"So, let's draw lots."
Summer held out a small wooden box to Ogerpon and Rillaboom, which was filled with little slips of paper bearing the names of various berries.
"Ogerpon?"
Ogerpon looked confused. What could be so important that it required this formality?
"Boni oh!"
Rillaboom seemed very excited. It didn't know what drawing lots meant, but it did know what a lottery was! The two seemed similar, so perhaps the box contained something good, like a whole day to play with Summer.
Without hesitation, Rillaboom reached into the box, pulled out a slip, and handed it to Summer with great anticipation.
"Hmm, let me see. It's an Enigma Berry."
"Ogerpon."
Now Ogerpon handed over its slip to Summer. He opened it and saw that it read: Watmel Berry.
"Alright, it looks like we have our results."
Summer didn't hesitate. He silently repeated the names of the two berries in his mind and then softly said:
"Berry Mutation."
A brilliant light burst forth from his hand, and the phantoms of the two berries appeared, merging into a small seed that settled into his palm.
"What is...?"
Three pairs of eyes stared intently at the seed in Summer's hand when the forest ranger assistant spoke up.
[Seed (Unknown), the product of the fusion of Enigma Berry and Watmel Berry. Only by planting it can its species be confirmed. Perhaps this is its first appearance in the world.]
"Well, that's not very helpful," Summer thought to himself.
"Never mind. Ogerpon, Rillaboom, let's plant this seed nearby."
The two Pokémon didn't know where the seed came from, and Summer noticed their confusion. He explained:
"This is the result of fusing the berries you drew. It's a seed full of unknown potential."
Not understanding fully but feeling that it was something important, the Pokémon helped Summer plant the seed with great ceremony. Under the gaze of a glowing blue stone, Summer extended his hand once more.
"Bountiful Hands."
A sprout emerged from the ground and quickly grew into a small fruit tree with lush green leaves and three white flowers.
"No fruit yet?" Summer smiled.
Growth was slow, and the tree had only three flowers, indicating that the tree was indeed special.
[Fruit Tree (Unknown), it may take some time to yield results. A day, a month, a year, all are unknown.]
"Well... fine," Summer sighed, deciding to take action. Even if it meant exhausting himself, he was determined to unveil the tree's mystery today.
"Bountiful Hands."
Fatigue washed over him, but it wasn't as severe as last time. It seemed that the skill "Vibrant Life" increased stamina more than physical robustness.
The white flowers quickly transformed under a green glow, producing three large berries. Summer recalled the assistant's description, that these berries were truly mysterious.
With a unique combination of white patterns on black skin, the strange berries were named "Mystery Berries," a name reflecting their unknown nature.
[Mystery Berry: Only those who eat it can savor its taste. It is rumored that each Mystery Berry may have a different flavor and, because of its extreme rarity, it is said to possess the power of the stars.]
In games, this berry restores the health of its holder when hit by a supereffective move. The assistant's description suggested an even stronger effect.
Summer faced a choice: should he use the Bountiful Gift to enhance the Mystery Berry's quality? No, it wasn't worth the risk, as the small chance of mutation could turn it into a mundane berry.
"Alright, we have three berries. Let's each have one."
He didn't plan to sell such rare berries; his ranger experience made money unimportant to him. Good things were better shared with friends.
Summer approached the tree and picked the three Mystery Berries. The moment he plucked the last one, the tree seemed to wither, as if all its energy had been drained.
"This..."
Summer felt disappointed. He had hoped for a sustainable harvest but the tree seemed to have read his mind and blocked that path.
"Never mind. Here, Rillaboom."
Summer crouched and handed a Mystery Berry to Rillaboom. Despite not being an apple, receiving a berry from Summer made it very happy.
"This one is for you, Ogerpon. And this one, I'll taste."
Curious about the berry's flavor, Summer took a bite. Hmm... no taste? Another bite, still no taste.
Was he eating nothing? Suddenly, Summer's vision filled with a vast starry sky, and an indescribable flavor exploded in his mouth. It felt as if he was floating in space, overlooking a blue planet.
[Mystery Berry, Effect: Random flavor and effect each time it is eaten. Rest assured, there will be no negative effects.]
[Acquired Ranger skill: Star Power.]
[Star Power: Your night vision is clearer than the average person's. Your luck is slightly enhanced, and Psychic-type Pokémon will have a favorable impression of you.]
Although he was happy to gain a new skill, Summer wondered if Star Power truly fit the ranger role.
Meanwhile, Ogerpon quickly finished its tasteless berry, experiencing a fragrant taste and a light feeling, as if it could float.
[Because it ate a Mystery Berry, Ogerpon's speed has increased.]
Ogerpon's speed improved, so what about Rillaboom?
After eating its berry, Rillaboom tasted a strange, bittersweet flavor and heard a peculiar melody in its ears.
[Because it ate a Mystery Berry, Rillaboom's sound-based moves will now be treated as physical moves.]
This was the biggest surprise. Summer nodded silently.
Rillaboom could learn powerful, side-effect-free moves like Boomburst. If it became a physical move, combined with Rillaboom's high attack stats, its moves would become a terrifying weapon!