By the time Mira turned eight, her bond with Petilil had deepened into an unspoken understanding. It was as if she could sense Petilil's emotions through subtle shifts in its behavior. When Petilil was happy, Mira felt a comforting warmth in her chest, like the sun shining on her back. When it was sad or tired, a heaviness settled over her, urging her to act.
One afternoon, while tending to an Aspear Berry bush, Mira noticed that its berries were unusually small and sour compared to the others. "Why is this bush struggling, Papa?" she asked, frowning.
Edward crouched beside her, examining the soil. "It's the nutrients," he explained. "This patch of soil might be lacking key minerals. Why don't you try adding some fertilizer?"
Mira nodded eagerly and spent the afternoon working the fertilizer into the soil. She checked on the bush every day, and within weeks, the berries were plumper and sweeter than ever. "I did it!" she exclaimed, running to show her parents the improved harvest.
"You've got a natural talent, Mira," Lillian said proudly. "Maybe one day, you'll discover something completely new about berries."
Not all lessons came easily, though. One day, Mira and Petilil encountered a wild Pidove in the garden. The bird Pokémon, desperate for food, began pecking aggressively at the berry bushes. When Mira tried to intervene, the Pidove turned on her.
"Leave Petilil alone!" Mira shouted, shielding her friend. But Pidove wasn't deterred and flapped its wings angrily.
In a moment of unexpected bravery, Petilil stepped forward, its body glowing faintly. It unleashed an Absorb attack, drawing energy from the Pidove and forcing it to retreat. Mira stared in awe, tears welling in her eyes as she scooped up Petilil. "You saved me," she whispered. "You're amazing."
From that day on, Mira began training Petilil more deliberately. She experimented with different berries and soil types, observing how they affected its abilities. Her goal was clear: to help Petilil grow strong and confident.