After selling most of his potato harvest and planting the extra Berries he'd brought back from Kalos, Ron returned to his cabin and went to sleep.
---
The next day—Spring 13.
It was the Egg Festival, Pelican Town's annual spring celebration, held in the town square.
Ron woke early, took a few potatoes, and roasted them over the campfire.
The rich aroma quickly drew Froakie, who now had no crops to water and lounged contentedly by the fire, waiting for breakfast.
Ron patted its head, then—seeing the potatoes still needed time—walked over to check on the newly planted Berries.
He'd read about Berry cultivation in the library: although they were like regular fruit trees in Stardew Valley, they matured in about seven days.
This was good news. Though Berries didn't sell for much, they were excellent for cooking or feeding Pokémon—far better than eating grilled fish three meals a day.
As for himself, Ron wasn't picky—but beyond strawberry seeds, he planned to buy other crops to diversify their diet.
Thanks to Penny's help and the massive potato yield, his finances had improved significantly. He could now start planning renovations: fixing up the farmhouse, building a coop and barn, and raising chickens, ducks, cows, and sheep.
Still musing, he headed toward the mountains.
Since Combee and Fletchling couldn't eat roasted potatoes, he needed to gather wild berries for them.
Along the path, he spotted Linus doing the same.
"Morning! Not heading to the square for the festival?" Ron asked, watching Fletchling peck at berries in the bushes.
"Egg Festival…" Linus checked the time, tucked his foraged berries into his basket, and said, "I'll swing by later."
Though not close to most townsfolk—and though the festival was really for children—he still enjoyed the atmosphere. He wouldn't join the crowd, but he'd watch from the edges.
"What about you?" Linus asked, picking up litter from the grass and tossing it to Trubbish.
"I'm going soon," Ron said. Seeing his Pokémon well-fed, he recalled them and bid Linus farewell.
As Linus watched Ron's retreating back, he noticed something glistening on the tree branch where Combee had perched.
Up close, he realized it was sweet maple syrup.
Linus quickly gathered leaves and carefully collected the syrup.
Such a calorie-dense, long-lasting food was perfect for wilderness survival. Whether Ron left it intentionally or not, Linus gratefully accepted the gift.
---
Back at the farm, the potatoes were ready. Ron used a knife to pull them from the embers.
He scraped off the charred skin, spread crushed Cheri Berries on top, sprinkled salt, and split one with Froakie.
Froakie cradled the steaming potato, shifting it between its paws until it cooled—then took a bite.
The perfect blend of spicy heat and earthy sweetness filled its mouth.
Holding its half-potato like treasure, Froakie felt its future brighten considerably.
"…" Ron glanced at it and ruffled its head—carefully avoiding mention that, barring special trips to the saloon, their diet would likely alternate between potatoes and fish for the foreseeable future.
"The first year's always like this," Ron said solemnly, patting Froakie again. "Once summer passes, things'll get better."
"Froakie?"
"Nothing. Keep eating. There's more if you want."
After breakfast, Ron set off for town with his three Pokémon.
The festival hadn't officially started yet. Adults bustled about, decorating the square.
Robin directed Machoke as it positioned handmade props.
Marnie from the Animal Shop sat with her nephew Sebastian, painting colorful patterns onto eggs.
"Remember where you hide them this time," Lewis said, watching the basket. "Last year, we missed one during cleanup—it rotted before we found it."
Marnie glanced up at him. Their eyes met—then quickly looked away.
Just then, a hand clapped Ron's shoulder.
"Hey! Long time no see—what've you been up to?" Abigail grinned, leaning against him. Her purple hair brushed his cheek.
"Planting potatoes. Selling potatoes," Ron said.
Abigail made a face. "Boring." She lowered her voice. "Last night at the saloon, I heard you borrowed Willy's boat to go to Kalos? And nearly lost it on your first try?"
"…" Ron corrected, "Counting round-trip, that was my fourth time."
Abigail waved off the detail, glancing at Pierre—who was setting up his festival stall—and whispered, "Next time, can you take me to Kalos? I wanna go on an adventure!"
Pierre, sensing gossip, looked over—just in time to see Abigail leaning conspiratorially on Ron. He coughed pointedly.
Too far away to hear, Abigail ignored him.
Ron glanced at Pierre's stall. "Only if your parents agree."
Abigail scoffed. "Kids in Kalos start adventuring at ten! I'm an adult—I decide where I go!"
"And Amber wants to go too!" she added.
A pair of crimson eyes popped out from their shadows.
"Gengar!"
"…" Ron paused, then murmured, "In ten days, the Community Center will become a Pokémon Center. If you want to enter the League, you can register there."
Abigail's eyes lit up like stars.
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