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Unaware that his potato harvest had exploded under Penny's "luck buff," Ron was just now spotting his first Fletchling in Santalune Forest.
Luckily, it was low-level—and thanks to Orthworm's newly learned Smack Down, they captured it without trouble.
"Good job, Orthworm!" Ron tossed it an iron ore chunk.
Joy watched as the unfamiliar Pokémon leapt into the air—catching the ore mid-flight like a Furfrou snagging a disc.
"What kind of Pokémon is this?" she asked, stepping closer. She gently touched Orthworm's metallic body and tapped it lightly with a finger.
Ding!
The sound made Orthworm squirm in delight, rolling on the ground from the ticklish sensation.
"Oh! Sorry, sorry!" Joy clasped her hands apologetically toward it.
"Orthworm…" Ron paused, suddenly realizing Orthworm was native to Paldea, not Kalos. He quickly explained this to Joy while checking Fletchling's stats.
Its potential was modest—but overall decent.
The only issue? Ron couldn't think of any farm chores for it to do to earn Potential Points.
"Maybe harvesting and foraging?" he mused, releasing the palm-sized Fletchling.
Still dazed from Orthworm's attack, it fluttered weakly—then collapsed.
Joy scooped it up gently. "Don't worry—I'll heal you."
While Joy tended to Fletchling, Ron scanned the forest, considering whether to recruit some Grass- or Bug-types.
Just then—he spotted a flicker of movement in the trees.
Flash! Click!
A woman emerged from the foliage, camera in hand.
"Good morning," said Viola, snapping a photo of the one-meter-tall Orthworm chomping on iron ore beside them. "Are you a new trainer preparing to challenge Santalune Gym?
The flash startled Orthworm—it vanished underground in an instant, leaving only two eyes peering warily at Viola.
"…Maybe if I have time in the future," Ron replied cautiously, introducing himself.
When he mentioned he ran a Breeding Facility, Viola lowered her camera with mild disappointment. "What a shame… I was hoping to battle that Orthworm."
Due to differing Trainer education systems between Paldea and Kalos, very few Paldean Trainers came to Kalos with regional Pokémon.
Even though Orthworm wasn't a Bug-type, Viola adored its goofy charm.
She changed tack. "By the way—if you need a Honey Gather Pokémon, I have a Combee."
Ron's eyes snapped to her face.
Viola smiled. "I don't know what you need Sweet Honey for—but I'll help."
She drew out the next words playfully: "In exchange…"
"How about lending me your Orthworm?" she finished.
Ron hesitated—then tossed Orthworm's Poké Ball to her.
Viola caught it reflexively—then blinked in surprise. "You're that trusting?"
Before she could say more, another Poké Ball flew her way.
"When you come to challenge the Gym," Viola said, "just return them then. I'll take good care of it until then."
Ron considered it—and nodded.
With the farm's tilling nearly done and potatoes soon to be harvested (making room for strawberries), Orthworm wouldn't be needed immediately.
"It eats iron chunks," Ron said, reaching for its food—but Orthworm's head popped up from the ground. He tossed it a piece.
Having bonded with Orthworm only briefly, Ron relayed care instructions straight from the Pokédex.
As he spoke earnestly, Joy watched him quietly—then smiled softly.
"You really love it, don't you?" Viola said, recalling Orthworm and holding the Poké Ball.
Love? Hardly. It's pure exploitation.
But Ron couldn't say that aloud—so he offered Viola a shy smile instead.
Misinterpreting his bashfulness as affectionate modesty, Viola waved goodbye and headed toward Santalune City.
"The Gym awaits," she called back. "Maybe by then, Orthworm will be even stronger… so take good care of my Combee!"
"Will do," Ron said, already mentally listing farm tasks Combee could handle.
Once Viola left, Ron and Joy released Combee—and followed it through the forest in search of Honey.
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Meanwhile, back at the farm…
Ron hadn't told Penny what to do with the harvested potatoes. So there she sat, beside a mountain of spuds, sharing her lunch with Froakie and Clefable.
"Farming isn't so bad," Penny sighed contentedly after eating. She washed her hands, settled onto the porch of the rickety farmhouse, and pulled out a book.
A light rain still fell—freshly turned earth mingling with petrichor in the damp air. Penny leaned against Clefable, stroking Froakie's head as she read.
It was perfect peace.
Only when the sun began to set did she stretch, pack her book away, and gently wake the napping Froakie. She tapped Clefable too.
Just then—voices approached the farm gate.
"Is this your farm?"
"Yeah."
A pink-haired girl stepped inside—and froze at the sight of Clefable… and Penny.
After a beat, she smiled warmly. "Hi! I'm Joy—a Pokémon Nurse. I'll be working at the Pokémon Center here soon."
"Oh! Hello—I'm Penny," Penny returned the smile.
Both girls were instantly awkward—their natural bridge, Ron, currently staring at the potato mountain in disbelief.
"Wait… I didn't plant this many…" he muttered.
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