"But it's never too late to start," Serena said warmly. "You're amazing! Getting a badge from Viola on your very first day? That's incredible!"
They shared a smile as dusk fell. With the same destination, they agreed to travel together tomorrow—and soon retreated to their tents.
---
The next morning…
Serena woke early—only to find Abigail already up.
The morning breeze carried the scent of her cooking.
"That smells amazing! What is it?" Serena asked, joining her by the fire.
"Shrimp," Abigail said. "It's not sold here in Kalos. A specialty from home—Ron gave me some before he left."
She mentioned he'd send smoked fish later once he set up a smoker.
"From home?"
"I'm from Pelican Town," Abigail explained, plating golden shrimp onto toasted bread with tomato sauce and a fried egg.
"And Ron?" Serena sensed something unspoken.
"A really kind person," Abigail smiled softly. "My parents didn't want me to leave, but he helped convince them. He let me train Amber at his farm—working there earned my trip to Kalos."
Working for passage was clever. Direct funding might've deepened her parents' doubts about her independence.
"He must be gentle," Serena mused.
"Definitely busy all the time," Abigail said, handing her a sandwich. "But he always makes time to help others."
Serena took a bite—and her eyes lit up. The farm-fresh ingredients made it extraordinary. She gushed praise, leaving Abigail blushing.
After packing up, they headed toward Lumiose City.
---
Meanwhile…
Ron rose early, bought Poké Puffs for the Pokémon, then returned to Pelican Town. The factory didn't need his supervision yet—he'd check if the teleporter was ready. If so, he'd bring it back to Kalos.
He didn't want to return empty-handed.
At the farm, it was Fall 3.
The Rattata, missing Ron after just two days, ate breakfast listlessly.
Indeedee, sensing their longing, couldn't scold them. They weren't slacking—they just missed their Trainer.
It gently rallied them, assigning shifts—but lightened their workloads since the mining/logging stockpiles were full. Everyone got half-days off.
Sitting alone at the gate, Indeedee admitted its own loneliness. Ron had only left once before (for Kalos seeds), and never stayed overnight. They'd always worked, eaten, and rested together.
But as the acting housekeeper, it couldn't show weakness.
It steeled itself—and got back to work.
When Ron arrived with Poké Puffs, every Pokémon was diligently at their posts. No one noticed him enter.
"I'm back," he said.
Heads popped up everywhere—even Zubat from the cave. In seconds, he was swarmed.
"Careful—wait—you'll knock me over!" Ron steadied himself, then organized them into a line for treats.
Every Pokémon got one—even the Zubats, Ditto, and Miltanks.
As he handed a Poké Puff to Ditto, Ron's mind flooded with a foreign memory: himself at the bookstore, transforming in front of Gunther…
Indeedee, mid-bite, froze. It turned away, guilt prickling.
Ron stared at the culprit, eyes narrowing.
"Indeedee…" Indeedee wilted.
It didn't understand why Ditto replayed yesterday's events—or how Ron could read another Pokémon's thoughts.
But neither mattered now.
Ron sighed, the absurd mental image of his doppelgänger flashing before him.
"…Forget it. You meant well."
No real harm done. Gunther would forgive anything for new research data. And the bookseller? He barely visited town.
"You did great," Ron said, ruffling Indeedee's fur.
"Indeedee!" Indeedee's joy exploded.
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