Early the next morning, Ron got up and immediately checked the mailbox by the front door. Seeing a letter stuffed inside, he breathed a sigh of relief and opened it without delay.
By tradition, on the second day in Stardew Valley, new farmers received a letter from the fisherman by the beach—who would then gift them a fishing rod as an early source of income.
Ron unfolded the letter and, after confirming it was indeed from Willy the fisherman, read its contents.
It asked him to come to Pelican Town's beach at nine o'clock.
Ron checked the time on his Pokédex and headed straight for the parsnips he'd planted yesterday.
A day had passed, and the parsnips had already sprouted—clear proof that Froakie had watered them early that morning. Dewdrops glistened on their tender green leaves.
"Good job," Ron said, patting Froakie, who was squatting at his feet. He then set off to look for the two Pokémon he'd "conscripted" the day before.
Unfortunately, as Ron had already confirmed yesterday, the Pokédex system didn't seem to recognize his unconventional method of acquisition—so the Pokémon Breeding System remained locked.
After a quick circuit of the farm, he found Geodude sprawled on top of a large boulder, happily munching away. Nearby, a raised ridge of freshly turned earth marked where Orthworm had burrowed underground.
Clearly, Orthworm had woken up sometime in the night—but Ron hadn't yet seen it conscious.
Thinking of this, Ron pulled out a chunk of iron ore and placed it in the corner as bait.
The four loaves of bread were gone. To buy more, he'd have to wait until Gus's saloon opened at noon.
But he couldn't let Froakie—who'd risen early to work—go hungry until then. Fishing seemed like the best solution.
After instructing Froakie to guard the farm, Ron set off for the beach.
It was still early, so he stopped by the bus stop to forage wild berries and herbs, tucking them into his backpack.
With yesterday's earnings and remaining cash, Ron now had just under 1,300G. Daily bread expenses came to 480G—enough for only two more days for him and Froakie.
Glancing toward Pierre's General Store in the distance, he decided: first, collect the fishing rod, then consider expanding his crop planting.
Fishing with Pokémon had crossed his mind—but right now, he only had Froakie. Given its small size and light weight, it was unclear whether it would be catching fish… or becoming the bait.
Moreover, Ron wasn't sure what exactly he'd be reeling in from the water—edible fish, or Water-type Pokémon?
The distinction mattered. Magikarp was a fish—but eating a sentient creature, out of either empathy or principle, felt deeply wrong.
With these thoughts, Ron arrived at the beach.
In the distance, he spotted a figure crouched by the water's edge, fishing rod in hand. Beside him sat an enormous crab.
"Good work," Willy said, stroking the crab's head. Hearing footsteps, he turned. "Ah—Ron, right? Hello, I'm Willy."
"Hi," Ron replied.
Willy smiled, picked up his pipe from the sand, and handed the fishing rod to the crab.
Having fished together for years, Krabby took the rod smoothly and propped it steadily in place.
"Sit! Have you eaten?" Willy shifted to make room. "Try some—fresh-caught fish and wild wasabi I picked from the hills this morning."
Ron didn't refuse. He sat beside Willy and popped a piece into his mouth.
Willy's smile widened—pleased that Ron hadn't stood on ceremony.
"You really are just like your grandfather," he said, patting Krabby's shell. "Funny enough… this one was a gift from him."
"Him?" Ron instinctively scanned Krabby with his Pokédex.
[Krabby]
[River Crab Pokémon]
[Its pincers are fearsome weapons—but occasionally fall off during battle. New ones grow back quickly.]
Willy's eyes grew distant, as if seeing someone else through Ron. "I remember—it was the day he first left Pelican Town's dock for Kalos. He saw me tending to some little crabs and asked if I believed he could bring back something bigger."
Willy watched Krabby, now intently focused on the bobbing float. "I thought he'd come back with a king crab or something… Instead, he returned with this—and gave me a Poké Ball. Said, 'From now on, it'll be like family to you.'"
From that day on, Willy never sailed alone again.
As if on cue, Krabby let out two sharp clicks, yanked the rod with sudden force, and hauled up a sardine. When Willy waved a hand dismissively, Krabby popped the fish straight into its mouth.
Ron, however, was stuck on one phrase: "left for Kalos."
"Wait—we can actually sail to Kalos from here?" he asked.
"Maybe?" Willy shrugged. "I've never been, and I've never found it on any map. Only your grandfather had the sea charts."
Ron nodded slowly.
So the "sailing to Kalos" story was probably just his "grandfather's" cover for how he'd originally brought Pokémon into this world.
"Oh, right!" Willy reached toward the fish shop and handed Ron two fishing rods.
"This one's from me," he said. "For catching regular fish."
He tapped the second rod. "This one's from your grandfather—it's for catching Water-type Pokémon."
Ron took both rods and thanked him.
Willy put his pipe back in his mouth, took a few deep puffs, and said, "I love Pokémon—they're as fascinating as fish… but honestly? I'd rather you caught more of our fish."
He grinned, gazing at the sun rising over the sea. "If one day you manage to catch one of the legendary fish said to dwell in these waters… I'll give you a special Poké Ball—your grandfather gave it to me long ago. But I don't need it. Not with him."
Willy wasn't a man who sought company. Having Krabby—someone to talk to, to sail with—was more than enough.
He turned to Ron, who was now casting his line, and added, "By the way—I do need your help with something."
"What is it?" Ron asked.
"Clear the waters of Pokémon," Willy said firmly. "Ideally… make it as if they were never here at all. Their presence has already disrupted the natural fish populations."
After all, in the ocean, these Pokémon had no predators—except each other.
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