That evening, Alex returned to the farm as promised to collect milk for the next day's ice cream.
Glancing around, his eyes landed on the Cheri Berries ripening on distant trees.
Old George suffered leg pain in cold weather. Only a poultice of Leeks and herbs soothed him. Hot Peppers worked too—but their searing sting was unbearable unless desperate.
Alex had tasted Cheri Berries at the saloon. Though spicy, their heat was gentler than peppers'. He wanted to try them on George.
"Are those Cheri Berries for sale?" he asked Ron.
"Just pick them," Ron said, waving it off. Seeing Alex hesitate, he added, "10G each—same price for Gus."
Alex harvested some, paid, and left.
---
Summer 14
Early that morning, after breakfast, Ron stepped outside—and froze.
The sky was veiled in eerie green-tinged clouds.
Robin arrived just then to build the barn. Her face was clouded with worry.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked.
"Did you check the forecast?"
Ron never did. He shook his head.
"I'm not sure… but something feels off," Robin said, pointing at the clouds. Normally gray, they now resembled a thick layer of moss spreading across the sky.
Ron stared, then recalled: Green Rain.
A rare summer phenomenon. Harmless, but it made Pelican Town sprout ferns and moss—and mutated some trees.
"Should be fine," Ron reassured her. But seeing her anxiety, he added, "If anything seems wrong tomorrow, we'll postpone farm work."
Robin smiled, tension easing. She headed to the construction site.
This reminded Ron: even if he knew Green Rain was safe, forcing Pam and Shane to work in it would be cruel. To them, it might seem apocalyptic.
But if they took the day off, he'd be swamped.
Ron groaned, dreading tomorrow.
Soon, Pam arrived—oblivious to the weather. No forecast habits, no sky-watching. After sharing ice cream with the Pokémon, she dove into work.
Ron harvested Hops, strategizing tomorrow's labor.
If needed, he'd deploy all Pokémon—even the Zubat 'dieting' in nearby caves.
To protect the crops, he'd installed scarecrows across the expanded fields. With diet and exercise, Zubat could finally fly again.
For the Barn and Miltank? He and Indeedee would manage.
Shane approached, reporting the Auto-Grabber worked on Miltank.
Relief! Ron rushed to the ranch, bought two machines—one for the Coop, one for the Breeding Hut.
Preparations done, he returned to work.
---
The next day…
Green Rain fell as predicted.
Joy woke in the Community Center to find the walls oozing green.
Rain pattered outside. Heart pounding, she grabbed Wigglytuff and crept to the lobby.
The decrepit building dripped emerald slime from ceiling cracks. Wigglytuff stared up, bewildered.
"What's happening?!" Joy clutched Wigglytuff, terrified.
No TV meant no weather warnings. All she saw was an alien invasion creeping through the walls.
Knock knock knock!
Joy jumped. Holding Wigglytuff tight, she inched to the door—
—and yanked it open.
Instantly, strong arms wrapped around her.
"Sorry, sweetheart—I just remembered!" Robin tossed her umbrella aside, stroking Joy's hair. "I forgot there's no TV here! You should've stayed at our place last night. Don't be scared."
Outside, Robin had kept her mouth shut, fearing accidentally ingesting the Green Rain. Now she felt Joy trembling. She held her until the panic subsided.
Joy sniffled in Robin's embrace. "What's going on?"
"I don't know—it's my first time too," Robin murmured. "Come stay with us. You can return when the rain stops."
Joy glanced at the moss crawling down the walls… and nodded.
Robin had brought a raincoat. She bundled Joy up and hurried toward the carpenter's shop, umbrella shielding them.
At the door, they met Demetrius in a hazmat suit, heading out.
Robin dropped her umbrella and grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?"
"I need to investigate!" Demetrius said, eyes gleaming. "I've never seen this before—it might help my research!"
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