Before coming here, Xia Chi had heard that everyone in Petalburg City was a fan of Gym Leader Norman.
Judging by the Pokémon types the citizens generally chose, that really was no exaggeration.
The peaceful, tranquil atmosphere also rubbed off on Victini.
Remaining invisible, the little Pokémon slipped into a group of Skitty playing on the soft grass.
Victini seemed particularly interested in Skitty's fluffy, furry, oval tails, which resembled foxtail grass, and reached out to gently flick the tip of one Skitty's tail.
"Meow?"
Caught off guard by the sudden ambush, the Skitty stopped in confusion, staring through narrowed eyes at its tail, which seemed to have developed a mind of its own.
After standing there dumbly for a few seconds, the Skitty began spinning around after its tail, as if someone had flipped a switch.
"Hee-hee~"
Having successfully pranked the Skitty, Victini could no longer contain its laughter. A clear, bell-like giggle drifted through the air, tinged with smug satisfaction.
Seeing the people nearby looking as though they had seen a ghost, Xia Chi quickly shot a meaningful glance toward the laughter.
Only then did Victini realize it had given itself away again, and obediently floated back to Xia Chi.
As they headed north, more and more wild Castform appeared around them.
Like little wisps of cloud, they drifted leisurely through the deepening twilight.
Before long, a broad, mirrorlike lake came into view.
Over a hundred Castform had gathered there, chasing and playing with one another in the last glow of the setting sun.
Since it was evening, they all remained in their original Normal-type forms.
Hundreds of "little clouds" floated together in midair. From a distance, it truly felt as though one had stepped into a bank of sunset clouds hanging within arm's reach.
Naturally, this was