Chapter 119: The Gradual Revival of Spikemuth

"Hmm, it looks perfect."

Summer knelt down to tie an orange scarf, adorned with a green gem, around Ogerpon's neck. The accessory made Ogerpon look even more playful and cute.

Excitedly, Ogerpon showed off its new accessory to the two nearby Lilligant, who each wore hairpins with green gems on their heads.

The Lilligant treated Ogerpon with affection, as it had become the darling of Sunset Forest. Who could resist its sunny smile?

"Now it's your turn, Rillaboom."

Summer took out an armlet embedded with a green gem. Rillaboom bent down, extending its arm. The size was just right.

"Rilla!"

Rillaboom was very pleased with the new accessory, sensing its life energy, especially since it was given by Summer.

"Everyone seems satisfied. I didn't expect that Aya's family was in the accessory business. I only now found out that all the merchandise supporting Marnie was made by Aya alone," Summer remarked.

Using wood for accessories wasn't very aesthetic, and wear and tear were issues. So, Summer thought of Spikemuth, where he had personal connections to commission the order. If that didn't work out, he planned to visit Cianwood City.

Thanks to the promotion of berries and Marnie's efforts, Spikemuth was seeing an influx of visitors, becoming much livelier than before.

Seeing hope, many long-closed shops were preparing to reopen, including Aya's family's accessory shop. Originally, his parents ran a successful shop in Gateon Port, but witnessing the changes in their hometown, they decided to abandon their existing clientele.

They returned to their hometown, intending to launch unique accessories reflecting Spikemuth's cultural heritage. Summer became their first customer. Although it was a custom order, Aya's parents offered a significant discount due to Summer's efforts and friendship with Aya.

Despite Summer's repeated refusals, they insisted, stating that since Summer was their first customer, offering a discount was completely justified. Unable to find an excuse, Summer accepted.

Knowing the accessories were for Pokémon, they professionally asked Summer about the height and features of each Pokémon to create the best-fitting accessories.

They quickly designed accessories for Rillaboom and Lilligant, thanks to their Pokédex records. However, they struggled with Ogerpon, a Pokémon not recorded in the Pokédex.

So, Summer brought Ogerpon to the town. With no records, they decided to see it in person. Ogerpon, still somewhat wary of human towns, wore its mask along the way, drawing curious looks from passersby.

Ogerpon's unique appearance with the mask was well received by Spikemuth's residents. Aya's parents, seeing Ogerpon without its mask, were even more charmed. Their unprecedented enthusiasm led to various design proposals for Ogerpon, with the scarf emerging as the favorite due to its light, floaty feel.

After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic couple, Summer and Ogerpon continued exploring Spikemuth, taking in the town's charm and changes.

Grandpa Gideon's restaurant added new dishes, many incorporating berries from Sunset Forest, receiving unanimous praise from tourists. While this was a positive development, one dish made Summer hesitant to order: Starry Sky Pie.

To be safe, Summer ordered two special berry curries and an apple pudding specially prepared for Ogerpon, made from honey-glazed apples from Sunset Forest.

Grandpa Gideon looked much more energetic, as if he had aged ten years younger. When Summer asked if Spikemuth's revival was the reason, Grandpa Gideon nodded, then shook his head, smiling as he said:

"This is just one reason, Summer. As for the other, let me tell you this: life lies in movement."

Exercise indeed makes people look more spirited, but what kind of exercise does Grandpa Gideon do regularly?

Watching Ogerpon enjoy the apple pudding, Summer couldn't figure it out. Grandpa Gideon, also observing, pondered for a while before speaking seriously:

"Summer, I can sense a powerful aura from your Ogerpon. But I've never seen this Pokémon before. Is it a legendary or mythical Pokémon?"

"No matter which it is, it's my Pokémon. If you're worried about danger, I assure you there's no need."

"Ogerpon?" Ogerpon looked puzzled, thinking why it would destroy such a place with delicious food.

"Yes, precisely. That's why you were able to capture it. I apologize for my overthinking, Summer, and to you too, little one." Grandpa Gideon's expression softened as he returned to the kitchen.

"As an apology, how about another pudding?"

"Yay!"

Ogerpon waved its spoon joyfully, happy about the second pudding!

After the meal, since it was Thursday, Summer took Ogerpon to Pierce's concert, which featured a new song titled "Laughing Mask and Melancholic Me."

Ogerpon listened attentively, mimicking the other audience members by waving its arms to the rhythm. 

Seeing Ogerpon on his shoulder, Summer felt a bit worried, as the song's theme resembled Ogerpon's past. However, it remained surprisingly calm, even joining the crowd in chanting for an encore.

As Pierce's familiar line "Pierce never does encores" resonated, Summer realized Ogerpon was stronger than he had imagined. Though it feared loneliness, it didn't mean its spirit was weak.

That strong heart allowed it to live alone on Oni Mountain despite the villagers' slander, finding joy in participating in the Festival of Masks, the only event with happy memories.

Summer didn't consider one crucial reason: Ogerpon wasn't sad because Summer was by its side, cutting off all sadness. Besides, the melancholic person in the song was clearly the singer himself, not Ogerpon, who was happy and carefree.

Summer and Ogerpon then visited newly opened shops, including a CD store featuring Pierce's works, a musical instrument store attracting music enthusiasts, and a clothing store under renovation. Summer suddenly thought of Marnie and his promise to her:

"Is Spikemuth declining? No, it will revive. If other cities can have fashion stores, so can Spikemuth! We are no less than them!"

Indeed, Spikemuth now had a clothing store. Summer took a photo with his phone to send to Marnie. He also wondered about her gym challenge journey and decided to ask.

As his thoughts returned to the present, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Marnie.

"Hey Summerヾ(≧▽≦*)o"

"You asked how my gym challenge preparations were going(⊙o⊙)? I said it was a secret, but now I can tell you (ω)"

Marnie sent a photo of herself with a Pawniard.

"Ta-da! It's Pawniard, a Dark and Steel type (￣y▽￣)╭"

"That's great," Summer replied.

"Feel free to compliment more. Hmm, do you want to hear Marnie's story? You must be curious~ So I'll tell you~"

(End of Chapter)