Pokemon: Gym Leader

"Ogerpon… let's leave it for now and come back later."

Dylan's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Pecharunt, then he smiled faintly and walked away. There was no need to rush.

For outsiders, Kitakami held a certain novelty, with customs entirely different from other regions.

"There seem to be a lot of these mask stalls around," Lillie remarked curiously, picking up a yellow mask from a stall displaying various designs.

"That's because Kitakami's oldest tradition is the 'Festival of Masks.' It's a celebration where everyone, adults and children alike, can join in and have a great time," Dylan explained warmly, examining a black mask from the stall.

"You must be visitors, right? You seem to know a lot about our customs," the middle-aged stall owner said, surprised by Dylan's knowledge.

"I've always been interested in the traditions of different regions, so I know a thing or two," Dylan replied with a polite smile.

"Haha! You're absolutely right. The 'Festival of Masks' has been passed down in Kitakami for generations. During the festival, both locals and visitors can wear masks and enjoy themselves," the man explained.

"But there's more to it than that. Masks hold a unique significance for the people of Kitakami. Our region has been renowned for its exquisitely crafted masks for centuries, and their fame even reached overseas long ago."

The stall owner's voice brimmed with pride.

Dylan raised an eyebrow, a faint, sarcastic smile tugging at his lips.

"So, would you like to buy three masks? The Festival of Masks is coming up soon, and you can join in wearing them. My masks are some of the best around here," the man suggested, noticing Ilene and Lillie's interest.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Dylan purchased three masks, and the trio continued their exploration.

"Brother, your expression just now seemed a bit off. Was there something wrong with what that man said?" Lillie asked curiously, tilting her head as the white mask hung loosely on her head.

She had noticed Dylan's subtle reaction when the man claimed Kitakami's masks had been famous overseas for centuries. Having spent so much time together, Lillie's attentiveness allowed her to pick up on these details.

"It wasn't wrong, per se. It just reminded me of a rather amusing story," Dylan chuckled softly.

"Tell us, Dylan!" Ilene urged, intrigued.

"This story is a bit long. Let me think about where to begin," Dylan said, tapping the black mask in his hand as he organized his thoughts.

"Long ago, in a distant village, there lived an elderly couple who had no children. They took in a timid Pokémon, Pecharunt, and loved it as their own child," Dylan began.

Pecharunt?

Ilene and Lillie exchanged puzzled glances. They had never heard of this Pokémon before.

"To gain even more affection, Pecharunt used the poison on its body to create delicious, sticky Chain Mochi, which it offered to the elderly couple. The couple couldn't resist the taste and quickly became enthralled by Pecharunt," Dylan continued.

What?!

Lillie's wide-eyed shock made her expression adorably animated.

"But the Chain Mochi had a side effect—it amplified the desires of those who ate it. The couple became insatiably greedy, demanding more and more from Pecharunt," Dylan explained.

"Pecharunt, eager for their love, complied with their every request. It even commanded the Pokémon Okidogi to fetch luxurious clothes and mythical peaches for the couple. As their desires were fulfilled, their love for Pecharunt only deepened," Dylan recounted slowly.

"This is so twisted! Both Pecharunt and the elderly couple are completely out of line!" Lillie exclaimed.

"Exactly. A relationship built on unchecked desires is doomed to collapse," Dylan agreed.

"One day, the couple heard rumors about exquisitely beautiful masks said to exist in Kitakami. They demanded Pecharunt bring them these masks. Pecharunt, eager to please, set off for Kitakami."

"To travel, it needed companions. Pecharunt brought Okidogi, enchanted by the Chain Mochi, along for the journey. Along the way, it also recruited two other Pokémon: Munkidori, said to foresee glimpses of the future, and Fezandipiti, whose pheromones could entrance others."

Finally, the masks! Ilene and Lillie leaned in, captivated, as the story reached its most intriguing part.

"Meanwhile, before Pecharunt's arrival, a man from a foreign land came to Kitakami with a peculiar Pokémon, Ogerpon. Because their appearances and customs differed greatly, the locals shunned them."

"A kind mask craftsman, moved by their plight, carved four masks for them and decorated them with crystal fragments to hide their faces."

"With the masks, the man and Ogerpon were finally accepted by the villagers. Their beautiful, intricate masks soon became famous, even overseas."

So, those were the masks the elderly couple wanted!

Ilene and Lillie realized what was coming. Pecharunt must have come to steal these masks.

"During the Festival of Masks, Pecharunt spotted the man wearing the Verdant Mask and Ogerpon with the Teal Mask. Confirming the rumors, it began planning to take them."

"On a full moon night, Okidogi and Fezandipiti sneaked into the caves to steal the masks. However, the man returned and confronted them. Okidogi and Fezandipiti had no choice but to fight him, leaving the man injured and sprawled on the ground."

"They fled with three masks, leaving behind the Teal Mask the man had desperately protected."

This is awful!

Lillie bit her lip in frustration. It was heartbreaking to see someone's happiness destroyed by greed.

"The story's climax is yet to come," Dylan smiled faintly.

"Pecharunt was overjoyed with the masks, certain the couple would adore it even more. But an enraged Ogerpon, wearing the Teal Mask, stormed into their midst."

"In its fury, Ogerpon defeated Okidogi, Fezandipiti, and Munkidori one by one. Without their protection, Pecharunt was gravely injured and rolled into obscurity. Grieving, Ogerpon returned to the caves alone."

Hearing this, Lillie let out a relieved sigh. At least Ogerpon and the man hadn't lost everything.

"Ogerpon is incredible!" Lillie exclaimed in admiration.

"But the fight had attracted the attention of many villagers. Unaware of the truth, they only saw Ogerpon's furious, fearsome form and were terrified," Dylan said, shaking his head.

"They mistakenly believed Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti had protected them from a demon. Thus, they honored them as heroes and gave them a grand burial."

What?!

Lillie gasped, her expression a mix of shock and indignation.

Upon hearing this, Ilene and Lillie were both stunned.

"They treated the robbers as heroes? And even gave them a grand burial?"

Ilene was shocked. How could there be such ignorant people?! The truly innocent ones were the man and Ogerpon all along.

"There's more," Dylan continued, "Not only did they give them a grand burial, but they even erected statues of them."

Suddenly, a helpless female voice reached the three of them.

Dylan turned around, and three figures came into view, one of whom looked quite familiar.

"Dylan, it really is you!"

A girl in a pink long coat, Lacey, brightened upon seeing him and quickly ran over, full of excitement.

"Miss Lacey, what are you doing here?" Dylan was also surprised to see Lacey.

"Well, Carmine and Kieran were going back home to visit their family, so I came with them to visit Kitakami," Lacey explained.

"Lillie, it's been a while~"

Lacey flashed a sweet smile and waved at Lillie.

"Miss Lacey, it's been so long~"

Though it hadn't been that long—barely a month.

Lillie looked at Lacey curiously, but it felt like a lot of time had passed since their last trip to Unova.

"I heard from my father that before you left Unova, Dylan captured the leader of Team Plasma! Truly, Dylan, you're so amazing!"

Lacey was bubbling with excitement, her big beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration, looking like a total fangirl.

Behind Lacey, her friends Carmine and Kieran exchanged somewhat awkward glances.

In Blueberry Academy, Lacey was usually quite serious, and she was one of the Elite Four of the academy's league. The students all respected her.

But...

Kieran cast a sideways glance at Dylan, his eyes full of curiosity, yet there was a hint of timidity.

"It was just a small favor, and Team Plasma came looking for me themselves," Dylan smiled humbly.

"By the way, are these your juniors?"

Seeing Lacey's excitement about their reunion and forgetting about Carmine and Kieran, Dylan asked her.

"Oh~ Sorry, I completely forgot about Carmine and Kieran!"

Lacey turned back with a surprised expression, apologizing.

"It's alright, Miss Lacey. Who's this?" Carmine asked, looking at Dylan curiously.

She could probably understand Lacey's excitement. Based on the way Lacey was acting, it was clear that this handsome man was likely Lacey's idol.

"This is Mr. Dylan, the Gym Leader of Rota Town in the Kanto Region. He's an extremely~ extremely strong and excellent Gym Leader. He's my idol!"

Lacey grinned brightly, introducing him with a glowing expression, showing no hesitation in admitting her admiration for Dylan.

Since that gym battle, she had become a huge fan of his. She even still wore the Rota Badge on her wrist, caring for it lovingly every day.

"Dylan, these are my fellow students, Carmine and Kieran. They're from Kitakami."

"I came here to visit Kitakami with them."

Lacey introduced Carmine and Kieran to Dylan.

"Hello."

Dylan smiled warmly at the two and gave a special glance to the thin, white-clad young man.

Kieran's face was quite handsome, but his peculiar hairstyle—two black bangs crossing down to his nose—seriously hurt his looks.

Dylan raised an eyebrow at the seemingly meek Kieran. This guy didn't seem as harmless as he appeared.

Compared to Carmine, Kieran's talent as a trainer far exceeded that of his sister. After deciding to get stronger in the original story, Kieran's strength began to soar rapidly.

He even became a champion-level trainer!

And…

This was the same guy who captured the legendary Pokémon Terapagos with a Master Ball in Scarlet/Violet!

Well… though things didn't go so well after that. The Master Ball broke when Terapagos went out of control.

(End of Chapter)