(Far from there…)

Rose had arrived at a lushly green forest full of floral life. The trunks were a dark brown and the trees were tall with the leaves bright green and a little reddish because the sunlight reflected them. In the cups she could hear sounds of bird Pokemon. The chosen one, being a plant type, could perceive the soft breathing of the leaves and flowers around her, as if she were connected to the environment.

"How fresh," she said to herself, "This environment gives me a lot of memories… that's how the Pokemon world was a long time ago."

But, as she thought, Xerneas's words repeated in her mind:

"You get carried away by superficiality. The shadow of egocentrism begins to grow over you."

"Superficiality, the shadow of egocentrism…" she thought, "Does he mean that I was acting like a fool when I was at the youth fashion show? But I've already left that, shouldn't I be normal? Or is it something else?"

As she spoke, she had reached a point where the trees were starting to get farther and farther apart, signifying that she was near the end of the forest. However, when she was about to reach the exit, a Pokemon came out of some bushes and began attacking left and right, not directly at Rose, but also at the trees, as if she was complaining of pain. It was armed with powerful, sharp scythes and underdeveloped wings.

"A Scyhter!" the girl shouted, dodging one of its scythes. As she did so, she realized what was ailing it: it was wearing a black ring around its neck.

"Time to Evolve!" Rose shouted, holding up her Pokephone.

Immediately her body changed and evolved into her Beyleef form.

"Vine Whip!" she attacked it, with the intention of catching him, but its scythes did not allow her to get close.

"Well, then…" she thought, "Razor leaf!"

But in the same way, its scythe tore the leaves to pieces with ease and only a few of them managed to hit anywhere but her neck. Without a feint, there would be no chance. Thinking that she would need more power, the leaf symbol flashed on her chest.

"Beyleef evolves into… Meganium!

"Sweet scent!" Rose attacked.

It worked: the sweet scent of Rose petals confused the Scyhter more than it was. This bought her enough time to aim Razor leaf at the black ring, freeing it from the control. Tired, the Scyhter collapsed on the grass.

"Thank you…" he said exhausted, "That thing…"

"Don't worry, I know what it is," Rose replied, "Just rest."

"Hey, are you going to the spring flower meadow ceremony?"

"Spring ceremony?" she asked, bewildered, "What is that?"

"Well, at this time of year, several plant Pokémon, especially the Meganiums, gather for a ceremony where the flower buds of the meadow bloom and they also have a kind of contest to choose the most beautiful flower."

"What is that?"

"I don't know very much… I was thinking of going, but with this mind control thing… I'll have to go home: my friends must be worried"

"Do you know how to get to that meadow?"

"Of course. Just go straight until the exit of the forest, you will know it when you see it" he said standing up, "Thank you very much for your help, miss...?"

"Rose, and many thanks to you."

Saying goodbye to that Scyhter, Rose continued on her path until she finally left the forest. As she did so, as Scyhter had said, she gazed at the beautiful flower meadow. There were no words to describe it:

First of all, a blanket of grass spread out in front of her full of roses, wreaths of violets, cornflowers and wild strawberries, necklaces of myrtle and the delicacy with which she drops forget-me-nots, hyacinths, irises, immortelles, carnations and anemones. There was something about its appearance that made the colors clean, perfect, and gave them a subtle luminosity. On the other hand, upon entering, she felt an exquisite joy, a joy that is only felt on rare occasions, when one is young and cheerful and can be happy in this world. In the air you could breathe a fragrance that filled you with joy, it was a sensation of lightness, peace and well-being...

There were, as she had been told, different grass-type Pokémon: Meganium, Beyleef, Chikorita, Bellossom, Cherubi, Gogoat, Skido, Lilligant and... a Budew with a Roselia.

"Look Mom!" said little Budew when she saw Rose, "she is the chosen lady!"

Then, Rose remembered her first mission when they rescued a little Budew from some Beedril in the nectar meadow and her mother, the Roselia, who was in front of her.

"Miss Rose, it is a joy to see you again," Roselia greeted her, "I see that you has grown quite a bit."

"I'm glad to see you too," she replied, "But how did you know it was me?"

"Because even if a grass-type Pokemon evolves, her fragrance and eye color don't change," said a Pokemon behind her.

This Pokemon had a shape very similar to Rose, but it was of a different species: at first glance, it had combined features of a plant and a reptile, it had four leaves on its back which, as the girl could guess, would serve as wings; It also had a long neck where curiously fruits very similar to a banana tree grew.

"Master Tropius," Roselia greeted him, "It is a pleasure to see you again. "This is the friend I told you about... Rose, meet Mr. Tropius, the protector of the Flower Meadow"

"It is an honor to meet you, Master Tropius," Rose greeted him, using one of her vines as a giving hand. However, when Tropius also did the same, he took her vine and brought it to his mouth, like a gentleman greeting a young lady with a kiss on the hand.

Rose blushed at this.

"The honor is mine, Miss Rose," she said, "You must be one of the chosen children who are going to save the Pokemon world. If you need my help with anything, don't hesitate to ask me."

"Thank you very much... I guess," Rose replied timidly.

"So, will you join us in the most beautiful flower ceremony?"

"The most... flower?"

"She shouldn't join!" several voices shouted.

A sound interrupted the conversation: it was a hum. Rose then noticed that they were a group of Beedril. More precisely, they were Beedril's group that she herself fought with in the past in the nectar meadow. Their eyes looked redder with fury than before.

"She's a human!" another Beedril shouted.

"Humans have destroyed our nectar meadow!" another Beedril shouted.

Faced with such accusations, the doubts of the rest of Meganium and plant-type Pokémon grew, because the Beedril were not the only ones harmed: several of those present doubted whether it was a good idea for her to be there, since she could be a spy or threat. for the little ones... except for Roselia and Budew. However, before Rose could say anything to defend herself against her, Tropius stood in front of her and spoke:

"Enough everyone, please!" he exclaimed, "I know we are in a critical situation in the Pokemon world, but blaming others for the actions of a few is not the solution. "I can assure you that she is here to help others, not to harm them."

"How do you ensure that, Tropius?" asked another Meganium. Beside her, she apparently carried her Chikorita hatchling.

Tropius seemed to hesitate for a second, but then turned to Rose.

"How about you show them that you can win the most beautiful flower ceremony?" he asked her.

Rose didn't know what to say: she had maybe participated in youth fashion shows before, but... a competition of who is the most beautiful flower... would she have enough beauty to win? She still had to find that 'key' that Xerneas told them about. She had to stay there a little longer.

"OK. I accept" she finally responded.

At the news of Rose's participation, both the Meganium and her pre-evolutions calmed down and celebrated happily, while the other grass types only calmed down. On the other hand, the Beedrils doubted that decision, but they were willing to see the outcome of all that.

"Okay, then let's go with the first competition!" Tropius exclaimed, handing a seed to Rose. "Let's see who perceives the healthiest, most nutrient-rich grass!"

Now it made sense! That competition was not what she thought, but a gardening competition. In any case, she had to act like the other participants: sensing with her paws, feet or hands the freshness of the earth and its pulsation, because they were going to plant. If there is something that makes plant types stand out, it is that they are more connected to nature than any other type (except fairies, who shared that ability).

"Okay, but... what is the most fertile land?" she thought, trying to remember the teachings of the flowers in her grandmother's shop, "Wow, I almost don't remember..."

Then her thoughts reminded her of more of Xerneas' words:

"...you are no longer the same kids who had those flames of hope: they have become smaller compared to before..."

It's true, she had changed, and she had let herself be drowned in the excitement of the parades, if she could remember anything. Reconcentrating, she mentalized what she had learned long ago.

"To plant, you need to feel with your hands: you can perceive the freshness of the earth, suitable for cultivating and growing"

"Okay, now I have to remember that grass types are the same as plants, as Virizon said," she said to herself, "So…"

While she said it, she perceived with her vines and legs the perfect soil to grow. At one point, she managed to feel the fresh ground, pulsating with life... It was the perfect place.

After all the plant-type Pokémon buried its seeds, something very amazing happened: after a few minutes, a sprout began to emerge. And he wasn't the only one; the other seeds grew at an incredible speed. Apparently, in that part of the Pokemon world, plants are born with that miraculous rhythm.

"Well, now let's wait until the most dazzling moment of the day," declared Tropius, "Then the plants will bloom and we will see which is the most beautiful."

Rose made a mark near where her sprout was, to recognize it from everyone else.