The garden stirred with new rhythm.
Its calm breath, once purely restful, now thrummed with purpose.
Something had changed.
And the Watcher knew it was time.
The sun rose behind silver-barked trees, casting golden streaks across the forest glade. Morning dew clung to wildflowers as sleepy Bug-types hummed their greetings.
Nina stood barefoot in the grass, her dress a bit too long, sleeves rolled up with clumsy determination.
The Watcher stood before her with arms crossed, shadow cast long and silent.
"No books?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No books. Just instinct. Feeling."
Nina pouted. "But I'm good with books…"
"You will need more than reading in this world."
He raised a hand, and a shimmer of energy flowed outward, stirring the wind.
From the woods, several Pokémon emerged. Not summoned—called. Responding to the one who now led this garden.
A Fletchling landed on a branch above her, tilting its head.
A playful Azurill bounced into view, giggling at every leaf.
Even a small Gible crawled out from under a bush, chomping the air curiously.
Dozens came. But he only motioned to a few.
"You won't command. You'll connect."
She looked at him, unsure. "How?"
He gestured again, and three Pokémon stepped forward—slowly, as if responding to some invisible thread.
1. Riolu – The same one who had always stayed close to her. Calm, disciplined, watchful. It bowed to her like a knight-in-waiting.
2. Ralts – Lavender-eyed and strange, it gave her no readable expression. But Nina felt… warmth. A stillness that whispered of dreamworlds.
3. Shinx – Bright-eyed, tail flicking, full of energy. It darted around her in a blur of sparks and laughter, nuzzling her fingers with a purr.
"These are the ones who answered," the Watcher said. "Each has chosen to be near you. But you may choose only one. For now."
Nina sat down cross-legged, and the three circled her gently.
Riolu stood with quiet honor.
Ralts hovered, ethereal and patient.
Shinx rolled onto its back, demanding belly rubs.
Her eyes flicked from one to the other, wide with wonder. "They all feel different…"
"They are," the Watcher replied. "One will walk your path beside you. The others may still protect you… but this bond will be your first."
Minutes passed.
She knelt first before Riolu, touching its paw. It squeezed hers gently, a silent promise of protection.
Then to Ralts, her fingers brushing its cool cheek. It did not speak—but she felt her heartbeat slow beside it. A quiet peace.
But when she sat before Shinx…
…it pounced onto her lap, tail flicking wildly.
She squealed and laughed, falling backward into the grass.
Its sparks fizzled harmlessly as it purred loudly against her chest.
And that was it.
Her hand found its fur, fingers curling tight.
"I choose… Shinx," she said quietly.
The Pokémon mewed in excitement, leaping to her shoulder and letting out a joyful cry.
Behind her, Riolu gave a respectful bow and stepped back. Ralts, unbothered, hovered off toward the trees again, already forgotten by most—except the Watcher.
He narrowed his eyes.
Something about Ralts lingered longer than it should've.
Later that evening, as Shinx curled beside Nina near the stream and the stars peeked through the trees, the Watcher approached with an object in hand.
A small bracelet—woven from silver threads, moonlit stone embedded in its center.
"What is it?" she asked, lifting it.
"A mark. Not of ownership. But of bond," he said. "It will grow stronger as you do. It will protect you… if you listen."
She slipped it onto her wrist.
A soft pulse of energy warmed her skin.
Shinx chirped beside her, fur rising with electric excitement.
For the first time in her new world, she didn't just feel safe.
She felt ready.
That night, while Nina slept deeply with Shinx wrapped around her legs, the Watcher stood near the edge of the glade again.
He glanced toward the stars.
Toward the place where Mew had vanished.
The future was shifting.
Not just for the girl.
But for the Garden.
And for him.