After comforting the sulking Milotic, a voice from the Forest Ranger Assistant echoed in Summer's mind.
[Completed the seventh time-space distortion, received TM Blizzard (one-time use). Blizzard: Summons a fierce blizzard to attack the opponent. Guaranteed to hit in snowy weather.]
Hearing the name of this item, Summer slightly frowned. He didn't want to experience another fierce blizzard.
[Received item: Dawn Stone. Dawn Stone: A gemstone that emits a mysterious light, capable of evolving certain forms of Pokémon.]
[Received item: Yache Berry Seedling. Yache Berry: Loved by Ice-type Pokémon, an excellent cooling food in the scorching summer. It is said that the largest grower of this berry is a dragon trainer family in the Sinnoh region.]
[Received item: Never-Melt Ice. Never-Melt Ice: A special ice block that contains extremely cold energy and never melts. It can enhance the power of the holder's Ice-type moves. In ancient times, it was used to preserve food due to the lack of advanced technology.]
[Received item: Ice Stone. Ice Stone: A stone that contains ice energy and can evolve certain Pokémon upon contact.]
[Received item: Icy Rock. Icy Rock: A cold rock covered in ice crystals that can extend the duration of snowy weather.]
[Received item: TM Hail (one-time use). Hail: Summons a hailstorm. Under snowy weather, the defense of Ice-type Pokémon is increased.]
This is practically a giveaway of Ice-type items, but given my current situation, they are almost useless.
However, Summer thought again. It is summer now, and at least with these items, he can have a cool summer. Hmm, actually not bad?
[Received item: Seal Map. Seal Map: The disasters that once ravaged Paldea are sealed in four shrines. Only by pulling out the corresponding eight seal pillars can their seals be undone. This map details the location of each pillar.]
Summer felt both surprised and relieved. It seems Yagen and Shulan successfully sealed the Treasures of Ruin. Having this seal map would make unsealing them much easier.
However, according to Yagen, those with evil intentions cannot pull out the seal pillars. At this point, a choice lay before Summer: should he unseal them?
He had witnessed the power of the Treasures of Ruin firsthand. The power of the Treasures of Ruin was enough to be considered legendary Pokémon, capable of affecting an entire mountain.
Hmm... better not. The threat posed by Rose hasn't been eliminated yet. Going to Paldea now is too untimely, and the power of the Treasures of Ruin... snowstorms, withered plants, fractured earth, high temperatures... Just hearing these terms is bad news for the forest. He certainly couldn't discipline them in the Sunset Forest, and he didn't have the energy for it now.
[Completed the seventh time-space distortion, received Icicle Plate fragment. Icicle Plate: A fragment of a large plate that contains powerful ice energy, enhancing the holder's Ice-type moves.]
[Completed the seventh time-space distortion, added special area: Snowy Forest. Snowy Forest: A forest covered in ice and snow all year round. The cold climate will attract Ice-type Pokémon to settle here.]
[Completed the seventh time-space distortion, added special area: Frozen Rock. Frozen Rock: A rock covered in frost with mysterious powers.]
"Snowy Forest..." Summer repeated the name. Finally, even the climate was going to be affected?
Then he shook his head vigorously, denying it. "No, no, no, speaking of which, the tropical rainforest came earlier, but it just seemed less out of place."
Including Ogerpon, the three Pokémon felt uneasy hearing the words "ice and snow." They didn't want to experience such a terrifying blizzard again.
Summer opened the three-dimensional map of the Sunset Forest in his mind. The Snowy Forest was right next to the tropical rainforest, and the Frozen Rock was right in the center of the Snowy Forest.
"That's good. Hatterene, Ursaluna, you should go back and rest. Thank you so much for your help this time."
"Hatterene!"
"Ursaluna!"
The two Pokémon responded to Summer. This journey was really exhausting, but returning safely was the best result. Besides, they were heroes who defeated the Treasures of Ruin.
Summer then looked at Ogerpon, patting its head, and said, "Of course, you worked hard too, Ogerpon."
"Ogerpon!"
Ogerpon showed a genuine smile. It was tiring but very enjoyable because Ogerpon was the best performer on this journey, sending the bad guy back to its original form with a fireball.
Summer's conversation made the previously sleepy Milotic instantly alert. It was now very curious about Summer's experiences during this trip.
"Hatterene!"
Sensing Milotic's emotions, Hatterene raised its paw, excited. If Milotic wanted to know, Hatterene could transfer all the memories to it!
"Ugh..."
Milotic's gemstone-like eyes turned deadpan, pouting. Sorry, but I'd rather hear Summer tell it.
Hatterene's expression shifted from disappointment to sudden realization. Then it smiled understandingly and led Ursaluna away from Misty Lake.
Ursaluna looked confused. Hatterene, why did your face change faster than Ditto's?
"Did you want to hear about our journey this time, Milotic?" Summer asked.
Milotic nodded. Yes, it wanted to know everything about Summer's adventures.
"I understand. It might help relieve the fatigue from the trip. I'll sit for a bit then," Summer cleared his throat. "Ahem, it started with us traveling through a blizzard, which was quite perilous..."
At the beginning of the story, Milotic's heart was in its throat. How could it be so dangerous?
It shed sympathetic tears hearing about Shulan's ordeal, showed anger at the mention of opportunistic robbers, and was furious over the Treasures of Ruin's crimes, making the whole Misty Lake restless.
However, hearing about Ogerpon's outstanding performance, it showed a satisfied expression, gently caressing Ogerpon's head with its shining tail to express its praise.
Throughout the storytelling, Milotic's expressions varied greatly, which made Summer reflect on how he was seeing a different side of Milotic today.
"...Then she turned around to bid us farewell, and amidst exclamations, we returned to the Sunset Forest. The end."
A good ending indeed. Milotic nodded. It always preferred happy endings, just like its reunion with Summer.
"It seems it's getting late. Let's call it a day," Summer said, looking up at the dusk-colored sky.
Milotic nodded. Summer must be very tired from this journey, and she had made him recount the whole story. Thinking this, she let out a soft hum.
A magical water droplet formed in the air and slowly merged into Summer's body, wishing that this Life Dew would heal part of his travel fatigue. To her hero.
(End of Chapter)