Chapter 16: Temporal Distortion at Skiddo Ranch

[Temporal Distortion will begin in one minute. Please prepare accordingly.]

Summer finished checking his supplies, standing quietly with Grookey in front of the small cabin, waiting for the temporal distortion to begin. It was both a crisis and an opportunity. As a ranger, he usually wouldn't leave Sunset Forest, but temporal distortions could lead to unimaginable events.

"Grookey, don't panic when it starts," Summer said, looking at Grookey.

Grookey nodded. According to Summer, they were about to travel to another time and space. It sounded unbelievable, but with Summer by its side, it wasn't scared.

[Temporal Distortion, begin.]

Instantly, the scenery before Summer's eyes distorted. Everything around him slowed down and even appeared to move backward. Strange lights enveloped them, their forms blending into the light and dissipating into the air.

Before opening his eyes, Summer smelled the unique scent of fresh grass, and the sound of bleating filled his ears.

"Skiddo?"

A curious Skiddo with black eyes tilted its head at the sight of the human who had suddenly appeared in an area that was empty just moments ago.

Summer looked around. It was a green pasture with many Skiddo living there. Some were grazing, some were playing with each other, and some were resting on the grass. The one before him showed no sign of fear.

"Not scared. Is this a ranch?" Summer noticed a fence in the distance and a small house next to a large barn.

"At least it's a place where humans live. Looks like we can get through this temporal distortion safely." He felt a bit relieved and started walking toward the small house. First, he needed to determine their location and time.

Grookey enjoyed the scent of the grass. In fact, it loved the smell of all plants.

"Is anyone here?"

Summer knocked on the wooden door of the small house. Soon, a crisp male voice came from behind the door.

"Coming!"

The wooden door quickly opened, and a tall, thin young man wearing a green beret appeared in front of Summer. He wore a bright red scarf and looked like a gardener.

"A traveler? What brings you to my ranch?" the young man asked.

"Actually, I noticed the Skiddo in your ranch look very healthy, so I wanted to ask for your breeding experience." Summer pointed to the Grookey on his shoulder to indicate that he was also a Grass-type trainer.

"Of course, the Skiddo on my ranch are the best in Kalos," the young man smiled proudly.

Kalos—so the temporal distortion brought him to Kalos this time?

"But I haven't seen this Pokémon before. Wait a moment." The young man turned back into the house. "Please come in and rest for a bit. You must have walked a long way."

Knowing that his ranch was far from the city, the young man guessed Summer had spent quite some time getting there.

Summer didn't hesitate and followed him inside. The interior was small but had three large bookshelves filled with books.

The young man approached a bookshelf, took down a book, and flipped through it, occasionally glancing at Grookey.

"Here it is, Grookey, hmm!" His eyes locked onto a line of text, which explained that Grookey's music played with its stick could revitalize plants, making him excited.

"What's up with Grookey?" Summer asked.

"Sorry, I got carried away. Please, take a seat." The young man pulled out a chair for Summer. "I'll make some tea. Since you're from Galar, you probably like both black tea and green tea, right?"

"Yes, that's fine."

The young man went to a small cupboard filled with various jars. He took one, opened it, and a rich tea fragrance filled the room.

He expertly boiled water, then sat on the bed waiting for the kettle to boil.

"By the way, I haven't asked your name yet. I'm Ramos." He looked at Summer, who seemed to be about his age.

"My name is Summer."

So this young man was Ramos, who would become the future Grass-type Gym Leader. It seemed his love for tea and vast knowledge had already taken root in his youth.

"Earlier, you asked about breeding Skiddo. It's quite simple, really. It's all thanks to these books," Ramos pointed to one of the bookshelves. "These are about Grass-type Pokémon, those are about plants, and the last one is all about tea."

"The grass in my ranch is carefully planted and arranged to benefit their healthy growth. That's one key factor. Their food is very important."

"Secondly, the living environment. This place is sunny and close to water, perfect for their habitat. I even built slopes and elevations to mimic their mountain habitat to keep them active."

"I see, that's the power of knowledge."

Ramos smiled, "Exactly. As I mentioned, the last bookshelf is all about tea. Tea is my hobby."

"I can tell. Tea is indeed wonderful."

"Yes, tea is wonderful!" Ramos exclaimed excitedly. "I've been trying to grow tea plants here, but the climate isn't suitable, so I keep failing."

The kettle began to whistle. Ramos took it off the fire but didn't start making tea right away.

"Back to the topic, Grookey's music can indeed rejuvenate plants, right?" Ramos asked expectantly.

"Are you hoping to revive your tea plants with its music?"

"You guessed it. Yes, if possible, I'd like to ask for your help. Of course, I won't ask you to do it for free. If there's anything you need, just let me know."

"Your information is correct," Summer said, then added, "But it won't be enough on its own to save the tea plants."

"That's a pity."

"But I didn't say I couldn't do it."

"What do you mean?" Ramos stood up suddenly.

"Take me to see the tea plants," Summer smiled.

The tea plants were behind the small house, fenced off and carefully tended to with various tools around. Ramos had obviously taken great care of them, but the plants looked lifeless.

Summer approached them slowly, extending his hand. He mentally activated his ability to optimize. A faint green light enveloped the tea plants, and Ramos watched in astonishment as the previously lifeless plants began to sprout green leaves—something he had only seen in his dreams.

"That should do it."

"Not just 'do it,' they're even healthier than in their native environment!" Ramos exclaimed with genuine admiration.

"By the way, Ramos, I haven't tasted your tea yet. Grookey would like to try some too, right?"

"Grookey~"

"Of course, as much as you want. The water temperature is perfect now!"

Ramos smiled as he personally brewed the tea for Summer and Grookey. The warm water released a fragrant aroma from the tea leaves.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask as well," Summer said while waiting for the tea to cool.

"As long as it's within my ability, I'll do it!"

"I'd like you to teach Grookey Grassy Terrain. What do you think?"

To unlock Grookey's full potential, learning Grassy Terrain was essential. Summer thought Ramos might be able to help, given his future as a Grass-type Gym Leader.

"Consider it done."

(End of chapter)