In Spikewood Town, old man Gideon sat in his restaurant, as usual, waiting for customers. Ever since that concert, more and more visitors had started coming to town, and he was beginning to feel like his younger self again.
"Oh, welcome—" Gideon started his usual greeting but immediately scowled, waving a hand in irritation. "Why the hell are you here? Get lost! Spikewood Town doesn't welcome twisted old crones!"
"Ohoho, is that any way to treat a guest, Gideon?"
The elderly woman didn't seem offended in the slightest. Instead, she smiled warmly. Same old Gideon—still as ill-tempered as ever.
"Sigh… What do you want to eat?" Gideon gave in with a reluctant sigh.
The old woman before him wore a light lake-blue hat, a thick dark-purple fur collar, and a long pastel-blue dress. A parasol hung from her arm, and her face—though deeply lined with age—radiated an air of mystery that was impossible to pin down.
"Something sweet," she replied.
"Careful, or you'll lose what little teeth you've got left," Gideon huffed and disappeared into the kitchen.
When he returned, he set down a plate of sweets before her. "On the house, Opal. I guarantee the taste."
Opal scanned the plate before raising an eyebrow. "Alcremie's Sweets? Gideon, since when did you develop such a hobby?"
Gideon crossed his arms. "More importantly, how'd you know they were Sweets?"
"Ohoho, I grew up with this scent—how could I not recognize it?" Opal chuckled, then flashed him a sly smile. "Besides, has my Alcremie still not beaten you into submission?"
"Want to settle it right now? You wouldn't turn down a battle, would you, Gym Leader?"
Opal shook her head. "Oh, no, no. Unlike you, I don't have the energy for that." She then reached into her coat and pulled out a photograph. "This young man—you know him, don't you?"
Gideon stiffened when he saw the picture. "Who's old friends with you?! And—no, no, I don't know him. Why would you even think I do?"
Opal smiled knowingly. "You seem quite fond of him, Gideon."
Then, without waiting for an answer, she continued, "Relax. Though I am looking for a successor, it won't be him. He's not suited for a Gym."
That confirmed it—Opal knew about Summer.
Gideon's face darkened. "What do you want with him?"
Opal sipped her tea. "Oh, nothing much. I simply wanted to meet the rising star of the Ranger exams."
Gideon narrowed his eyes. "Ranger exams? Wait—how do you Gym Leaders know about that?"
Opal chuckled. "You do remember our dear League Chairman, don't you? He's always been obsessed with scouting talented Trainers, regardless of their profession or background.
"Any Trainer who stands out in an exam, he shows to us Gym Leaders."
"Let me guess," Gideon scoffed. "So you lot can snatch them up as Gym apprentices and push them into next year's tournament?"
Opal's lips curled into a wry smile. "Why not? 'Unbeatable Legends' are old news. The bigger headline is defeating one, don't you think?"
Gideon clicked his tongue. "Tch. That bastard Rose is bound to—" He stopped mid-sentence and frowned. "Wait. Who was the one in charge of that Ranger exam?"
"Gym Leader Kabu," Opal answered. "And he swept the competition rather beautifully."
"Well, of course he did!" Gideon muttered, looking almost proud.
Opal simply nodded, then stood up to leave.
As she exited the restaurant, Gideon glanced down at the plate—two witch hat-shaped Sweets were missing.
"Tch. That old hag…"
Then, as an afterthought, he mumbled, "Wait a damn minute—why didn't Piers tell me about this?"
A dangerous glint flashed in Gideon's eyes.
Back in his studio, Piers suddenly felt an ominous chill crawl down his spine.
His phone buzzed.
Annoyed, he picked it up, barely sparing it a glance.
"Ugh. League messages? Useless."
With a huff, he tossed the phone aside and went back to composing.
If they keep bothering me, I'm blocking their damn number.
At the cabin, Summer was busy crafting mandarin-shaped candy.
Ogerpon, for some reason, loved mandarin-shaped Sweets, so he had taken it upon himself to make some by hand.
Rillaboom was helping by pounding berries into juice, while Ogerpon cheered from the side, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Summer couldn't help but sigh. She literally looks like a mandarin, yet she loves mandarin-shaped candy… Should I even question this?
Just then, Hatterene's voice echoed in his mind.
"Summer! There's a weird old lady in the Dreamwood! Hurry over!"
A weird old lady?
Why would an elderly person come to Sunset Forest?
Summer set down the mixing bowl and turned toward the kitchen, carefully placing the syrup inside a special ice-box infused with Never-Melt Ice.
"Poni?" Ogerpon tilted her head in confusion.
"Sorry, Ogerpon. Something's happening in the Dreamwood—I'll finish making your candy later. Let's go."
"Ponioh!" Ogerpon's mood instantly flipped. Yes!
More time in the Dreamwood meant—more Alcremie cream!
Now, the real question was: Which flavor should I try today~?
In the Dreamwood, Opal leaned on her parasol, smiling warmly at a triple-flavored Alcremie wearing a witch hat-shaped Sweet.
It was exactly what she considered true pink.
Meanwhile, Hatterene peeked nervously from behind a tree.
She had tried to sense Opal's emotions—only to find they were… dreamlike.
Even more dreamlike than the Dreamwood itself.
That was when she knew something was off.
So she had called Summer.
When Summer finally arrived, he spotted the frail figure standing among the Alcremie.
And in that moment, he realized—it was finally happening.
This would be his first time meeting someone from the distortions of time.
The mischievous young girl from the past… had now become an aged woman.
Such is the power of time.
"Miss Opal," Summer greeted as he stepped forward.
Opal slowly turned to face him.
Seeing his face, the blurry childhood memories in her mind crystalized.
Her eyes softened.
"No need to be so formal, dear." Then, glancing at the Alcremie, she added, "But I must say, this one's evolution is truly praiseworthy… And your Pokémon…"
A nostalgic warmth filled her voice.
"I see your Grookey has evolved into a Rillaboom—very reliable-looking."
"And this one here must be Ogerpon, yes? A charming little thing."
Finally, her gaze shifted toward a certain hidden spot.
"And that Hatterene over there… that's your Pokémon too, isn't it?"
Opal chuckled. "My intuition is rarely wrong. But a playful Hatterene? Now that is rare indeed."
Hatterene hesitated before reluctantly peeking out. Seriously?! My hiding skills can't be that bad… right?!
Rillaboom, however, was shocked.
This woman… She's Opal?
The same Opal we met in Glimwood Tangle?!
Then, Opal took a deep breath and looked Summer straight in the eyes.
Her expression turned solemn.
"Now then… allow me to express my overdue gratitude—eighty years late."
She bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Summer.
Thank you for saving my father.
Thank you for giving my mother a happy life.
Thank you for protecting my dream.
The dream I've held onto all these years."