On the Flight
Natsume gazed out the window at the dark clouds, his reflection staring back.
A headache creeping in, he pulled down his sleep mask with a groan. "Ash... wake me in the morning."
"Wait, weren't you supposed to remind me?" Ash scratched his head.
"Changed my mind!"
Gengar, seated between them, happily unfolded its tray table and dug into the in-flight meal.
Ash gaped. "Gengar, you're still eating?!"
"Gengar?" It shot him a sidelong glance.
What, kid? Got a problem?
Natsume tried to meditate, recalling what little he knew about their destination.
Honestly... his memory was fuzzy.
He only remembered Cameran Palace because he'd once looked it up—its real-world inspiration being Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle.
"Something about Sir Aaron, Ash, and Lucario..."
He'd figure it out when they landed.
For now, sleep.
Rubbing his temples, Natsume reassured himself:
Worst case, after delivering Oak's package, I'll let Ash handle the 'plot.'
With his superhuman durability, he'll be fine...
Still, sleep eluded him.
Opening the group chat, he found everyone awake.
The clock struck midnight.
Gold: "New Year's!!"
Green: "Happy New Year~" (Attached: A lucky Meowth sticker.)
Brock: "Isn't Touran's New Year later? Natsume-sensei, happy early Lunar New Year!"
Natsume smiled. "Happy early New Year!"
[Group member 'Busy Mining' sent a lucky red envelope!]
Ash: Happy New Year!
Maylene: Happy New Year!
Seeing the generous amount, Maylene sniffled, touching the bandage on her nose.
First New Year's gift in years...
Thank you, Senior Steven! o(╥﹏╥)o
Blue Oak: "Happy New Year. Ash, Natsume-sensei, you're on a mission?"
"Yeah... celebrating mid-flight," Natsume replied, suddenly melancholic.
With Ash, no less. And who knows what's coming—
"Don't worry, I'll take care of Natsume-sensei!" Ash beamed.
Lt. Surge: ?
Natsume-sensei: [Angry Dog Head Rub.jpg]
Natsume-sensei: Oops. Wrong person.
Lt. Surge: I'm rubbing YOU back! [Angry Dog Head Rub]
[Group member 'S.S. Aqua Captain' muted for 5 minutes.]
Sabrina: ???
Fellow ex-Team Rocket Executive solidarity flickered in her heart.
Power dictates everything...
Lt. Surge grumbled. "Fine. I'll just bully Gold's spiky head later."
Outside, fireworks bloomed. Lorelei removed her glasses, polishing them quietly.
Lorelei: "No wishes this year. Outcomes never change."
Gold: "Boyfriend hunt?"
[Group member 'Gold' muted for 12 hours.]
Red: "New goal: Get stronger with Blue!"
Green: "Public confession?!"
Blue's lips curled.
Because... no one else can keep up with you?
Interesting.
The festive mood eased Natsume's unease—until Cynthia's message popped up.
[Happy New Year~ (Garchomp's forced smile.jpg)]
Natsume's heart warmed.
After this mission... I'll see her again.
Wait.
That felt like a dangerously set flag...
...
January 1st, Clear Skies
Natsume woke early—meal prep habits die hard.
I miss sleeping past noon...
"Wake up." Natsume glanced at Ash, who was drooling beside him, "Stupid!"
"Huh? We late?!" Ash jolted upright.
"Must be nice, sleeping like a log anywhere," Natsume mused.
"Heh, years of camping!"
Disembarking, they headed toward Cameran Palace.
Snow-capped peaks framed the horizon. A vintage steam train chugged through the wilderness.
A stone bridge led to a white castle, its spires dusted with snow.
"The trees are frozen!" Ash exhaled a white puff.
"Pretty," Natsume admitted, eyeing the mirror-like frozen lake below.
The bridge offered a perfect view—reminiscent of Liyue Harbor.
Summoning Arcanine, Natsume hauled Ash aboard. "Warm ride."
"Arcanine~~! (｀0｀)"
At the gates, armored guards confirmed: "Professor Sycamore is staying here."
"Perfect!" Ash grinned. "Deliver the documents, mission complete!"
"In theory."
Natsume stroked his chin. "Did Oak say what the documents are?"
"Some... Pokémon research notes?"
Natsume shrugged. Ash's evaluation, not mine.
First priority: intel.
"Is there a Pokémon Center here?"
"Yes, with a League-assigned Nurse Joy."
Jackpot. Joy would know everything.
Inside the Castle
Natsume waved Ash off. "Meet at the Pokémon Center in two hours."
"Got it!"
"Pikachu~~"
As Natsume walked away, Pikachu hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu..." It shook its head.
"Let's finish the evaluation first."
Unbeknownst to them, a telescope tracked their movements.
"The twerp's alone!" Jessie hissed.
"But why was the Executive with him?" James puzzled.
"Idiot!" Meowth smacked him. "The Executive wants that Pikachu! We steal it first, hand it over—promotion!"
The three of them looked up at the sky.
[A big hand caressed Sylveon, and the Executive's hoarse voice came from the shadows:Well done... You have made great contributions in handing in Pikachu, and I will promote you three to team leaders! ]
"Feelin' good~~!"
"Wobbuffet!"
...
Elsewhere
A small Meowth pressed against the wall—then burst into white light.
"Mew~~" The playful pink feline giggled, tail swaying, before transforming into a Taillow.
With a flap of wings, it soared after Pikachu...
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