"Huh. How unusual," the stallkeeper murmured. "Play again?"
"Indeedee!" Indeedee chirped firmly.
Penny watched, wide-eyed, as Indeedee calmly accumulated 500 Star Tokens—then trotted off to claim a tweed beret.
"Truly bizarre," the stallkeeper grumbled, watching Indeedee skip away. He turned to Penny. "You, miss? One more spin?"
Penny shook her head.
---
Unaware of the psychic spectacle, Ron waited as Lewis judged the exhibition entries. Only the townsfolk gathered for the local contest.
Pierre, once smug, froze mid-smile upon seeing Ron's display. How does he have everything?! First the Pokémon Center undercut his vegetable sales with cheap produce and instant meals. Then his daughter left. Now—even the Fair's crown was stolen.
Lewis completed his rounds. "Winner: Ron."
"Here's your prize, Pierre," Lewis said gently, handing him 500 Star Tokens.
Jaw tight, Pierre packed his things, bought Caroline a matching beret with the tokens, and vanished into the general store.
Ron, meanwhile, fulfilled his promise: he handed the Fall Legendary Fish to a starry-eyed Willy.
"You caught this? It's trickier than most fish!" Willy hugged the bucket, breathless.
Ron hesitated.
Willy chuckled knowingly. "Secret fishing spot, huh? I get it. I've got my own too." He clapped Ron's shoulder. "No need to explain. Just… bring me any other legendary catches, yeah?"
"Deal," Ron said.
---
Later, Ron found Penny lingering near the wheel.
"Morning."
"Ron!" She startled upright, smiling. "I saw—you won! Congratulations!"
"Thanks." He paused. "Actually… could I ask a favor?"
"Hmm?"
Ron pointed to the wheel. "I need 2,000 Star Tokens for something. Would you… pick a color for me?"
"Me?" Penny blinked. She knew her luck was uncanny—but she'd just seen Indeedee nudge the pointer with psychic finesse.
"Mm."
She swallowed her confusion and nodded.
At the stall, Ron handed over his entire haul: 1,000 tokens. "Which color?" the keeper asked.
Ron looked to Penny.
"This many? What if we lose?" she whispered, panicked. 50,000G… gone in one spin!
"It doesn't matter," Ron said softly. "I trust you. No pressure. Just… choose."
Penny's pulse hammered. She glanced at Indeedee—now strutting past in its new beret, humming cheerfully. Why ask me when he has that? Was it trust? Or refusing to cheat?
Her eyes landed on green. "Green."
The wheel spun.
Her heart thrummed like a trapped bird. Never had a game felt this heavy.
The pointer skimmed orange… slowed… and settled squarely on green.
The stallkeeper's smile vanished. He shoved 2,000 tokens into Ron's hands and waved them off with a scowl.
"We won! We actually won!" Penny threw her arms around Ron, relief flooding her. Only when she felt his stillness did she freeze—cheeks blazing—and step back. "S-sorry! I just… got carried away."
"Thank you," Ron said.
"But… you have Indeedee," Penny stammered. "I saw it win 500 tokens with just a few spins. Psychic powers and all."
Ron followed her gaze. Indeedee, beret tilted proudly, vanished into the crowd.
…Right.
He'd completely forgotten.
A quiet laugh escaped him—warm, unburdened. Of course.
Penny chattered on, flustered, as they approached the shop stall.
"Looking for anything, young man?"
Ron pointed. "That."
"The Stardrop? 2,000 tokens."
Coins exchanged hands. The keeper beamed. "A rare treasure. It's the only one I've got here. It won't be in stock again for quite some time."
As Ron pocketed the shimmering fruit, he noticed Penny's gaze lingering on a soft sage-green rug.
For the new house… beneath the armchair…
She fumbled her few remaining tokens—too few to buy it.
Ron turned.
And saw them: the entire Geodude squad, still queued at the strength stall, each clutching a small mountain of Star Tokens.
He smiled.
Time to redecorate.
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