At Ron's words, he could feel Penny's hand instantly tighten around the Poké Ball.
But she still gently refused. "No… that's far too expensive. I'll help you care for Froakie and harvest your potatoes—it's no trouble at all."
Penny worked part-time as a tutor in Pelican Town, teaching two local kids—Vincent and Jas.
When she wasn't with them, she spent most of her time at the library, losing herself in books and the beautiful dreams they offered.
"I don't have much else to do anyway…"
"I'm going to Kalos," Ron said. "Poké Balls there are cheap—only 200G each."
"Really?"
"Really."
Hearing that, Penny hesitated—then finally accepted the Poké Ball. "Okay. I'll take good care of them today and tomorrow."
Honestly, she didn't believe a Poké Ball could truly cost just 200G.
Her kind heart couldn't accept that something sold for 5,000G here would be so cheap elsewhere.
But thinking of her Clefable… she gratefully agreed.
"Thank you, Ron."
"Don't mention it." Ron waved and turned to leave.
---
He walked straight to the beach, where Willy sat at the dock, fishing with Krabby.
Willy was lost in thought, smoke curling from his pipe as he gazed at the horizon—until Ron's footsteps snapped him back.
"Ah, Ron." Willy shifted over, making space. "Come to fish?"
"No," Ron said. "I got… uh, the sea chart to Kalos from the Wizard in the forest. My grandfather left it for me."
Willy nodded knowingly. "You want to borrow my boat?"
Ron nodded.
Willy chuckled. "You know how to sail it?"
Not really.
But he couldn't teleport in front of Willy, so he lied with a stiff nod.
"Alright, take it." Willy tossed him the keys and turned back to his float.
Just then—blob!
He yanked a fish from the water and shouted, "Quick—Bubble Beam!"
Krabby blasted a stream of foam, chasing off a leaping Lanturn trying to steal the catch.
Willy grinned, tucking the fish away. "No one takes a fish from an old sailor."
He emphasized, "No one!"
Ron didn't disturb his fishing. He headed straight for the small boat docked at the pier—likely Willy's fishing vessel, not the later Ginger Island Ferry.
He started the engine.
From the dock, Willy took a long drag—then finally noticed his boat.
"Wait… a city kid from Zuzu City wouldn't possibly know how to—"
He watched in horror as the boat sputtered, jerked, spun in circles, and wobbled forward in erratic S-curves.
The smoke he'd just inhaled shot out his nose.
Coughing violently, Willy braced himself for the worst—and fished on in despair.
---
After yet another round of seasick vomiting, Ron confirmed his boat was now far beyond Pelican Town's sight.
He dropped anchor, took a deep breath to steady himself, and pulled out his Pokédex.
Following his grandfather's notebook, he performed the sequence of inputs.
Flash!
He materialized in a quiet forest.
Checking the map, he identified his location: Santalune Forest.
First priority: buy Poké Balls and Potions. Without them, even if he found a suitable breeding Pokémon, he couldn't catch it.
So instead of venturing deeper into the woods, he turned toward the nearest town.
The forest's entrance led directly to Aquacorde Town.
Guided by his map, Ron set off.
---
Meanwhile…
"Have you decided which city to apply to?" Joy asked, touching the jelly-like hair clip on her head as she spoke on the phone to her mother.
"Not yet…"
"If they still haven't built that Pokémon Center in Pelican Town," her mother suggested gently, "then go to Lumiose City."
She knew Joy wanted Pelican Town—partly because of her. Sighing, she hung up.
Joy put away her phone, took a steadying breath, and walked into a nearby shop.
"Hello! What can I get you?" the clerk asked.
"Some Potions, please." Joy smiled and paid.
This was her final pre-graduation field trip—a chance for nurse trainees to observe wild Pokémon and learn to approach those wary of humans.
They'd also treat injured Pokémon in the wild, contributing to wildlife care.
"Here you go," the clerk said, handing her the Pototions.
Then a young man's voice cut in behind her: "Forty Poké Balls. Ten Potions."
Joy turned.
The youth seemed in a hurry—he barely glanced at her as he paid, grabbed his items, and walked out.
She hesitated—then, seeing he was heading toward Santalune Forest, quickly followed.
"Excuse me!" Joy jogged to catch up. "I'm Joy. Are you going into Santalune Forest?"
The young man slowed slightly and turned.
She had the odd feeling his gaze wasn't on her… but on the eyed jelly hair clip perched on her head.
Not unusual—people always stared at it, guessing whether it was a Ditto or a Grimer mascot.
After all, it was a Pelican Town specialty.
"Can I come with you?" Joy asked softly. "But I only have a Wigglytuff…"
She hesitated, then admitted, "Santalune Forest might be a bit dangerous for me alone. This is my final graduation test… please?"
She squeezed her eyes shut, nervous—then opened them when no reply came.
He was still staring at her hair clip.
Uncomfortable, she reached up to adjust it.
"Yes," Ron finally said, snapping out of it.
Then, unable to resist, he asked, "Is that… a Ditto? Or…?"
He ventured a wildly improbable guess: "…a Junimo?"
The moment the word left his lips—Joy froze in place.
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