Heartwarming / Infinity Train: Blossoming Trail

As Chloe adventures throughout the Train, she begins to grow and bloom like her namesake.

---

In General

• Chloe, Atticus, and Lexi are not afraid to show affection, hug each other and are quick to cheer each other up when they are feeling down about their respective pasts.
• Atticus didn't have to join Chloe at all, but he does so she won't get lonely. He is always filled with wisdom and is patient with her and Lexi.
• After learning that Atticus can't eat onions — because they're toxic — every time Chloe cooks or orders food for him, she always omits it, showing how much she cares for him. This later extends to Lexi asking what Atticus can't eat to ensure he doesn't get sick during the travel.
• Chloe may not have a lot of people to support her, but her brother and English teacher were the reasons she kept afloat for so long, seeing that she had so much talent in her regardless if she liked Pokémon or not.

Arc 1: Nothing and Nowhere

Run Away / Curry Worries

Run Away / Curry Worries

• It's a small gesture but Akemi decides to stand up for Chloe when all of her classmates pester her into battling Ash. Better yet, the fact that Akemi went and sat down with Chloe at lunch and tries to be nice and friendly with her.
• Ash and Goh telling Chloe all about their adventures in the Galar region, even if she doesn't reciprocate.
• Dragonite offers Ash's Galarian Farfetch'd a hug. It tries to do the same for Chloe, but she declines.
• Even though Chloe lost, Ash did praise her trying to have Yamper use Bite on Gengar's arms. If only Chloe didn't have so much self-loathing, she would've been grateful at the comment.

The Corgi Car

Friend Guard / The Corgi Car

• Atticus treats Chloe like a guest in Corginia, showing her the gardens, letting her feast on delicious foods, and is absolutely kind and patient with her.
  • Atticus plants onions in the gardens not to eat (onions are poisonous to a dog) but as a reminder of Tulip's love for them.

Gale Wings / The Corgi Car Pt 2

• When Atticus narrates his adventure with Tulip, he brings up that Khaki Bottoms and the Ball Pit Car made a full recovery and Khaki Bottoms used the terrors within said car to make up a new scenario. He also reveals that he and One-One keep in touch despite the latter being busy with the Train.
• Atticus continues treating Chloe like royalty, letting her sleep in his palace, barter for items from Randall — including a new dress for her to wear — and she even takes a dip into the bathhouse to freshen up. He even gives her advice when she believes that she'll never be good as Tulip.
  • On Chloe's new dress is a message from Randall thanking her for her lunchbox and even gifting the girl a donut holer that she decides will be her weapon to defend herself.
• Speaking of Tulip, Corginia has a statue of Tulip with Atticus commemorating how they brought One-One back as the true Conductor and the bathhouse has mosaics of One-One and a tulip flower.

The Library of Flying Books Car

Slow Start / The Library of Flying Books Car

• When Chloe doubts herself on taking care of the books, Atticus only advises her that she needs to just take care of one and take it from there.
• Ash requests help from everyone he knows to help search for Chloe.
• Chloe settling in her work to make soup for the flying books, feeling much more confident and happier than she was at home.
• After learning of his sister's disappearance, Parker decides that he'll feed Yamper until Chloe returns and to write little things he likes about her so that his sister knows that he loves her. Talia also comes up with making illustrations to go with Parker's statements and to compile them into a book.

Cursed Body / The Library of Flying Books Car Pt 2

• Chloe wants to do something to help Titus and Lexi so she spends three days coming up with a short story. Atticus praises Chloe for her writing and is intrigued by the story.
• Akemi blames herself for causing Chloe to run away, but Goh reassures her that she did more than Goh ever did in four years. He then vows to be a better friend to Chloe when she returns...unaware that she just wrote a story about how much she hates him.

Pickup / The Library of Flying Books Car Pt 3

• Titus remembering happy memories with Lexi, particularly the day Lexi could transform his pages into a gryphon.
• Titus making Azada look like Wonderland for Chloe on her last day and as an apology for having her get her arm and back hit with boiling water. This includes her having her dress as Alice, playing croquet and a Caucus Race, and even having an Unbirthday Feast!
  • It's implied that this was all Atticus's idea, showing how much he really wants to understand Chloe.
• Upon reading Chloe's short story, Titus is also wowed.
• Chloe and Lexi bonding throughout the chapter: Chloe gives Lexi a makeover to have a human appearance based on a fictional character she created, on his request, Lexi comforts Chloe when she gets angry about feeling different and they even dance and sing to the Lobster Quadrille.
• Lexi apologizing for getting Chloe's arm burnt in the previous chapter and saying that Chloe has every right to hurt him. So she raises Cheshire into the air and...taps him lightly on the head. Chloe had already forgiven him for the attack and said that there's no trouble at all. This action was what Titus hinted as to why Chloe would get to leave so soon and it's through this that Chloe answered his riddle: What all passengers have in common is the capacity to change for the better.
  • Continuing with this, Atticus and Titus decree that Lexi's "punishment" is to travel the train with Chloe until she has to go home, not only letting the two spend more time together but also allows Lexi to finally explore the other cars. Chloe is excited about this and hugs Lexi in delight before she starts eating her Unbirthday cake.
    • On the night before they leave, Lexi reads one of his favorite stories to her, "Blue Angel".
• Lexi deciding to fly Atticus and Chloe to the exit on his gryphon form after he and Titus share a farewell. Titus then hands Chloe Lexi's tome for safekeeping and she waves good-bye before heading off.
• Basically the time in Azada was full of warmth, love, and happiness for Chloe and it has inspired her to prepare for the journey ahead as she, Atticus and Lexi now name themselves the Red Lotus Trio and they head off "to Infinity and Beyond".

The Plush Penguin Car

Hunger Switch / The Plush Penguin Car

• Delia arrives at the Cerise Lab to not only cook food for everyone but also made pastries for all of Ash's Pokémon.
  • Dragonite immediately swoops in to hug Delilah, with Delilah complimenting that the dragon is quite a hugger.
  • Delia consoles Gengar about how it lost to Korrina's Mienshao and even hands it an apple tart, stating that it has a fondness for apples.
• Chloe, Atticus, and Lexi are having fun in the Plush Penguin Car eating ice cream and looking at the sights. They also share a laugh after a previous adventure in The Midnight Car.
• Upon seeing how Nico is ostracized for his love of bagels, Chloe immediately goes to help him out.
• Lexi complimenting Nico's sea salt ice cream by saying that it's "salty tears that melt into sweet, sweet happiness" and compares it to Chloe, who completely blushes at the compliment.
  • Lexi and Chloe are really comfortable with each other, holding hands without any signs of embarrassment.

Ice Face / The Plush Penguin Car Pt 2

• After Chloe's classmates sass her about her book report, Mr. Bradbury allows her to leave for lunch while the rest are held back to write a paragraph reflecting on their poor behavior. He also compliments her work, proving that not all Adults Are Useless in this world.
• Lexi and Atticus reassure Chloe while she grapples with her performance anxiety, with Lexi giving her a hug to help snap her out of her bad memories and focus on their words of encouragement.
• Chloe considers both Lexi and Atticus her rocks and that she couldn't continue her journey if something happened to either of them.
• Lexi and Chloe bonding at Butterscotch Beach, with Lexi immediately listing positive traits about Chloe when she's doubting herself.
  • Within the span of a few days, Lexi and Chloe's friendship is pretty much closer than anything shown with her and Goh. Chloe is quick to tell Lexi about her doubts, Lexi picks up by boosting her spirits and neither of them feel slightly awkward being close with one another. Even with Lexi teasing her, it's never done out of malice.
• Not all of the penguins pick on Nico; Vanilla actually compliments an ice cream bagel sandwich of his.

Wandering Spirit / The Plush Penguin Car Pt 3

• After Chloe finishes telling her story, she begins to walk away to not face the jeers from the audience...then she sees Lexi applauding her and Atticus howling in joy before the audience cheers for her tale. The scene ends with her, Atticus, and Lexi taking a bow to the audience.
  • Lexi tells Chloe that even though he and Atticus nudged her to perform, it was she who took the initiative and came out with something grand. Chloe coming to this realization makes her number drop to 127.
  Lexi: When you put your heart and soul into something you love, everyone can see it. That you’re genuine, that you’re confident. That nothing can stand in your way.
• Nico's joy upon reuniting with his best friend Cara after so many years.
• Parker knew about his sister's love of macabre tales and instead of acting in disgust, he loved it and became invested in horror media like her. It got to the point that he knew of a book of stories that she kept secret from everyone. He even promised to watch every episode of The Noctowl House until Chloe returned.
• Mr. Bradbury convinced Chloe to submit a story to a Horror fiction convention. Chloe admits that she'll be sad that she won't be able to go see it.

The Crayon Car

Bad Dreams / The Crayon Car

• On route to The Crayon Car, Atticus and Lexi praise Chloe for facing her fears on stage and proclaim her as a true witch.
  Lexi: You create worlds from nothing but the thoughts in your head. Anyone can make a thousand from one, but to create a 1 from zero is near impossible. Not only are you the Witch of the Carmine Grove, you are also the Witch of Creation.
  Atticus: And Apalogue.
  Lexi: A Nightmare Troubadour who recites tales of the monsters who lurk within a realm of shadows. The girl who traversed through darkness and mirrors to see what lies ahead. The —
  Chloe: Okay, okay, I get it! (hugs Lexi and pats Atticus on the head) I’m good at writing and I like spooky things. But...that’s not all I am, you know.
  Lexi: Of course not. You’re sweet as chocolate, as brave as a knightess, clever as a pickpocket, and you have the heart of an angel.
  Chloe: You’re exaggerating.
  Lexi: No, I honestly think you’re clever as a pickpocket.
• After Parker's attempt to impress his parents with one of Chloe's stories ends poorly, Talia comforts him, praising him for having done a better job getting to know his sister than either of them had managed thus far.
• In the Hotel Crayola, Chloe speaks just as warmly about her brother, and how he provided her with somebody who shared her interests — who encouraged her to create more and cheered her on every step of the way.
• Trip reveals that when he visited the Self-Portrait Car, the image that the white wolf painter created of their most important person wasn't of Alder, but of Ash. This sets up the Wham Line when he reveals that he has a crush on the Pallet Town trainer.
• When Chloe sadly reflects on how long it's been since she attended a slumber party, Atticus and Lexi help her flip her way of thinking about it around. The peers that deliberately excluded her were the ones missing out at a chance at her friendship; not her.
  • The fact that she's having a fun sleepover with her closest friends which includes a pillow fight, good food, her singing about her being a new person and them cuddling in bed like it's so natural to them. When Chloe wishes she could always be like this, Lexi asks what's stopping her. This spurs her to start truly embracing herself.
• Lexi going the extra mile to decorate the room with Chloe's tastes in mind and even making her a set of pajamas based on The Halloween Tree.
• During their bath, Chloe takes the time to draw a picture of a sleeping Atticus in the bathtub, with a red tulip flower next to him. Atticus smiles fondly at how Chloe still takes the time to think of him while she's discussing her own problems.
• Atticus giving Chloe the inspiration that she could get into Pokémon via the myths and legends about them. It's a very powerful moment that shows her finding her own way.

Color Change / The Crayon Car Pt 2

• Chloe's morning routine has her talking to her Mirror self and telling them that they are great and mighty.
  • As Chloe brushes Atticus's fur, she tells him about how she wants to get into Pokémon legends and myths. While Atticus sadly notes that he won't be able to read them, because denizens can't leave the Train and of his duties in Corginia, Chloe promises that she'll think of him whenever she's with Yamper. Atticus responds with:
  Atticus: If you do make a promise, don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself. I know that you’ll do great things, Chloe of the Vermillion. But you need to be able to make promises that you can keep. Promises that you will grow strong, that you will face the future with a smile on your face and that you will remember the lessons that you learned from your experience here.
  Chloe: [About to cry as she hugs Atticus] I promise.
• Compared to the angst Chloe and Goh are going through, Ash has a fine morning. Not only does he reciprocate Trip's kiss, he decides that he wants to "get together" with Trip and know the Unova trainer well. He plans on taking Trip on a date at this city hosting a Wind Festival in the future, to which Trip reciprocates.
• It ended badly on his part, but Parker tried to defend his sister from Sara and Chloe's nastier classmates.
  • Parker was ready to help in Chloe's simple presentation in the Talent Show, even gasping when Chloe wanted him to "dress up" as the Specter of the Black Forest. The audience even applauds Chloe's last-minute costume change which made her feel relieved...until Sara ruined the moment.
• Lexi questions the unfairness of kind people being trampled on by bullies, projecting his own angst out into the open. Chloe is quick to console him and say that he has her and Atticus to lean on and that she will not leave anyone behind even if her number goes down to 0.

Flower Gift / The Crayon Car Pt 3

• Parker jumping in excitement upon learning his sister got third place in the horror writing contest. The flashback reveals how he encouraged Chloe to take Mr. Bradbury's suggestion to submit the story and even helped give his opinion on how to edit it.
  Parker: You’re Chloe, the Princess of Nightmares! You’re much better than any princess who can curtsey or flutter a fan in front of their face!
  • Mr. Bradbury showed that he could relate to Parker and him liking Kirby. Mr. Bradbury's first partner was a Cleffa that crash-landed in his backyard when he was a boy.
  • Parker also rushes to his sister's defense against their father, even revealing his own 'girly interests' despite his fears that their father won't accept him either.
• Trip's Pokémon bonding with Ash's is quite sweet. Trip even decides to cuddle Oshawott, much to his confusion.
  • Ash reuniting with Pidgeot after so many years.
• Ash is thankful for Trip being here during this troubled time and Trip realizes he was putting too much pressure on Ash when the Pallet Town trainer finally breaks down into tears.
• Upon Atticus revealing that he had a suspicion that The Apex destroyed The Unfinished Car, he apologizes for not revealing this sooner. Chloe forgives him immediately as she understands that it must've been horrible to consider. Lexi also apologizes for jumping to conclusions too soon. Atticus is so moved that he cries Tears of Joy.
• Chloe reveals one good memory she had with her father: her dad bought her a softball bat and they played with it a lot, to the point that Parker would race against Yamper to see who would catch every ball she hit. Professor Cerise even sees two videos in regards to it: one where Chloe swings her bat and the other one where she reveals that she named it Silver Night.
• Lexi and Chloe share a quiet time during the walk, eating sandwiches, folding origami, and talking about Chloe's love of horror. For Chloe, it's just a nice time to rest. For Lexi, it's to feel the sun shine down on him after being trapped underground for eight years.
• The author notes reveal that Chloe's love of mint chocolate sweets is shared with her father. The story reveals that they would buy a double scoop of mint chocolate ice cream with brownies and chocolate syrup.

Moxie / The Canals of Fondue Car

• Chloe has become a much braver and confident person, going as far as to compliment Zack — who is about to knock her unconscious — about his promise to get him and Ray out (well so he can kill her, but still). Zack is moved by this, deciding to not kill her. When he gets zapped by Gadreel's shock collar on him, Chloe returns the favor by destroying it with her umbrella. Zack then states he owes her one and, knowing what he's like in the anime, is intent on keeping his word.
  • Chloe requests fighting lessons from Zack and Zack immediately calls her his student to the point that he tells Satou and Shiou that if anything happens to Chloe, he'll go after them.
• In the Canals of Fondue Car, Lexi praises Chloe for standing up for herself about not needing a Pokémon on her journey.
• In the Cerise residence Ash and Trip having a cuddle, with Trip wishing to go to Galar to capture an Applin to gift Ash as a sign that they're together. When Ash shows concerns that Trip will leave when Chloe returns, Trip states that he's going to stay with Ash and work on a more diverse Pokémon team to fight against Alder ending with a kiss on the nose.
  • Trip being supportive to Ash when Parker chews the latter out by squeezing his hand under the table for comfort. And when Ash shows concern about Serena learning about this and might take it the wrong way or even end up on the Infinity Train, Trip reassures Ash that since she desires him to be happy, she'll be supportive of the relationship.
• Ash telling Parker that his sister is different for liking demons and that different is neither "good" nor "bad", just not the same, and even begins bringing up several of his own experiences with the supernatural.
• It's revealed that Mallow was a former passenger and was cared for by Tuba. In fact, Tuba was the one who made her the flower headband she wore.
• After Atticus snaps at Chloe for bringing up grape jelly — there's a grape jelly puddle in The Unfinished Car — Chloe heads off to find a hotel and Lexi confronts him over the corgi king's worries about King Aloysius. Atticus states that since King Aloysius and the turtles were based on data from Corginia, that made them brothers. He also confesses that he wants to be strong enough to defeat the Apex.
  Lexi: You are strong in the real way. It takes courage and inner strength in order to confront the monsters that lurk in the forest. And that you confessed your insecurities and fears to me shows that you’re willing to let us in on your pain and suffering.
• Chloe reunites with Jaden and happily listens to one of his stories.
• After the Engineered Public Confession, Professor Cerise decides to go out for ice cream. Parker wants cherry blossom ice cream with chocolate (which is symbolic of his sister), Trip wants salted caramel (a reminder of Cara) and Ash wants matcha ice cream (as the green just reminds him of Trip).
• At dinner, Parker hopes that wherever Chloe is on the Infinity Train, she's with her friends. The reader knows that his sister is doing okay with Atticus and Lexi.

Intermission: Mold Breaker / You're Not Here

Intermission: Mold Breaker / You're Not Here

• Delia assures Ash that she is fine with Ash's new relationship with Trip, as long as Trip keeps him happy.
• After Chloe says her farewells to her father and Goh, Zack, Ray, Atticus and Lexi reassure her that she's going to be all right.
  • Even during her callout, she assures Parker and her mother that she loves them and that they did what they could for her. Chloe also tells her brother that it's okay if he broke their promise to keep her stories secret.
• When Ash starts beating himself up yet again for not doing more, Trip kisses Ash and begs him not to blame himself any further.
• While Chloe believes that no one cares for her, it's shown that there were people at school who did care for her and Ash taps into all the people he met on his travels to bring support for her.
  • Akemi confesses how she still feels that everything is her fault, but many people tell her that she did the right thing trying to help Chloe out.
  • Students at Chloe's school are shocked to know that she had such talent. The Creative Writing club promises to buy the magazine that will publish her short story.
  • Chloe's teachers remark on how talented Chloe was, whether it's softball or art.
  • Many boys and men admit that they love girly things too, by posting pictures of themselves with their Pokémon (mostly those that are cute and cuddly) and singing songs from Sofia the First as a sign of solidarity for Parker.

Arc 2: Run Baby Run

The Sacred Line / The Hidden Temple Car (The Hate I Hate Believing)

• Mallow, finally getting the messages Ash had sent out about Chloe's fate, very quickly getting back to him with a reassurance that you can't be there for everyone all the time and not to beat himself up. It's advice Ash really needs to take in.
• Serena comforts Ash while he's still struggling with loathing issues and the fact that he's now together with Trip. Serena states that she's not angry over Ash's choice; he's still her ultimate goal but wants to be able to get close to Trip also so that she could protect both of them.
• Parker sends out an email to his sister, telling her of what had occurred, what he is up to now, and lets her know that she had gotten third place in the contest. While Chloe is still conflicted about going home, she drafts a response so that she can tell her brother that she's doing ok when she gets the chance.
• Upon seeing the successful artifacts retrieved from the Hidden Temple, Lexi muses that his father would love to know the stories behind them.
• One-One of all people giving his blessing to Chloe, Lexi and Atticus to stop the Apex. On a personal level, barring Atticus, he doesn't know them, yet he puts his faith into stopping the Apex so the passengers will be able to change themselves and the denizens can be in peace.

The Elephant Teapot Car

Innocent Moon / The Elephant Teapot Car (Can It Be Or Is it?)

• Kricketina Kylie is much more insightful about Ash's friendship problems and helps him out when he's in a funk in regards to Goh. Pikachu agrees with her final assessment, comforting his trainer greatly.
  "You shouldn't let one friendship make a mistake in dominating your life. Like I said, you seem like a good friend, and to a lot of people. You have that look to you, somehow. When you try to do better with one of those friendships, make sure you don’t forget the kind of friend you were to everyone else. If you could have done something else for that Chloe girl it was the exception to who you are, not the rule.”
  • Ash is also very earnest in extolling Goh's talents. He's clearly trying to get Goh to enjoy himself, but he really does show respect for his friend's skills especially compared to his own as a rookie.
• It's a small gesture but Goh is still in a stable enough frame of mind to thank Raboot for what the rabbit does for him and thinks nothing of sharing an extra lemonade.
• Amelia opens up more about herself to Chloe in their messages and Chloe says that Amelia is doing all she can to atone for her sins. With how much the story throws around the term 'unforgivable', it's reassuring to know that redemption isn't automatically a waste of time.
• When Ash brings up the topic of his and Trip's relationship, Professor Cerise gives a small, but approving, response.
  • And earlier, Professor Cerise states that he knows that Chloe is more than capable of fighting off any and all threats on the Train, compared to Goh freaking out and thinking she's in danger (which, to be fair, he makes a good point). It shows how much confidence he has in his daughter compared to the same man who vehemently denied her skills in writing.

The Day of Night / The Elephant Teapot Car Pt 2 (My Mission is Holy)

• Trip once again consoling Ash over how none of the problems involving Goh and Chloe are his fault.
• Atticus consoles Chloe by telling her that she's going through a transition from the girl who was bullied to a girl who has grown strong and proud.
• During the Rousing Speech, Chloe tells the denizens that it's time to rise up against the Apex and the truth about the Conductor being Amelia. She also tells them to leave Amelia be because she's realized her mistake and wishes to atone for it.
• Alex treating Hop like his little brother. It would be cute except there is something wrong with Hop's behavior and that his present is an Apex harpoon-pack...
• In a mix of this and Awesome, Cerise’s outrage at Goh slandering Chloe online and taking action by telling Parker and Taila to post photos in defence of Chloe and he phones Kurune to inform her of what her son had done. What makes it heartwarming is that it shows that Cerise does NOT value his research fellow over his own daughter and he is NOT going to let him get away with his wrongdoing, like Chloe claimed.

The Cyan Desert Car

Love Psalm / The Cyan Desert Car (The Missing, The Torture)

• Rashid is in the Infinity Train due to not being able to move on from the death of his friend, but the fact that Azam is with him shows how truly loyal he is to the Young Master.
• Rashid and Azam help comfort Chloe as she's still reeling from breaking up with Goh.
• Chloe has become so beloved by the Train that even Amelia stands up for her defense and comforts her when Chloe found a car destroyed by the Apex (specifically it was the Cube Car from "The Mall Car"). Amelia even entrusts Chloe to help save Hazel from Grace and Simon when she remembers Hazel's true identity.
• Professor Cerise telling Yeardley that it was he who got Chloe into softball and going full Papa Wolf on the sexist bully for how the boy hurt his "little blossom".
• Ash refuses to let his mother blame Chloe for Parker's actions. Yes, Chloe does have a lot to answer for, but not everything that happened to her is her own fault.
• Trip and Serena talk about their concerns for Ash while he's training for his future battle against Bea.
• Amelia actually concerned for Hazel's safety when she sees Hazel's "number" in comparison to how she only saw Hazel as as some experiment in canon. She immediately high-tails it out of the Mall Car and even calls Chloe to help save her daughter before Grace and Simon learn the truth.

Prisonic Fairytale / The Cyan Desert Car Pt 2 (A State of Isolation)

• Atticus decides to bury the hatchet with Amelia, welcomes her as the fourth member of the Red Lotus Trio, or "Quarto" and gifts her a worthy title, "Amelia the Artificer". Amelia is touched by this and the Train agrees as her number drops a little. She even pins a red origami flower she folded on her suit to show that she's willing to join in stopping this madness.
• Azam listens to Chloe spill her guts out about how a ten-year-old "Monster Lover" is tasked to stop the Apex, and her insecurities about being unable to try anything new due to her bullying and how she was wishing for someone to just tell her to try again or comfort her. He advises her with something Rashid learned in his world: ability is not important, the will to move forward is. By the time Azam leaves her to go back to his tent, Chloe is practicing her fighting skills with Cheshire, determined to move forward.
• When having to prove to Parker that they cared about Chloe, Chryssa and Renji ask UnChloe to pull out items from their lockers. Chryssa has gift-cards for "all six of them", including Chloe. Renji shows off a polishing kit Chloe gave him for Francois,.
  • In the same vein, Professor Cerise convinces Parker to let them call Goh about a birthday gift he gave Chloe. Goh immediately remembers that it was a short story collection with UnChloe showing off that it still has a To/From sticker and a little birthday message written by Goh himself. This proved that Goh still cared a little for Chloe even if he doesn't understand what's going on and is currently in a bad place.
• Yamper shows off his loyalty to Chloe even when UnChloe questions why he wasn't on the Train with her (the real reason being that the Train picked her up before Chloe could go back for him). When Parker asks Yamper to name three people not named Mr. Bradbury who cared for Chloe, Yamper answers how the school librarian allows her to borrow an extra book, a member of the school's softball team complimented her on her swing and Parker himself loved her cooking. He goes on to say that kindness comes in different forms, be it a compliment or a kind gesture.
• Renji reassures Ash that the incident with Gladion and Lillie was not his fault at all as he didn't have the entire context for their fight.

Walk on Vanity Ruins / The Cyan Desert Car Pt 3 (His Orders, My Brother)

• Chloe finally obtains the courage to compose an email to Ash, where she confesses that she truly wants to be his friend and would like to try again when she returns from the train. Unfortunately, she has no idea what happened the day before and has no idea that Ash is about to leave Vermillion City because of her brother's machinations. And when she does, she tells Ash that she is putting her full faith in saving her little brother.
  • In said conversation not only do we see Chloe willing to open up with Ash and forgive him, but he also agrees to help her when she returns with a few things, including finding her own partner. She's even enthusiastic about it taking a few adventures to find with Ash as she has her sights set on an Eevee.
• Amelia giving reassurance to Chloe to have faith in Ash to help save Parker and even agreeing with some of Rashid's advice.
• Before Ikuo and Kurune go to work, they tell Goh that they love him and they only want him not to make stupid mistakes just because Chloe is gone. Unfortunately, this does nothing to change Goh's mind on whose fault it is on his sanity crumbling...
• Even though he's part of the plan to unleash the Cage of Flauros, Alex actually cares for Hop in contrast to how Walter and Henry have little regards to their prisoner and patient respectively as they call them by their designated roles ("Despair" and "Dreams") while Alex has the decency to call Hop by his real name.

My Justice For You/ The Cyan Desert Car Pt 4 (My Trigger, Your Finger)

• Chloe contacts Professor Cerise, and despite her remaining anger at him, gives him the information he needs to talk Parker down and assures him that she never wanted her father to die.
• Mr. Bradbury saves Miss April from her suicide, having gone to visit her out of nothing but genuine concern for her. When he learns about the class being abducted, he immediately sets about trying to track them down and help them, despite everything they had done.
• When Chloe gets overcome by a panic attack by what Parker is doing, Lexi steps in to finish texting Parker and talking him down.
• Parker making UnChloe be nice to everyone did result in quite a few of these as both named characters and random people get a helping push in everything from battle to personal growth to love.
• It's implied that Bayleef finally got through to Ash about her feelings, when we see her after a moment skipped over she looks utterly relieved to finally have said something she'd been meaning to say for a long time.

She / The Cyan Desert Car Pt 5 (Inside My Head Is Humming)

• Professor Cerise and Ash show a fair degree of kindness and respect to the other in this chapter in subtle moments. Professor Cerise very clearly makes sure to let Chloe know that Ash kept his promise to her, while Ash, who otherwise doesn't want to get involved in court cases, would defend the Professor no questions asked.
• The dream Professor Cerise and Ash in Goh's Chloe-based nightmares showed their willingness to help her in all the other scenarios. In these dreams, if nothing else, we see scenarios where Professor Cerise would react as one would want him to if he had known what was going on while Ash is open to helping in every way he can.
  • Related to the dreams while the dream Goh declares as 'it has to be better', for all it went rather poorly, did include the defense of 'Ash is probably not going to be called insensitive this time'. While the scenario did end with Chloe literally being dragged back into the lab against her will Goh was able to see how it would help out his friend at the very least.
• Ash and Raboot are horrified by what their dream counterparts said to Goh, and try to reassure him, with Raboot trying to hug his trainer in reassurance and apologies.
• Ash is given a lot of badly-needed assurance, not just from Bradbury and April who assure him that this wasn't on him, but by the student's parents who thank him for saving their children and assert that regardless of how they feel about Cerise, they know he's a hero.
  • While he cannot see Goh right away, Ash is still reassured that his friend is improving before getting a chance to relax and forget his troubles with a Pokemon battle he wins.
  • Chloe texts him to promise that she'll do everything in her power to rescue Hop, and tells him to take care of himself...and Goh, finally acknowledging her former friend without any venom.
• Trip and Serena help out Jinny, making sure she doesn't get hurt because of what Parker did.
• Despite the entire sequence breaking Goh, Zeno actually shows pity for the boy and really hopes that he'll get back on his feet.

Noone love you / The Cyan Desert Car Pt 6 (And In My Darkest Nightmare)

• Everyone visiting Goh in his hospital room - Ash, his parents and grandmother, Raboot, even Zeno - work to promise and assure him that this isn't the end for him, that there's still hope for him.
  • Back before Raboot evolved, he found his trainer having a bad nightmare. Despite not knowing what the dream was about and never finding out, Scorbunny didn't waste any time comforting his trainer with big hug that calmed him down. With some effort, he manages to do the same thing now.
• Ash agrees to help the class of 5-E learn how to become trainers, on the grounds that if they screw up like they did with Chloe, they're gone. None of them screw up, and their parents are relieved and thankful that their kids have some kind of future now.
• After Parker explains what Zeno is, Talia resolves to get a monitor for her son and help with any of the nightmares he suffers. Despite everything he's done, she won't let him face things alone.
• One-One calls Chloe and tells her that if she needs to let out her frustrations and cry, then it's okay. One-One may not understand some social norms, but he really does care for Chloe and the stress she might be going through.
• Amelia arrives in Azada — thanks to One-One moving the car so she can enter it — to meet up with the Red Lotus Trio instead of having them meet up with her in the Fog Car.
• Grace begins suspecting Hazel's true nature early, and vows to keep her safe despite knowing full well she has no right to. Seems her Heel Realization might not come completely too late...

Living In Fear / The Dead Carnival Car (Sometimes I Hear Them Coming)

• Ash and Chloe email each other, with Ash offering genuine advice on how to handle being a 'Chosen One'.
• Even if they can't stop the train, Ash and his friends are bringing Goh along on their trip to Saffron to try and cheer him up. If the train will pick Goh up no matter what, it won't be because Ash left him behind.
• Trip and Serena recount how Jinny wowed everyone with her Feebas' performance, and won the contest after Feeby evolved and blasted Team Rocket off.
  • A small part of Ash is glad Jessie and James reunited with Arbok and Weezing after so long.
• Ash's Infernape has now become a role model in Professor Oak's lab for how to move on from trauma. After everything he experienced as a Chimchar under Paul's tutelage, he's now able to move on and help others.
• Despite being furious with Parker and not having the nicest opinion of Chloe, Delia still comforts Talia about how she handled things with her children and lets the Cerise parents use the guesthouse she owns while they get themselves situated in their new home.
  • While she is not happy with Chloe and especially Parker, Delia's probably the most sympathetic ear towards the Cerise parents they've had to deal with in a long time.
• Just seeing the Red Lotus Quarto interact with each other. With Amelia and Atticus' past history, it's refreshing to see them talk and joke like friends, and Amelia even protects Atticus from the demon attack.
  • Amelia has definitely lightened up within a week of meeting with the Red Lotus Trio. In this one chapter we see her having a treatment in the Steam Room in the Spa Car, ha lunch the Honey Car, gets very enthusiastic fighting Deaddy in CarnEvil, giving Chloe a thought-provoking question of if she wants to start her friendship with Goh from the beginning, protects Atticus when Chloe fights off The Organ Man, compliments Chloe going at it alone and is willing to help her try something new to the point that she helps Lexi become a kyorinrin. The old Amelia would never be this enthusiastic or willing to interact with others.
• After reading her mother's email stating that Chloe is having a sabbatical from horror, and screaming and taking some time to calm down, Amelia state that Chloe doesn't have to be "Obsessed" with something new, but just try it out for a while and see where it takes her. This gives her the inspiration to give her and Lexi a new makeover, styling her hair into a sideswept waves style with blue ink streaks and Lexi is now a kyorinrin with a dragon-like form with scrolls and a red yukata.
  • Chloe feels bad to not have accepted a hug from Dragonite and promises that she'll hug it back when she returns. In fact it was learning about Ash's theory on why Dragonair evolve into Dragonite that gives her an idea for Lexi's new form.
  • The end of the chapter has Chloe look at the rest of the Quarto relaxing — Lexi admiring his new appearance, Atticus reading and Amelia ordering food for everyone — before she goes to re-read Ash's email. She then decides to write a new message, but to someone who truly needs it.
  "Hey dad..."

The Curry Car

Dreams of Leaving / The Curry Car (The Promise, The Breaking)

• The chapter starts with Chloe's email to her father, apologizing for everything he did to her and hoping to start over.
• Bea isn't as cold to Ash as she was in the anime, respecting his skills in fighting and even deciding to have ice cream with him and his friends.
• The Karate Master helps Raboot train to help the bunny become stronger to protect Goh.
• Chloe dressing up in a new outfit with the accessories she added being symbolic of the Red Lotus Quarto: she has a ring with the seal for Focalor (depicted as a man with gryphon wings) to represent Lexi, a lace bracelet with a crown to represent Atticus to move forward, and a sword broach for Amelia to remember her past but strive to move forward.
• Chloe texts Ash and wholly apologizes for how she acted around him and asks for his forgiveness. Ash already forgives her and when Chloe requests to do something to make up for it, he only asks that she cooks for him. But Chloe decides that she'll get Hop, Paul and Alain out from Silent Hill and back to their world.
• When both Romin and Chloe are feeling glum about them cooking curry, Lexi tells them that they want to prove that they want Luke and Goh's forgiveness and that they have to take this first step.

Memory of the Waters / The Curry Car Pt 2 (Who Are You? I Know You)

• Mr. Bradbury reveals that he wrote a recommendation letter for Chloe to enroll in an art academy in Galar, ensuring that she'll have a bright future and chance to start anew away from Vermillion.
• When Soma (with Agni's urn) arrived on the Train, he landed in the Curry Car. The denizens there treated him warmly to the point that when he died and became a denizen, he was lauded as the Curry Prince.

Lives Wasted Away / The Curry Car Pt 3 (Reflection, Conception)

• It turns out Agni's spirit is still looking out for Soma, and he shows Amelia where his urn is so he can put Soma's spirit to rest.
• Chloe convinces the Curry Prince to let go of his pain and join his beloved khansama at last. The Prince apologizes to the entire car for all the harm he's caused and closes his eyes for the last time. Chloe then takes the time to gather the ashes of both prince and butler and dump them into the river, and hoping that the manga ends with them together, watching the sun rise.
• As Romin leaves to return home, she tells Chloe that she'll go back home and face all her trials with the same strength she showed with Soma. Chloe smiles and the two shake hands before Romin enters the portal.
• After taking a much-needed break, Chloe catches up on her correspondence.
  • Serena offers to help in whatever way she can, even though she hasn't had the best of luck so far. Chloe comforts her about feeling like a failure, and gives her the assurance that she will earn Ash and his friend's forgiveness no matter what it takes. She also makes sure Serena knows about Akemi and tells her to reach out to her.
  • It turns out the class did, in fact, make email apologies to Chloe. Some of them didn't wait until after Sara's confession to do so. While Chloe doesn't know how to respond, she doesn't reject them outright as she did with Sara.
  • Finally, she gives a potential goodbye letter to her father and assures him that she loves him, no matter what.

Always On My Mind / Le Chat Chalet Car (Come Forward, I've Seen It)

• After Lexi throws a paper ball at Amelia — for revealing she could've just contacted One-One to move cars and avoid the ghom attack earlier — Amelia opens it and smiles as it depicts all four of them resting in the Scroll Car, forgetting their destinies and relaxing for a moment.
  • When Amelia calls One-One, Glad-One is wearing a red lotus flower hat and asking how Amelia is doing with her friends. Amelia smiles a little.
• Randall isn't sad about Chloe no longer wearing her original beach dress, but is just happy that she wore it. He's swelled to know that Chloe's been making good use of the donut holer he gifted her.
• Frank cooks eggs for the Quarto, not making a big deal of how the four are famous throughout the Train, nor does he show disgust for Amelia (who nearly killed his lover more than a year ago).
• What spurs Chloe to start chewing out the Cat for all her faults? The Cat blaming Amelia for making the Apex. Atticus and Lexi also join in, cementing that Amelia is their ally and nothing will change that.
• Chloe reflects how she ran off from her problems like The Cat did. Everyone reassures her that she's not The Cat and she's doing more to improve herself and getting ready to go home. Her number is now at 24 at this point and she's now getting ready to face her destiny.
• The final push to go pass the off-key Christmas ornaments Car is to have them run and scream at the top of their lungs, a last bit of happiness and fun before they reach Silent Hill.

Arc 3: In the Darkness

The Fog Car

Different Persons / The Fog Car (The Answer is Drowning)

• This may be the first chapter of the long-awaited Silent Hill arc and showdown between the Red Lotus Quarto, the Apex leaders and Walter and Henry, but somehow there are a lot of fuzzy moments.
  • Molly reassures Parker that things will get better and promises to visit him.
  • Serena being patient with Trip in helping him cookies for Ash.
  • Ash taking Goh to the Safari Zone and Goh gets back in the groove on his catching spree.
  • Ash helping to reassure Mallow that Chloe will save Tuba from the Apex and that she must live a happy life as that was what Tuba would want.
• Chloe, preparing for destiny, manages to rack up a lot.
  • She sends a farewell message if she never returns alive from the Train, telling everyone to not blame themselves for what happens.
  • She emails Ash and tells him that it's time for her to head off to destiny but she promises that she'll return. In the meantime, she asks him to have Goh make three promises to her: wait for her until she arrives home, that they just have curry and talk and be friends again, and that if he ever gets on the Train that he works on himself than worry about her.
  • When Chloe sees Hazel and Tuba, she tells Tuba that Mallow misses her dearly and wants to see her again. Tuba just answers, "Not too much, I hope."
• Amelia gives the Quarto red origami lotus flowers to wear as a sign of solidarity. It truly goes to show how the three mean so much to her.

Ordinary Vanity / The Fog Car Pt 2 (The Power, Believing)

• Amelia is on Chloe's side through and through as she tells Grace and Simon that, compared to them, she has heart.
• After Chloe breaks down on how Simon had a point about her, Amelia reassures her that while it will be difficult and that she will be punished by her parents, it's only out of love and that both sides are willing to change and get better.

Mr. JOY / The Fog Car Pt 3 (Things That I Can't Remember)

Shot Down in Flames / The Fog Car Pt 4 (Don't Fight Me, Ignite Me)

Behind the Wall of Sleep / The Fog Car Pt 5 (I Walk Inside Your Circle)

• Professor Cerise is beyond happy and surprised to have Renji and Chryssa stay on board with the relocation to Pallet Town. After the entire world demonized and crucified him for his mistakes, this was a much needed break.
• "Saint" Ash first looks like he's actually evil under the surface; but he actually comes to aid Chloe in helping Paul break out of Despair once and for all. Even when he starts to fade away, he and Chloe have no hard feelings.
  • Chloe helps to reassure Paul that he can change and he will be able to leave the Train to see Reggie again. Even when asked to take his Pokémon back home, Chloe states that he should at least keep Electivire on hand.
• Hop is able to get through to Alain and have him wake up once and for all, hoping to redeem himself to get home to Professor Sycamore and Mairin.
• Upon learning about her transformed state, Hazel tearfully states that she's Hazel. Unlike in canon, thanks to Tuba and Amelia no longer seeing her as an experiment, she is comforted by the fact that her denizen nature won't change who she is. Amelia even takes the time to wipe off the lipstick on the girl's face with a turtle printed handkerchief.
  • Upon hearing Hazel scream in terror, Amelia's only concern is to get to the girl immediately.
• When Grace and Lexi finally make it to the church, Chloe immediately races to Lexi and hugs him in relief.

Merciless / The Fog Car Pt 6

• Parker is actually treated fine in the Calla Rehab Center and ends up befriending "Twitchy".
  • Upon showing off a sketch of Goh's kidnapper, he tells Molly to tell others not to give him anything, showing off his maturity and how he messed up badly.
• In Zeno's last hurrah, he gives Goh some advice in that he truly was doing his best to be a friend to Chloe by showing off memories of him getting the book for Chloe's birthday and getting a thank you text.

Overdose Delusion / The Fog Car Pt 7 (Your Power Is Over)

• When Chloe is going into more self-loathing over how everything will stay the same when she returns home and everyone in Vermillion will hate her for what she did, Alain, Hop and Paul tell her it's not true. People will love her and care for her and Lexi states that all she has to do is try. The last word is enough for Chloe to break down in tears because that's all what she wanted.
  • More importantly they break it down to her that the trainer's life is not as glamorous as everyone makes it out to be and them giving her the honest truth about it is what finally makes it clear that her and her classmates' perceptions were highly glamorized and gives her enough mental focus to finally let go of the bias that hurt her.
• Paul is glomped by all his Pokémon after they reunite.
• After Atticus revives Chloe, she is hugged by her friends, the trainers, and their Pokémon. Chloe is relieved and so happy to have people who truly love her.

True / The Fog Car Pt 8 (This Pain Will Last Forever)

• Chloe finally recognizes how toxic she's been and apologizes to the three Trainers for being as Innocently Insensitive as to mope about how she's going to go home soon, while they're stuck there for a few months to a year. For their part, the Trainers accept her apology, and let her know how calling people out might've felt cathartic, but it was ultimately a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
• Hazel looks at Grace with sympathy after the Apex disbands. Even after all she's gone through, she's still nice enough to worry for her.
• After she's done apologizing to the Trainers, Chloe pays Grace a visit and they have a civil talk. Given how up until this point, Chloe had beaten a dead horse in regards to Grace's blame in the creation of the Apex, this is rather sweet.

Cradle of Forest / The Fog Car Pt 9 (Your Promise is Broken)

• Lexi, Atticus, Amelia, Hop and Hazel reassure Chloe that she'll be able to find herself back home and she's stronger than all her bullies because everything they did reflected their character, not her.
• Zack and Ray appear and say their goodbyes with Zack stating how proud he is of Chloe. Given that Zack is known to never lie at all, it makes the praise all the sweeter.
• All of Chloe's final farewells to the train, thanking them for the adventure. Sad-One even initiates a good-bye hug just like when Tulip left the Train.
• Chloe deciding to save her classmates from Turner despite everything they did to her.

Post-Fog Car

Emergency Exit / The Self-Portrait Car (I'm Back)

• Yeardley works to protect his little sister, and makes the first act to distract Turner. Chloe repays him by getting Turner's attention before she can shoot Yeardley.
• Basically all of Chloe's hospital visits, to a degree.
  • Yamper's ecstatic reunion with his trainer, followed closely by Chloe's parents, Chryssa and Renji. Notably, Professor Cerise's gift to her is the Little Lycanthology magazine and its page is opened up at her short story, showing off how proud he is of her accomplishments.
  • Chloe burying the hatchet with her classmates, and admitting that she's hopeful about giving them a second chance. And while there's too much baggage to do the same with Yeardley, she makes some peace with him and wishes him well.
  • Chloe reassures Akemi that none of this was her fault; the bullying would've been exposed and Ms. Turner's hostage situation would've happened without Chloe disappearing.
• Trip apologizes to Goh for how insensitive he was being.
• Mr. Bradbury and Miss April having a drink together while they commiserate about their situation. Bradbury promises to apologize to Professor Cerise and ensure April gets her new education.
• Margaret adopts "Shawn" as a Replacement Goldfish for her son, ensuring the two will be able to heal.
• Amelia and the others are happy to help Hazel with Tuba's funeral.

Healer / End of Small Sanctuary (You Have Your Orders, Soldier)

• Chloe and Goh's meeting, having curry like they were younger and apologizing to one another for the mistakes they made.
• When Chloe starts to develop It's All My Fault feelings over what happened with Goh and how much she hurt him, Tomie is quick to remind her that all she did was have a bad falling out with him. It's not as big a deal as it feels like.

Other

• Exotos wrote an epilogue, Blossoming Trail: Thank You in which Lexi, Atticus, Amelia and Hazel request One-One to make a car as a tribute to Chloe for everything that she did. In the end, they enter a car with a large cherry blossom tree and numerous items that related to the girl in some way.
  Amelia: Well, Chloe...this is our gift to you. I hope you like it.

---