Sailor continued its trash-can treasure hunt—carefully, though.
Remembering Combee's disapproval, it suspected humans might not approve of dumpster diving.
So it kept watch. If anyone passed, it'd lean against the bin, pretending to rush toward the beach with Geodude.
"Aw, so cute! Did Ron ask you to help?" Penny happened by with the kids, spotting Geodude carrying a chest and Sailor leading the way.
"Ratta!" Sailor stood tall, thumping its chest proudly.
"Good job," Penny smiled, offering homemade cookies. "Try one—they're tasty!"
"Ratta!" Sailor accepted the treat.
"What about you?" Penny asked Geodude uncertainly.
"Yoo!" Geodude waved off the cookie, pulling a stone from the chest and crunching it loudly.
"It eats rocks? Wow!" Vincent mimicked Geodude's chewing, stuffing his own cookie in his mouth.
Penny laughed and led the children toward the library.
---
Back at the farm…
For the first time, Shane entered through the south gate—the closer route Ron had mentioned.
The Coop and Nursery were right here. He gave Ron a distant wave and headed straight to work.
His duties were light:
– Feed Ditto
– Give Miltank hay
– Let Miltank graze in the fenced pasture Ron had prepared
Ron hadn't instructed him to do the last part—but from his time at the Animal Shop, Shane knew livestock needed fresh air. Long-term confinement stressed them.
Miltank was a Pokémon, but he figured the same logic applied.
While Miltank grazed, Shane stepped into the Coop—and froze.
An unfamiliar bird perched on the incubator, sheltering eggs beneath its wings.
Shane's brow furrowed. Stardew Valley had no raptors, but predators sometimes snatched unsecured animals.
Did I forget to close the Coop door?
He checked—the door was shut. No gaps for intruders. Must be Ron's doing.
Gripping a broom, he crept closer—
Crack! Crack!
The bird stood abruptly. A fluffy chick tumbled from its feathers.
Normally, newborn chicks were damp, taking hours to fluff up.
But this one steamed as if freshly baked—then plopped down, perfectly dry and fluffy.
"Hatched already? That was fast," Ron said, entering just then.
Standard incubation took five days. These eggs had only been in the box for 36 hours.
"This is Fletchinder," Ron explained, petting the bird and placing food before it. "It'll be your responsibility now."
Shane studied Fletchinder, then nodded.
After clarifying care instructions, Ron added the latest eggs to the incubator.
The Coop could still fit three more chicks. But once they matured in three days, he'd need to sell some to Kalos.
Glancing at Shane—who adored chickens and lived with Marnie—Ron chose his words carefully:
"Some chickens will go to Kalos. I'll build another Coop soon. Once this one's full, we'll move the grown ones there."
Shane nodded. Ron left.
Both Coops and Barns required Pelican Town funds. With Hops yielding profit only from Summer 14, income was tight until then.
Yesterday's talk with Willy sparked an idea: Joy's Pokémon Center sold goods for Pelican Town currency. Maybe she could exchange currencies.
Ron hurried to the Community Center.
Inside, Joy was bandaging a Rattata's wound. "Morning! One sec—I'll finish up with this little one."
"This is Linus's find," she explained, noticing Ron's curiosity. "From the Mines."
With no battling culture in Pelican Town, few visited the Center. So Joy often roamed forests with Wigglytuff, rescuing wild Pokémon—sometimes meeting Linus, who'd offer Berries to injured strays. After a couple of greetings, they shared a surprisingly good relationship.
Seeing her treatment, Linus now rushed hurt Pokémon straight to her.
This Rattata was one such case.
"Ratta…" It turned its head away from its attacker—Ron.
Ron rubbed his nose awkwardly. Once Joy finished, he explained his request.
"Oh! That's perfect!" Joy beamed. "We can trade!"
The Center paid her salary in Kalos currency, but selling goods locally let her convert it to Pelican Town money. Otherwise, she'd be stuck too.
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