Chapter 157: Traitor

After resolving the conflict between Ursaluna and Vespiquen, Summer and Rillaboom took a quick patrol around Sunset Forest before finally returning to the wooden cabin.

"Munkidori!"

As soon as they approached, Summer heard the pained cries of Munkidori. He turned to see Ogerpon, wearing its Cornerstone mask, lifting Munkidori like a vengeful ghost. The thorny club in its hand burned with intense flames.

"Ogerpon?" Summer called out in confusion. As far as he knew, Ogerpon had already forgiven Munkidori. Why were they fighting again so soon, and why was it so furious?

"Bo? Bonio!"

Upon hearing Summer's voice, Ogerpon immediately tossed Munkidori aside and threw itself into Summer's arms, sobbing pitifully. Seeing how miserable it looked, Summer could only gently pat its little head in comfort.

Munkidori clutched its neck, feeling as if it had just barely escaped death. It had only wanted to report something to Summer and had entered the cabin out of curiosity, glancing at the items on the shelves.

It had carefully examined a few objects, only to be caught by the just-awakened Ogerpon. Seeing the empty cabin and Munkidori holding a decoration, it had immediately jumped to conclusions.

If Summer had been a little later, Munkidori feared it might have been turned into a two-dimensional being.

"Sorry, sorry! I saw you sleeping soundly and didn't want to wake you. I had some things to take care of earlier, so I left you alone in the cabin. I'm really sorry, Ogerpon."

After Summer's comforting words, Ogerpon finally calmed down. It removed its mask, and Summer could still see traces of tears in the corners of its eyes.

It seemed that it had overlapped its own experience of being abandoned with Summer's temporary absence. Munkidori's sudden presence had become the trigger, igniting its fury.

Summer then turned to Munkidori. "Are you alright?"

"Munkidori."

Munkidori shook its head. It wasn't a big deal. Besides, it had something much more urgent to report.

"Something urgent?" Summer was puzzled. He had just patrolled Sunset Forest and hadn't noticed anything unusual.

Munkidori's expression turned bitter. Sunset Forest had an insider—a traitor.

Summer was stunned. A traitor in Sunset Forest? That was unacceptable. This called for immediate action.

"Don't worry, Munkidori. Take your time explaining. No matter who's trying to harm Sunset Forest, I won't let them succeed."

Munkidori nodded and began explaining from the beginning. Since it had always lived among the Nuzleaf, it was very familiar with their numbers in the forest.

Recently, their numbers had begun to decrease. The Nuzleaf had noticed this too. As a communal Pokémon species, they would gather and count their members at the end of each day. Their numbers should only increase, never decrease.

Munkidori analyzed the missing Nuzleaf and discovered a common factor: all of them had been assigned to patrol the tropical rainforest area.

That's when it realized something was very wrong. The tropical rainforest was hiding a dangerous entity!

Since Summer had been away, and Munkidori was too prideful to seek help from the stronger Pokémon of Sunset Forest, it had instead teamed up with two companions—Okidogi and Fezandipiti—to investigate.

As soon as they entered the tropical rainforest, they noticed an eerie silence. Not a single Pokémon was in sight.

As they pressed forward, Munkidori finally saw the culprit—an unbelievably beautiful Pokémon. Every Pokémon in the rainforest, including the missing Nuzleaf, knelt at its feet.

It sat upon a throne made of berries, idly toying with a gleaming crystal.

Sensing their arrival, the beautiful Pokémon swept its violet-blue eyes over them and casually waved a hand. Instantly, the kneeling Pokémon sprang to life, launching an attack.

At that moment, Fezandipiti seemed to realize something and tried to warn Munkidori. But before it could finish, Okidogi suddenly struck it with a fierce punch, pinning it to the ground.

Realizing the sudden disadvantage, Munkidori had no choice but to retreat, quickly shouting, Sorry, Fezandipiti! before dashing away.

As it fled, it couldn't help but curse at Okidogi. You thick-browed, honest-looking traitor! I never thought you'd betray us!

Fortunately, their enemies didn't pursue. Munkidori managed to escape, only to return and find all the Nuzleaf missing.

At that point, it dared not act rashly anymore. This was something only Summer could handle. That was why it had waited for Summer's return.

After listening to Munkidori's report, Summer fell into deep thought.

"Beautiful? Voluntary submission? Sudden betrayal? Wait a minute... Could it be—"

"Munkidori, can you describe what it looked like?"

Munkidori nodded and used drawings and gestures to illustrate its main features—pure white, slender, insect-like, and above all, stunningly beautiful!

Everything pointed to one Pokémon.

"No way… Could it be Pheromosa?" Summer's eyes widened in surprise. Then, he turned to Munkidori and explained, "It's not a traitor situation. They weren't betraying us—they were being controlled."

"To put it simply, that thing has an even stronger charm ability than Fezandipiti. You probably resisted it because your mental fortitude is stronger."

Munkidori's eyes widened. That explained everything. The missing Nuzleaf and the other Pokémon in the rainforest had all been brainwashed. The newly missing ones were likely lured in by their already-ensnared companions, falling into the same trap.

This group was ridiculously loyal. If their friends were in trouble, they wouldn't just stand by.

Fezandipiti had been the first to notice because it specialized in similar abilities. As for Okidogi... well, it was probably just too simple-minded and easy to manipulate.

Munkidori had figured things out, but Summer was now the one with a headache. If this really was Pheromosa, then didn't that mean an Ultra Wormhole had opened in the tropical rainforest?

Not only had it replicated Alola's climate, but it had also brought Alola's unique traits with it.

But if such a massive anomaly had occurred, why hadn't Hatterene and Trevenant reacted? And considering the rainforest had the most flowers, shouldn't the Vespiquen have noticed something?

Hmm... judging by Vespiquen's behavior earlier, probably not.

Did Pheromosa stay in the rainforest due to some restriction, or was it drawn to something? Munkidori had mentioned it playing with a gleaming crystal...

Regardless, this Pokémon was incredibly dangerous. It had to be removed from Sunset Forest as soon as possible.

"It's decided. Looks like we need to form an Ultra Beast Extermination Squad. But before we head out, let's make sure we're fully prepared—this is a formidable opponent."

Munkidori gazed at Summer in admiration. As expected of him, we're thinking the same thing.

Ogerpon spun its club in anticipation. A bad guy? Then it's time for an Ogerpon smackdown.

Rillaboom silently made up its mind—anyone who threatened Sunset Forest would not be forgiven.

Meanwhile, in the tropical rainforest, the brainwashed Pokémon searched desperately, digging through the earth if necessary. For their master, Pheromosa, they had to find it—a radiant, energy-filled, prism-like crystal!