Cynthia's eyes widened in wonder and amazement as she beheld the meadow of Gracideas. The sheath of pink was extraordinary in size, almost infinite if it weren't for the faintest lines of ocean in the distance. Loose petals came away from the flowers and were caught by the wind, carrying them across the yellow-orange sky in twisting spirals. The entire area radiated an aura of absolute serenity and peace, punctuated all the more by the gentle, sweet, perfume-like aroma the Gracideas gave off.

"This is..." Cynthia breathed, unable to finish her sentence. Her words would have disrupted the natural silence here. But although this place was breath-taking, Cynthia felt like she was almost intruding here. And she surely was. Just because they hadn't shown themselves yet didn't mean there weren't any Shaymin in hiding. Cynthia would have to complete her task quickly.

Cynthia stepped a little ways into the meadow, the Gracideas swallowing her up to her ankles in an instant. She looked down at the flowers, trying to decide. She then noticed one in particular, one with six beautifully-shaped petals and a sublime amount of brown flecks speckling its stigma. This was the one.

From the bag she carried, the Ex-Champion produced a capsule. It was one that would have been used to safely transport Pokémon Eggs, but it had been modified by the Gym Leader Gardenia to carry plants instead. Cynthia had been able to borrow one from said Gym Leader under the pretense that she could see the Gracidea for herself.

"Garchomp, could you please hold this?" Cynthia asked her partner, handing off the container. She then rolled up her sleeves before digging her hands into the soil. She went in almost up to her elbows, making sure to take hold of as many of the plant's roots as she could, before beginning to pull upwards. What good was a Gracidea that would wilt and die in maybe a week? It was something that had to be preserved.

"Phree!!"

Both Cynthia and Garchomp froze in place, looking to where the cry had come from, the former pulling her hands from the soil. Atop a boulder that emerged from the Gracideas like an island stood a white hedgehog-like Pokémon with grassy fur on its back and two Gracideas growing on either side of its head. It stared down the woman and her Pokémon with a fierce look in its black eyes.

"Phree!" it cried again, the fur on its back ruffling.

There was no need to confirm the Pokémon's identity, the Pokémon itself had already made it quite clear. As the Shaymin announced its presence, rustling could be seen everywhere amongst the flowers. One by one, identical pairs of black eyes and little noses poked up out of the flowers. Cynthia's jaw nearly dropped. There must be over a dozen Shaymin here! she thought, flabbergasted.

"Phree, ter-ee!" the Shaymin on the rock seemed to announce, drawing itself up. It then dove into the flowers and rushed in Cynthia and Garchomp's direction. As it did so, a green and white light engulfed the hidden Shaymin. Then the Shaymin burst from the Gracideas in a splash of petals.

It now looked completely different.

Long white ears tipped with green were flattened back against its head, its shorter fur fluttered in the wind along with a red scarf-like length of fur by its neck, and its longer, more slender legs skimmed the Gracideas as it advanced towards the intruders. It had to have been in its rumored Sky Forme, Cynthia thought.

"Groar!" Garchomp moved in front of Cynthia protectively, crossing her arms into an "X" shape.

Cynthia snapped out of her stupor. "Garchomp, no!" She jumped to her feet and put herself between Garchomp and the flying Shaymin. "Don't hurt it, it already thinks we're a threat," she stated sternly. Garchomp seemed to be ignoring Cynthia, staring past her. The blonde woman turned, only to be nearly nose-to-nose with Shaymin. She flinched but didn't move away, just stared the Mythical Pokémon in the eye.

"Terr..." Shaymin growled, baring small but sharp teeth.

"I would ask why such a gentle Pokémon is acting so hostile, but mine and my Pokémon's presences speak for themselves, don't they?" Cynthia asked the Shaymin. It growled in response and moved back a bit, but it still kept eye-contact. "I know we're intruding, and I'm sorry about that, but neither of us want to hurt you. All we're here for is a Gracidea."

The Sky Forme Shaymin tilted its head. Its expression became one of confusion, yet the look in its eyes remained hostile. Cynthia took this as a sign that it was listening, and she gave her explanation.

"I'm not sure if you were alive back then or aware or this, but your Gracideas were symbols of gratitude that humans gifted each other when they were thankful. My sister had done something for me, something that changed my life in the most wonderful way possible, something that I'm truly thankful for."

The Shaymin's expression seemed to soften, and Cynthia felt her hopes rise.

"All I want is to give her a Gracidea to show her my gratitude, just one." She gestured to the fallen transport case. "I was even planning on taking the entire plant so the flower wouldn't die. I know just how precious they are to you and your species." She dropped to one knee, bowing her head in respect. "So please, Shaymin, may I be allowed to show my sister my gratitude?"

The Shaymin hovered about hesitantly, wariness and confusion waging a war on its face. "Phree, ree ter..." it seemed to chirp. It flew back down into the flowers, where all the other Shaymin huddled around it. The group then launched into a discussion of sorts.

As they spoke, Cynthia saw that Garchomp was growing more rigid, a more fearsome scowl etching itself on her face. Upon seeing this, Cynthia grew concerned, then worried. What were these Shaymin saying?

It was then that the Shaymin seemed to come to a consensus. The lead Shaymin faced Cynthia, and with a sharp yip bared its fangs, its eyes coming alight with anger. Cynthia's heart jolted, her breath hitching in momentary fright. It passed, and her shoulders sank as a heavy feeling of sadness weighed down on them.

"The answer is no, isn't it?" she asked, knowing the answer but too despondent to say it. "You don't trust us."

The Shaymin responded with a growl, the others joining in. Green lights rose up from the ground around the lead Shaymin, shaping themselves into leaf-like shapes that swirled about it like a brewing storm. That was Cynthia's cue to leave.

"I-I understand." Cynthia stood back up. "Thank you for hearing me out, Shaymin. And I'm sorry for our intrusion. I'll see to it that nobody else finds this place."

The leaves began to swirl faster, and Cynthia purposefully turned her back to the Shaymin, taking Garchomp by the arm.

"Let's go," was all she said. She then started walking back down the path. Garchomp gave a reluctant look behind her at the angry horde of Shaymin, and regarded their hostility with a growl before following her Trainer.

"Always keep smilin'. Your smile's the best thing about you!"

Cynthia wished she was then, but all she could do was frown. Frown, and try her best to hold back tears.