Just like Flabébé, Floette and Florges have slight differences in appearance depending on the flower they hold.
The White Flower Florges that had just completed its evolution was exactly like that. Its head was crowned with a fully bloomed white flower. The petals layered over one another, soft and delicate, with faint pink and white buds nestled among them, like fine silk. The blossom was pure and flawless, giving off a fresh and immaculate feeling.
Its upper body was simple in structure, but its lower body was anything but simple.
From the waist down it had a humanoid form, slender and graceful, with a distinctly feminine elegance.
Below that extended green stems and leaves, naturally drooping from both sides of its body. They created a vivid contrast against the white flower and also provided support for Florges' form.
Overall, Florges' design was clean yet elegant, exuding the natural bearing of a noble lady.
Yes, compared to Floette, it was far more mature.
"Florges~ Florges!"
As the white light of evolution faded, the newly evolved White Flower Florges appeared before everyone.
There was still a trace of youthful innocence about it. It spun in place, curiously examining itself.
The other four Floette hurried over. In comparison, Florges had grown by far more than just a little.
"Min Min~"
"Cher!"
"Apple~"
The Pokémon immediately surrounded Florges, clustering around it and playfully jostling one another.
Florges then demonstrated its special ability, gently lifting its arms.
A power capable of reviving plants and flowers manifested. A pale pink glow appeared in its palms, and the light seeped into the ground beneath its feet.
Ripples of green light spread outward in circles. The surrounding grass and plants were awakened and began growing anew. Soon after, small, unknown flowers began to bloom one by one.
"Kang!"
"Min!"
The little ones were stunned. The evolved Florges was simply amazing. Their tiny hands clapped nonstop in admiration.
In the middle of autumn, a sudden patch of blooming flowers appeared. Before long, it attracted the Butterfree in the ranch. They fluttered down onto the blossoms to sip nectar, their insect faces displaying blissful smiles.
"All right, all right." Silas laughed and clapped his hands, scooping up the mischievous baby Kangaskhan and Minccino to move them aside, leaving space for the Floette. "The Floette have been waiting anxiously."
With White Flower Florges as an example, the remaining four Floette each touched a Shiny Stone. They were enveloped in the light of evolution and completed their final transformation.
The only differences among the various Florges were the flowers atop their heads and the aura they gave off. Red Flower Florges left a far more passionate first impression, radiating brightness and boldness.
Orange Flower Florges appeared more refined and gentle. Blue Flower Florges felt cool and elegant. Yellow Flower Florges carried the air of an intellectual older sister.
All at once, surrounded by five different Florges, Silas found that even with both hands he could not pat them all.
It took quite some time before he managed to calm them down.
He handed the mischievous baby Kangaskhan, who kept grabbing at things, over to Cyclizar. Then he turned and picked up Jigglypuff in his arms.
The chubby little one felt completely different from Minccino to the touch.
"Now that you've evolved, the greenhouse can no longer meet your needs. I plan to open up a garden for you on the other side of the river. Do you want to be separated individually, or build it together?"
Each Florges had her own preferences, and some of them even conflicted. Silas had to consider everything carefully before planning.
"Florges... Florges!"
The Florges gathered together to discuss. Silas did not disturb them. He lowered his head and kneaded Jigglypuff gently with both hands.
"Little one, tomorrow I'll take you to see a rock singer's concert. Do you want to go?"
Jigglypuff let out a soft "Jiggly?" sound. When it heard the words "rock" and "concert," its tiny eyes immediately lit up.
The little curl of hair on its head swayed as it hugged Silas's arm and acted cute.
"At that time, I might not be able to stay with you to watch the whole show, so you have to behave yourself, all right?"
"Jigglypuff!"
The little Jigglypuff nodded seriously. It was planning to learn and prepare for its own concert in the future.
This electric sound Jigglypuff also hoped to hold a concert of its own someday.
The Florges did not deliberate for long before giving Silas a definite answer.
"You want to manage the garden together, just like before."
"Flor!"
The Florges nodded. That was exactly right. They had never been separated.
Silas stood up, brushed the dust off his pants, and set Jigglypuff down to play. Walking ahead, he said, "Come with me. Let's see if you like this location."
They crossed the small wooden bridge to the other side of the river and headed toward the back hill.
This side was cut off by a winding stream. Across the water, two absent minded Psyduck could be seen staring blankly at maple leaves drifting along the surface.
"Psy?"
Instead of running when they saw them, the Psyduck tilted their heads and looked over, as if wondering what was going on.
The Galarian Meowth following beside Silas leapt across to the other bank and poked one of the ducks on the head with its paw.
"Meow~"
(Still staring? If you keep it up, we are collecting rent.)
"Psy! Duck!"
The two Psyduck immediately clutched their heads and scurried about in panic. They ran straight into each other and collapsed unconscious on the ground.
Well, as expected of Psyduck.
Calling Galarian Meowth back and telling it not to bully Psyduck, Silas pointed to the wide stretch of land before them. "From this stream to the lake over there, it's all for you to use to build your garden."
The area Silas marked out was about little more than one acre, more than enough to create a sea of flowers.
He had deliberately chosen such a large space because he had considered that Shaymin might settle in the garden in the future, along with other Pokémon that would be attracted by the flowers.
The Florges were very satisfied. This one acre was enough for them to plant all kinds of flowers and meet most of their needs.
"As long as you're satisfied." Smiling, he rested a hand on one Florges and then directed Galarian Meowth. "I'll have to trouble you to mark out the boundary."
"Meow~"
Galarian Meowth revealed its sharpened steel claws and used Fury Swipes on the weeds before it.
Grass fragments flew everywhere as a clear boundary line was carved out. From now on, this would be the territory of the Florges.
"You can go move the flowers from the greenhouse now. Remember to ask the Mudsdale to help."
Full of enthusiasm, the Florges first thanked Galarian Meowth before leaving.
Silas did not stay idle either. Cyclizar had already delivered wooden boards and tools in advance.
He and Galarian Meowth followed the freshly cut boundary line, setting up wooden fences.
While Silas and Galarian Meowth were busy, the two yellow ducks wandered over to his side.
With practiced ease, Silas reached behind him with his left hand to grab a wooden plank and straighten it, while his right hand brought the hammer down firmly.
Hmm? That did not feel right.
It was soft.
In the next instant, he heard a suppressed duck cry.
The sound was so loud that Silas's ears rang.
"Psy!"
Then he saw this Psyduck's eyes light up with psychic energy. It broke free from Silas's large hand that had grabbed it.
Clutching its head with both hands, it ran in circles around him. As it ran, two streams of water shot out behind it, tears pouring down like a waterfall.
"Psy?"
The other Psyduck tilted its head blankly, though it instinctively clutched its own head as well.
Silas was speechless.
He was just working, and these two Psyduck had run over to join the commotion.
Oh. It was Psyduck.
Then it was not surprising at all. This was exactly the kind of thing they would do.
(End of Chapter)