"Hehe, so this is Sunset Forest? Looks like a pretty ordinary forest to me, don't you think, Nessa?"
Wearing a snow-white knitted hat and a matching white sweater, Melony smiled warmly. Despite being an Ice-type Gym Leader, she radiated an unexpectedly bright and cheerful energy.
Perhaps it was due to her Spartan training methods, or maybe it was simply the maternal aura that naturally came with being the mother of five children.
"Sigh… Melony, can you not call me Nessa? We're both Gym Leaders—give me some dignity here," Nessa groaned, looking somewhat exasperated.
Melony covered her mouth, chuckling. "Oh, my bad~ I just can't help but use affectionate nicknames for younger folks."
"…Fine, whatever."
Nessa glanced around the forest. "Sunset Forest might look ordinary, but there's actually a unique and mysterious lake here. Though…"
Her face suddenly twisted into an uncomfortable grimace.
This forest also had a certain creepy, ghostly place she'd rather not remember.
But Misty Lake was undeniably special.
After her previous battle against Summer's Milotic, she'd noticed her Drednaw's Water-type moves had improved dramatically!
That's why, before the upcoming tournament, she wanted to return for some special training, pushing her limits to achieve an even higher ranking—proving that she could excel in both Gym Battles and modeling.
Melony and Nessa had become friends through their Pokémon.
After all, Lapras was both an Ice-type and a Water-type, making Nessa the perfect training partner for Melony. Over time, the two grew close.
Even now, Nessa couldn't help but wonder—how the hell did Melony, a woman in her 40s with five kids, keep her skin so flawless?
As a model, this was a serious concern for Nessa.
The reason Melony tagged along was simple.
As an elite coach, she was always on the lookout for ideal training grounds.
And since Nessa made this place sound so fascinating, there was no way she'd miss out.
"But, Melony… Aren't you hot wearing a sweater in this weather?"
Nessa herself was dressed far more lightly to combat the heat.
"Hehe, don't worry~ This is part of my training."
"…No wonder so few apprentices can handle you," Nessa sighed. "Alright, I'll call the ranger in charge of this forest. We are guests, after all."
She pulled out her phone and dialed Summer's number.
Honestly, the last thing she wanted was to get lost and accidentally end up in that creepy part of the forest again.
"Summer, it's me, Nessa. Got a minute?"
Back at his cabin, Summer listened to Nessa's request.
Another guest?
First Gordie, and now Nessa?
And she'd brought a friend, too?
But training at Misty Lake right now?
That might be a problem.
It's still pouring rain there.
And Summer highly doubted Milotic would bother using Aqua Ring to keep them dry—not during her nap time.
"Uh… Nessa, just so you know, it's currently storming at Misty Lake."
"Wait, seriously? But it's clear skies here…"
"…Well, I don't mind the rain. My outfit's waterproof!" she declared proudly.
"…But what about your friend? Is her outfit waterproof?"
"Ah…"
Nessa turned to Melony, who was still smiling.
If she walks into a storm wearing a sweater… Is that even streamable?!
"Gimme a sec. I'll ask."
A moment later, Nessa returned to the call.
"She said she's fine just exploring on her own."
"Got it. Stay where you are—I'll come get you."
After hanging up, Summer exhaled.
Nessa's friend should be fine… right?
Then he saw who was standing next to her.
And froze.
Wait.
Nessa's 'friend'… is GORDIE'S MOM?!
And those two don't even get along!
"This is Melony, the Circhester Gym Leader," Nessa introduced.
In Galar, Gym Leaders were basically celebrities.
They had dedicated fanbases, sometimes even official fan clubs.
Unlike a certain other Gym, where the locals didn't even know who their Gym Leader was…
That's why Nessa assumed Summer should recognize Melony—just like he had with her.
Even if that memory still made her cringe.
(Ugh, I even called myself 'Nessa' in third person back then… So embarrassing…)
"Hi there, young ranger! I'm Melony, an Ice-type specialist!"
She greeted him with cheerful enthusiasm.
Summer blinked.
"…Nice to meet you. I'm Summer."
He quickly recomposed himself.
"…I'll take Nessa to Misty Lake first. Melony, you're just planning to look around, right?"
"Yep~! I'd love to explore this forest's ecosystem."
Melony clapped her hands together, beaming.
"Ahaha~ But you know, I'm sensing a very familiar chill in the air…"
"…Wait, you don't mean—"
Nessa's eyes narrowed.
"There's an actual snowy area here?!"
"…Yeah."
Summer admitted it flat-out.
If Melony was this sharp, she'd find it anyway.
Might as well just be honest.
"…ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
Nessa facepalmed.
At this point, nothing in this forest should surprise me anymore.
"Hehe~ I knew it!"
Melony smiled sweetly.
"Summer, would you be a dear and take me there later?"
Her voice was so polite and gentle that Summer had no way to refuse.
"…Alright."
Though, just in case—
He sent a quick text to Gordie.
[Text Message to Gordie]
SUMMER:
"Your mom is here."
Meanwhile, in the Snowy Forest, Gordie was in full training mode.
His Coalossal burned with intense heat, its coal-red eyes glowing as it gathered energy.
"Alright, Coalossal! Make it stylish!"
"Let's end this with a Meteor Beam!"
Gordie adjusted his sunglasses, striking a dramatic pose.
Those sunglasses weren't just for style.
Meteor Beam and Overheat were blindingly bright—he had to protect his eyes.
His fans depended on these eyes, after all!
Coalossal roared.
The condensed cosmic energy surged forward like a falling star, blasting Galarian Darmanitan straight into the sky.
His phone buzzed.
Pulling it out, he read the message.
And froze.
"…Wait.
WHAT.
SHE'S HERE?!"
HOW DID SHE FIND ME?!