Chapter 109: Reclaiming the Masks Part 1 - The Price of Wisdom

Mossui Town, Summer and his party returned here, but Ogerpon was very reluctant to enter the village, hiding fearfully behind Summer.

"You really don't want to enter the village, do you?" Carmine said sympathetically. Ogerpon had been treated so cruelly; it must be hard to forget.

"Then let it stay outside the village. We'll handle the information gathering," Perrin said with a smile. "Information gathering is my specialty. After all, I used to be a reporter for a while."

"Summer, you stay here with Ogerpon. Perrin and I haven't done much yet, so leave this to us," Carmine said.

Perrin agreed, adding, "Yes, this child has been lonely for a long time, so spend more time with it."

"Alright then. Ogerpon, we'll wait here for everyone to come back."

"Ogerpon~" Ogerpon was very happy not to have to enter the village.

Perrin and Carmine then entered the village to investigate the whereabouts of the Loyal Three, while Summer stayed behind with Ogerpon, telling it stories about Sunset Forest, making Ogerpon look forward with longing.

After about half an hour, Perrin and Carmine returned from the village, and just as Summer had predicted, the villagers had indeed witnessed the Loyal Three.

"Munkidori at Wisteria Pond, Okidogi in the Paradise Barrens, and Fezandipiti on Oni Mountain. That's the information we gathered," Perrin said, holding up her phone, with three points marked on the map.

"For today, I recommend going to Wisteria Pond since it's the closest," Carmine suggested.

"Alright, let's follow Carmine's suggestion. Munkidori is an intellect-type Pokémon. As for its typing, I'm not sure," Summer said, sharing the information he knew.

Perrin pondered, "If it's intellect-type, it's probably Psychic or Dark type."

"Perrin is right, but since it lost to Summer before, we should be able to defeat it easily," Carmine said confidently.

"Hopefully. I'm not sure of the true strength of the Loyal Three, but for Ogerpon's sake, we must do our best," Summer said.

Wisteria Pond, located in the southwestern corner of Kitakami, got its name from the Wisteria trees growing nearby.

Munkidori was lying comfortably on the grassy ground, sleeping leisurely. Its brain was always stimulated by the chain on its head, constantly in high gear, so it needed sleep to rest.

In the hazy dream, Munkidori saw a clumsy little monkey that couldn't do anything right and wasn't very bright, unable to even notice when its companions were mocking it.

"Fool!"

Munkidori couldn't help but curse. This little thing couldn't even handle such small matters, and if someone tried to mock it, Munkidori would make them suffer ten times over.

The little monkey lived in a daze for a long time, wanting to change but unable to think of a way with its not-so-bright brain, putting all its hopes on futile prayers.

"Idiot, no one will answer you. Your potential ends here."

Munkidori mocked. Such a creature should rely on someone smart like me; only my wisdom can save you from your plight!

At that moment, the little monkey suddenly turned to Munkidori, speaking slowly and clearly:

"Who's the fool here? Aren't we the same Pokémon?"

"What!" Munkidori's expression twisted, stepping back in disbelief.

A pair of blurry, large hands appeared behind the little monkey, tightly binding a purple chain on the little monkey's head, causing it to cry out in pain.

"Wish fulfilled, wisdom granted, but you must pay the price..."

Hearing the indistinct voice, Munkidori broke out in a cold sweat. Why did I, the smart one, forget this? I really am that fool!

Munkidori, lying on the grassy ground, suddenly opened its eyes, touching its head in confusion. It seemed to have had a very unpleasant dream, probably because of the environment here. It should find another place to sleep.

"Has it gotten bigger?!"

Munkidori, getting up, saw Carmine's surprised expression. Looking at its feet, it indeed had grown larger. With this, it could win!

"Chatter!"

Munkidori took big strides, one hand forward and one hand back, making a noise. With both intellect and strength, it was the strongest!

"Hmph, just getting a bit bigger and you become arrogant. Smart? More like conceited," Carmine said mercilessly, releasing Morpeko from its Poké Ball.

"Let's go, Summer," Perrin also released her Pokémon, Noctowl.

"Alright, let's go, Rillaboom."

The three Pokémon surrounded the enlarged Munkidori. Though Ogerpon couldn't fight, it cheered enthusiastically, boosting the Pokémon's morale.

"Use Drum Beating, Rillaboom," Summer commanded, aiming to restrict the opponent's movement first.

With the intense drumming, thick vines erupted from the ground, tightly binding Munkidori's legs.

"Chatter?!"

Munkidori was startled, its head emitting strong psychic power, trying to break free from the vines.

"As expected, it's Psychic type. Morpeko, use Torment!" Carmine commanded. Black energy exploded from Morpeko, hitting Munkidori in a fit of rage.

Munkidori cried out in pain, the effect significant.

Yes, we can rule out Fighting, Dark, and Fairy types, Summer thought. These three Pokémon have similar decorations, so they must share a common typing.

"Noctowl, use Psybeam."

Perrin's Noctowl released psychic energy to disrupt Munkidori, which waved its arms frantically, showing a frustrated expression.

Drum Beating's effect wasn't clear, and Psybeam didn't seem to weaken it. Could its second typing be Poison?

"In that case, Rillaboom, use High Horsepower!"

Losing the support of the drumbeats, the vines were quickly torn off by Munkidori, but then it faced the unstoppable Rillaboom, covered in ground energy, slamming into its chest.

"Chatter?!"

Munkidori was knocked to the ground. How could this be? According to my calculations, this shouldn't happen!

It screamed internally, and suddenly a voice echoed, Because you were always that foolish little monkey!

Munkidori's expression froze. This distraction cost it the only chance to counterattack, as the ground-imbued punches slammed into its proud head, shrinking its body rapidly as it fainted.

"Ah, there's the mask!" Carmine pointed. The Wellspring Mask lay quietly on the grass.

"Ogerpon~" Ogerpon ran to pick up the mask, holding it to its chest and running to Summer, eyes sparkling, showing it off like a treasured item.

"Great job, Ogerpon," Summer said, patting Ogerpon's head.

"Ogerpon!"

"By the way, Summer, what should we do with this guy?" Carmine kicked the fainted Munkidori. "Should we bury it?"

"Hmm, how about catching it?" Summer suggested. It was the best way to prevent further trouble.

Carmine and Perrin exchanged looks, both showing reluctance.

With no other option, Summer took out a Poké Ball and threw it at the fainted Munkidori. Looks like I'll have to discipline it myself.

(End of Chapter)