"Gaa-oh!"
In the clearing outside the wooden cabin, Ogerpon swung its thorned club with force. Ever since it had eaten Gideon's special sour dish yesterday, its fatigue had completely disappeared, leaving it full of energy.
To burn off its excess stamina, Ogerpon had been practicing its club-swinging techniques since the morning. Up until now, its only attack method had been smashing.
While this technique was certainly powerful, it had a major flaw—it was too easy to predict. If Ogerpon could master additional attack styles, it would be far more effective in battle.
Rillaboom, who had mastered Wood Hammer, took on the role of instructor, teaching Ogerpon different staff combat techniques.
Swing, chop, lift, thrust—Rillaboom categorized them into four main attack types. Ogerpon was already familiar with chopping (or smashing), so there was no need to teach that.
The other three techniques were:
Swing – sweeping the club in a horizontal motion
Lift – striking upwards from below
Thrust – stabbing forward using the tip of the club
These new techniques were easy enough to learn, but the real key was combining them—launching continuous attacks and striking the moment the opponent revealed an opening. That was the skill Ogerpon needed to develop.
Right now, it was still in the familiarization phase, but—as expected of Ogerpon—its natural talent had already allowed it to execute the moves with precision.
Watching from the side, Summer turned to Rillaboom.
"Rillaboom, don't you need to burn off some excess stamina too?"
Rillaboom simply pointed to the surrounding terrain.
Through its Grassy Surge ability, it was continuously spreading life energy into the area, helping it gradually expend stamina.
"I see… But Rillaboom, I think Ogerpon's attack methods could be expanded even further."
Rillaboom looked confused. How? Ogerpon's club couldn't change shape, could it?
"You remember Ogerpon's fundamental ability, right? The power granted by the Teal Mask—it can revitalize dead plants."
"That means Ogerpon can actually create more clubs."
"If we count throwing attacks, wouldn't that give it even more options?"
Rillaboom's eyes lit up in realization. That was true.
In that case… could Ogerpon wield two thorned clubs at once, like it did with masks?
Just imagining it was terrifying.
Ogerpon's strength was already monstrous—getting hit by a single club was bad enough. Taking a direct blow from two would be devastating.
As Rillaboom pondered this, it suddenly noticed Summer glancing at it.
It raised an eyebrow. "Boom?"
"Rillaboom," Summer asked with a grin, "have you ever thought about using Ogerpon's thorned club yourself?"
That question caught Rillaboom off guard.
Ever since evolving, its physical strength had skyrocketed. With the unique environment of Sunset Forest and constant training, it had built up immense confidence in its raw power.
Its original drumsticks no longer felt as powerful as they once did.
If it used Ogerpon's thorned club instead of its usual Wood Hammer, its attack power could easily double.
Summer could tell it was tempted.
"I see you think it's possible too. But the key issue is Ogerpon's energy. Once it lets go of a club, the green glow fades quickly."
He glanced at the bookshelf inside the cabin, where one of Ogerpon's clubs was resting. Compared to the one it was currently wielding, this one looked far more fragile.
Ogerpon, overhearing the conversation, immediately rushed over, wiping sweat from its forehead.
Its curious eyes sparkled, and a faint sweet scent drifted from its body, likely from exercising so much.
"Ponyo?" (Huh? You're talking about me?)
"Yeah, Ogerpon. I have a question. Does creating these clubs use up a lot of your energy?"
"Pon? Gaa-oh!"
Rather than answering, Ogerpon demonstrated it directly.
Within moments, four or five more thorned clubs had appeared at its feet.
Not difficult at all! Ponyo~!
Summer chuckled and patted Ogerpon's head.
"I see. Then can you tell me why the green glow disappears so quickly after you let go of them?"
Ogerpon proudly raised its current club.
The reason was simple.
Without a continuous supply of life energy, the club weakened.
The reason it didn't swap weapons often was because maintaining a single club allowed it to absorb more energy over time, increasing its durability.
Even when switching masks, it needed to channel mask energy into the club—but life energy was always required.
"So the key is life energy… In that case, Rillaboom, you should try wielding one. You're great at controlling life energy, after all."
Rillaboom nodded.
It picked up two sturdy-looking clubs and channeled life energy into them.
Under Ogerpon's astonished gaze, the vines wrapped around the clubs began glowing green again.
Rillaboom tested their weight, then leapt back.
With a powerful thrust, its left hand stabbed forward, creating a shockwave.
Then, with its right, it swept horizontally, cutting through the air.
A familiar feeling washed over Rillaboom.
It felt like the old days, back when it was still Grookey, training Wood Hammer alongside Summer.
Smiling, Rillaboom continued practicing—experimenting with different attack combinations.
Ogerpon, watching closely, memorized every move.
Dual-wielding clubs looked so cool.
It had to try it too!
But just as Rillaboom was fully immersed in its training, there was a sharp crack.
The two clubs snapped in half.
Rillaboom frowned.
Ogerpon was just as confused.
That shouldn't have happened. With life energy, the clubs shouldn't break so easily—especially since Rillaboom hadn't even used full strength.
To test the durability, Ogerpon swung its own club at full power.
Nothing.
It was still completely intact.
Summer smiled knowingly.
"The difference between you two… must be Tera energy."
Ogerpon could Terastallize on its own.
It was possible that when it infused life energy into the clubs, it also unintentionally mixed in Tera energy, making them stronger than normal weapons.
"In that case, let's try something new."
Summer stepped into the cabin and retrieved a black orb.
Returning outside, he held it up.
"Rillaboom, let's test it out—try Terastallizing."
Rillaboom nodded.
Summer activated the Tera Orb, releasing a powerful surge of Tera energy.
The glow enveloped Rillaboom, and a green crystal crown formed on its head.
Feeling its newfound Tera power, Rillaboom grabbed another thorned club.
This time, as it channeled life energy, the club didn't break.
In fact, it shone even brighter than before.
Ogerpon's eyes sparkled.
From now on, it and Rillaboom would be the ultimate club-wielding duo!
Anyone who dared to harm Summer, threaten the forest, or hurt other Pokémon would have to face their four clubs of justice!
Ogerpon and Rillaboom—The Thorned Club Siblings!
(End of Chapter)