The next day—Spring 25.
After a full day of festivities, most Pokémon were still sprawled across the bed.
Ron carefully stepped over the sleeping Rattata and got up.
He made breakfast as usual, then pushed open the door—
—and found Gus waiting at the farm gate, accompanied by Emily and her Fearow perched on her shoulder.
"Morning!" Emily waved cheerfully.
Knowing Gus would be busy, she'd volunteered to help him pick Berries. She swept her blue hair aside and surveyed the farm.
This was her first visit since Ron inherited it—and it defied all expectations.
She knew the farm should have changed in twenty-some days… but not like this.
Before Ron arrived, she'd once snuck onto the property with Abigail.
She remembered its utter desolation.
And now? Just 25 days later.
As Emily marveled, footsteps sounded behind her.
Ron pointed out the Berry grove to Gus, then walked toward the newcomers.
"Morning," Robin greeted. "Where's the coop going?"
Ron indicated the livestock zone he'd planned.
Robin rolled up her sleeves and strode off.
"Building a coop already?" Gus mused, watching the orderly fields. "It's really coming together."
Just one spring—and it was already this thriving. He studied Ron with newfound respect.
Ron was busy too. His Pokémon had finished breakfast and now lined up for watering duty. Even Abigail's mischievous Gengar worked diligently in the fields—a picture of prosperity.
Gus and Emily exchanged glances, then headed to the Berry patch.
Calling it a "grove" was generous—barely twenty trees stood there. But new saplings dotted the ground, freshly planted.
Each mature tree bore fruit—and a labeled sign:
Pecha Berry – Sweet, floral aroma. Ideal for baking.
Cheri Berry – Spicy. Pairs well with savory dishes.
Gus filled his basket, plucking samples of each.
"It feels like just yesterday Clint was calling this place a 'wilderness survival camp,'" he remarked to Emily.
She nodded, adding a Berry to the basket. Her eyes drifted to the crops. Though not a farmer, her saloon work gave her some vegetable knowledge.
She tugged Gus's sleeve. "What's that? I've never seen it before."
Gus turned. Ron held unfamiliar greens.
Stardew Valley's seasonal produce was limited—Gus could ID any veg blindfolded.
But these? Unrecognizable.
He hurried over.
Ron was harvesting cabbage and lettuce—the first Kalos crops to mature.
Thanks to Speed-Gro, they'd ripened faster than expected.
"These are from Kalos," Ron explained, handing Gus two of each. "Feel free to experiment with recipes."
Neither cabbage nor lettuce shone solo—but if Gus could transform them? Perfect.
Gus cradled the vegetables, profusely thanking Ron.
"No trouble," Ron said.
He hadn't planned to sell these. First, Kalos market prices were unknown.
Second, farm meals were still sparse. Selling everything would mean another summer of jam-smeared bread.
After stowing the rest in the fridge (another extradimensional marvel—no space worries), Ron checked his other Kalos seeds:
– Celery: nearly ripe, probably ripe by tomorrow
– Asparagus & onions: close behind
– Cucumbers: flowering—just 3 days to maturity
Once the coop was built, eggs would diversify their menu.
In-game logic prioritized profit—but this was real life.
Ron wasn't here to suffer.
With chores done, Ron left for the Community Center—with Geodude and Oddish in tow.
After hearing about the Pokémon Shop, he'd planned to stock up on Poké Balls.
Goal: Mining-capable Pokémon.
Geodude and Rattata helped, but more hands meant faster ore collection.
Spring 25.
It feels like time flew by. Only three days until the season's end.
Beyond daily farm work, he needed to:
Fulfill Cyllage City's Fletchling order
2. Mine materials for sprinklers (to free up Rattata for Foraging/Fishing)
Oddish came along for two reasons:
Gain battle EXP to learn Grassy Terrain (test its crop-accelerating effects)
2. Its 2 hard-earned Potential Points might keep it conscious past one monster encounter.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)