When the shopkeeper lifted the Oddish, its tiny legs kicked frantically, and its red eyes pleaded with Joy.
Joy stared at the frail Pokémon, hesitating.
"Didn't you just say there's no Grass-type that knows Grassy Terrain?" the shopkeeper added. "But if you raise it well, it'll learn the move on its own!"
"If you're willing to take it," he continued, "just buy a few seeds, and it's yours. But you'll need to provide your own Poké Ball."
Joy bit her lip. Logically, a farm would benefit from a Grass-type—but this Oddish looked sickly, with no obvious potential.
And more importantly—she couldn't decide for Ron.
She couldn't just show up in Pelican Town, hand him seeds, then pull out the Oddish and say:
"Guess what? I knew you lacked a Grass-type, so I brought you one!"
Sure, one more mouth to feed wouldn't break the farm—but catching a Pokémon meant forming a bond. A partnership.
There was no taking it back.
(Some people did that—but Joy despised it.)
Yet… this Oddish was clearly unwanted, too weak to survive in the wild. That's why it had hidden in town.
"Alright," Joy said, pulling out a Poké Ball.
If Ron needs it, I'll gift it to him. If not, I'll keep it myself.
She browsed the stall again.
"Potatoes—I think they have those already…"
She wasn't foolish; she guessed Ron wanted crops unique to Kalos.
But she had no idea which ones Pelican Town lacked.
"20 cabbage, 20 lettuce, plus celery, asparagus, cucumber… and onions. Twenty of each—that's all."
"2,400G total," the shopkeeper said, taking her money. He handed her the Oddish, then portioned seeds into small paper bags, labeling each with planting instructions.
Joy held the Oddish, offered her Poké Ball, and asked gently, "Want to come home with me?"
The Oddish chirped sweetly, pressed its head to the button—and vanished inside.
A soft click confirmed the capture. Joy released it again and pulled a Fluffruit from her bag.
Fluffruits resembled apples but were feather-light and sweet—most Pokémon adored them.
(T/N: Fluffruit are from New Pokémon Snap)
Since Oddish had no hands, Joy held the fruit steady, feeding it while waiting for the shopkeeper to finish labeling.
---
Meanwhile, in Pelican Town—Farm…
Ron watered some newly planted Carrots.
He'd gotten the seeds yesterday by redeeming Abigail's raffle tickets with Lewis—12 Carrot Seeds and a Peach Sapling.
He'd planted the Peach Sapling in the southeast corner (reserved for fruit trees), while Berries went northwest near the Nursery.
Unlike crops, both required little care—so distance didn't matter.
Ron had already divided the farm into four zones:
Crop Zone (near his cabin)
2. Berry & Pokémon Zone (future Pokémon barn and habitat area)
3. Livestock Zone
4. Fruit Zone
He'd also learned from Robin that the farm could be expanded—Lewis just needed to approve clearing the surrounding forest.
Hence, planning now was crucial.
Carrots matured in 3 days—soon, another edible crop!
But between carrots and potatoes? Ron chose potatoes.
He had no idea how to make carrots palatable yet.
Sighing, he moved to other chores.
---
At the farm gate…
Pam stood by the broken bus stop, defeated.
After days of fruitless job hunting, she'd climbed onto the derelict bus. Dust billowed as she entered, triggering a fit of sneezes.
She'd tried to change—but fate mocked her. Her only skill required bus repair… and Pelican Town couldn't afford it.
She slumped onto a grimy seat, then collapsed onto the steering wheel.
Her resolve to change was crumbling.
But how could she tell Penny: "I tried. I failed. Everything goes back to how it was—until I drink myself to death… or a miracle happens"?
Then—a sound from the farm.
Remembering Clint's tales of a desolate wasteland, Pam wandered toward the gate like a ghost—only snapping to attention when she saw:
A squad of large rats watering lush strawberry plants, tiny buckets in their mouths.
A strange, oversized bee buzzing playfully overhead.
Pokémon, she realized belatedly.
The farmhouse was still shabby—but cared for. Neat rows of young trees lined the corners.
Two small birds followed a rat toward the mountains.
"Fate is fixed," she whispered.
If the farm hadn't changed… neither should she.
Joja's script had already written their ending. No one escaped it.
Yet… here stood proof that some things could change.
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