The rest of the hike to Floaroma was tiring, but not challenging. They woke up, had breakfast, and did their morning training routines.

  The Troys did squats, lunges, and all sorts of different, increasingly elaborate exercises that Chloe couldn't name. It almost looked like fun, but Chloe declined the offer to join in, knowing that she would be a noodle within minutes if she tried to keep up.

  Instead, she had her girls sparring that morning. No actual moves, they had a long trek ahead of them, instead they were playing tag. Mochi was typically faster, but Mimi had a habit of cheating with Sucker Punch that would give her bursts of unpredictable speed.

  Chloe didn't mind the cheating, as Mimi was only lightly tapping the puffball instead of walloping her. Her girls were, all things considered, pretty evenly matched, and she was proud of how they had both grown since she had met them. It wasn't so long ago that Mimi had been cowering behind her leg, now the Mawile was bold, assertive and just a little bit spoiled.

  Fiona likewise had turned her training into a game of tag, except for her duo Star was levitating a rock that Thistle was trying to catch. The Rufflet was startlingly agile in the air, and Star’s control was excellent. Chloe could see where Fiona’s confidence came from, the girl was a force to be reckoned with. Chloe smiled, she would have to do her best to keep up.

  Eleanor’s training was less… well it wasn't so much training as attempting to get Echo to focus. The little Chatot was mischievous to the core, though Chloe had to admit, watching him dangle Eleanor’s camera just out of the girl’s reach was probably helping him with his dodging technique. Or something, it was hard to tell.

  Still, morning workout complete, they all headed up the route to Floaroma. It was quiet, no wild Pokemon wanting to challenge the group, to Thistle’s obvious disappointment. Still, it meant they arrived at the town just after midday.

  The town was gorgeous, with flowers blooming on either side of the gently winding streets. Chloe resisted the urge to start picking them, instead turning to the rest of the group.

  “So, what now?” she asked.

  “We eat, then Eleanor gets her spare phone while I take you for walkies to the Meadow,” Fiona replied.

  Chloe decided to ignore the rib, instead looking to Troy.

  “What about you?” she asked, and Troy shrugged.

  “I’ll go with El,” he said, “we have shopping to do.”

  Eleanor nodded, “Yeah, we were planning on going to Eterna. We need to stock up.”

  “Sounds good,” Fiona said, “Meet back at the Centre in the evening? We need to plan.”

  They all agreed, and after a quick meal at a lovely little cafe, Chloe and Fiona headed off to the Meadow.

  Chloe skipped with excitement, trembling with anticipation.

  “Calm down Princess,” Fiona said from behind her, “They aren't going anywhere.”

  Chloe spun on her heel to look at the other girl.

  “You don't get it, I have been looking forward to this since I knew I was coming to Sinnoh,” she explained.

  “It's just flowers,” Fiona replied, “I mean, I like flowers, but you’re practically about to explode, you're so hyped up.”

  “It's an entire field of flowers, with all sorts of cute little bugs flying around!” Chloe corrected, “I saw the pictures, it's amazing!”

  Fiona rolled her eyes, “You’re from Kalos, there are fields of flowers all over the place there,” she pointed out.

  “But these are Sinnoh flowers,” Chloe insisted, “It's not the same!”

  “Sure thing,” Fiona replied, shaking her head.

  Chloe huffed, Fiona would see soon enough. They moved on, soon cresting a small hill, and the meadow came into sight. Chloe froze, staring in wonder.

  “Holy shit,” Fiona said, coming up to stand next to her, “Okay, that’s gorgeous.”

  It was magnificent. Gentle rolling hills covered in a carpet of flowers of every variety and colour. The sun shone down, bright and confident, no doubt encouraged through the liberal use of Sunny Day by the local Pokemon.

  Amongst the petals, grass types of all different species roamed. Groups of Budew chattering away, lone Sunflora sunning themselves, clusters of Oddish relaxing together. Above them, Combee gently buzzed from flower to flower, while Metapod and Kakuna hung from the trees at the edge of the meadow. It was peaceful. It was beautiful. It was everything Chloe had imagined. She turned to Fiona, eyes sparkling.

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  “You coming?” she asked, and Fiona shook her head.

  “You go nuts,” the other girl replied, “I might just sit here for a bit.”

  Chloe nodded, “Alright, enjoy!”

  She turned, and released both of her Pokemon. They appeared, eyes widening at the sight before them.

  “Come on girls,” Chloe said, “Let's go have a look.”

  Chloe led the way, skipping down the hill and into the fields of flowers, her Fairy Types right behind her.

  She took her time, savouring the smell, the sight, the atmosphere. The meadow was peaceful, yet filled with life. Chloe felt completely at peace, and at home amongst the blossoms.

  She wandered the field, being careful not to disturb the local Pokemon, though some did buzz past with curiosity.

  “Just having a look,” Chloe said, giving a Combee a pat on its fuzzy head, “Thanks for letting me wander around.”

  Fiona:

  Fiona sat on the hill, enjoying the moment of peace. She watched as Chloe wandered, somehow attracting a cluster of Pokemon, all interested in the pretty blonde dispensing head pats and compliments. She shook her head at the sight.

  Chloe was… well there was a reason that Fiona called her Princess, and it wasn't the way she looked. The Kalosian trainer was just so care free and happy that it was almost irritating. If Fiona hadn't seen her Pokemon working that morning, she wouldn't have believed that Chloe was a fellow Ace. As it was, Fiona could tell that Chloe, for all her sparkle, worked hard, and knew what she was doing. She had trust from her Pokemon and a clear training philosophy.

  As for their other companions? Well, Troy was interesting. He could be a genius, or an idiot, and the fact that Fiona couldn't tell which was genuinely concerning.

  At least Eleanor was an easy read. She seemed smart enough, but she wasn't anything special. Still, if she didn't panic she would be a useful set of eyes in Eterna. In a way Fiona respected Eleanor more than she would a prodigy. It took guts to chase your dreams even when you were terrified of the road to get there.

  Fiona sighed, leaning back against the tree she had settled beneath. She hadn't planned on travelling in a group, but she was already enjoying it. Now if she could just figure Chloe out. Was she actually oblivious or just pretending not to…

  Wait, where was Chloe? Fiona sat up, scanning the Meadow. The blonde had disappeared. Fiona rolled her eyes. Trust Chloe to have gotten lost. She stood, calling to Thistle who was perched in the branches above her.

  “Come on, let's find where the Princess wandered off to.”

  Chloe:

  Chloe sat in a field of flowers, attempting to teach Mimi how to make daisy chains. Around them, the meadow buzzed. A Bounsweet had settled itself in Chloe's hair, watching as she deftly wove a crown of flowers for a Shroomish.

  “Like this,” Chloe said, demonstrating to Mimi, whose little hands were struggling with the dexterity needed to weave the stems. She was, however, getting the hang of it, and had a small, if rough garland of her own.

  Mochi sat nearby, chattering with a group of Comfey, the Fairy Types bonding over… something. Probably punching things, knowing her Jigglypuff.

  After the long journey to Sinnoh, the frantic city life of Jubilife and the dark cave, the meadow felt almost as much as home as Vanivelle did.

  She completed the crown, placing it on the Shroomish's head. The little Pokemon immediately strode away to show it off to their friends, proudly posing in front of them. Chloe smiled, and began working on the next crown, this time for a Deerling that had skittishly approached her.

  Chloe smiled, fingers working away. Beside her, Mochi’s voice began to rise in song, and Chloe relaxed even more. She was just so comfortable, so relaxed. She almost felt like taking a nap.

  She let the song wash over her, lying back to work on the crown.

  So peaceful. So tired.

  Chloe let her eyes close, and was soon fast asleep, unaware the Pokemon around her had begun to do the same. Soon, every Pokemon nearby, with the exception of Mochi and the Bounsweet were peacefully dozing, Chloe at the centre of a pile of sleeping Pokemon.

  Bounsweet looked at Mochi, who had finished her song, and was now looking around sheepishly. The Grass Type shook its little head, and Mochi had the good grace to look embarrassed.

  The two settled down to keep watch as Chloe and her new friends slumbered.

  “Good morning Princess.”

  Chloe awoke to Fiona’s amused voice. She attempted to blink some clarity into her foggy brain, her heavy eyelids fighting her the entire way.

  “Hmmrgg?” Chloe replied, eloquently. She struggled to remember who she was. Where and when would have to come after. What had happened? She had been in the meadow, Mochi had been singing and…

  “Mochi!” she chided, searching for the offending Puff. She saw Mochi being thoroughly lectured by an extremely annoyed Mimi, who clearly had been caught in the Sing as well.

  “Did you enjoy your nap?” Fiona asked, and Chloe looked up to see the other girl standing above her, eyes sparkling with amusement. Chloe flushed. She wasn't going to be living this one down for a while.

  “Mhm,” Chloe replied, stretching her arms, “You should have joined me.”

  “And get pollen all through my hair?” Fiona said, “No thanks.”

  Chloe gasped, reaching for her bag and pulling out her compact to check her hair. It was a catastrophe. She sighed, grabbing her hair brush to try and make it at worst a disaster. Perhaps even a mess if she could manage it. She would have to have words with Mochi about acceptable locations for concerts later. Though judging from the walloping she was receiving from Mimi, she doubted Mochi would be quick to make the same mistake again.

  “Alright, that's enough,” she told Mimi, Mochi’s sorry, aren't you?”

  She addressed this second part to the Jigglypuff in question, who obediently pouted. Quarrel settled, she recalled her two Pokemon, and satisfied that her hair wasn't getting any less ruined, stood.

  “Ready to go?” she asked Fiona, who had been surveying the meadow, eyebrow raised…

  “Hmm? Oh yeah, let's get going,” Fiona replied, “Though I am tempted to catch one of these Combee before we go.”

  Fiona gestured towards a sleeping Combee, one of a whole pack of wild Pokemon still groggily coming around after the impromptu concert.

  Chloe frowned, “It's not very fair if you do, they weren't expecting to be caught while asleep.”

  Fiona nodded, “Wouldn't be my win anyway, though you could catch one.”

  Chloe shook her own head in response.

  “I prefer to ask,” Chloe replied.

  She paused, feeling a nudge on her leg. She looked down to see a Pokemon gently head butting her calf. It was the Bounsweet who had been sitting on her head earlier.

  “Boun!” it demanded, looking up at her with a hard stare.

  Chloe looked back for a moment before kneeling down to look the little grass type in the eyes.

  “Sorry sweetheart, I gotta go,” Chloe said, “I’ll make sure to visit again.”

  The Bounsweet shook its head, headbutting Chloe’s leg again.

  Chloe considered, “Are you saying you want to come with me?” she asked, and the Bounsweet nodded.

  “Boun!” it affirmed, and Chloe looked up at Fiona, who shrugged.

  “We’re going to be doing a lot of travelling, and plenty of hard battling,” Chloe warned the Bounsweet, who nodded enthusiastically, its mind clearly made up.

  Chloe smiled, “Then welcome to the team!”

  She reached into her bag for an empty Pokeball, gently booping the Bounsweet with the button. It opened, the Bounsweet vanished, and the Pokeball clicked.

  She had her third Pokemon.

  “Okay!” Chloe said, standing, “Now we can get going!”

  Fiona looked at her strangely.

  “Does that happen often?” Fiona asked.

  Chloe shrugged, “It's how I got Mochi,” she replied, gently stroking Mochi’s Pokeball.

  “You are such a Princess,” Fiona replied.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Chloe demanded.

  “Just that you fell asleep in a field of flowers and woke up with a new Pokemon,” Fiona replied.

  “Well maybe if you were nicer, Pokemon would ask to join you!” Chloe shot back.

  Fiona shrugged, “Maybe, but being a bitch is more fun. Come on, it'll be dark soon.”

  The girls headed back to town, Fiona leading the way as Chloe examined her new Pokeball.

  Floaroma Meadow had turned out to have been even more amazing than she had expected.