Me, Endure, Focus Energy, Growth, Slam, Tera Blast, Payback.]
Hmm, mostly Grass-type, Fighting-type, and Normal-type moves. Some of these moves' origins… No, he couldn't show sadness in front of Ogerpon.
"Hmm, if you want to learn Wood Hammer, watch Rillaboom's demonstration first. I'll go get the guidebook."
After entrusting Rillaboom with the task, Summer went into the cabin to retrieve Ramos's guidebook on Grass-type moves.
Ogerpon eagerly watched Rillaboom. But Rillaboom hesitated, as it didn't have a target to practice Wood Hammer on. The surrounding trees were off-limits, and Ogerpon definitely couldn't be a target.
Just then, a large black bird descended from the sky, attracted by the delicious aroma around the cabin. It was Corviknight, coming to see what Summer was cooking.
Then it found itself being approached by Rillaboom, who wrapped an arm around its shoulders.
"Boom!"
"Caw?"
Using me as a target? Just because I resist Grass-type moves four times over doesn't mean I want to get hit for free. Don't look at me like that! Fine, since it's a favor for little Ogerpon, I'll agree reluctantly.
Rillaboom nodded, and under Ogerpon's watchful eyes, it got serious, forgetting Corviknight's request to go easy.
Its arm, thick as a tree trunk, smashed into Corviknight's chest. Corviknight felt as if it had spat out invisible blood. You crazy gorilla, couldn't you have held back a little?
"Caw!"
I'm fine. I'm the strongest shield! Corviknight tried to maintain its dignity in front of Ogerpon. At least it got Ogerpon's applause.
"Hmm? Corviknight, why do you look like you're in pain?" Summer asked, puzzled. "Ogerpon, did you see Rillaboom's Wood Hammer clearly?"
"Ponio!"
Ogerpon mimicked Rillaboom's actions, clapping its small hands together to gather life energy, then jumping up and swinging down at Corviknight's chest.
Now Summer understood Corviknight's expression. It must have just taken a full-powered Wood Hammer from Rillaboom.
Does it hurt? Hmm…not at all. As expected, without its large mask, little Ogerpon's attacks aren't very threatening, just like its small body.
Seeing that Corviknight wasn't hurt, Ogerpon looked down, disappointed. Its Wood Hammer was nothing like Rillaboom's.
"The essence of Wood Hammer is to gather and condense a vast amount of life energy, then use a strong body to launch an attack. The former you can do, but as for the latter…"
Summer examined Ogerpon. Its small, cute body wasn't like Rillaboom's strong arms for performing Wood Hammer. Did it have any alternatives?
"Right, your thorn stick!" Summer had an idea. "Ogerpon, you're best at wielding your thorn stick. How about using it for Wood Hammer?"
"Gao!"
Ogerpon's disappointment vanished instantly. It took out its thorn stick from under its cloak and concentrated life energy into it. The overflowing energy transformed the stick into a long, thick mace.
Ogerpon swung the mace behind its back, then used all its strength to smash it onto Corviknight's chest with a thud. Corviknight felt as if it spat out invisible blood again. Little Ogerpon, you've been spoiled by that crazy gorilla.
[Ogerpon learned Wood Hammer.]
Ogerpon happily swung its stick. It had learned Wood Hammer!
Then, the forest ranger assistant's voice chimed in.
[Corviknight learned Endure.]
Corviknight shed visible tears. From now on, it would not overestimate itself. It finally understood the phrase "know your limits." What a painful realization.
(Chapter End)