Chapter 49: Thwackey's Performance

"This is bad."

On stage, Piers wore a worried expression. His band member, Obstagoon, had suddenly come down with a fever, right before the rehearsal for tomorrow's concert.

He couldn't possibly let Obstagoon perform in this condition. It would be irresponsible both to Obstagoon and the audience.

"It looks like we'll have to postpone. Sorry, but you need to rest, Obstagoon."

"Obsta..."

Obstagoon, lying weakly on its wooden drum, responded with a stubborn attitude.

"What? Obstagoon, you still want to perform?" Piers frowned. "How can you perform in this state? We can't give the audience a bad show. Just rest up."

The other Pokémon in Piers' band also started persuading Obstagoon to rest, suggesting that they could postpone the concert if needed.

But Obstagoon remained stubborn, reminding them that they had promised a new song. If it couldn't perform, someone else would have to step in. If that happened, it believed everything would be alright.

"You mean finding a replacement? But who could replace you? Unless..."

Obstagoon silently nodded. Piers thought for a moment and then said:

"I understand. I'll ask for its help. But if it can't perform well, we'll have to postpone the concert. Do you understand, Obstagoon?"

This time, Obstagoon relented. It knew that little guy's skills. If it was all about effort for Obstagoon, that one was a genius who also worked hard.

Piers' band members were quite free, rarely staying in Poké Balls. Obstagoon loved hanging around Sunset Forest, where it once heard a melodious drumbeat that resonated deeply with it. That one would be perfect!

"So, Mr. Piers, you've come to Thwackey?" Summer asked inside the cabin after hearing Piers' request.

"That's right. That stubborn one, I have no idea where it gets it from." Piers' expression was one of helplessness.

"Hmm," Summer glanced at Thwackey beside him, who looked both excited and uneasy, seemingly unable to decide. "I understand. If Thwackey agrees, then I agree. I will support it."

"That sounds like you. So, Thwackey, what do you say? Just to let you know, I'm very strict."

"Thwackey!" Thwackey raised its wooden stick, eager to try. It wanted to stand on that dazzling stage.

"Good, then follow me. There's no time to waste." Piers urged, curious to see why Obstagoon had such confidence in Thwackey.

"Obstagoon left you its wooden drum. As for the music sheet, you probably can't read it, but I have a recording here. Let's listen to it first." Piers pressed play, and a lively drumbeat filled the air, pulsating with life.

Standing on the high stool, Thwackey closed its eyes, listening intently, swaying to the rhythm. It felt the vibrant life, then the melody became somber, as if everything had fallen into silence, with a slow pace.

Suddenly, a series of rapid drumbeats brought the rhythm to a climax, full of vitality, with everything bursting forth—a hymn to life. After the climax, the melody became somber again, mixing in two other tunes, constantly changing, embodying the essence of life.

When the drumbeat ended, Thwackey opened its eyes. It took the two wooden sticks from its head and tested the sound on Obstagoon's wooden drum. It loved this piece because it felt like being back in Sunset Forest.

Determined to play it well, Thwackey took a deep breath and began to perform!

Beneath the stage, Summer, Piers, and his band members listened to Thwackey's performance. Summer was confident, believing in Thwackey, while Piers and his Pokémon remained skeptical, thinking that recreating even half of the piece would be impressive for Thwackey's first try.

"Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!"

Thwackey had only played a segment, but Piers' expression changed. This was a perfect recreation, even infused with emotion! But the first part was simple; the key was in the climax and the ending. He needed to hear more.

With a tentative mindset, Piers listened to Thwackey's entire performance. His expression turned from shock to joy and puzzlement.

"So, how was Thwackey's performance?" Summer asked with a smile.

"Perfect, even better. Was this really its first time playing? Wait, why did you ask me how to train Obstagoon to play drums when we first met?" Piers implied that with such talent, Thwackey didn't need anyone else's experience!

"Because it initially lacked confidence."

"I see." For some reason, Piers thought of Marnie, who was a crybaby at first and only gradually changed after he gave her Morpeko, revealing her incredible talent.

"What do you all think?" Piers asked his band members.

Toxtricity (Amped Form) gave a thumbs up, while Toxtricity (Low Key Form) slowly did the same. Scrafty crossed its arms and raised two thumbs.

"Alright, I understand." Piers stepped onto the stage, his Pokémon following. "Not bad, Thwackey. But band performances are about the group. Let's sync our rhythms and give the audience a perfect show!"

"Thwackey!" Thwackey raised its wooden stick, expressing its enthusiasm. Training began!

On Thursday, the day of the concert, the increasing fame of Spikemuth had attracted many new faces among the audience.

"Today, we have a brand-new drummer. Please welcome Thwackey from Sunset Forest!" Holding the microphone, Piers pointed to Thwackey, who immediately performed an impromptu piece, receiving cheers from the audience.

"Looks like everyone's hyped up. Let's begin the performance with our new song, 'Life's Shout!'"

The audience was in a frenzy, with Summer standing out in the crowd, surrounded by friends from Sunset Forest. He held a Petilil in his arms, with a Rookidee nested on his hair, and a Milotic by his side.

Standing next to him was Obstagoon, the band's original drummer. Despite feeling unwell, it insisted on attending the concert.

"Thwack!"

A lively drumbeat struck the audience's hearts. Obstagoon's eyes sparkled, knowing it had made the right choice.

Thwackey and the band members' performance was so perfect that the audience was left speechless. Suddenly, Summer and his Pokémon cheered, bringing the crowd back to their senses, and they began to celebrate, shouting for life!

Obstagoon smiled with satisfaction, feeling no jealousy towards Thwackey, but rather happiness. It was a perfect performance, unlike any other.

The concert ended perfectly, with the audience passionately shouting for an encore. But Piers, as always, coolly said:

"Sorry, Piers never does encores!"

"Obsta..."

As the stage returned to silence, Obstagoon looked into Thwackey's eyes and asked if it was interested in joining the band.

"Thwack!"

Thwackey ran back to Summer, giving its answer. This performance was enough for it; its true place was by Summer's side.

"Alright, let's head back. This concert was amazing." Summer waved goodbye to Piers.

"Of course." Piers watched Summer and his Pokémon leave. Suddenly, Obstagoon collapsed, but it was smiling. "Really, even in this condition, you won't rest. Everyone, help me out here."

The band members nodded and together carried the fallen Obstagoon to the Pokémon Center.

On the way back, Summer kept praising Thwackey's performance when suddenly, his expression changed. He led his Pokémon to Gracidea Prairie in a hurry, worried by the Ranger Assistant's message:

[Pokémon hunters spotted in the northeast of Sunset Forest.]

(End of Chapter)