There was only one.
Yes, just one.
The entire gourd vine had produced a single fruit.
It did not take long for Silas to discover the reason.
At the very bottom of the Rainbow Gourd Vine panel description, there was a small line of text.
[Note: The number of fruits produced by the vine is affected by multiple factors.]
As for what those factors were, the panel did not explain.
However, after Silas left, the leaves of the gourd vine were soon covered with green cell like organisms that glowed with a faint emerald light.
At the roots of the vine, a special cell cautiously poked its head out. The red hexagon on its chest flashed as it transmitted information to the other cores.
Red Core: I have successfully infiltrated. I will observe from close range.
Blue Core: Received. Be careful not to get caught.
Red Core: Relax. I have everything under control.
The cores had already noticed something when Cyclizar fought Zapdos, but they had not taken action at that time.
When Cyclizar later suddenly displayed a form resembling Miraidon, they realized they had to monitor the situation.
Although that form had existed only briefly, the power it could unleash was enough to threaten the ecosystem of Kalos.
That was why the Red Core had infiltrated to conduct close range observation.
The Red Core sniffed the air and casually said it was time to disconnect because it was time to eat.
It waited until the younger sister Indeedee placed down the berry platter. Once the Applin and Flapple gathered around, it blended into the group of Applin and approached to eat together.
The Applin had already grown used to this mysterious and unusually bold member of their so called kin. The Hustle ability Flapple even placed a chunk of Oran Berry coated in Sweet Honey in front of it.
"Fla Fla~"
(You are too skinny, partner. Eat more.)
Even the younger Indeedee did not notice anything unusual. That morning, she had found a large red wild apple in the orchard and placed it in front of the Red Core.
"Indeedee~!"
(Applin, what do you think of this fruit? It can be your new home.)
An Applin could not live without an apple house, just like you who could not live without internet. (damn)
As the little housekeeper of the ranch, the younger Indeedee had noticed for the first time that this particular Applin did not have a home. She had been searching for suitable fruits for it.
The Red Core first licked the milk stain from its lips, then pretended to inspect the large apple carefully. After a moment, it showed a disappointed expression, shook its head, turned around, and ran back onto the gourd vine leaves to bask in the sun.
"Indee?" (Not good?)
A brief look of dejection appeared on the younger Indeedee's face. She clenched her small fists. She would not be defeated by something like this.
"Indee!" (Applin, I will definitely find an apple that satisfies you.)
The apple could not be wasted. After getting permission from the younger Indeedee, the energetic Flapple gave it to the other Applin. They could change into new homes again.
Waving her small hand, the younger sister Indeedee bid farewell to the Applin and the Flapple and quickened her steps. Silas was still waiting for her at the house to eat together.
She did not plan to tell him about this matter. It was a small issue she could handle herself.
Silas already had to manage every aspect of the ranch. She needed to grow too and could not trouble him with everything.
"Indeedee, come quickly. Let's eat."
"Indee!"
Silas ate together with the Pokémon. In between bites, he asked, "The Applin and the Flapple all ate properly, right?"
"Indee~"
(Yes. A whole plate of berry platter was finished completely.)
"That is good." He patted her head in encouragement, then turned to ask the older Indeedee, "What about the Mareep? Do not let Lazy eat too much."
At the end of last month, Silas had conducted physical checkups for all the Pokémon at the ranch.
Compared to when it first arrived, Lazy Mareep's weight had doubled.
It frightened Silas enough that he no longer dared let it eat freely. He instructed the older Indeedee to strictly control its daily food intake.
"Indee!"
The older brother Indeedee nodded, indicating that he had watched the little sheep finish eating before returning. He had even asked Warm Mareep and Burly Mareep to supervise it.
As for why he did not let Happy Sheep supervise, it was simple. The moment Lazy acted cute, Happy Mareep would give in.
Warm and Burly were different. They would not indulge Lazy Mareep.
After enjoying a satisfying lunch, Silas played games inside the house with Cinccino and the others.
At first everything was fine, but later he was tackled to the ground by a group of Pokémon. Especially when baby Kangaskhan lay on top of him and fell asleep, he did not dare move at all.
In the end, he had no choice but to nap along with them. Only in the mid afternoon, when the baby Kangaskhan woke up full of energy, was he finally able to go out.
Naturally, a group of little tails followed behind him.
When they learned that Silas was going to check on the Florges' garden, they all insisted on going too.
Cinccino held a small flag and waved it as it walked at the front like a tour guide. Jigglypuff, Popplio, Alcremie, and Dolliv followed obediently behind, chanting in neat rhythm as they marched forward.
Compared to the first time, the changes in the garden were nothing short of remarkable.
In the beginning, it had been a completely untended wasteland. Weeds taller than a person grew wildly, gravel was hidden in the soil, and only occasionally could a few wildflowers be seen stubbornly surviving.
Now it had undergone a complete transformation.
There were clean gravel paths and neatly divided flower fields.
Some sections had already been planted with flowers. Under Florges' special ability, the flowers bloomed as usual. A faint fragrance drifted through the air, intoxicating to the senses.
Passing through the outermost hydrangeas and climbing roses, one step inward revealed fields of tulips in various colors and large plots of roses.
Florges were no longer simply planting flowers. They could now cultivate new varieties different from the original species.
The various colored tulips and roses were the results of their initial experiments. The Pokémon led by Cinccino were immediately captivated and could hardly move their feet.
They quickly surrounded a nearby yellow flower Florges, pestering it to introduce the garden and play with them.
Ignoring the little ones, Silas walked straight toward the center of the garden.
The center was circular and currently looked rather empty. The Gracidea flowers grew slowly.
To fill the entire circular flowerbed would take at least a year or more.
But according to Silas's estimate, it would not require that long. Once Shaymin learned that there was a field of Gracidea flowers here, it was highly likely to appear.
Of course, appearing did not necessarily mean Shaymin would stay.
Even so, being able to attract Shaymin would already be recognition of their efforts.
After taking only a few steps, Silas noticed two Psyduck following him.
With dirty watering cans perched on their heads, their blank eyes flashed with a hint of sly wisdom. They stared at Silas's spatial belt, drool dripping from their flat bills.
"Here we go again." He pressed a hand to his forehead helplessly. Psyduck had become smarter. They had learned to act pitiful, and it only worked on Silas.
Just as he took out an Oran Berry to feed them, his hand was pecked.
He sucked in a sharp breath, and his palm came down lightly in response. "Could you not be so rough? No one is fighting you for it."
"Psy!"
The Psyduck tilted their heads blankly, completely unconcerned.
They shook their heads and chased after the Oran Berry that rolled to the ground, running off with it.
From the opposite direction, Cinccino came running quickly.
From far away, it had already spotted the dirty sight. For a cleanliness obsessed little mouse, this was absolutely unbearable.
(End of Chapter)