Julien sat in one of the velvet lined chairs near the center of the theater, his arms were crossed loosely as he watched the show captivated by the performance. It was breathtaking, a seamless blend of artistry, Pokémon coordination, and human creativity. Julien applauded enthusiastically when the final Vivillon drifted offstage. “Bravo!” While he loved being the center of attention himself, he could appreciate a well-crafted performance.

Then the sponsors took the stage. Julien’s attention drifted at first. This was the boring part. A bunch of men and women in plain suits with the charisma of a cardboard box talking. Julien stifled a yawn, and reached for a glass of Kalos Rosé from the side table near his seat when something caught his eye.

The flower.

Julien couldn’t explain why, but he felt drawn to it. It was the way the center sparkled and glowed more than the most radiant gemstones. Julien barely paid attention to everything else the man had to say, he couldn’t take his eyes off of it. As Bernard finished his speech and the polite applause rippled through the audience, Julien’s mind raced. That flower wasn’t just an exotic decoration, it felt significant in a way he couldn’t quite explain. What was it about that Crystabloom that felt so powerful?

Julien’s gaze followed Bernard as the man rejoined the other sponsors, chatting as if the glowing flower on his chest wasn’t one of the most remarkable things in the room. For Julien, though, it felt almost like a beacon—something calling to him. Whether it was intuition, coincidence, or something else entirely, he knew one thing for certain, he had to know more.

—-

The next afternoon, Julien stood outside the entrance of the Lumiose Museum. Bijou floated beside him. Julien glanced at her and gave a small smile. “I know, darling. This is very unlike me,” he said, adjusting the collar of his soft pink blazer. Museums aren’t exactly my usual scene, but…”

His eyes lingered on the large poster displayed near the entrance. A vibrant image of a Crystabloom. The picture of it did not do the real flower justice. Beneath the image was the announcement:

“NOW OPEN: BEAUTY IN THE NATURAL AND ANCIENT WORLD – EXCLUSIVE EXHIBIT!”

There was something about that flower that he couldn’t let go of. For a reason he couldn’t explain, it felt important.

“Come on, Bijou,” he said, heading for the huge double doors. “Let’s see what all the fuss is about.”

The interior of the museum was really a masterpiece of architecture and design. Polished marble floors up to high vaulted ceilings, natural light seeping through huge arched windows, illuminating the exhibits. People murmured quietly, walking between the galleries, stopping to admire everything from ancient Kalosian sculptures to pieces of modern art. 

Julien didn't stay in the main hall. He went straight to the wing with the new exhibit. The layout was simple, yet elegant: glass cases with rare flowers, stones, and other natural wonders, all preserved for visitors to admire. But Julien's eyes went straight for the centerpiece of the room: a raised pedestal with a huge, fully opened Crystabloom sitting in a glass dome, the flower was just as pristine and radiant as he remembered from last night. Julien exhaled slowly, taking his step closer, and the Crystabloom seemed to glow brighter, as if acknowledging his presence.