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Meanwhile, Ron.
"Ribbon successfully trapped Surskit using Dig!"
Ron commentated while clapping his hands.
Down in the tunnels, Ribbon, who had been constantly digging in the arena to restrict Surskit's movement paths, proudly raised its head.
"Rattata!"
"But like this, it would probably be quite difficult to pass the qualification review for a Pokémon Contest," Viola said, then commanded Surskit, "Surskit, right now, use Bubble Beam into the holes!"
The next instant, Bubble Beam shot into one of the holes. Because the ground beneath had already been riddled with tunnels by Ribbon, a massive amount of foam surged out from all the exits, flushing Ribbon out of the tunnels along with it.
"Rattata!"
Ribbon let out a cry as it was launched into mid-air by the force of the Bubble Beam, screaming in fright.
"Surskit's Bubble Beam hits Rattata!" Viola said, mimicking Ron's commentary style. "Using Rattata's own tunnels to achieve a gorgeous counterattack, Surskit scores another point!"
Seeing this, Ron quickly used a Poké Ball to recall Ribbon just before it hit the ground.
"Alright, that's it for today's rehearsal," Ron continued. "Tomorrow we'll look into it and get some TMs, then you'll have a way to battle beautifully."
The Poké Ball shook aggrievedly.
"Now it's your turn." Ron waved at Bellossom on the sidelines.
"——" Viola fell silent for a moment and recalled Surskit right before Bellossom could enter the field to avenge Ribbon.
The assistants nearby noticed the Pokémon switch and gathered around the edge of the field again.
Meanwhile, in Pelican Town.
The weather was perfect today. Leah brought a basket, planning to pick some Grapes and summer Spice Berries to make jam and fruit wine, enriching their winter diet.
The downside of relying mostly on foraging for ingredients was that there wasn't much variety each season, so she could only try different ways to turn season-specific forage items into various types of food.
Pondering this, Leah carried her basket and headed toward Cindersap Forest with her Deerling.
Not far along, she ran into Emily, who looked like she was searching for something.
"Good afternoon." Leah greeted her. "What are you looking for? Need any help?"
Emily paused, realized Leah was talking to her, and smiled. "I'm planning to go camping in the woods in a few days, so I'm looking for a suitable spot to set up a tent and other stuff."
"A suitable spot, huh." Leah thought for a moment. "When I go camping, I just stop wherever I end up, but for Pelican Town, it's definitely the Secret Woods over there, right?"
Leah pointed at the lush trees not far away. "It won't be too hot in the summer, and you don't have to worry about anything else."
Although the lake was also a good choice, since it was camping, they naturally needed to stay away from residential areas, otherwise it wouldn't feel like camping; it'd feel like being homeless in the wild.
"But this is the first time I've seen someone scout the location beforehand."
"Hmm... because I rarely come here," Emily blinked at Leah. "I want to leave with some different memories."
"I see, that is indeed very important," Leah continued. "Then I'll go with you. This season, some delicious Fiddlehead Ferns grow in the Secret Woods; whether you eat them cold in a salad or make risotto, they're delicious."
Emily thanked Leah, and the two entered the Secret Woods together.
"Come to think of it, you usually live alone, right?" Emily looked at Leah curiously. "Don't you feel lonely?"
"Lonely?" Leah thought for a moment. "I do, especially in winter. In winter, whether it's getting out of bed or going out to forage, I need a lot of mental preparation."
If she accidentally had an accident or got sick while out foraging, it went without saying how hard it was. If she didn't go out to gather ingredients, she couldn't make fresh, hot food. Staying home meant she could only eat bread or biscuits bought for emergencies.
"But spring and summer are fine."
"That seems to be the case." Emily smiled, looking up at the sun. "I really need someone with me in the winter."
But right now, Emily also wanted to adapt to life without Haley, and wanted to find things to fill those moments of loneliness she felt because Haley wasn't there.
Camping was one of those things.
"Yeah." Leah said, digging up a Fiddlehead Fern from the ground.
Just then, strange rustling sounds suddenly came from nearby.
Emily jumped, tightly grabbing Leah's hand, and asked warily, "Could it be a bear in the forest?"
"Hmm?" Leah looked toward the sound. Just as the two were debating whether to run away or let Deerling battle, a head poked out of the bushes.
"Oh, it's just a Raccoon." Emily breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me."
Leah also sighed in relief. She walked up to the Raccoon and examined it.
"Come to think of it, I haven't heard the sound of Raccoons rummaging through our trash cans in a long time." Emily squatted down next to her. "So this little guy moved here."
"?"
A question mark popped up above the Raccoon's head.
Unable to speak, it just felt its back inexplicably grow heavier.
As if it had accidentally shouldered something that didn't belong to a little Raccoon!
"Squeak—" It cried out, waving its paws at the two.
"What is it trying to say?" Leah looked at the little Raccoon in confusion. After thinking for a moment, she took a wild berry from her pocket and offered it to the little Raccoon.
"Squeak——"
The little Raccoon waved its paws and refused.
"It actually refused." Leah said. "Then does it have some other business?"
"Squeak——"
"Hey, should we go ask Meowth?" Emily remembered Meowth, who usually acted as a translator, and couldn't help but say. "Maybe Meowth will know; perhaps it needs help."
The two exchanged a glance and reached a consensus.
Meowth stared at the Raccoon sitting in the bushes, placed a paw under its chin, and struck a thoughtful pose.
"Squeak..."
"Squeak squeak——"
Hearing this, Meowth pondered: "Hmm——"
"Well, what did it say?" Emily urged.
Leah looked at Meowth with equal anticipation. Meowth then raised its head: "I can't understand it, meow... It's not a Pokémon, meow."
"?" Emily couldn't help but ask, "Then why were you listening for so long?"
"Meowth had to make sure, meow." Meowth scratched its head shyly.
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