"That's the rhythm! Rillaboom, Boomburst!"
Rillaboom focused intently, gripping its drumsticks tightly. Now, it would use sound as a weapon, drumming with all its might.
Unlike other Pokémon, Rillaboom's Boomburst didn't rely on its organs but on the wooden drum before it.
Previously, Rillaboom always used music to communicate and convey emotions, making it unexpectedly difficult to train Boomburst.
It found it hard to treat the music it loved as a weapon.
For this, Summer adopted a different approach. Rillaboom was a musical genius, capable of composing any style of music easily. So, why not continue making music?
Yes, play an angry tune, channeling rage into the drumbeats to unleash fury upon the opponent with sound.
"Rilla!"
Only the destruction of its home and harm to those it cared about could make the gentle Rillaboom angry.
Imagining such a scenario, an invisible rage ignited within, using itself as fuel, blazing intensely.
Rillaboom pounded the drum fiercely, and the deafening sound waves tore apart the wooden dummy in moments, scattering wood chips everywhere.
Ogerpon, covering its ears, jumped excitedly. What an amazing move, what powerful destruction, how enviable!
Ogerpon had a personality like an innocent child, loving pranks, curious about everything, and secretly enjoying destruction. But this only applied to things it disliked. If you befriended it, you wouldn't be smashed to bits.
"Great job, Rillaboom. You did it," Summer praised.
Seeing the dummy reduced to a broken stick, Summer was convinced the Mystery Berry's effect worked, making Rillaboom's Boomburst a physical move.
Despite the praise, Rillaboom wasn't happy. It still disliked using music as a weapon and hated feeling angry.
Why fight? Wouldn't it be better to enjoy beautiful music together, like at the Spikemuth concert, where strangers became friends as the music played?
"Rilla."
"Sorry, I didn't consider your feelings," Summer patted Rillaboom's arm. "We'll only use this move against enemies, okay?"
Avoiding what their Pokémon disliked was essential, Summer believed. Respecting their feelings and not forcing them was the basic principle of living with Pokémon.
But Rillaboom shook its head. If Summer asked, it would comply no matter what, because he was its savior and the most important person.
"Yaha!"
At this moment, a Nuzleaf jumped down from the treetop, kneeling like a reporting ninja.
"What's the situation?" Summer asked.
Nuzleaf stood and gestured, indicating a person fainted in front of a tree, carrying a large bag.
"Where exactly is this unconscious person?"
Carrying a backpack, could it be a passing trainer or a wandering traveler?
"Yaha!"
Nuzleaf slapped the nearby tree trunk several times, making Summer's expression turn grim.
"Is it the tree with many talismans on it?"
"Yaha!" Nuzleaf nodded vigorously, exactly there!
That poor guy was truly unlucky. If he didn't break the seal, he'd be fine. If he did, his life might be in danger.
"I see. I'll remember your contribution," Summer nodded to Nuzleaf, then turned to his Pokémon. "Let's go quickly."
By the Spirit Realm Gate, Summer helped up a fallen wooden sculpture covered in mud. The collapsed backpacker's shoes were also muddy.
Clearly, this guy had been careless, kicking over the ghost-repelling sculpture, then fainting in fear when ghosts emerged. Summer's sympathy vanished instantly.
The man's eyes were shut tight behind his sunglasses, his face pale, body cold, teeth clenched; he'd been scared badly.
"Hmm, strange?"
In midsummer, the person lying on the ground wore a thick black coat, pulling it open to reveal a white uniform.
This uniform looked familiar to Summer; he'd seen it before.
"A Macro Cosmos employee! What are they doing here?!"
To most people in Galar, Macro Cosmos was a powerful company, the top firm in Galar, a giant controlling the region.
But Summer knew what their leader, Rose, intended—to awaken Eternatus and harness its power for endless energy for Galar, making him the true mastermind behind the scenes.
Rose's intention was good, but his method was flawed. He didn't consider the possibility of Eternatus going berserk, gambling on his luck.
The outcome was Rose being defeated by the protagonist, admitting his mistake, and turning himself in.
Without the protagonist and the legendary heroes Zacian and Zamazenta, Galar would face another Darkest Day, with catastrophic consequences.
"Is Rose still pursuing his original plan? Is Galar's future still threatened?" Summer looked worried.
Now living in Galar, near the Glimwood Tangle by Spikemuth, he didn't want his second home to face disaster.
This intruder reminded Summer of the ticking time bomb buried in Galar. With four months until the competition, he had more time.
Fortunately, I know the future and can prepare in advance.
Yes, it's all to protect the Glimwood Tangle, a ranger's duty.
For now, focus on improving strength and visit Slumbering Weald when possible. Summer turned to the unconscious man.
"Let's see why you came to Glimwood Tangle," Summer said coldly. "Tie him to the tree. I'll question him myself."
"Chairman Rose, should we use the method he suggested?" Oleana asked, not noticing an employee acting on his own.
"No, just reference it. This is a legendary Pokémon; ordinary methods won't work," Rose said lightly, looking at the ceiling.
"Then why seek him out?" Oleana asked, unable to understand her boss's plans.
"Attitude. If Macro Cosmos symbolizes Galar openly, the Howard family controls it secretly."
"So they agree with your plan?"
"Yes, Oleana, you're as smart as ever!" Rose stood, looking out at the brightly lit Wyndon. It was beautiful, but thinking of it dimming in a thousand years pained him.
"Thank you, Chairman Rose," Oleana said humbly.
"By the way, Oleana, how's the progress?"
"At the current rate, we'll collect the wishing stars in six months."
"No, four months, Oleana," Rose said, raising four fingers. "Unveiling the champion and a bright future on the same day is exciting, isn't it?"
"Understood, I'll speed it up," Oleana agreed without complaint.
After reporting the rest, Oleana left, and Rose murmured to himself:
"Am I being too hasty?"
(End of Chapter)