The Mysterious Appearance of a Slowpoke

Suddenly, Skiploom plunged toward the green ocean below. She found herself in an endless sea of green once more, and then a deep, irresistible drowsiness washed over her.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already dusk. The last rays of sunset still bathed this secluded paradise, but the once-warm spring breeze now carried a chill that made one want to turn up one's collar.

"Hana?"

Skiploom cried out, bright-eyed and full of energy. Then she saw Dian watching her with concern. "Hana?"

She tilted her head, closed the petals atop it, and floated over.

Only when Dian saw that nothing was wrong with Skiploom did he breathe a sigh of relief. Nearly six or seven hours had passed since Gloom had personally guided her in sensing Life Energy. Throughout that time, both he and Gloom had watched her sleep in the grass, tense with worry.

After all, this seemed to be Gloom's first time teaching anyone to sense Life Energy. Even knowing Skiploom was fine, Gloom had been unable to relax.

"Hana."

Gloom yawned, shook off its weariness, and came over to check on Skiploom. Once it confirmed she was fine, it smiled gently.

Oddish had always been sensible, but after evolving, it seemed steadier than ever.

What caught Dian's attention was that Gloom had never stopped using Sweet Scent—not while teaching Skiploom, not while releasing Energy Ball earlier, and not even when it had relaxed just now.

This was beyond doing two things at once. It had become almost instinctive.

"Dian!"

Azisa called from the foot of the slope. "It's getting late. Come back and rest. We can continue tomorrow."

"Hana!!"

At the sound of Azisa's voice, Gloom immediately ran over, delighted.

Soon, only Dian and Skiploom were left. They looked at each other and shared a