Chapter 153: What a Terrible Feeling!
August 26th, Wednesday.
The comet hovered in the night sky, its emerald-green tail stretching long across the horizon as the moonlight softly illuminated the world below.
[Steven, let's play together!] Jirachi floated around cheerfully, its telepathic voice carrying its joy.
"Hauunter!" Haunter snickered mischievously, reaching out to pinch Jirachi's cheek in front of the shocked crowd. "Hauunter! o(*≧▽≦)ツ (So soft!)"
Lu Ye froze. Haunter, you're bold enough to pinch a mythical Pokémon's face?!
Jirachi tilted its head, its ribbons drooping momentarily before it flashed a pure smile. [Let's all play together!]
"Jirachi is so easygoing," Sapphire said with a smile. "It feels much more approachable than those big intimidating ones!"
"Jirachi sleeps for 1,000 years and only awakens for 7 days," Steven said softly, gently stroking Jirachi's head. "Its temperament is like that of a child."
"According to astronomical predictions, the comet will remain visible for another 24 hours," Ruby said, glancing at his phone. "It's a shame, but it seems it can't stay much longer."
"What? That soon?" Sapphire pouted, hugging Jirachi tightly. "It's so adorable!"
"Parting isn't what matters," Cynthia said with a gentle smile. "What's important are the memories made during the time spent together."
Memories? Lu Ye was reminded of the fireworks at The Bund. He subconsciously glanced at Cynthia, who caught his gaze and gave him a soft smile. Jirachi played joyfully with the Pokémon, its laughter filling the quiet night.
As the clock approached midnight, Lu Ye yawned. "Isn't there a festival tomorrow? Let's get some rest."
Steven nodded, turning to Jirachi. "It's time to rest, little one."
Jirachi lowered its head reluctantly and extended its arms toward Steven, who gently picked it up. Watching this with envy, Lu Ye felt a tug at his pant leg.
"You want one too?" Lu Ye asked, startled.
"Eevee…" Eevee looked down with a soft whimper, then let out a squeak as Lu Ye picked it up and cradled it in his arms.
"Alright, let's go," Lu Ye said. "Haunter, bring Squirtle back from the river. It's bedtime!"
Eevee blinked, gazing up at Lu Ye as if deep in thought.
The summer night was clear and breezy. While the Pokémon nestled together, their snores filling the air, Lu Ye found himself unable to sleep. Sneaking over to Steven and Ruby's tent, he initiated a game of cards.
[Play cards! Play cards!] Jirachi cheered, flitting around excitedly.
"Mr. Steven! It's been 10 rounds already! Are we stopping or not?!" Ruby wailed.
"We'll stop when I win back my losses," Steven said calmly.
Lu Ye's mouth twitched. Good thing Gold isn't here, or these two would play until dawn.
It was now 3:00 AM. The Pokémon were deep in slumber, and Steven and Ruby had also fallen asleep. Lu Ye stepped outside the tent and noticed Jirachi glowing faintly under the starry sky. Not far away, Cynthia sat on a stone, softly humming a tune.
Hearing his footsteps, she turned, a rare blush on her face. "That… was pretty nice just now."
"Well, I did play it for you," Lu Ye replied, plopping down next to her. "Your humming was out of tune, though. Want me to play it again?"
Cynthia chuckled softly and nodded. In the cool, tranquil night, the harmonica's melody flowed like a gentle breeze. Jirachi's abdomen eye blinked open momentarily before shutting again. Not such an annoying guy, after all, Jirachi thought.
"Valentine's Day… involves returning gifts, doesn't it?" Cynthia suddenly asked.
Lu Ye widened his eyes. She… she figured it out?
Standing up, Cynthia released Garchomp from its Poké Ball. "Garchomp, Draco Meteor."
Garchomp shot Lu Ye a sideways glance before launching into the sky, unleashing dazzling bursts of light. With a deafening explosion, the night sky was illuminated, as fragments resembling falling stars scattered across the heavens.
"Hauunter!" Haunter burst from its Poké Ball in excitement, while Squirtle and Eevee widened their eyes in awe.
Standing against the crimson-streaked sky, Cynthia tucked her golden hair behind her ear, smiling. "This is my gift to you."
Lu Ye's breath hitched, his heart inexplicably stirred. But the next moment, his pupils shrank. "Th-that… Draco Meteor is heading straight for us!"
Cynthia blinked. "Huh?"
Suddenly, Jirachi soared into the air. With a wave of its tiny hand, the meteors vanished in a burst of radiant light.
"Where did you send them?" Lu Ye asked, stunned.
[To the ocean! To the ocean!] Jirachi's excited voice replied.
Relieved, Lu Ye exhaled.
"I just wanted to play a little prank," Cynthia said apologetically. "Milotic knows Mirror Coat, after all."
Lu Ye's expression darkened. Is this how champions prank people?!
"I got the return gift," he sighed. "Get some rest; we have a festival tomorrow."
Cynthia nodded with a smile. "Alright."
Exhausted, Lu Ye returned to the tent, intending to cuddle Eevee to sleep. But instead, he felt an unfamiliar weight in his arms. "Huh? Jirachi?"
[Sleepy…] Jirachi's drowsy voice murmured as it nodded off.
Lu Ye and Eevee: ???
One song, and I've maxed out the affection meter?!
"Eevee! (｀皿´)ﾉ" Eevee angrily yanked Jirachi out of Lu Ye's arms and tossed it aside before snuggling back in, content.
Lu Ye and Jirachi: ???
How are all of you so fearless around a mythical Pokémon?!
"Alright, go find Steven," Lu Ye said, patting Jirachi's head. "Here, take this and go to sleep."
Jirachi tilted its head, carefully accepting a golden Bluk Berry. (´▽`〃)
Lu Ye smiled faintly. A being that only awakens for 7 days every 1,000 years… The bond between humans and Pokémon truly is the charm of this world.
…
At dawn, a refreshed Sapphire exclaimed, "Teacher Lu, wake up! It's time for the festival!"
Dragging his weary body out of bed, Lu Ye groaned, "Festivals in Donghuang are the same no matter when you go—it's just crowds."
"That's not true!" Sapphire huffed. "Ruby and I researched this. It's a special astronomical celebration featuring rare Solrock and Lunatone!"
Cynthia pondered for a moment. "I'll sit this one out. I'd attract too much attention."
The group nodded. At least Steven could disguise himself. Cynthia's golden hair was impossible to hide.
"Will you come by tonight?" Lu Ye asked.
"Of course," Cynthia said, gently poking Jirachi's cheek. "After all, the little one is going home."
[Let's play together!] Jirachi cried cheerfully.
The festival was held in a nearby town adorned with lanterns. "There are lots of activities!" Sapphire said. "Exchange events, auctions, battle festivals…"
"How do you two know more about this than I do?" Lu Ye muttered.
"We've been planning this date for a long time!" Sapphire replied sweetly. Argh! Another surprise dose of public affection!
Steven, in full "dad mode," carried a disguised Jirachi. Sitting on a bench with Eevee on his shoulder, Lu Ye noticed Officer Jenny on patrol. "Even Jenny got pulled in for this?"
"Seems like she's from another region," Steven noted.
At the Pokémon exchange event, several trainers approached Lu Ye with offers to trade for Haunter. Each was met with its tongue, paralyzing them on the spot. "Are you sure this won't get Jenny involved?" Lu Ye twitched.
"Hauunter!" Haunter pointed at Squirtle, who was asking Officer Jenny for directions.
Lu Ye's expression grew complicated. Where are you learning all these antics?!
Ruby and Sapphire had disappeared, leaving Steven to wander with Jirachi while Lu Ye bought ice cream. At that moment, a strange man in a robe wobbled over. "Eevee, eh? A rare Pokémon indeed, meow!"
Lu Ye froze. "Why does your voice sound so… recognizable?"
Before he could process it, a man and a woman sidled up to him. "Young man, how about a trade? We've got some very rare Pokémon!"
"Yeah, Solrock and Lunatone!"
A cold sweat broke out on Lu Ye's forehead. "Who… are you?"
It was as if he had pressed a switch. The three dramatically tore off their disguises. "Since you've asked so sincerely…"
"We'll generously tell you!"
"To prevent the destruction of the universe!"
"To protect the peace of the world!"
"To uphold the evil of love and truth!"
"The charming villains everyone adores!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"We are Team Rocket, soaring through the galaxy! A white hole, a bright tomorrow awaits us!"
"Meowth, that's right!" A strange man ripped off his robe, revealing Meowth on top of a Wobbuffet.
"Wobbuffet!" cried Wobbuffet enthusiastically.
Lu Ye covered his face. "Don't you guys feel ashamed doing this?"
"Enough talk! Hand over your Eevee now!" Jessie commanded.
"And all the other Pokémon here are ours too, meow!" Meowth added, pressing a button. A massive net descended from the sky.
The crowd erupted. Officer Jenny shouted, "It's Team Rocket!"
Lu Ye's eye twitched. Why is this plot so painfully familiar?! "Tell me, do you guys ever check your opponent's lineup before making plans?"
"Enough chatter! Hand over your Eevee!"
"Metagross, Meteor Mash." From the crowd, a pair of glowing steel fists shot forward, sending Wobbuffet flying.
"What a terrible feeling~~~!!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Lu Ye watched the trio vanish. Out of here in less than 3 seconds? This déjà vu is too strong! He saw Steven, still disguised, nodding slightly as he retracted his Metagross.
Meowth looked around nervously. "I-I haven't left yet, meow!"
Lu Ye coughed. "Sorry, but we can't leave witnesses… Haunter, Shadow Ball."
"Hauunter!" (*≧▽≦)
"What a terrible feeling, meow~~~!!"
As he watched another star fly off, Lu Ye muttered, "Using cartoonish effects in a 3D world… is this really okay?"
[Ding! Achievement unlocked: Encounter with Team Rocket Trio.]
[Reward: James's Collection (Random item: Bottle Cap, Poké Ball, etc.)]
Lu Ye's mouth twitched. The chances of pulling a Poké Ball are 1 in 10,000! System, could you be any stingier?!
[?]
Officer Jenny rushed over. "Are you alright, sir?"
"I'm fine." Lu Ye noticed Steven had already slipped into the crowd. Turning to the flustered Jenny, he smiled. "From your accent, I'd guess you're from Kanto?"
"Wha—?! I worked hard to fix my accent!" she blushed. "Are you from Kanto too?"
"Oh, I'm from Modu."
"Wait a second!" Jenny's eyes lit up. "You're… Teacher Lu?"
"You're one of my viewers?"
"No, no!" she stammered. "It's my sisters—the Nurse Joys—who mentioned you. You're a pioneer in healthcare reform, truly admirable!"
Why are you blushing like a boiling teapot?! And how did I become a healthcare reform pioneer?
Jenny handed him a business card. "I'm Jenny from Celadon City. It's an honor!"
Lu Ye took the card. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Jenny saluted. "Safe travels!"
The festival quickly resumed. Following the direction of the trio's disappearance, Lu Ye muttered, "I think they landed nearby…"
In the forest, rustling came from the trees. Perched on a branch, the trio sighed. "Another failure…"
"This is all Jessie's fault!"
"Excuse me?! Wasn't it your idea?"
"Meowth, it's all your fault!"
"Me?! What did I do, meow?!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Lu Ye held his head. "Haunter, get them down from there."
"Hauunter!" Haunter promptly yanked them from the tree.
The three groaned before spotting Lu Ye and gasping. "It's that kid!"
Lu Ye sighed, pulling out a sleek, black-gold badge. "Take a good look at whose Pokémon you were trying to steal."
Jessie squinted. "Team Rocket… O-officer?!"
"No way! Donghuang doesn't have officers!"
"But this badge doesn't look fake, meow…" Jessie hesitated. "Kid—uh, sir—are you really an officer?"
Lu Ye grinned, pulling out his phone. "Hello, Matori? I've got 3 fools here. Yes, those three."
Matori sighed audibly. "Can you put them on video, Teacher Lu?"
"Sure." He turned the phone toward them. "Talk to her yourselves."
"Watermelon-head glasses girl!" the trio shouted.
Matori's temple throbbed. "You tried stealing from a Rocket officer?! I'm reporting this to Giovanni! Prepare for demotion and a pay cut!"
Cold sweat dripped down their faces as they imagined the scene: "Jessie, James, Meowth! For insubordination, you're reassigned to Africa!"
"Nooo!!"
"Commander, it was a misunderstanding!" James wailed.
As they bickered, Lu Ye coughed. "Matori, I'll handle this."
Matori's voice softened. "We've prepared an escape route for them anyway. A little hardship might do them good. Thank you, Teacher Lu!"
Hanging up, Lu Ye muttered, "They even prepped an escape route? Giovanni really dotes on them…" Looking at the tearful trio, he sighed. "Alright, I'll give you a chance to redeem yourselves. It depends on how well you perform!"
"Really?!" Jessie's eyes lit up.
"We're at your service!" James declared.
"Anything for Giovanni's favor, meow!"
The three rubbed their hands together, grinning. Lu Ye massaged his temples. No wonder they haven't been promoted…
"Here's the plan. Set up a stall at the festival, preferably an ice cream stand. Make it fit the setting, understand?"
"But why a stall if we have funds?" James asked.
Meowth smacked his head. "Leave it to us, meow!"
"I have another condition," Lu Ye added. "I get 30% of your earnings!"
The trio huddled together.
"This officer seems really strapped for cash…"
"This must be a loyalty test! A great chance to impress Giovanni, meow!"
"Meowth's right! Besides, 30% isn't too bad…"
They straightened up and saluted. "No problem! Consider it done!"
[Inorin Note:
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