Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Lumiose City lay far from Cyllage, and with the two traveling on foot while reserving time to rehearse for the upcoming Contest, Abigail still had some distance to cover.
After speaking with Ron that morning and learning her performance gown would be delivered to Cyllage's Pokémon Center, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"A dress handmade by a friend…" Serena fastened a faded blue ribbon to her chest, then carefully braided her chestnut hair with matching ribbons.
"Yeah—it was finished so fast. Emily must've pulled an all-nighter," Abigail said, stepping closer.
"How lovely," Serena murmured, adjusting her reflection. "Wearing this… even with friends far away, it feels like they're right beside you, cheering you on." She turned with a playful flourish. "Ta-da! How do I look?"
"Beautiful!" Abigail clapped. Her eyes drifted to the blue ribbon—worn, slightly frayed. Though Abigail rarely concerned herself with fashion, even she noticed how starkly it contrasted Serena's warm-toned outfit.
Catching her gaze, Serena smiled softly. "This was a gift from someone very important. Wearing it… feels like he's still walking beside me."
"I see," Abigail said quietly. She understood now—Serena's words held more than gratitude for Emily or herself. They carried memories.
Mm. Though her path had mostly been walked alone since then, those shared moments had become quiet anchors in every step forward. Serena smiled at her reflection, stood, and began packing.
Having camped overnight in a forest clearing, they finished stowing gear just as Rotom zipped forward, buzzing with purpose.
"Navigation complete-ro-to! Next stop: Cyllage City-rotom!"
"Lead the way, Rotom," Serena said gently. Puffing proudly, Rotom darted ahead.
Abigail smiled and followed.
---
Back at the Kalos factory, Ron finished installing machinery and teleport totems, then traveled to Santalune City to hire two workers.
After signing contracts and confidentiality agreements, he laid out the manual. "You'll place the delivered livestock into these machines. Processing and packaging are fully automated."
The workers exchanged uneasy glances.
One cleared his throat. "Uh… these 'animals'… they're definitely not Pokémon, right?"
Ron's offered wage surpassed local standards—but not enough to risk illegality.
"No," Ron said firmly. He produced the contract with Lumiose's food company. "The limited-edition ingredients selling out there? Ours."
They scanned the windowless, half-finished building skeptically. This was the source of Kalos's culinary sensation?
"The original facility's elsewhere," Ron added. "This is an expansion. Once animals arrive tomorrow, you'll see the output yourselves. As a perk—you'll receive daily free meals."
Although some doubts lingered, the contracts were signed.
'If it's illegal', one person reasoned silently, 'we report it. Let the police handle confidentiality clauses.'
His shoulders relaxed.
"Do we start tomorrow morning?"
"Mm." Ron slid over a schedule. "Follow this."
Thanks to Shane's coordination, shipments of mature chickens, ducks, and cattle would begin arriving at 10 a.m.
Ron hadn't entrusted security solely to humans. Indeedee had already trained the Zubat in patrol protocols—preventing theft or diversion. He couldn't risk it. Unlike normal livestock (requiring purchased pairs to breed), Stardew Valley animals reproduced naturally. One stolen cow could unravel everything.
Watching Zubat glide along the designated routes, Ron settled the construction crew's payment and headed toward Santalune's center.
---
Viola had just concluded her final Gym battle of the day. After awarding the challenger a badge, she stretched, slung her camera around her neck, and stepped outside.
"Long day? Where to?" her assistant asked, accepting Viola's Poké Balls.
"That new hotspot restaurant!" Viola grinned. "I've been looking to book it for weeks and finally got a table. Want to join me?"
The assistant glanced at the Poké Balls, shook her head. "Nah. I gotta care for the Gym Pokémon."
Viola ruffled her hair. "You're a gem~ I'll bring you some leftovers."
The assistant offered a tight, practiced smile.
Beyond her mandatory Gym duties, Viola often wandered Santalune Forest with her Pokémon—camera in hand. Some might call it irresponsible. But she was, first and always, a Pokémon photographer. The Gym? It was merely a duty entrusted by the League.
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