BONUS CHAPTER!!! For reching 50 Powerstones :)
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Ron considered.
"If you want some, just pay a small fee," he said after a moment. "10G per Berry is fine. By summer, you can even come to the farm and pick them yourself."
Berries were different from fruit trees. Fruit required saplings and took a full month to mature—but Berries sprouted from seeds in just one week. Nearly zero cost.
Gus's eyes crinkled into happy slits. He clapped Ron's shoulder. "That's too kind! I'll take some to experiment with recipes. If they turn out well, I'll send you the notes right away."
He added thoughtfully, "I could even try making Pokémon food."
He avoided the word "feed"—to him, Pokémon weren't livestock.
Ron thanked him quickly.
Farm meal costs were high—not in ingredients (mostly foraged or homegrown), but in time. Cooking took hours daily. With more Pokémon coming, convenience was essential.
"Don't mention it," Gus smiled. "Reciprocity."
Just then, another breeze swept through—petals swirling like snow.
In the crowd, Haley—the only one in a white dress—began to dance, cradling Sunkern as petals rained around her.
In the corner, Abigail lifted a flute to her lips. Her fingers danced—and a gentle melody filled the air.
Sunkern's leaves swayed with Haley's movements. Her golden hair brushed its leaves like sunlight glinting through petals.
Joy watched, startled, as Wigglytuff tugged her into the crowd.
"Wait—!"
Spun in a circle, Joy stumbled—then matched Wigglytuff's rhythm.
Their lead sparked a chain reaction: girls paired with their Pokémon, twirling through the blossoms.
Robin leaned against the railing, watching. She turned to Ron beside her.
"Aren't you joining?"
"Nope," Ron shrugged. "Two left feet."
Robin chuckled, tucking her hair behind her ear. For a moment, she saw her own youth reflected in the dancers.
"How lovely," she murmured.
She hated admitting it—but she wasn't young anymore.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Such youth," Robin smiled. "Watching them… I realize time really flies."
The girls' silhouettes shimmered in Robin's eyes. When she turned back—Ron was holding out his hand.
"What?"
"Dance?"
Robin waved him off. "If you need a partner, plenty of girls would say yes."
"So?" Ron repeated. "I'm asking you. Not whether others would. Just… do you want to?"
Robin met his gaze—and hesitated.
"You don't have to dance with someone you fancy today," Ron said gently. "So if you'd like, I'm here."
Robin's lips curved. She placed her hand in his.
"Alright. Let's relive our youth."
But as they joined the crowd, Robin realized Ron's "two left feet" was no exaggeration. His stiff limbs made her laugh.
"I thought you were being modest!"
She guided him through a turn, yanking her foot back just in time to avoid being stepped on.
After a few circles, once his steps grew less clumsy, she gave him a light push—and released his hand.
Before Ron could react—thud!—he collided with Joy.
"Oh!" Joy gasped. Wigglytuff had already darted off to dance with Robin. She gripped Ron's hand, scanning the chaos.
Couples were swapping partners mid-dance:
"Who said we're switching? Wait—I never agreed to dance with Machoke!"
"Hold on—my Squawkabilly—!"
"Who brought Trubbish in here?!"
Clint stood frozen, clutching Trubbish as it waddled toward Emily—now dancing with Haley.
"Please don't breathe," he begged. "Just… promise me."
"Trub~"
"No—!"
Amidst the mayhem, Ron offered Joy an awkward smile.
He guessed Robin thought he wanted to join the fun but didn't know how—so she'd led him in.
Truth was, he hadn't wanted to dance at all. He'd only reached out because Robin looked… lonely.
"…Shall we?" Joy asked.
From romantic Kalos, she was a natural dancer. Her eyes sparkled. "Partner-swapping is common back home…"
No hidden meaning—just joy in movement, connection without flirtation.
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By evening…
A bonfire crackled at the center.
Townsfolk gathered around it, laughing as Pokémon played and Gus's dishes circulated.
"This year will be a good one," Pam said, gazing into the flames.
Penny leaned on her shoulder, watching Ron chat with Gus across the fire.
"Mm," Penny hummed softly. She scooped up Oddish, who'd been terrorized by Gengar darting from shadows.
"Don't scare it, Amber," she scolded, giggling as Gengar pulled a face.
"Ah! There you are, Amber!" Abigail called from afar.
Gengar stuck out its tongue—making Oddish tremble in Penny's arms—then floated to Abigail.
"Haven't danced with me yet today," Abigail said, offering her hand. "Care to?"
"Gengar!"
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