"What happened?"
Shen Qi turned to leave with his Pokémon, following the Island Guard's directions, when he suddenly heard cries of surprise behind him.
A huge number of Flabébé! Thousands of Flabébé!
No, there were already several thousand Flabébé, along with nearly a hundred evolved Floette, rising into the air with a whoosh. They swept down from high above toward the crowd to the west, forming a lively wall of flowers.
At this scale, it was practically every Flabébé and Floette in Melemele Meadow.
To their surprise, the people discovered that they were bowing toward them.
The Pokémon beside the Trainers translated: the Flabébé and Floette were expressing their thanks, bowing in gratitude.
They had no idea why, but faced with so many adorable little flower Pokémon bowing in thanks, the Trainers and Pokémon hurried to respond, bowing as well and murmuring.
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
"Here's to getting along from now on..."
"It's what we should do..."
The Island Guard naturally assumed the Flabébé were thanking the guards and Rangers for protecting them.
The other Trainers... could only take it as the Flabébé thanking Alola Region's local Trainers for their continued support and care.
Amid the somewhat comical scene, Shen Qi stood at the farthest end of the crowd and waved.
The entire curtain wall formed by the Flabébé and Floette waved too. At this very moment, the only ones they were thanking were Shen Qi and the Pokémon beside him.
Back in Iki Town, Shen Qi checked the Island Challenge schedule.
The Island Challenge had entered its final stage. The five finalists had completed the first round of trials across Alola Region's four islands.
They had each drawn lots to decide which Island Kahuna they would challenge last.
"Xiao Ming... made it through."
During his four busy days