Ron looked at the crowd, deeply moved. "Thank you all."
Even Joy—also new to town—felt her eyes well up.
Her hometown wasn't large either, but she'd never witnessed something like this:
Everyone showing up, no questions asked, no thought of reward.
"Enough talk—let's get to work! We're still counting on Gus for dinner!" someone called out.
Laughter rippled through the farm as everyone scattered to help.
Most had never done farmwork before, but under the guidance of Ron, Pam, and Shane, they quickly picked up the rhythm.
Gus groaned from the sidelines. "I've got no energy left to cook."
He rubbed his aching shoulders. "I'm not sure if the saloon'll even open tomorrow!"
His complaint sparked more laughter under the summer stars.
With so many hands, what might've taken until midnight was finished in no time.
Afterward, everyone gathered at the saloon, collapsing onto chairs like exhausted ragdolls.
Though their workload was lighter than Ron's crew, most were first-timers—only Robin seemed unfazed, leaning casually against the counter.
"Pour some beers!" Gus wheezed from his chair. "Non-drinkers get milk—with Pecha Berry jam on the side."
"I'm not your waitress," Robin grumbled—but her hands were already busy fetching cups, pouring drinks, and mixing soft beverages per Gus's instructions.
"What's this smell? Peachy… but sweeter?" someone asked.
"Berries from the farm," Gus said.
Ron added, "The farm's overflowing with Berries. Help yourselves—free to pick. Some affect Pokémon too; they've got favorite flavors. Don't be shy."
Grateful thanks followed.
Gus downed his beer in one go, grinning.
Surprisingly, Pam chose soft drink over beer.
Penny leaned close. "Beer's fine—just this once."
Pam shook her head. "Turns out other drinks aren't bad either."
Penny smiled softly, resting against her mother without another word.
By midnight, the group trudged home, weary but content.
Too drained to walk, Ron recalled each Pokémon—one by one—from the floor (all happily dozing after Pecha-Berry milk). After bidding Gus goodbye, he headed home.
Watching neighbors disappear into their homes, Ron felt warmth bloom in his chest.
Joy walked beside him, gazing at the town's amber streetlights. "It really is nice here. Mom was right—Pelican Town's special."
"Yeah," Ron agreed.
Streetlights ended at Pierre's, so Ron detoured to escort Joy home before returning to the farm.
He placed each Pokémon on their beds—even Indeedee on its tiny cot—before collapsing onto his own.
Exhausted, yet strangely happy.
He sighed, closed his eyes, and slept.
---
The next day—Stardrop Saloon…
Gus didn't wake until noon.
"Ugh…" He dragged himself upright, limbs stiff. "Farming is brutal."
Slumped in a chair, he couldn't lift his arms. Opening the door felt like a Herculean task.
Is this Ron's daily life?
Suddenly, Ron's discounted produce felt far too cheap.
He'd known it intellectually—but seeing the farm's scale and recalling Gabriel's legacy, he'd never grasped the sheer effort behind those prices.
---
Back at the farm…
Ron slept in—unusual for him.
He'd told Pam and Shane yesterday: Just check on the animals; payment's already settled.
No worries. So he took his time reheating breakfast.
Indeedee, equally spent, just blinked at him from bed—no energy to rise.
"You all earned rest," Ron said, arranging food. "Eat when you're ready. I'll check the Nursery and coop."
He stepped out. Not that he doubted their work—just wanted to ensure everything was alright. Even if they came later, he'd feed the animals first.
The Nursery was spotless. Miltank's egg already sat in the incubator.
At the coop, eggs were neatly stacked; chickens pecked at feed.
Ron couldn't fathom their stamina. If it were me, I'd sleep till evening! Yesterday's frenzy left no room for slacking.
He placed the eggs in the incubator—six total, spaced carefully.
Game rules didn't apply here—no "coop full" warnings. Crowding was fine.
Standing, he met the chickens' curious stares.
…
After a tense moment, Ron forced himself to look away.
A gentleman stays clear of the kitchen—can't bear to see life become death.
He'd keep his distance from livestock. No attachments.
This was why Kalos banned Pokémon consumption: if untrained animals evoked such guilt, how could anyone eat sentient companions who understood human speech?
He'd learned this from the food company rep. Hence their massive demand for non-Pokémon meat.
Glancing back at the coop, Ron released Fletchling. After a short break, he'd take it and Oddish to the Mines for leveling.
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