With the contest behind her and the evening sun beginning to dip low over Castelia City, Mira made her way toward the harbor. The sky was painted in hues of orange and gold, casting a shimmering path across the sea. Her Contest Ribbon was safely pinned inside her travel bag, and her team—Scout, Petilil, Snivy, and Sewaddle—rested contently in their Poké Balls, save for Petilil who swayed gently in the crook of Mira's arm.
The ticket booth stood nestled beside the Castelia Pokémon Center, and above it, an elegant sign read: The Royal Unova – Evening Cruise. Mira stepped up to the counter and purchased a boarding pass for 1,000 PokéDollars. While there, she also asked about the ferry schedule and bought a ticket for the next day's 3 pm departure to Virbank City. The clerk smiled as he handed her both slips. "Boarding begins soon. We depart at 17:00 sharp for the cruise, and your Virbank ferry is confirmed for tomorrow."
Spring breeze drifted off the waves, tugging at Mira's hair as she joined a small crowd waiting near the dock. Moments later, the ship—a graceful white and gold vessel with intricate railings and polished decks—pulled up beside the pier. Crew members greeted passengers with welcoming bows, and Mira stepped on board, her heart fluttering with excitement.
She climbed the main stairs to the deck just as the ship began to pull away from the dock. Castelia City slowly slipped behind her, the skyline bathed in sunset. Ahead, the arches of Skyarrow Bridge rose like gates to another world.
"This is amazing," she whispered, holding Petilil close.
Other trainers mingled on the deck, chatting, taking in the view, and occasionally calling out challenges to one another. A pair of younger twins with matching hats asked Mira for a friendly double battle, and she smiled, accepting with a nod. Petilil and Scout emerged with practiced grace, their accessories still glinting faintly under the orange sky.
The battles were light-hearted but full of flair. Petilil opened with Sleep Powder that drifted like mist over the deck, while Scout dazzled with precise footwork and clean, powerful slashes that made the crowd cheer. The twins' Minccino and Panpour countered with clever combinations, and the match ended in a cheerful draw. Another battle followed shortly after with a boy and his Herdier, and although Scout took a few hits, his coordination and timing impressed several watching trainers.
Win or lose, the air was full of laughter, applause, and wind-tossed joy—each match leaving Mira's heart a little lighter as the golden sea shimmered around them.
As they passed under Skyarrow Bridge, Mira found a quiet corner and released all of her Pokémon. Snivy crossed her arms and gazed out over the railing, Scout sat with a wagging tail, and Sewaddle nestled beside Mira's leg, blinking curiously. Mira turned to glance toward the deck where the twins from earlier were now chatting with another pair of trainers. She hesitated, then walked over and joined them for a moment of small talk, complimenting their Pokémon and asking if they'd cruised before.
The conversation drifted from battles to scenic routes, and then one of the trainers—a girl in a wide-brimmed hat—mentioned Liberty Island offhandedly. "It's quiet and really pretty," she said. "Not many people go there, so you can take your time. There's even a little path through wildflowers."
Mira's curiosity was piqued. "Thanks! I hadn't heard of it," she said warmly, then excused herself and made her way back to her corner. Once seated again, she pulled out her PokéGear and searched for the island. A small marker glowed on the screen beside the Castelia dock, along with a short description and departure times.
"Looks like there's a ferry to Liberty Island from this same dock," she said, glancing at her team. "It's supposed to be peaceful, full of history—and maybe a few rare sights. And since our ferry to Virbank City isn't until 3 pm tomorrow, we've got plenty of time to explore if you're up for it. What do you say?"
Snivy gave a sharp nod, posture confident. Petilil swayed excitedly. Scout barked, tail wagging in a circle. Sewaddle tilted her head, her feelers twitching with interest.
Mira smiled. "Then it's settled. We leave for Liberty Island first thing."
The ship began to loop past Marvelous Bridge, the wind picking up, carrying with it the sound of waves and distant Wingull cries. As the Royal Unova made its way back toward Castelia, Mira leaned against the railing, her Pokémon gathered around her. The stars began to peek out overhead, dotting the sky.
That night, Mira returned to the Pokémon Center, where she treated her team to a warm meal and a quiet evening. As they settled down, her PokéGear chimed softly with a notification she had missed during the cruise. Curious, she checked it—and smiled. The Contest Hall had sent her performance clips from earlier in the day, including those from the previous week.
She uploaded them to her PokéVision account, adding brief captions and a warm thank-you to the Castelia audience. Scout and Petilil peeked over her shoulder as she chose the thumbnails, each frame sparkling with stage lights and captured emotion.
With her ribbon tucked safely away and her posts now live, she set her PokéGear to wake her early and drifted into sleep with a smile, her dreams filled with sunlight on waves and the flutter of petals.
When morning came, the sunlight streaming through the window roused her easily. She dressed quickly, feeling the buzz of adventure again. After breakfast with her Pokémon, she made her way back to the far-left dock of Castelia Port, where a blue-and-white ferry bobbed gently in the morning tide.
A friendly sailor stood by the gate, his name tag reading Sailor Samuel.
"Good morning!" Mira greeted.
"Ah, headed for Liberty Island, are you?" Samuel said with a grin. "Beautiful place. Rare Pokémon history. Just show your ticket and you're good to board."
Mira handed him the pass. As they waited for the short departure, she looked over her team.
"It says Liberty Garden Tower is on the island," she mused, crouching to their level. "Apparently, a really special Pokémon lives there. Who knows, maybe we'll catch a glimpse."
Her team perked up—Scout's ears twitched, Petilil's leaves quivered, and Snivy raised her chin as if intrigued. Sewaddle tilted her head again, the wind brushing her silk-like back.
Mira chuckled. "Well, let's see what fate brings."
As the ferry drifted toward the small, verdant island in the distance, Mira and her team stood at the bow, taking in the view. Liberty Island was smaller than she expected, but beautifully framed by flowered paths, low stone walls, and the towering silhouette of the Liberty Garden Tower rising in the center like a monument to time itself.
Upon arrival, Mira and her Pokémon stepped off the boat and wandered up the cobbled path, surrounded by wild blooms and the buzz of distant Cutiefly. Although they didn't encounter any legendary Pokémon that day, the quiet stillness of the island and the way the light filtered through the trees left an impression.
Snivy, in particular, seemed drawn to the place. She stopped partway up the tower steps, turning to look back at Mira with an expression both proud and questioning. Her tail lifted, catching a breeze that shimmered with dust from nearby petals.
Mira paused. "Here? You want to evolve here?"
Snivy nodded once.
The rest of the team gathered around as Mira reached into her bag and knelt, smiling.
"Then let's make this your moment."
From her bag, Mira first retrieved the Miracle Seed gifted to her by a kind woman in Nacrene City. The woman had seen Mira's bond with Snivy and praised the elegance of Grass-types, offering the seed with a warm smile. It was wrapped in a soft cloth, its earthy energy still vibrant. Mira gently tied it into a small woven charm and set it beside Snivy for safekeeping.
Then, with great care, she pulled out the Leaf Stone—a shimmering, deep green gem with a soft inner glow that pulsed like a heartbeat. Unlike any other evolutionary stone she had seen, this one had called to her the moment she saw it in a Castelia boutique's display case. She held it up to the morning light, and Snivy stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the stone's core.
There was a silence between them—no words, just trust. The wind rustled the nearby wildflowers. Then, Snivy nodded.
Mira laid the stone gently beside Snivy, the surrounding air already charged with concentrated Grass-type energy. Between the Miracle Seed's warm aura and the vibrant natural energy of the island itself, the environment felt like it was humming in harmony—inviting, even encouraging, the transformation. Snivy closed her eyes, allowing the sensation to sink deep into her core, absorbing the vitality like sunlight.
The evolution was immediate. A radiant green light enveloped Snivy, lifting leaves and petals into the air around her. Her body elongated and shimmered, her form growing more regal by the second. The Miracle Seed pulsed once with energy before fading into a gentle warmth.
When the light finally dimmed, standing before Mira was not the confident Snivy of before—but a sleek, poised Servine. Her expression still carried Snivy's signature smirk, but her presence had deepened. She stood taller, her tail longer and more leaf-like, and her gaze carried a quiet, graceful strength.
Mira knelt, tears of pride in her eyes. "You're beautiful," she whispered.
Servine gave a flick of her leaf-tipped tail and stepped into the sunlight, the island breeze dancing around her.
Scout padded up beside Servine and gave a short, approving bark, tail wagging proudly. Petilil danced in a circle before giving Servine a gentle nuzzle, her leaves brushing fondly against her friend's side. Even Sewaddle inched forward and wove a small ribbon of silk that fluttered briefly in the wind before it caught on Servine's leaf-tipped tail.
Mira smiled and pulled out her Pokédex. With a quick scan, the screen lit up with updated data.
To her surprise, the evolution hadn't just strengthened Servine's current abilities—it had also brought something entirely new. A soft blink of blue light notified Mira of three additional moves: Grass Pledge (Novice), Mirror Coat (Novice), and Calm Mind (Novice).
Her eyebrows rose. "Two Psychic-type moves?" she murmured.
She tilted her head thoughtfully but left the question unanswered. Some things, she figured, were best left to unfold naturally.
What mattered more was the move mastery. Mira had expected some decline after evolution—Servine's energy capacity had increased, and control usually took time to catch up. But with the help of the Miracle Seed and the vibrant setting, her mastery over Grass-type moves seemed unchanged.
That made Mira grin with satisfaction.
Servine – the Grass Snake Pokémon: Now evolved, this Pokémon is known for its swift movements and elegant strikes. It can disappear into dense foliage to surprise its opponents. When it gets dirty, its leaves can't be used in photosynthesis, so it always keeps itself clean.
Gender: Female Age: Approximately 1 year Known Moves:
Tackle (proficient), Leer (proficient), Vine Whip (Master), Glare (specialist), Grassy Terrain (Expert), Mega Drain (Proficient), Petal Blizzard (Proficient), Grass Knot (Proficient), Grassy Glide (Beginner), Agility (Novice), Leaf Blade (Beginner), Grass Pledge (Novice), Mirror Coat (Novice) and Calm Mind (Novice)
Evolution Line: Snivy evolves into Servine and later into Serperior.
Mira breathed out with quiet relief. "Everything looks perfect. Welcome, Servine."