On the other side, Team Rocket had just emerged from the submarine.
The submarine tour fee was a bit expensive, but because the two of them didn't fish, they received a small discount.
As for Meowth, because he's a Pokémon, they didn't charge him at all.
Submarines could be considered Team Rocket's old specialty.
"It looks no different from the one we used to drive," Jessie said. "It costs 1,000g for one trip! Can't we get one too?"
James rubbed his chin, thinking: "If we were to make one, it probably wouldn't be too difficult— but then again, there are hardly any Pokémon to be seen in the seabed here, just those—"
Before he could finish, James paused: "Those things— aren't they Lumiose City's specialties?"
At these words, Jessie and Meowth both looked as if they had a sudden realization.
"So you're saying, the company over there sells things, but all the raw materials are actually supplied by this small town?" Meowth pondered for a moment: "Then if we also catch fish to sell— wouldn't we be able to make a lot of money all at once, meow?!"
"But we'd need to know how to get back first," Jessie said, then noticed Indeedee at a nearby stall looking at them. She quickly smiled at Indeedee, then raised her hand and punched James and Meowth, who were still daydreaming about bad ideas.
"What was that for, meow? Meowth doesn't have any bad ideas, meow!" Meowth smiled flatteringly at the Indeedee, then scurried away.
"250g— can teleport back to the farm?" Meowth happened to stop next to a merchant who was standing by a fish shop. He then saw the merchant's sign and read it out in disbelief: "Teleport? Instantaneous movement, meow?!"
At these words, Jessie and James also gathered around.
Since they had done enough sightseeing for the day, the two exchanged glances and began to bargain with the merchant.
After some haggling, managing to get Meowth in for free, the two paid the money and were teleported back to the farm.
"We can really get back to the farm, meow?!" Meowth opened his eyes, looked around, and shouted in disbelief.
"What is this— magic?" Jessie pinched James hard beside her. Seeing James jump up in pain, she muttered in disbelief.
On the other side, Sailor and Willy together took the submarine down into the water.
"Fishing?" Willy asked as he sat on one side of the submarine, holding his fishing rod, ready to go.
"Rattata?" Sailor scurried over to Willy's side and called out. Before it could react, the iron plate beneath its feet slowly opened.
—
Willy handed a fishing rod to Sailor, then said: "This is a required course for a qualified sailor!"
"Ratta ratta."
A nearby Krabby excitedly waved its pincers, and so Sailor, who had originally planned to lie by the porthole, ended up holding a fishing rod that was taller than himself by who knows how much, and cast it into the water.
"This is the kind of stance a sailor should have!" Willy smiled as he raised his own fishing rod.
A blob of blue gel was thus caught by him.
Willy tsked, took this sea gel off, put it in a small bucket beside him, and cast the hook again.
Meanwhile, in Kalos, Coumarine City.
Because she was using the Sandshrew she had caught on her journey as her main Pokémon, Abigail's gym challenge took quite a bit of effort. It was only after her Sandshrew defeated Ramos' Gogoat, nearly fainting, that Abigail sent out Amber.
As expected, it was an instant victory.
Ramos cheerfully gave the gym badge to Abigail. After commenting on how strong both of their Pokémon were, he sent the four of them away from the Pledging Tree.
Because the festival was held near the Pledging Tree, they needed some time to decorate it.
The four dispersed to prepare gifts for their Pokémon.
Abigail and Haley walked together. As Haley walked forward, she calculated the time: "Speaking of which— isn't today Winter 15th in Pelican Town?"
She asked uncertainly.
After receiving Abigail's affirmative reply, the two exchanged glances and suddenly realized something.
"Winter 15th?! If I remember correctly, isn't today Ron's birthday?!"
"It seems, it seems so. I took a picture of the calendar when I left." Haley searched through her photo album and, as expected, saw Ron's name under this day.
"—Should we go to the Pokémon Center? Or not." Abigail said: "It's definitely too late to send a gift, and there's no way to send it over, but at least we can say happy birthday?"
"Okay."
The two turned their steps and arrived at the Pokémon Center.
But it was already a bit late at this point, and the two weren't sure if they could still reach Ron by calling now. But after all, it was his birthday, and besides, they had received so much help from Ron. Pretending not to know when they clearly knew today was his birthday made them feel a bit guilty.
Thinking this, the two dialed the number for Pelican Town.
On the other side, after watching the mermaid show, Joy was walking in the direction of the community center with Robin's family because it was on her way.
"Hey, speaking of which— I think I just saw Penny and Ron together." Robin stretched and accidentally let cold air get into her neck. She immediately remembered the scarf that had appeared around Ron's neck and couldn't help but gossip.
"It seems so." Joy thought for a moment and said: "They seem to have a good relationship."
That being said, Joy actually had some feelings for Ron. On one hand, Ron had brought her to Pelican Town, and on the other hand, there were the fruits and vegetables sold at the community center.
"Penny probably already liked Ron a little before." Maru said uncertainly.
She and Penny had the best relationship in the entire Pelican Town. Penny would occasionally tell her her worries first, but she hadn't mentioned much about liking Ron.
After gossiping for a while without reaching any conclusion, they happened to arrive at the community center and waved to Joy.
"See you tomorrow!" Joy waved goodbye to the group and strode into the community center.
—
As soon as she entered, she heard the ringing from the machine.
After a moment of hesitation, she jogged over and answered the phone.
"Hello? Oh, Abigail and Haley!" Joy smiled at the two on the other end of the video: "What's the emergency? I'll help you contact Emily and Caroline."
The two on the other end of the video shook their heads, then said: "It might be a bit late to say this, but— today seems to be Ron's birthday. If it's convenient, could you help us wish Ron a happy birthday?"
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)