This was Pam's first time facing such an event. She even wondered if it was Yoba's punishment.
The old her would've followed Penny to the saloon without hesitation, drowned her fears in beer, and numbed herself through the day.
But things had changed.
Working at the farm, she knew exactly how much labor it demanded.
Hops wouldn't rot if left unharvested for a day—but it meant losing a day's profit.
Ron's dedication to the farm was obvious to everyone. Abandoning it now felt… wrong.
Especially since Ron had paid her today's wages in advance yesterday—likely assuming she'd skip work due to the strange weather, yet paying her anyway.
"The farm?" Penny blinked. "Ron… he's probably resting at home, right?"
She sounded unsure.
She knew they owed Ron so much. But Pam was her mother—no debt justified risking her health. If this rain harmed Pam, regret would come too late.
"I have to go," Pam decided abruptly. She shoved Penny toward the saloon, greeted Gus, then marched into the green downpour toward the farm.
---
Meanwhile, at the farm…
Rain poured, but the Pokémon didn't grasp its strangeness. Detecting no danger, they worked tirelessly alongside Ron.
Moss carpeted the ground; even the wooden cabin turned emerald-green. Rainwater tasted of wet grass and ferns—a bizarre, earthy tang.
The Zubat proved useful. Rattata gathered Hops they plucked, handing them to Geodude, who ferried loads to the brewery bins.
The timing was perfect: yesterday's Hops needed until tomorrow morning to ferment. Today's task was just harvesting.
The rain affected most Pokémon little—except Geodude. Their rocky bodies sprouted thick moss within minutes, turning them into fuzzy green boulders.
Still, productivity halved in the deluge.
Worried about the animals, Ron sped up.
Then—footsteps behind him.
He turned to see Pam in a yellow raincoat and mask, nodding briskly. "Take this—Harvey's." She thrust a mask at him.
Ron grabbed it. Though it couldn't block all the rain, it kept the foul-tasting water out of his mouth.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it." Pam, avoiding further talk (and rain), rushed to the Hops trellises and began harvesting.
Ron exhaled in relief. Once half the Hops were gathered, he'd tend to the animals. He glanced toward the south gate—
—and saw Shane striding in under an umbrella. Without greeting Ron, he ducked straight into the coop.
---
Back at the saloon…
Harvey had given Pam masks to shield against the rain. Penny had wanted to follow, but Pam refused—just as Penny feared for her, Pam feared for Penny. She'd asked Gus to keep her daughter safe.
Gus handed Penny a towel. "Don't worry, kid. It'll be fine."
Penny forced a smile.
The saloon hung heavy with dread. Pelican Town had never seen such an omen—it felt like the world's end.
Gus stoked the fireplace fiercely, fighting the damp chill, hoping warmth would ease their fears.
Silence reigned, broken only by tense breathing and the crackle of burning logs.
After an eternity, Pam finally returned in her raincoat. She took a towel from Gus, wiped green streaks from her face, and smiled at Penny.
"How are you? Any symptoms?" Harvey asked urgently.
Pam shook her head.
"Good. Probably… rain pollution?" Harvey offered weakly, coughing awkwardly.
"Where's Ron? Why isn't he here?" Gus asked, rinsing the towel.
"The farm still had work," Pam said. "He sent me home after harvesting the Hops. Not sure what else he's doing."
"He's relentless," Gus sighed.
At the counter, Emily tightened her grip on a glass. Haley did the same, clutching Sunkern.
'Why push so hard?' Haley thought. 'The farm wasn't going anywhere.'
Health came first—what good was wealth if you were sick? Even becoming Pelican Town's—no, the Ferngill Republic's—richest meant nothing without it.
Outside, rain fell harder. News of Ron still working in the storm did nothing to lift spirits. Worry for him and fear of the rain clung thick in the air.
---
Meanwhile…
After sending Pam and Shane home, Ron finished farm chores and immediately began the Green Rain's essential task: moss collection.
Moss was vital for Speed-Gro, Mushroom Logs, and different types of Bait. Today, it bloomed everywhere in town.
Plus, gathering it granted Foraging XP. Missing this chance meant waiting a year.
Ron signaled Rattata and Geodude—they left the farm, ready to harvest.
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