"Zy-ga..." I can't get through to you.
Squishy glanced at Dedenne, slowly crawled to the edge of Bonnie's pillow, and burrowed back into the pouch placed there.
"Dede." Dedenne scratched its head, unable to figure out what Squishy was doing. After thinking about it for a long time, it simply gave up, burrowed next to Bonnie's neck, and curled up into a ball.
"Dedenne~"
"Good night." Bonnie, half-asleep, patted Dedenne and closed her eyes, falling back asleep.
The next day.
Ron got up early. After taking a look at the tea mountain, he took Indeedee and Ribbon to the nearby streets to inspect the market.
Rather than inspecting the market, it was more about accompanying Ribbon to buy a few more things. Although Ribbon sensibly said it was enough, it was obviously still feeling down about not getting the exact accessory it had its heart set on.
——Besides, this was already promised to Ribbon, and a little Pokémon accessory wasn't worth much money. Since they were here, he might as well let it shop to its heart's content.
With this in mind, Ron carried Ribbon to the shopping mall that Bonnie and the others had visited yesterday.
Not knowing what Ron was going out to do today, only knowing he had business to attend to, Ribbon stayed obediently in Ron's arms, touching the accessory on its head.
Today it was wearing a newly bought bow from yesterday. Touching the bow on its head, Ribbon was solemnly mumbling to comfort itself.
"Rattata, Rattata, Rattata." (This one is also very pretty, maybe there isn't anything prettier in other stores!)
"Rattata, Rattata, Rattata." (I've seen so many styles already; if it really comes down to it, I can just go back and have Emily and Sandy make one for me!)
"Rattata!" (It's fine!)
"——" Ron, who was holding Ribbon, and Indeedee beside him fell into silence.
Froakie wasn't brought along; it was currently on the tea mountain taking care of the Tea Saplings along with the Water-type Pokémon borrowed from Ramos.
Logically, they shouldn't need watering, but since Ramos had offered to lend them, maybe the plants here still couldn't do without this essential step in the planting process.
Ron didn't want to gamble on whether it was useful or not. Anyway, the Stardew Valley tea trees wouldn't die from being watered a little.
This could be seen from the pasture grass planted in Santalune City. It was just like the grass in Pelican Town; unless harvested with a tool, even if a car ran over it, it would pop right back up after a while.
This made the factory's only two employees exclaim in amazement.
"Indeed." Indeedee called out to Ribbon.
Ribbon, clearly not having finished comforting itself, paused, then looked up and sized up the building in front of it.
The next instant, it jumped up excitedly in Ron's arms.
"Rattata?! Rattata?!"
"Yeah, take your pick today." Ron said, taking the Rattata into the shopping mall.
As soon as he walked in, Ron noticed a very long line, seemingly waiting for a certain store to open.
Before Ron could see clearly what the line was for, it was spoiled for him by Indeedee next to him (who read their thoughts).
It seemed that the food company from Lumiose City had expanded its business. Since the supply of ingredients from Ron's side had increased significantly, the ingredients that were originally limited and lined up for only in Lumiose City had now gradually opened up sales points in various cities.
Even some fast food used those ingredients, making them a must-buy for traveling trainers.
"Rattata?" Ribbon sniffed the smell coming from the store not far away, then shrank back into Ron's arms.
If it were any other Rattata, it might have started drooling by now, but for Ribbon, beauty was far above everything else!
"Let's go." Ron held Ribbon and led Indeedee as they continued walking toward the accessory store.
Meanwhile, the Wizard.
Early in the morning, after confirming on the Pokédex that there was no mass outbreak of Beldum today either, he frowned and started searching for information on Beldum.
"I can't find anything..." The Wizard studied it with a deep frown.
"Hello, are you lost?" Viola, who was out doing her usual Bug-type Pokémon photography, had come to the forest near Coumarine City to photograph the unique Vivillon that were appearing in large numbers near the city today. Seeing the Wizard wandering in circles in the forest, she couldn't help but step forward and ask.
"Me?" The Wizard paused for a moment. Although he was somewhat resistant to communicating with strangers, thinking of his research, he still asked Viola for advice.
"You're looking for a Beldum..." Viola fell silent for a moment before saying, "This Pokémon doesn't have a habitat in the Kalos region."
The Wizard looked at Viola in shock.
"You didn't know?" Viola paused, sizing up the Wizard. Although she wasn't entirely sure of his exact age, he looked to be at least in his thirties or forties. If he were a kid who had just set out on an adventure, that'd be one thing, but an adult of this age...
"Just found out." The Wizard paused, then asked, "Then where can I find one?"
"Hmm... you should be able to find them in the Sinnoh region," Viola said, taking out a map from her pocket. "Right here... if you want to go, you'll have to take a flight from Lumiose City."
The Wizard studied the map for a while, then took a few steps forward as if he somewhat understood.
Having just finished photographing the Vivillon, Viola jogged a few steps to catch up with the Wizard. "I happen to pass through Lumiose City on my way back to Santalune City too, let's go together—By the way, which city are you from?"
"Pelican Town." The Wizard replied. Since it had been too long since he communicated with strangers, he really didn't know how to deal with this overly friendly woman, so he just honestly answered whatever Viola asked.
"Pelican Town?" Viola looked at the Wizard in surprise. "Then do you know Ron?"
"Yes, I know him." The Wizard nodded. "Our town isn't big; everyone knows each other."
Viola then thought of Ron, and Abigail, along with the mysterious Pokémon that Haley possessed, and couldn't help but ask, "Then what Pokémon do you have with you?"
"Pokémon?" The topic jumped too quickly. The Wizard glanced at Viola before slowly taking out Caterpie's Poké Ball. "This one, Caterpie."
"A Caterpie." Viola couldn't help but rub her hands together. "Would you be able to have a Pokémon battle with me?"
"——?" The Wizard looked at Viola in confusion, remembering the instructions Ron had given him before leaving Pelican Town. Things like not making casual eye contact with people on the road, otherwise he would run into strange people inviting him to battle.
"It's not really convenient." The Wizard refused.
Normally, if refused, Viola would have no reason to keep pestering him. But thinking of those extraordinary Pokémon, especially since the Wizard happened to have a Bug-type Pokémon, Viola still chased after him.
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