"Comb-eee!"
Combee scolded Rattata for rummaging through the trash.
"Ratta!"
Unconvinced, Rattata climbed onto the bin and pulled out a purple amethyst.
It didn't understand the Mineral's value—but since Ron had stuffed so many into his backpack, it figured this must be useful.
"Combee!" Combee buzzed in protest.
Even if it's useful, it might belong to someone!
Raised among humans in Kalos, Combee had strong moral principles.
As they argued, the nearby house door creaked open—then a scream pierced the air—followed by a slam—and finally, a cautious crack in the doorway.
"Combee!"
Give it back!
"Ratta…"
Rattata glanced at the amethyst in its paws, then at the woman peering through the door.
After a long pause, it relented. It climbed back into the bin—then hopped down, placed the amethyst neatly on the doorstep, and bowed deeply.
It abandoned its grand plan to loot every trash can in town—though it knew others held treasures: Minerals, fresh food, maybe even cake scraps.
Grumbling, it led Combee toward Cindersap Forest.
"…For me?" Haley finally opened the door and picked up the amethyst.
She wasn't obsessed with gems—but as a fashion-loving girl, she appreciated pretty crystals.
Did Emily lose this? she wondered, pocketing it.
Or… could someone have sent it because it's my birthday?
She mentally scanned Pelican Town's residents.
Besides Emily, only Alex (Evelyn's grandson) was friendly—but he lived for gym workouts, not birthdays.
Then an impossible thought struck her:
The new farmer?
But they'd never even met! How would he know it was her birthday?
Must've been Emily's, she decided. The Pokémon just found it.
With Sunkern in her arms, Haley headed to the forest to take photos.
By evening, rain-dampened but cheerful (despite muddy shoes), she returned home.
The house was empty—of course. Emily was still working at Gus's saloon.
Haley clutched the amethyst and Sunkern, waiting until Emily arrived with a cake.
"I'm home!" Emily set down the cake and flipped off the lights the moment Haley looked up.
"Make a wish!"
Haley leaned over the candles. "I wish I could go back to Zuzu City."
"Hey!" Emily protested—but sighed, remembering it was her sister's birthday.
"Is Pelican Town really that bad, Haley?"
"…Okay, new wish," Haley said softly. "I hope this year, I find a reason to stay." She blew out the candles.
A compromise.
Emily didn't press further. She pulled out a coconut.
"A gift from my friend Sandy in the desert," she said, handing it over. "Happy birthday."
After the bus broke down, Pelican Town lost contact with the desert—until Emily got Squawkabilly, reuniting her with Sandy.
"Thanks," Haley said. "By the way—did you lose a purple amethyst?"
"Amethyst?" Emily's favorite! She rushed to check her room, then called out, "No—why?"
"Nothing," Haley murmured.
"Oh! I saw the farmer again today," Emily said, feeding Squawkabilly as she sat beside Haley. "Clint told me—he took the Mine Cart to the caves early this morning. Said a weird frog screech woke him up, and he saw Ron through the window."
"The Mines?" Haley perked up. "Do they have amethysts there?"
"Of course!" Emily said. "I sometimes ask Clint to get me some."
Haley fell silent. "I see…"
---
Meanwhile, back at the farm…
Rattata's foraging trip had been wildly successful. Whether it was racial instinct or luck, the haul was massive. Now, a pile of berries sat like a feast—devoured by Froakie, the Rattata swarm, and even a few bold Zubat (snacking on "non-crow" treats).
Potatoes lay ignored. Ron ate one alone, watching his Pokémon gorge happily.
"Not even a bite?" he asked.
"Froakie!" Froakie chirped, too busy eating.
A few polite Rattata took a roasted potato to share.
---
The next morning…
Ron checked the strawberry field, cleared stray crow feathers, and headed to the Nursery.
Inside, the breeding chamber's light glowed—an egg was ready.
He collected it, refilled the food tray with yesterday's reserved berries, and checked on Ditto and Fletchling. Both seemed content.
Ron placed the egg in the incubator.
Fletchling fluttered onto his head; Ditto munched berries by the bowl.
"Alright, down you go," Ron said, lifting Fletchling to the berry pile.
After refilling water and tidying the hut, he stepped outside—and froze.
Froakie was watering crops with Water Gun.
Rattata formed a bucket brigade, ferrying water.
And Combee chased Gengar, who kept pulling pranks.
"What a lively farm," Lewis remarked, arriving just then with a smile.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)