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"Could this be a prank?" the assistant murmured, clicking into the facility's detailed profile.
While the assistant was on the phone jotting down information, Grant stared at the town's name, racking his brain for the face that matched it.
Recalling the name was tough—after all, as a Gym Leader, he battled four or five challengers daily, from all over Kalos, Hoenn, Kanto, Sinnoh… anywhere aspiring Trainers came to compete in the League.
Yet this name—Pelican Town—left a distinct impression.
It stirred a hazy memory…
…and the image of truly formidable Pokémon.
"Who was that again…?" he muttered.
"What?!" the assistant shouted into the phone. "You don't know where Pelican Town is either?! Then how did you issue them a Breeding License?! Don't give me that—I checked! The paperwork is completely valid!"
After a long silence, the assistant hung up, frowning, and sat back at the computer, refreshing the screen repeatedly.
Grant, still lost in thought, absentmindedly fingered the gems braided into his hair. Noticing his assistant's grim expression, he asked, "What's wrong?"
"They said… the town's on an island in the Azure Bay region. That's why it's not on standard maps." The assistant zoomed in on the map, scanning the scattered islets near Azure Bay. "I guess we have to believe them…"
But then again—those tiny specks of land barely looked big enough to house ten people, let alone support an entire Breeding Institution.
A Breeding Institution wasn't just a Day Care.
It supplied Kalos's new Trainers with beginner Pokémon, provided specialized Pokémon for various industries, and met strict quality and temperament requirements across countless sectors.
Some roles demanded specific traits; others required balanced stats and low levels—so staff could safely handle them.
New Trainers needed exactly that latter type.
If a Pokémon's level was too high, it couldn't be assigned to beginners.
Grant pondered for a moment—then, instead of worrying whether Pelican Town could fulfill the order, he asked, "Has anyone from Pelican Town ever challenged the Gym?"
"All challengers are logged," the assistant said. He grimly closed the breeding system, opened the Gym battle records, and typed in "Pelican Town."
After a while, he shook his head. "No results."
"Could it have been before I became Leader?" Grant frowned, thinking hard. Eventually, he gave up.
That shadowy memory still lingered—just out of reach.
But he'd been Gym Leader for eight years…
Seen countless Trainers… countless Pokémon…
Too many brilliant pairs to recall just one.
"Never mind," Grant said, standing up. He shut the computer right in front of his assistant. "Someone might challenge the Gym today anyway."
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Meanwhile, in Pelican Town
Thinking about the order, Ron closed the door to the Nursery.
The incubator must have been specially enchanted—because it clearly displayed the hatching date for Ditto: Spring 14, the day after Egg Festival.
Following the incubator's instructions, Ron placed his last Poké Ball on top of the machine.
Until Ditto hatched, there was nothing more for him to do here.
So he locked the hut and left.
Now, preparations for breeding began in earnest.
He needed to catch a compatible Pokémon—and to send any Pokémon to Kalos via the Trade Computer, it had to be inside a Poké Ball.
But rather than pay Pierre's outrageous 5,000G price, Ron decided to follow his "grandfather's" notes and travel to Kalos himself.
There were two conditions for the journey:
1. The Nursery must be built. ✅
2. He had to sail to the open sea, far from Pelican Town.
The notebook also noted a crucial detail:
Time flowed at the same rate in both worlds—but Kalos used a 12-month calendar, with each month lasting 28 to 31 days, just like Earth.
"Today is Spring 11," Ron checked his Pokédex.
But half the day had already passed—so he only had one and a half days in Kalos if he wanted to return in time for the Egg Festival on Spring 13 and buy Strawberry Seeds.
His tasks in Kalos:
– Catch a suitable breeding Pokémon
– Buy Potions, Honey, and Small Mushrooms to unlock the Pokémon Center
Currency didn't cross over—but fortunately, Cyllage City had already sent a 10,000G deposit for the order.
More than enough for Poké Balls and Potions.
Ron packed light—taking only Orthworm and Geodude, and leaving Froakie behind.
After leaving ample food, he knelt before Froakie and instructed it to water the potato field daily.
Then he headed straight for the RV parked by the river.
He knocked.
A girl's voice came from inside. "Who is it?"
"It's me—Ron. The new farmer," he added, just in case.
Footsteps approached.
The RV's thin walls made it easy to hear Penny's hesitant pause right at the door.
Then, slowly, it opened.
Penny forced a gentle smile. "Hello…"
She had no idea how to face this new neighbor—especially after her mother had drunkenly insulted him just days ago.
"Hi," Ron said, cutting straight to the point under her anxious gaze. "I'll be away for a couple of days. Could you… take care of my farm while I'm gone?"
"Huh?" Penny blinked, stunned. "Your farm?"
"Yes." Ron handed her Froakie's Poké Ball. "Froakie will handle watering. I just need you to harvest the mature potatoes—and look after Froakie."
He met her eyes, and softly added, "As payment… I'll bring you back a Poké Ball."
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