At this very moment, in Pelican Town, at the Pokémon Center.
Haley was still watching the match broadcast. She sat motionless, staring at Serena on the battle field and that leaping Sylveon, her face full of longing.
Emily nearby had completely lost interest in watching the match. Her mind was entirely occupied with things she needed to prepare for Haley.
Tents naturally went without saying, plus necessary portable cooking utensils, some convenient instant foods, and daily necessities.
If she had a choice, she wished she could move the entire house over for Haley.
If she weren't truly uninterested in traveling, and if Gus didn't still need her, perhaps she would join this journey too.
"I'm going out to find Ron." Emily said goodbye to Haley, then quickly left the Pokémon Center.
She walked all the way to the construction site.
At this moment, Robin had just come down to rest. She was drinking hot tea while watching Serena on the screen.
"Emily, why are you here? Want some tea?" Penny was pouring tea into cups. She handed one to Ron while asking.
"Ah, I have something to discuss with Ron," Emily said, looking toward Ron.
"Me?"
"Mm." Emily paused and said: "Haley plans to go travel in Kalos too—"
"Haley?" Penny couldn't help exclaiming, "She's going too?"
Just after exclaiming, Penny's gaze fell on Serena on the television, and she suddenly reacted: "She also wants to participate in Pokémon Contests?"
Ron paused, "I see. Then will she go with Abigail?"
"Probably." Emily continued: "When the time comes—ah, this is really embarrassing to ask, but could I trouble you to escort Haley? Take her to where Abigail is."
Actually, Emily couldn't say for sure whether Haley could adapt to traveling with them, but Haley had changed quite a bit recently, no longer so aggressive.
But if they could look out for each other, it would always give Emily more peace of mind.
Ron immediately agreed.
"As for money, well, if anyone in Kalos asks me to design a dress, please transfer the earnings to Haley as well," Emily continued.
As for herself, the money she earned working at the saloon was enough for her. The rest, she was willing to give entirely to Haley.
As long as it could make her life outside less strained, that would be enough.
Hearing this, Penny glanced at Emily, feeling somewhat envious for a moment.
But only a little. Now her life was getting better too. That gloom hovering in her heart was being dispelled bit by bit as this house was being built.
Thinking this, she lowered her head and sipped her hot tea.
Ron was currently thinking about Haley's Pokémon.
It was a Sunkern, presumably not very high level. Not to mention battles, normally Haley didn't even let it walk on its own much.
Most of the time it stayed in Haley's arms, accompanying her as she strolled around Pelican Town.
But there was still some time before going to Kalos. Ron planned to depart around the 8th of Winter. On one hand, Nacli had recently successfully collected quite a few evolution stones, with hope of gathering enough evolution stones before winter to unlock the Greenhouse, after which he could plant some crops in the Greenhouse.
On the other hand, Ron planned to take the Pokémon to have fun and relax in Pelican Town during winter. Because of being busy with work, it was only during festivals did Ron let everyone wander around town. Now that it was winter, besides caring for animals and brewing, there was no other work on the farm.
It was the perfect time to relax.
Thinking this, Ron looked at the Pokédex in his hand, flipped through Kalos news, and learned that the next Pokémon Contest would be held in Laverre City, in eighteen days—that would be the 15th of Winter in Pelican Town.
Laverre City wasn't far from Lumiose City. Calculating it, seven days would be enough for him to bring Haley to meet up with Abigail and the others in Laverre City.
"Then we'll depart after the 8th of Winter, just in time for the Laverre City Pokémon Contest, probably the 15th of Winter."
"The 8th of Winter." Emily calculated—that still left more than ten days. She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. She had originally thought they would depart in three days. This gave her enough time to make ample preparations: "Alright, I'll go back and tell Haley."
Calculating it, it was just enough time for her to complete a custom dress order, earn some living expenses for Haley, plus make another dress for Haley herself.
"Remember to register at Joy's," Ron said, turning his head back to the television.
As expected, Serena smoothly won the battle.
The next match would be Serena versus Abigail.
"Now underway—the Contest Battle between competitor Serena and competitor Abigail!"
"Serena's chosen Pokémon is—Delphox!"
"Competitor Abigail's chosen Pokémon is—as expected, Gengar!"
"Gengar has hidden in the shadows!"
"Delphox, use Light Screen!"
"Light Screens appeared around Delphox! This will weaken Gengar's attack effects!"
"Ah, still worried about being taken out by Gengar in one hit like before? How will competitor Abigail choose to break through?"
"Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"
"Shadow Ball is gathering in Gengar's hands! Compared to the previous short and fast attack style, this time it seems to have undergone special training—Gengar has gorgeously thrown out the Shadow Ball!"
As soon as the words finished, Serena's score was deducted by five points.
Previously, Abigail and Gengar had conducted battle training in the mines. Whether in reaction speed or attack speed, compared to normal Pokémon battles, it would naturally be much faster.
After all, in the Mines it wasn't a 1v1 duel.
"Use Fire Spin!"
"Flames begin gathering on Delphox's wand—a beautiful Fire Spin has swallowed Gengar's Shadow Ball!"
In the center of the screen, one could see the Shadow Ball thrown by Gengar now rotating continuously within the flames along the Fire Spin. The next instant, the Shadow Ball exploded, and dazzling sparks scattered around Delphox like fireworks.
"A spectacular counterattack!"
"Now, use Sucker Punch!"
As soon as the words finished, Gengar flashed out from the shadows beneath Delphox's feet, then delivered a heavy blow to Delphox.
Serena's heart skipped a beat across from her.
"Because it's a physical attack! Light Screen didn't take effect!" the host continued: "The attack hit! Can Gengar still achieve victory in one strike as before?"
As soon as the words finished, the dust settled, and Delphox firmly planted its staff into the ground.
"Delphox~"
"Delphox!" Serena rejoiced for a moment, then reflexively shouted: "Use Psychic!"
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