Chapter 225: Reunion with the Siblings

At the foot of a secluded hillside, Okidogi activated the power of its Toxic Chains, while Hatterene extended a claw, trying to sense any similar energy or aura.

After about ten minutes, Summer softly asked, "Well? Any results, Hatterene?"

Hatterene shook its head. It was strange—traces of similar energy were scattered all over Kitakami, as if deliberately set up to mislead Pokémon with sensory abilities. But one thing was certain—none of these traces belonged to Pecharunt.

"I see…" Summer nodded as he processed Hatterene's findings. "I don't think it's just meant to mislead us—it's probably controlling spies throughout Kitakami. That thing… might be way more cowardly than I thought."

Summer had suspected as much—Pecharunt hadn't even dared to show itself when it was manipulating the Loyal Three. It clearly feared being discovered.

"Bonnī oh!!"

Hearing Summer's deduction, Ogerpon furrowed its brows, clearly furious. What a coward! If you've got the guts, face me head-on! I'll smash you into dust!

"Oi, Summer! Long time no see!"

"Good afternoon, Summer… and, hmm, Ogerpon."

A familiar pair approached—Carmine and Kieran, following the location Summer had given them. One wore a curious expression, while the other looked delighted.

"Oh, Okidogi is here too," Carmine noted, then narrowed her eyes. "Something feels different about you… Have you been making up for your mistakes properly?" she teased before suddenly gasping in excitement.

"Wait, is that Hatterene?! Ohhh, so elegant, so refined—just like me! I've always wanted to catch one, but even Hattrem run away the moment they see me!"

"…Because you're always so loud, sis. Whether it's Hattrem or Hatterene, they both like quiet places."

"Tch! Kieran, shut up!" Carmine clenched her fists, shooting a deadly glare at him.

"Weren't you wondering why Summer called us here in the first place?" Kieran quickly changed the subject.

"Oh, yeah! But I'm guessing it's just a casual meetup, right? Such perfect timing and all~" Carmine turned to Ogerpon, rubbing its mask with a grin. "You missed me, didn't you? Huh? Feels like your skin's even smoother~"

Kieran pouted. "No fair, sis!"

Summer chuckled at their antics. "Glad to see you two in high spirits. Catching up is one reason, but more importantly… you two haven't eaten anything from Kitakami yet, right?"

Kieran blinked in confusion. "No, we came straight here after getting your message. But why?"

"…Wait, Summer, did you bring some delicious snacks from Paldea?" Carmine smirked, half-joking.

"No." Summer's expression turned serious. "Kitakami's food might be contaminated with poison."

"…Poison?!"

The siblings' eyes widened in shock.

"Yes. A toxin that can control both Pokémon and humans."

Kieran's face paled. "Then… Grandpa and Grandma… they're in danger?!"

"Relax." Summer raised a hand to calm them. "I returned to Kitakami earlier than you two—I already warned your grandfather about the food. From the way he reacted, I don't think he's been affected."

Carmine exhaled in relief. "Phew… okay, that's good. But… Summer, who is behind this? Who's poisoning the food?"

"Its name is Pecharunt—the same Pokémon that created the Toxic Chains binding the Loyal Three. It is the true mastermind behind the Masked Pokémon incident… and it's hiding somewhere in Mossui Town."

Both Carmine and Kieran were stunned.

"Wait—what?! The real culprit was hiding right in our town this whole time?!"

Kieran swallowed hard. "But, Summer… shouldn't we tell the administrator? If something this dangerous is here, even he wouldn't ignore it, right?"

Summer shook his head. "I thought about that. But if we alert him, Pecharunt might flee before we find it."

"…And now that Blueberry Academy's students are here, it might feel safe enough to finally reveal itself."

Kieran's brows furrowed. "Wait, Summer… are you saying you're using the Blueberry students as bait? You're gonna let them get controlled?! Won't that… leave some kind of side effects?"

Carmine scoffed. "Hah! Letting those stuck-up brats suffer a little would do them some good—oh, wait, I should go warn Amarys! She's out searching for Steel-type Pokémon in Paradise Barrens."

Summer shook his head. "No need to worry about aftereffects. I have a cure for the toxin."

"You do?!" Kieran looked at him in awe.

Summer nodded. "I have Tapu Fini's mist scales. They should be more than enough to purify Pecharunt's poison."

"Whoa, Summer, you really think of everything!" Kieran grinned, looking impressed. "But, um… if you already have a solution, then… why call us?"

"You idiot!" Carmine smacked Kieran's head. "We're friends! Of course we help each other! Besides, Summer must need our strength!"

Summer nodded. "Carmine's right. If all twenty-eight of the Blueberry students fall under Pecharunt's control… we'll need help. Since you two understand them better than I do, having you around will make things go a lot smoother."

Kieran scratched the back of his head, smiling. "Hehe… If we can help, then I'm happy to do it."

"Alright then," Summer said. "If you see anything suspicious, contact me immediately. Oh, and one last thing—stay away from Mochi. If you see any purple-colored mochi, do NOT eat it."

"Ah, mochi…"

Carmine and Kieran sighed in unison, pinching the bridges of their noses.

"We already weren't planning on eating it."

"…Yeah, we've had enough of Grandma's mochi for a lifetime."

Summer chuckled. "Then I won't worry about you two." He then glanced at Hatterene. "For now, I'll have Hatterene continue tracking Pecharunt's energy. Otherwise, I'll just roam around and lower its guard."

Carmine cracked her knuckles. "I'll act normal and keep an eye on those Blueberry kids. Our dorms are literally our own houses, so it's not like they'd suspect us."

"Right." Kieran nodded. Then, his expression grew serious. "You too, Summer… be careful. And you too, Ogerpon."

"Bonnī oh!!"

Ogerpon lifted its thorny club. Don't worry! The one who should be careful is Pecharunt!!

Two days later.

A thick layer of dark clouds stretched across the night sky, casting a gloomy atmosphere over Kitakami.

The students from Blueberry Academy had all gathered in front of the Civic Center, waiting for the administrator to announce their next activity.

"Haha! What a perfect night—"

"Baldy, what exactly is so 'perfect' about this weather? The sky's totally cloudy, and if this is another boring lecture, I'm going back to my room." The short-haired girl complained.

The administrator let out an awkward chuckle and cleared his throat. "Ahem! Well, since we're all here, I've prepared something special—a treat from Kitakami! Mochi!"

"…Wait, food?!" Crispin's eyes lit up.

"That's right—delicious, nutritious mochi!" The administrator grinned and clapped his hands.

Several elderly women stepped forward, placing trays of purple-colored mochi onto the tables.

"Tch, I thought this was gonna be something dumb… But huh? It actually smells pretty good… Oh, wow, this is delicious." The short-haired girl muttered, stuffing her face.

One by one, almost every student gave in to temptation, devouring the mochi without hesitation.

Only Amarys hesitated, adjusting her glasses in concern.

Carmine might have been right…

"Amarys, say 'ahhh'~"

"Ahh—"

She instinctively opened her mouth.

Wait… why are Lacey's eyes… glowing purple?

Why does this mochi taste… like peaches…?

Then, her mind went blank.

(End of Chapter)