Footprints?
How could there be footprints inside the greenhouse?
And these were clearly not from the Meowths. The Meowth's paw prints were much larger and had a distinct central pad.
Could they belong to some other Pokémon from the ranch?
"Floette, come over here for a moment."
The white flower Floette floated closer first, blinking in confusion. The other four Floette also turned their gazes toward Silas at the same time.
"Has any other Pokémon come into the greenhouse in the past few days?"
"Floet."
The five Floette looked at each other. The red flower Floette took the lead in answering, while the other four added small details.
"Floet… Floet… Floe!"
They carefully listed everything by time. Yesterday morning the Meowth had come. In the afternoon younger sister Indeedee had visited. Later, Minccino had called them outside to play.
The Floette recounted each visit one by one while Silas listened attentively.
When other Pokémon came into the greenhouse, aside from the Meowth who liked to wander into the tulip field, the rest usually stopped at the entrance and did not go farther inside.
"I understand now."
Silas crouched down and gently brushed his fingertips over the faint string of footprints.
There was still a slight trace of moist soil at the edges. They had not been left very long ago, at most within the past three days.
He cupped the five Floette in his palm. They had lowered their heads timidly, thinking they had done something wrong and were about to be scolded.
"I am not blaming you."
With his other hand, he lightly teased them to ease their nerves.
"If it was that Pokémon, it would be completely normal that you did not notice."
"Floet!"
The Floette immediately felt relieved and cheerfully swayed their leaves.
"Have you heard any strange noises in the greenhouse recently?"
"Floet."
All five shook their heads, indicating they had not heard anything unusual.
"Then that confirms it."
Once all impossibilities were eliminated, the remaining option, no matter how unlikely it seemed, was the most likely answer.
The Gratitude Pokémon Shaymin had visited the ranch without anyone realizing.
If not for these tiny footprints, Silas would never have discovered it.
This was absolutely wonderful news for the ranch. Their growing patch of Gracidea flowers had finally begun to attract Shaymin.
From here on, as long as everything continued steadily, sooner or later a Shaymin would stay at the ranch permanently.
Silas shared this good news with the Floette. When they learned that Shaymin had visited, they became even more excited than he was.
The white flower Floette in particular spun around in midair, flying up and down in delight.
After calming down, the five Floette gathered together and began chirping among themselves.
Before long, the red flower Floette floated up to Silas.
"Floet! Floet!"
Silas raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"You are saying that you want to evolve into Florges so you can take care of more flowerbeds and attract Shaymin to stay at the ranch?"
The five Floette lined up and nodded in unison. They had clearly already discussed it among themselves.
He did not agree immediately. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "It is already late today. Go to sleep first. Tomorrow morning, give me your final answer, alright?"
The five Floette happily agreed and circled around Silas in a cheerful little dance.
After playing with them for a while longer, Silas finally left the greenhouse.
Instead of heading back to the ranch house, he walked onto the wooden bridge with a flashlight in hand, planning silently in his mind.
If all the Floette evolved into Florges, then with a Florges' natural gift, they would not even need the greenhouse to ensure the flowers bloomed year round.
He planned to enclose a piece of land across the river and build a garden there for them.
After all, a Florges without its own exclusive garden would feel incomplete.
The area could be slightly larger, perhaps near the lakeshore and close to the back mountain.
He could already picture the future scene of a magnificent garden in full bloom, attracting countless Pokémon to linger there.
The next morning, after patrolling the fields with Cyclizar, Silas went straight to the greenhouse.
When they saw him, the Floette immediately stopped tending to the flowers and floated toward him together.
"It seems you have all made your decision."
He extended his hands to catch them and carried them outside.
"Floet!"
The five Floette spoke in unison. As the number of flowers they cared for had increased, they had clearly begun to feel their limits. Combined with Shaymin's visit the previous night, they had finally made up their minds.
Silas had long since prepared the Shiny Stones needed for their evolution and had even retrieved them from the rooftop earlier.
He led them to the open space in front of the house. Minccino had just swept a pile of fallen leaves together and now trotted over in confusion, climbing onto Silas's shoulder.
"Min Min?"
(Why were they all here? Were they going to play later?)
"Floet."
Like polite young ladies, the five Floette gently waved the flowers they carried and explained that they were about to evolve.
"Min?"
Minccino was instantly shocked. It tugged at Silas's hair and let out a series of dissatisfied cries, as though accusing him of favoritism.
"Ow, ow, that hurts!"
Silas caught the little paws and pressed his forehead lightly against Minccino's.
"You want to evolve too?"
"Min!"
Minccino nodded vigorously, clearly worried that Silas was favoring others.
"Do you know what you would become if you evolved?"
Minccino shook its head.
"Then there is no need to rush. Wait until you see what it would be like before deciding."
He walked into the open space and set down the items in his hands.
"If you truly want to evolve, I can prepare a Shiny Stone for you as well."
"Min!"
Only then did Minccino agree. It slid down from his shoulder and dashed into the house, energetically calling out to gather a crowd of Pokémon.
Quite a few came running to watch. Even Clauncher and Veluza joined the group.
Minccino, always the attention seeker, lifted Clauncher and placed it right in front of Silas. As it ran off, it even tapped Clauncher lightly with its tail, as if reminding it to hold its position and not let anyone else take the best viewing spot.
Clauncher's sharp and focused eyes narrowed slightly. It raised its claw in acknowledgment.
In a corner where no one noticed, a hint of envy and longing flickered in its gaze.
It also wanted to evolve. It wanted to become incredibly strong, strong enough to protect Silas, Minccino, and everyone at the ranch.
Silas casually placed Clauncher on his lap and sat cross legged. He even put a pair of black glasses on it.
"Minccino, I am about to begin."
"Min MIn!"
From a distance, they heard Minccino's urgent voice as it hurried back, panting slightly while setting down a basket. Applin and Flapple hopped out one by one.
"Floet!"
The Floette greeted them. The lively commotion caused by Minccino helped calm their earlier nervousness.
Silas asked Clauncher to help open the box. Inside lay five identical evolution stones arranged neatly.
"Who wants to go first?"
"Floet!"
The white flower Floette eagerly floated forward, raising its tiny hand.
"Alright, you will go first."
Silas handed it a Shiny Stone.
"Carefully feel the energy inside the stone. Then focus on the thought of evolving. Do not let any other distractions enter your mind."
"Floe!"
The white flower Floette held its blossom umbrella in one hand and reached out with the other to touch the Shiny Stone.
After a brief moment of stillness, a brilliant white light of evolution burst forth from within, radiating outward.
The scene reflected in the eyes of Applin, Clauncher, and little Dolliv, filling them with deep admiration and longing.
(End of Chapter)