Ron headed straight to the Community Center.
To his surprise, it was bustling with people—even Sam from the library stood in line.
At the counter, Sam handed over payment. "Five Poké Balls, please. Thanks."
Joy processed the order on her computer and handed him the balls.
"Here you go."
Sam turned—and nearly bumped into Ron.
"Morning, Ron! Here for Poké Balls too?" He jiggled his new purchase.
"Yeah. The farm's short on them," Ron nodded. He studied Sam, then remembered his situation.
Sam's father had left long ago. His mother, Jodi, struggled alone—and Pierre's inflated prices didn't help.
Without Joja Mart's cheap (if unhealthy) snacks, their finances were tighter than ever.
"The farm's harvesting Berries now," Ron said. "Plus wild edibles—bamboo shoots, berries, carrots. If you need any, order through Lewis. Cheaper than Pierre's."
Sam blinked—then grinned. "Thanks, man!"
Unlike Penny, he wouldn't feel ashamed. Jodi had raised him sunny and resilient despite their hardships.
Watching Sam leave, Ron approached the counter.
"Hello, how can I—Ron!" Joy beamed.
"Twenty Poké Balls," Ron said, eyeing the queue. "Busy morning?"
"Very!" Joy typed swiftly, smiling. "But happy. Knowing everyone'll soon have partners… it doesn't feel like work."
She'd always sensed something wrong—Pokémon kept distant from daily life.
They should be family. Friends. Helping each other.
"Though… no Pokémon food for sale yet," she added. "That might be tricky."
Most Pokémon ate human food—but specialized meals suited them better. Bitter or sour flavors humans hated could be perfect for certain types.
Ron glanced at the locked Crafts Room. "Gus will experiment with Berry-based Pokémon food soon. Don't worry."
With Berry yields accelerating, summer harvests would easily supply the town.
"That's great!" Joy handed him the Poké Balls. "Take care!"
Then she spotted two leaves poking from his backpack.
"Is that Oddish?"
Ron nodded. It refused its Poké Ball, so he'd let it ride in his pack.
He turned—and Oddish popped out.
"Odd-Oddish~" it chirped.
Joy stroked its head. "It looks healthy! You're taking good care of it!" She patted its plump belly.
"It's trying hard too," Ron said.
Oddish's Potential Points puzzled him. Rattata and Froakie did similar work but gained points slower.
Yet those 2 points only boosted its HP from 1 to 3.
Still—enough to survive a breeze. Maybe even earn battle EXP.
"Keep it up!" Joy waved as they left.
---
At the Mines…
Ron sent Rattata, Geodude, and Froakie straight to Floor 20.
He took Oddish and started from Floor 1.
Floors 1–5 held weak monsters—some non-aggressive bugs perfect for training.
"Moves…" Ron scanned Oddish with his Pokédex, then pointed to a bug. "Oddish—use Acid!"
A purple glob hit the insect.
No instant KO. Just faint sizzling as the bug gleamed—like it'd been polished.
"…Too weak to poison it?" Ron muttered, watching the bug scuttle off, cleaner than before.
After a pause, he placed a Steel Smallsword on Oddish's head.
Found in a Floor 20 chest, it was light enough for frail Oddish to wield.
"Stop using moves," Ron instructed, pointing to the bug. "Go—chop it."
Oddish wobbled forward, leaf-wrapped sword trembling.
Pfft!
The blade pierced the bug—it dropped, dissolving into pink meat.
Ron pocketed the loot and checked Oddish's stats.
"Leveled up." He scrolled to Potential Points—and froze.
A new Battle EXP bar had appeared.
So combat still grants stats—even without moves?
He allocated the point to HP again.
Then pointed to a nearby Slime.
"Go, Oddish—chop it!"
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