Early in the morning, Summer received a call from Pierce, informing him that the training with Rillaboom was complete and that he would personally bring it back in an hour or two.
"No worries, Mr. Pierce. I'll come pick it up myself. I also want to see how your preparations are going," Summer replied, holding his phone.
"Well, that might not work because the main character is missing. Just wait at the cabin. Ah, okay, I got it," Pierce said, interrupted by the noise of a girl on the other end of the line.
"She's a straightforward one, quite enviable. To be honest, Summer, the main character wants to meet you because she's curious about how you trained Rillaboom."
Pierce then muttered to himself, "Honestly, I'm curious too."
"Well, we'll see," Summer replied uncertainly. He believed his main contribution to Rillaboom's training was just supporting its hobbies.
"A naturally talented trainer? That's frustratingly impressive. But even a great horse needs a good trainer, so don't be modest, kid!" Pierce huffed before hanging up.
Summer put down his phone and murmured, "So, Roxie is coming?"
He had already learned from Drayden that Pierce's collaborator was Roxie.
"Boni?" Ogerpon looked puzzled. Who was that?
"Simply put, she's a girl similar to your Uncle Pierce."
Ogerpon understood and started mimicking playing a guitar with his stick, indicating rock music.
"Rillaboom!"
Rillaboom returned from Spikemuth without much change. Though it hadn't been gone long, the time distortion made Summer feel like it had been ages.
"Welcome back, Rillaboom."
"Boni!"
Summer and Ogerpon welcomed Rillaboom. Beside it stood Pierce and a punk-styled girl, presumably Roxie, judging by her aggressive expression.
However, she looked different from Summer's memory, appearing older and more mature, though her height hadn't changed much. Her hair, previously tied up, now fell on both sides, dyed dark purple on one side and deep blue on the other. She wore a black jacket adorned with metal trinkets.
"Hey, you must be Summer. Thanks a lot this time. My band's drummer, Cook, learned a lot from your Rillaboom!" Roxie said with a cheerful smile.
Summer was surprised. He hadn't expected Rillaboom to teach others. This was the power of soulful drumming.
"But..." Roxie scrutinized Summer. "You seem unexpectedly ordinary, like a friendly neighborhood big brother."
"Haha, I'm just an ordinary forest ranger," Summer replied modestly, not offended.
Ordinary? Pierce looked speechless. Summer was treasured by Grandpa Gideon. His judgment was never wrong.
"Hey, are all Spikemuth folks this humble?" Roxie joked, patting Pierce's waist since she couldn't reach his shoulder.
"Give me a break. You're a global superstar, and I'm just a small-town rock singer," Pierce said, exasperated.
"Don't be so modest. I've seen your talent. Show more emotion to your audience. Infect them with your melancholy!" Roxie sang a bit unconsciously.
"You're not just here to see Summer, are you, Roxie?" Pierce changed the subject, looking away.
"Yeah, actually, I'm also a Gym Leader, like Pierce. I heard you defeated the monstrous Uncle Drayden, and as a Trainer, I'm fired up!" Roxie grinned broadly.
"Defeated... It was just a friendly match," Summer corrected.
"If it were a Gym challenge, that would be different. That was his personal Pokémon. It's okay to be a bit arrogant because you have the strength!"
"Besides, the concert is about to start, and I need a battle to cool down this excitement. So, fight me, Summer!"
As expected, Summer looked at Pierce, silently asking why he didn't battle her.
Pierce shrugged helplessly. He had already battled her.
"Alright then, what kind of battle?" Summer asked.
"Oh, I like your decisiveness! A full six-on-six, all out!" Roxie looked excited, ready to play her bass.
"Roxie, calm down. A one-on-one is fine. Summer has ranger duties," Pierce advised, shaking his head.
Roxie pouted, retorting, "Busybody. Can your sister handle it?"
Pierce's face twitched as he snapped back, "Don't be silly. Our sibling bond is stronger than you think!"
"Alright, protective brother," Roxie teased, then agreed. "You're right. A performance needs balance. Let's do it."
Roxie took out a Poké Ball and challenged, "Come on, send out your Pokémon, Summer! I'm going to rock your world!"
"Alright, Rillaboom, it's up to you."
"Rillaboom!"
Rillaboom stepped forward, ready to battle after a long rest.
"Great at drumming, great at battling? But I suggest you switch because this will completely counter your Pokémon!"
"No worries, I trust Rillaboom," Summer said calmly.
"Trust! Brilliant! Let's go, Scolipede!" Roxie threw her Poké Ball.
A crimson Scolipede roared as it appeared, its vibrant colors indicating danger. Its sharp horns and powerful claws made it a formidable opponent.
"Scolipede!"
Scolipede and Roxie shared a wild enthusiasm.
"No wonder. But Rillaboom and I won't be fazed by a type disadvantage. Don't think you have this won!" Summer declared.
Roxie grinned, thrilled. "That's the spirit! Scolipede, Megahorn! Poison it!"
Scolipede's horns glowed, and it charged at Rillaboom with lethal speed, its horns tinted with poison.
Summer nodded silently. So, it was this ability.
(End of Chapter)