Chapter 152: The Wishing Star of Seven Nights
The dense clouds parted. A shark-like Pokémon stretched its wings, resembling a jet plane.
"Garchomp!" Sapphire and Ruby exclaimed.
"That's the Champion from the Sinnoh region." Steven gazed into the distance. "A scholar worthy of respect."
The sound of rushing wind grew louder. "Rooaarrr!" Garchomp hovered above the peak. Lu Ye looked up to see a blonde woman on its back. Her black trench coat fluttered in the wind. With a soft tap, Cynthia leapt down gracefully.
"I'm not too late, am I?" She pressed down her wind-tossed golden hair, smiling.
Lu Ye froze briefly before smiling back. "For camping, you've arrived just in time."
"I just finished a match at the Battle Castle," Cynthia explained, patting Eevee's head. "It took quite a while to get here from Unova."
"Eevee! o(´^｀)o"
Lu Ye blinked. She came all the way from Unova just for this? Wait… isn't flying on Garchomp terrifying for her?
"Allow me to make introductions," Steven said, presenting the Hoenn juniors.
"Cynthia! Can I have your autograph?" Sapphire's eyes sparkled.
"Of course," Cynthia smiled. "I've heard about you two—brilliant trainers." The couple scratched their heads shyly.
"I didn't expect Steven to join a camping trip," Cynthia teased. "I thought your only interest was rocks."
Lu Ye crossed his arms. To be fair… meteorites are rocks. And Jirachi is Steel-type—it's a perfect match for Steven!
Steven coughed awkwardly. "This trip involves another matter…" He briefly explained about Jirachi.
Meanwhile, the couple whispered, "Ruby, who do you think is stronger, Cynthia or Steven?"
"I don't know… Maybe Teacher Lu?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Think about it. Steven's passion is geology, Cynthia's a mythology scholar, and Teacher Lu—" Ruby crossed his arms. "He's a breeder, a coordinator… just seems more well-rounded."
"That's so convincing!" Sapphire's eyes lit up.
"So, this is the meteorite?" Cynthia murmured, looking at the stone. "A Pokémon born from a stone… life is truly miraculous."
"We may not witness Jirachi today," Steven said, glancing at the overcast sky. "But camping can still continue."
"Hm?" Lu Ye surveyed the area. There were 3 tents. Ruby and Sapphire would obviously share one. That means I'll just have to share a tent with Cynthia!
"Cynthia, let's share a tent!" Sapphire exclaimed, grabbing her hand.
Lu Ye's heart sank. Young lady, you're blocking my chances!
"Of course," Cynthia replied. "But for tactics… Teacher Lu is more knowledgeable."
"Teacher Lu… is good at tactics too?" Sapphire blinked.
15-year-old Ruby suddenly realized, "Teacher Lu, that's why you're raising new Pokémon!"
"I just posted some game guides…"
"And used Perish Song tactics to beat me in a simulation," Cynthia added.
The couple gasped. Defeating Sinnoh's Champion… and she admitted it herself!
Steven announced, "Tonight, I'll share a tent with Ruby. What are your plans for tomorrow?"
"There's a festival nearby," Ruby grinned. "I plan to check it out with Sapphire."
Cynthia glanced at Lu Ye. "I thought Teacher Lu invited me for a vacation… Turns out it's to escort Jirachi's meteorite."
Lu Ye paused before replying, "No, I invited you to celebrate Qixi Festival!"
Steven looked surprised. Their relationship… could it really be what I think?
Cynthia chuckled. "In any case, it's a special occasion."
"I was going to invite only you," Lu Ye lamented. "But somehow, all these people showed up…"
Steven cleared his throat and retreated into the tent. "Ruby, Sapphire! Help me pack up!"
"Okay!" Sapphire handed the meteorite to Cynthia. "Please look after this for me!"
Silence fell. Sitting on a rock, Lu Ye caught a faint scent from Cynthia. "Teacher Lu," she asked softly, "do you hear something?"
Lu Ye blinked. "You heard Jirachi too?"
"I can't be certain."
Lu Ye's expression grew complicated. So I'm the only one who didn't hear it? Jirachi, do you have something against me?!
"I can only stay for 3 days," Cynthia said. "After that, I need to return to Sinnoh to study ancient tablets."
"I could help with that," Lu Ye said suddenly.
"You're coming to the lab?" Cynthia looked surprised, then smiled. "I almost forgot; the professor did invite you."
"I don't plan on visiting Sinnoh anytime soon. The earliest would be next year."
"Oh…" Cynthia murmured softly, "What a pity."
At the tent's entrance, three heads peeked out: Sapphire, Ruby, and Steven.
Nearby, Eevee trotted to the stream. Suddenly, it froze, its fur standing on end. Reflected in the water was a graceful Glaceon sneaking up behind it. It gently tapped Eevee's neck. "Eevee?!" Eevee's face turned crimson.
…
Lu Ye admired Cynthia's profile. "According to myth, only those with pure hearts can hear Jirachi's call. It seems Jirachi really likes you."
"I didn't expect you to know so much about mythology."
"My favorite subjects are myths and legends, especially the Sinnoh dragons of time and space!"
"Really?" Cynthia's deep eyes sparkled. "Me too!" Suddenly, she lowered her voice. "The sound is back… do you hear it?"
Lu Ye froze. Is my heart so impure?! "Y-yeah, I hear it," he coughed awkwardly.
"By the way, what's this Qixi Festival you mentioned?"
"It's a tradition where men and women exchange gifts!" Lu Ye declared.
"So… what gift did you prepare?"
"Hauunter!" Haunter nudged Lu Ye's side.
"Oh, you got it?"
"Hauunter!" Haunter licked his cheek triumphantly. Taking the harmonica from its hand, Lu Ye examined it. "This is my gift for you," he said softly.
The melody of Castle in the Sky flowed through the night. All the Pokémon lay down, captivated. As the music faded, applause broke the silence.
"That was beautiful…" Cynthia whispered.
"It's for you," Lu Ye's expression didn't waver. Cynthia smiled gently. Unnoticed, the meteorite in her hands began to glow.
The sky cleared, revealing a comet with a luminous green tail. Lu Ye suddenly heard a childlike voice: [M-mister?] Was that Jirachi's telepathy?
The meteorite emitted a dazzling light. "Eevee!" Eevee leaped in front of Lu Ye protectively.
"It's fine," he reassured it. "Just a mischievous little one."
Cynthia placed the meteorite on the ground as its light intensified.
"It's true…" Steven murmured. "The Mossdeep Observatory's discovery was real."
"Is this the legendary Jirachi?!" Sapphire cheered.
The light faded, revealing Jirachi, awakening groggily. Ruby's Pokédex announced, "Jirachi, the Wishing Pokémon. Data unknown."
Lu Ye took out his system's Pokédex. [Jirachi, Steel/Psychic. Ability: Serene Grace. Moves: Cosmic Power, Future Sight, Meteor Mash, Rest, Doom Desire…]
"Little one," Steven said, crouching down. "I'm Steven. It's nice to meet you."
Jirachi floated up and happily hugged Steven's chest. [Steven! Steven!] its childish voice echoed in everyone's minds.
Lu Ye's expression grew strange. Steven's charm is maxed out! When it was his turn, Jirachi turned its head away. Lu Ye: ???
"It seems Teacher Lu's melody awakened it," Steven said, cradling Jirachi.
Cynthia smirked. "A pure-hearted song?" Lu Ye coughed. "Exactly."
Running into a mythical Pokémon during a simple trip—who else but me?
[Steven, let's play together!] Jirachi clung to him. Steven sighed helplessly.
Ruby nudged him with a smirk. "Steven, who knew you'd make such a good dad!"
Steven smiled. "When we return, I'll ask Wallace to double your training regimen." Ruby paled.
Sapphire asked, "I heard Jirachi can grant wishes, right?"
"I'll explain," Lu Ye interjected. "To make a wish, there are three conditions: First, it only awakens during a comet's fall. Second, it grants wishes using the 'True Eye' on its abdomen. And third, wishing requires equivalent exchange. If you're unwilling to lose something, don't make a wish lightly."
"Anyway… my mission is to return it safely to the stars," Steven said to Jirachi. "Go ahead and enjoy yourself."
Jirachi smiled cutely, but when it looked at Lu Ye, it turned away again. Lu Ye froze. I'm just as handsome as Steven… why the favoritism?! Glancing at a golden Bluk Berry in his system, he muttered, "Looks like I'll have to sweeten the deal…"
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