The Villagers' Reaction

On a patch of grass, Gloom sat on a stone, lost in thought.

Its gaze rested on the Walking Grass playing in the meadow. After talking with them, it had learned about their lives on the human's farm after leaving the forest.

That human, who wasn't disgusted by it at all, really was an extraordinary person.

After his training, the Walking Grass had actually learned Sleep Powder. Gloom found that incredible.

For generations, the Walking Grass had only been able to learn the Sleep Powder move after evolving, when the grass on their heads turned into petals.

Gloom just couldn't understand how the Walking Grass could gather powder from their leaves without any petals. That was, until it learned that Aiven had a special potion called Flower Dew Potion.

With the help of that special potion, the Walking Grass could learn Sleep Powder. It was amazing, and incredibly important to the Walking Grass tribe.

However, to learn the Sleep Powder move, they would have to follow the human back to his farm. Gloom still had some reservations about that.

Seeing its companions glance its way expectantly from time to time, Gloom felt conflicted. It could tell that they really wanted to go to the farm with that human, and they wanted to learn the Sleep Powder move.

What should it do? Should it stop its companions from pursuing the life they wanted just because of its own misgivings? Gloom kept asking itself.

"Gloom, are you worried about your bad smell?"

Just as Gloom's thoughts were in turmoil, it suddenly heard Aiven's gentle voice beside it.

When Gloom saw Aiven approaching, it instinctively wanted to leave again, but Aiven sat down beside it first.

After spending some time together, Gloom had become certain that Aiven really didn't mind the stench coming from its body. It was deeply moved.

Sitting quietly on the stone, Gloom glanced at Aiven, unsure how to answer.

"Actually, you don't need to worry at all." Aiven smiled, then said casually, as Gloom stared at him in disbelief, "The smell you give off can actually be hidden."

Gloom sprang to its feet and looked at Aiven excitedly.

It didn't doubt what Aiven said. If he could help the Walking Grass learn the Sleep Powder move, then he really might be able to help it control its smell!

"Actually, there are several ways."

"The first is to evolve. If you can evolve into Vileplume or Bellossom, the smell will disappear."

At Aiven's words, Gloom froze. Evolve? Could it evolve too?

"Of course, this method is a little difficult," Aiven continued, because Gloom would also need an Evolution Stone to evolve.

In his previous life, as long as you had the money, buying an Evolution Stone wasn't all that difficult.

But in this ancient era, people didn't know the value of Evolution Stones, so there was no industry built around them. They would probably have to be obtained through the most primitive method: mining.

Just as Gloom's spirits began to sink again, Aiven continued, "But I can teach you Sweet Scent, and then you can use it to control your body odor."

Gloom's eyes lit up a little at the words Sweet Scent. It already liked the sound of the name—anything with a fragrance.

"All right, no more worries, then?" Aiven smiled and held out his hand to Gloom again. "So, are you willing to leave with me?"

This time, Gloom didn't refuse. It nodded firmly at Aiven.

A chorus of cheers rang out from the forest. The Walking Grass had clearly been watching what happened, too!

After getting Gloom's answer, Aiven was very happy as well. There were now more than eighty Walking Grass in the tribe led by Gloom.

Thinking of that, he still felt a little regretful. If he had come to the forest to find the Walking Grass sooner, their numbers could have grown much higher. He couldn't help grinding his teeth at the Rattata.

But after losing their Raticate leader, the Rattata had become a disorganized rabble again. Order in this part of the Black Forest should be able to return to normal.

After a brief rest, the Walking Grass team set off again.

With their combined Sleep Powder, every Pokémon that dared to block their way fell asleep. For a while, the forest was eerily quiet.

Gloom led its tribe along behind them, watching the Walking Grass team in action the whole way. Its eyes shone with excitement, and it looked forward to the life that awaited them.

By evening,

Aiven led the Walking Grass who had finished their march out of the Black Forest.

About a hundred Walking Grass entered Orange Fruit Village in a great throng, attracting the villagers' attention.

But as soon as they drew near, the villagers caught a whiff of the stench coming from Gloom. They stopped in their tracks, staring in astonishment at Gloom, surrounded by the Walking Grass.

"It's a Gloom."

"Oh my goodness, why did Aiven bring a Gloom into the village?"

"Ugh, it really stinks! Aiven must have gone crazy, right?"

The villagers stayed at a distance, pointing at Gloom. Its expression shifted, and it lowered its head in shame.

"Everyone, go on about your business."

"I'm sure the fruit in your orchards is almost ripe, isn't it?"

Aiven glanced at Gloom, then spoke quietly to the villagers in front of him. Gloom did smell very strong, so it was only natural for the villagers to talk.

At Aiven's words, smiles immediately appeared on the villagers' faces. They were clearly delighted that the fruit in their orchards would soon be ripe.

They glanced at Aiven, then at Gloom, and said nothing more before going their separate ways.

After the villagers left, Aiven reassured Gloom. "Don't pay them any mind."

Gloom nodded and followed Aiven to the farm. A faint stench lingered along the way, making the villagers they passed steer clear.

When they returned to the farm, Uncle Darby came over after hearing the news. He simply waved a hand in front of his face at Gloom's smell, then gave Aiven a questioning look.

Aiven gave him a look that said he would explain later, then led the Walking Grass on toward the pasture.

The moment the Walking Grass saw the lush pasture, all their attention was drawn to it. Once they stepped inside and felt the vitality it held, they all cheered. This was their new home!