"Hmm… Rose made another speech about this year's challengers having a shot at beating the Champion. Doesn't he say that every year?"
"Wild Area, Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra reports indicate the appearance of dangerous Pokémon. The League warns inexperienced Trainers to stay away. Tempting… but I don't have time to go wandering."
"Team Rocket remnants have gone silent in Kanto. The International Police are offering a reward for information. The world never stays peaceful, huh?"
"Paldea's bombing case is solved. Most of Team Dawn has been arrested by the Elite Four, but their boss is still at large. One of the Elites is leading the pursuit… Wait, Elite Four involvement? Just how bad was the explosion? Did they blow up an entire city?"
"Oh? A new Sinnoh Champion? Former Champion Cynthia gave a statement, saying she plans to travel the world before challenging the current Champion again.
…Yeah, sure. More like she just wants an excuse to investigate ruins."
Summer scrolled further—
"Wait. A picture of the new Champion… is that Dawn?!"
His eyes widened as he quickly skimmed through the article.
"'The new Champion's Pokémon have drawn media attention. In response, Professor Laventon explained that these are ancient evolutions, exclusive to Hisuian Pokémon.
Due to environmental changes, some species have become extremely rare, while others have adapted and still exist today.'"
"So Hisuian Pokémon do still exist in the present."
"'For example, Basculegion. They now inhabit Sinnoh's frigid seas, evolving from White-Striped Basculin.
This has sparked debate among scholars over whether all three Basculin variants should be considered one species or three separate ones.'"
Summer sighed. "How did a Champion interview turn into a Laventon lecture?"
Whatever. If Lux knew Dawn was doing well, he'd be happy.
Shaking his head, Summer shut off his phone and got up to train his Pokémon.
"Yasha!"
"Nuzleaf, huh? Wait—why are you guys carrying a whole person?"
The moment Summer stepped outside, he was met with the bizarre sight of four Nuzleaf lugging an unconscious teenage boy toward his cabin, snoring like a baby.
A closer look confirmed it—purple hair, black hoodie, and that unmistakable Wooloo-patterned jacket.
Summer sighed.
"Hop?"
The Wooloo Jinchūriki himself?
"Seriously?"
"Thanks, guys," he told the Nuzleaf. "Go ahead and put him down. I'll handle things from here."
The Nuzleaf nodded and vanished into the trees.
"Bo?"
Ogerpon held up a vine, tilting her head.
Should I tie him up?
Summer chuckled, patting her head. "No need for that."
He turned to Rillaboom. "I'll leave this to you."
Rillaboom nodded, then slammed his drumstick onto the log.
BOOM.
Hop's eyes shot open as he jolted upright, looking around in confusion.
"Huh?!"
"Wait… I was battling a Pokémon, wasn't I? Oh yeah—that Milotic was insanely strong! Even my whole team couldn't beat it!
Wait… how did I fall asleep?"
Hop scratched his head, trying to piece things together.
Summer watched in amusement.
The answer was simple—Hop had charged into the lake and challenged Milotic, full of confidence.
Milotic, as expected, destroyed him.
Then, the Nuzleaf put him to sleep with a wooden flute and carried him away like a trespasser.
Summer cleared his throat.
"Ahem. I'm Summer—the Ranger of this forest. Mind telling me your name?"
"Ah, right—sorry, mate! Haha!" Hop scratched the back of his head and grinned.
"Name's Hop! I'm working my way toward becoming the strongest Trainer!"
Oh. Cheerful Hop.
That meant he hadn't hit his losing streak yet.
Hop suddenly jumped to his feet, grabbing a Poké Ball, his energy instantly returning.
"Alright! Time for a rematch—I will defeat that Milotic!"
He paused, blinking.
"…Oh. But first, I gotta heal my team."
"Good luck with that." Summer waved him off.
"Bo?"
Ogerpon held her hands over her mouth.
Is this kid… stupid?
"Wait a sec!" Hop suddenly froze, then gasped.
"Is that a Rillaboom?!"
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I've got one too! What a coincidence!"
Summer simply raised a brow.
Hop continued, "Y'see, my rival—she raised a Cinderace, so my Rillaboom kept losing! But recently—I finally beat her!"
He beamed.
"Just finished the Stow-on-Side Gym! I was planning to head straight for Spikemuth, but I heard that Gym Leader there is crazy strong, so I figured I'd stop by this forest and train first.
Did not expect to run into such powerful Pokémon, though!"
"Oh." Summer nodded.
Hop sure was… chatty.
"If I can beat that Milotic and catch it…"
"Ahem."
Summer cut in.
"That Milotic? It's mine."
Hop froze.
Then, he slowly turned back to Summer, expression mortified.
"Wait. That was your Milotic?"
Summer nodded.
Hop immediately panicked.
"Aw, man! I just said some really rude stuff, huh?! Gah, I can't believe I just casually talked about catching someone else's Pokémon—sorry, mate!"
He laughed awkwardly, rubbing his head.
"It's fine," Summer assured him. "You didn't know."
Hop sighed in relief—then immediately clenched his fist.
"Still, though… I've got a long way to go before I can catch up to my brother."
Then, he lit up again.
"Wait! We're both Rillaboom Trainers—how about a one-on-one battle?"
"Sure," Summer agreed. "But don't you need to heal your team first?"
"Oh—right!" Hop slapped his forehead.
"I'll be right back!"
And with that, he sprinted off.
Summer watched him go, then glanced at Rillaboom.
"…Think he's gonna get lost?"
No. Hop wasn't his brother.
He should be fine.
Ogerpon stared up at Rillaboom, then nodded to herself.
"Bo."
No way our Rillaboom is losing.
He had always been reliable.
And with Summer commanding him?
It was impossible to lose.
"Alright," Summer stretched. "While we wait, let's prepare a little something for Milotic.
She got woken up, had to deal with Hop, and had to fight—she's definitely pissed."
Ogerpon's eyes sparkled.
That meant she could get some snacks too!
Milotic wouldn't refuse an offering from cute little Ogerpon, right?