Sensing a change in the Pokémon egg, the incubation machine's glass cover automatically lowered, allowing the newborn to gradually adjust to its surroundings.
"Bo-ni-oh!"
Ogerpon clung to the edge of the table, eyes wide with anticipation, refusing to blink for even a second. It could not afford to miss this moment.
"Boom."
Rillaboom stepped up beside Summer, equally expectant. As a Pokémon that valued its tribe, it had a deep respect for the birth of new life. In its own clan, it was tradition to bless newborns with a performance.
However, considering this little one wasn't a Grass-type, Rillaboom decided against using its drum. It didn't want to risk scaring the hatchling right away.
Suddenly, the egg inside the incubator trembled violently.
Starting from the initial crack on its surface, more fractures began spreading outward in a rhythmic pattern.
"Judging by its energy, this one might be a lively Pokémon," Summer murmured.
The trembling intensified. A dazzling white light burst forth, engulfing the egg. The cracks expanded rapidly, webbing across the entire shell—
CRACK!
The egg shattered completely.
As the light faded, the newborn emerged, shaking off the fragments of its former shell.
A crisp, metallic chime echoed through the air.
"Ryin!"
Summer's gaze softened as he recognized the Pokémon. He chuckled.
"A Jangmo-o, huh? Welcome to the world."
Jangmo-o was a tiny dragon-like Pokémon, its body primarily grayish-white with darker limbs and gleaming golden claws. But its most distinctive feature was the heart-shaped scale on its forehead—the very symbol of its name.
The metallic clinking came from the teardrop-shaped scales adorning its back and tail.
Though it had just been born, Jangmo-o's eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.
True to its kind, it was born a warrior.
From the moment of hatching, Jangmo-o embarked on a lifelong journey of training, undergoing harsh trials to forge itself into a true fighter.
And Summer couldn't be happier.
Training? Toughening up?
Perfect.
Because if there was one thing Sunset Forest wasn't lacking, it was coaches.
Rillaboom could teach it combat techniques and rhythm control. Milotic could train its resolve and help it master Dragon's Presence. Hatterene could teach it how to face overwhelming odds.
Every Pokémon here had their own unique strengths, each capable of offering a different kind of battle experience.
For Jangmo-o, nothing was more crucial than combat.
This was the path engraved in its very bloodline.
"Bo-ni-oh~!"
Ogerpon's starry eyes sparkled.
"Aaah! The heart-shaped scale is adorable!"
Rillaboom, meanwhile, nodded approvingly.
It had a good rhythm in its movements. This little one might just have a natural talent for battle sounds.
Summer took out a Poké Ball, his tone gentle.
"Welcome to the family, Jangmo-o. From now on, you're part of Sunset Forest."
But as the Poké Ball approached—
Jangmo-o turned its head away, sulking.
Too soft.
These guys were way too kind.
There wasn't a single warrior among them!
"Bo!"
Ogerpon gasped dramatically, covering its mouth.
Its baby brother was already in its rebellious phase?!
"I think I get it now," Summer mused. "You believe kindness is for the weak. You want to see real strength before accepting us, right?"
Jangmo-o narrowed its eyes but didn't deny it.
"Then follow me."
Summer placed the Poké Ball aside and walked toward the door.
Rillaboom and Ogerpon exchanged glances before following.
"Come on, Jangmo-o. This table's height isn't a challenge for a warrior, right?"
Jangmo-o hesitated, then gritted its teeth.
With a determined glare, it leaped—
THUD!
…And face-planted into the floor.
Ogerpon gasped. Oh no, it fell!
Jangmo-o winced but quickly shook its head, blinking away the tears forming at the corners of its eyes.
Then—without so much as a whimper—it stood back up and ran forward.
"Hmm. Not bad," Summer praised.
Pokémon had to be trained according to their nature.
If this were a Dratini or Goomy—fragile and timid species—Summer would have never taken this approach. He would've nurtured them with patience and gentleness until they gained confidence.
But Jangmo-o?
Jangmo-o thrived in hardship.
Outside, Ogerpon put on its Stone Mask, standing at attention.
The strongest display of presence would've come from its Hearthflame Mask, but considering their location, the Stone Mask was a safer option.
"Bramble Slam!"
"Gao!"
Ogerpon raised its thorny club high into the air, let out a fierce cry, and slammed it down on the training dummy—
BOOM!
The wooden target shattered into pieces.
"Ryin!"
Jangmo-o's crimson eyes shimmered with awe.
It had severely underestimated Ogerpon.
It ran a quick mental calculation…
Could I withstand that attack?
…Nope. Not even close.
Ogerpon folded its arms and puffed up its chest proudly, looking down at Jangmo-o like a smug older sibling.
"See? I AM strong!"
Summer chuckled.
"Not done yet. Rillaboom, you're up."
"Boom."
Rillaboom set its drum on the ground, twirling its drumsticks as it locked into rhythm.
"Boomburst."
"BOOM!"
A deafening, earth-shaking shockwave erupted from the drum—
The sheer force obliterated every remaining target in front of it.
Splinters of wood shot into the air before being pulverized by a second wave of sound.
"Ryin!"
Jangmo-o shuddered.
This was it.
The rhythm of war.
Jangmo-o's kind communicated by clashing their scales together, using sound to express emotions and exchange battle techniques.
And right now—
The rage in Rillaboom's Boomburst… the power in its drumbeats… the unstoppable force behind its battle cry—
Jangmo-o felt its soul tremble.
It was like listening to an ancient war hymn.
"Well?" Summer crouched down, watching it carefully. "Have you changed your mind?"
"Ryin!"
Jangmo-o nodded furiously, its scales rattling like wind chimes.
Truthfully, it had already changed its mind the moment it stood back up after falling.
But Ogerpon and Rillaboom's strength had only reinforced its decision.
"Alright, then."
Summer pressed the Poké Ball to the heart-shaped scale on its forehead.
Jangmo-o's small body glowed as it was absorbed into the ball—
Ding!
A faint vibration confirmed the capture.
Smiling, Summer released Jangmo-o once more.
"Come on, let's go meet the rest of your mentors."
Jangmo-o's eyes widened in excitement.
For as long as it could remember, its kind had always sought out strong warriors as companions.
Ancient warriors had once trained alongside them, forging unbreakable bonds.
Some historical records even suggested that those same warriors had fashioned their armor from Jangmo-o's shed scales—whether out of admiration or practicality remained a mystery.
But none of that mattered now.
Because here, in Sunset Forest…
Jangmo-o would finally experience the true path of a warrior.
Perhaps even beyond what it had ever imagined.
And to find out?
It would have to fight for it.