Watching Penny rush off, Willy frowned—but without context, he didn't dwell on it.
Meanwhile, Penny returned to the library. The gift on the table proved her encounter wasn't a dream.
"Didn't catch him?" Jas asked, eyes gleaming with gossip.
Vincent scowled slightly. 'Miss Penny's mine—she's the best person I know.'
"No…he probably went back to Kalos," Penny said.
Jas gasped, cupping her cheeks. "He came all the way back just to give you a present?! Oh my—"
"Quiet. Study," Penny gently tapped Jas's head, forcing herself to focus away from the gift.
---
That afternoon, after walking the kids home, Penny hurried toward her RV, clutching the package.
In the distance, she spotted the traveling bookstore's sign—the vendor was in town for the day via hot-air balloon.
This was her favorite event. Though most books were too expensive, she loved browsing rare titles unseen at the library.
She approached the stall.
"Which book was here?" she asked, noticing an empty slot. "Who bought it?"
The vendor knew Penny well. Though she rarely purchased, he admired her love for books and often chatted with her.
"A strange fellow," he recalled. "Had a gray-white creature with him—stood upright, cat-like but with ram's horns."
"Ron?"
Penny carefully peeled back the wrapping—revealing Horse: The Book.
"Oh—" She choked up. "Was this it?" She showed him the cover.
"So it was for you!" The vendor smiled warmly. "Is today…?"
"My birthday."
"Happy Birthday!" He handed her a bookmark. "Consider this my gift."
Though he couldn't afford to give away books, he was glad this one found its way to her.
"Thank you," Penny whispered, eyes glistening as she left.
Back at the RV, she unwrapped the gift fully. Arranged neatly inside: the book, gems, and tubers. Tears welled again—she felt cherished in a way she hadn't in years.
"Thank you… thank you…"
---
Meanwhile, in Kalos…
After signing the land lease, Ron immediately hired a construction crew. Upon learning that a basic factory would take five days, he approved the timeline on the spot.
But the costs drained his funds—even the Auto-Grabber profits were gone. Only enough remained for lodging and Poké Puffs for the farm Pokémon.
'Did the Rattata miss me?' he wondered, sneezing suddenly.
Shaking it off, he headed to a nearby inn.
---
Elsewhere in the forest…
Abigail had just pitched her tent—her first solo campout. After lighting Ron's portable stove, she changed into pajamas and sat by the fire with Gengar.
Her goal was Cyllage City's Gym, but she'd detour through Lumiose City. Though it had a Gym, she placed it late in the route—no need for reckless challenges.
As a seasoned gamer, she trusted the guide implicitly.
Staring into the flames, she heard a melodic voice:
"Delphox, wait up!"
A girl with flowing hair stepped into view, followed by a fox Pokémon holding a staff.
Rotom zoomed forward, chiming:
[Delphox]
[Fox Pokémon. Evolved from Braixen. By focusing on the flame atop its staff, it can glimpse the future.]
"Oh! Someone's here!" The girl beamed. "I'm Serena! What's your name?"
Serena had returned to Kalos specifically for the region's inaugural Pokémon Contest—a celebration in her hometown.
"Abigail," she stood, offering a hand. "Camping here too?"
Outgoing by nature, Abigail liked her instantly.
"Yeah!" Serena shook her hand.
"You're welcome to join me!" Abigail gestured to the clearing. "Or share my tent if you'd like."
Serena thanked her, set up her own tent nearby, then joined Abigail by the fire.
"Your partner's a Gengar? Cool! My friend has one too," Serena said, chin in hand, watching Gengar flicker in the shadows.
"This is Amber," Abigail introduced. "Your friend is…?"
"A passionate Pokémon lover," Serena reminisced. "Gets fired up about anything Pokémon-related."
She snapped back, smiling. "Sorry—rambling! Where are you headed?"
"Cyllage City—for the Gym and Contest."
"I'm entering the Contest too!" Serena showed her Ribbon Box—already holding one ribbon. "Got my first! How about you?"
"Haven't competed yet," Abigail admitted. "Only Day Two of my journey—but I've got a Gym Badge."
Serena blinked, surprised. They looked the same age—and since most Trainers started at ten, she'd never met someone embarking now.
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