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, and its crescent-shaped eyes radiating innocence.
"Haunter!" Haunter snickered mischievously, reaching out to pinch Jirachi's cheek in front of the shocked crowd.
"Haunter! o(*≧▽≦)ツ (So soft!)"
Lu Ye froze for a moment.
Haunter, you're bold enough to pinch a legendary 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 a thousand years and only awakens for seven days," Steven said softly, gently stroking Jirachi's head. "Its temperament is like that of a child."
Jirachi tilted its head again, seemingly not understanding what was being said but beaming an innocent smile nonetheless.
"According to astronomical predictions, the comet will remain visible for another 24 hours," Ruby said, glancing at his phone before looking skyward. "It's a shame, but it seems it can't stay much longer."
"What? That soon?" Sapphire pouted, hugging Jirachi tightly and rubbing her cheek against it. "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. Her face partially hidden by golden hair, she turned 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 with a smile. "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 scene 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 sudden 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, the gentle sounds of the stream providing a soothing backdrop.
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 ten 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 a.m.
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, hovering under the starry sky.
Not far away, Cynthia sat on a stone in light casual wear, softly humming a tune, her voice slightly off-key.
Hearing his footsteps, Cynthia 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 across the open plains.
Jirachi's abdomen eye blinked open momentarily before shutting again.
"Not such an annoying guy, after all," Jirachi thought to itself.
"Valentine's Day… involves returning gifts, doesn't it?" Cynthia suddenly asked.
Lu Ye widened his eyes, staring at her as his words caught in his throat.
She… she figured it out?
Standing up, Cynthia released Garchomp from its Poké Ball and said softly, "Garchomp, Draco Meteor."
Garchomp shot Lu Ye a sideways glance before launching into the sky like a jet, opening its maw to unleash dazzling bursts of light.
With a deafening explosion, the night sky was illuminated in brilliant hues, as fragments resembling falling stars scattered across the heavens.
"Haunter!" 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 as he stared at the spectacular meteor shower, his heart inexplicably stirred.
But the next moment, his pupils shrank as he stammered, "Th-that… Draco Meteor is heading straight for us!"
Cynthia blinked. "Huh?"
Suddenly, Jirachi soared into the air, its ribbons flowing behind it. 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 telepathic voice replied.
Relieved, Lu Ye exhaled deeply.
"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?!
After regaining his composure, Lu Ye sighed.
"I got the return gift. 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.
Looking down, he was startled.
"Huh? Jirachi?"
[Sleepy…] Jirachi's drowsy voice murmured as it nodded off.
Lu Ye and Eevee: ???
One song from Castle in the Sky, 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 sleep early."
Jirachi tilted its head, carefully accepting the golden Bluk Berry before giving it a small lick.
(′▽`〃)
Lu Ye smiled faintly.
A being that only awakens for seven days every thousand years… The bond between humans and Pokémon truly is the charm of this world.
---
At dawn, a refreshed Sapphire exclaimed loudly, "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 everywhere."
"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 and said, "I'll sit this one out. I'd attract too much attention."
The group nodded in understanding.
At least Steven could disguise himself with sunglasses and a hat.
Cynthia's golden hair, however, was impossible to hide.
"Will you come by tonight?" Lu Ye asked.
"Of course," Cynthia said, gently poking Jirachi's cheek with a smile.
"After all, the little one is going home."
Jirachi tilted its head before floating up with a cheerful cry: [Let's play together!]
---
The festival was held in a nearby town adorned with lanterns and balloons swaying in the breeze. Humans and Pokémon walked together along the wide streets.
"There are lots of activities!" Sapphire said while scrolling on her phone.
"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 dog food!
Steven, in full "dad mode," carried a disguised Jirachi as they strolled through the festival.
Sitting on a bench with Eevee perched on his shoulder, Lu Ye noticed the uniformed 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 that morning, several trainers approached Lu Ye with offers to trade for Haunter. Each was met with Haunter's tongue, paralyzing them on the spot.
"Are you sure this won't get Jenny involved?" Lu Ye asked, twitching at the scene.
"Haunter!" 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 somewhere, leaving Steven to wander with Jirachi while Lu Ye bought ice cream for the three Pokémon and sat down to rest.
At that moment, a strange man in a robe, sunglasses, and a hat wobbled over.
"Eevee, eh? A rare Pokémon indeed, meow!"
Lu Ye froze.
Lu Ye's eyes twitched at the overly familiar tone.
"Why does your voice sound so… recognizable?"
Before he could process the situation, a man and a woman sidled up to him from both sides, each shaking a Poké Ball in their hands with feigned mystery.
"Young man, how about a trade? We've got some very rare Pokémon!"
"Yeah, Solrock and Lunatone! The kind you can't buy with money!"
A cold sweat broke out on Lu Ye's forehead.
He licked his lips and tentatively asked, "Who… are you?"
It was as if he had pressed a hidden switch.
The three individuals began trembling violently before dramatically tearing off their disguises with a loud whoosh.
Secret Technique: Instant Costume Change!
"Since you've asked so sincerely…"
"We'll generously tell you!"
"Prepare for trouble!"
"Make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
The red-haired woman leaped dramatically into the air. "Jessie!"
The blue-haired man spun with a rose in hand. "James!"
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light. Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
A strange man ripped off his robe, revealing Meowth, who leapt down from a wobbling Wobbuffet.
"Wobbuffet!" cried Wobbuffet enthusiastically, providing unnecessary emphasis.
Lu Ye covered his face in embarrassment. "Don't you guys feel ashamed doing this?"
"To be honest, sometimes we do," James admitted sheepishly, scratching his head before Jessie smacked him across the face.
"Enough talk! Hand over your Eevee now!" Jessie commanded, clenching her fist.
"And all the other Pokémon here are ours too, Meowth!" Meowth added, pulling out a device and pressing a button.
A massive net descended from the sky, ensnaring the Pokémon meant for the exchange event.
The crowd erupted into chaos. Officer Jenny shouted, "It's Team Rocket!"
Lu Ye's eye twitched.
Why is this plot so painfully familiar?!
You're even trying to rob a high-ranking officer's Pokémon?!
"Well, you're lucky it's me you're dealing with…" Lu Ye sighed deeply.
"Tell me, do you guys ever check your opponent's lineup before making plans?"
Jessie's eyebrow twitched as she clenched her fist. "Enough chatter! Hand over your Eevee, or don't blame us for being rude!"
"Metagross, Meteor Mash."
From the crowd, a pair of glowing steel fists shot forward, sending Wobbuffet—who had previously withstood Giratina's attacks—flying into the distance.
"What a terrible feeling~~~!!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Lu Ye watched the trio vanish into the sky, his expression growing increasingly bizarre.
Out of here in less than three seconds? This déjà vu is too strong!
Turning back to the crowd, he saw Steven, still disguised, nodding slightly as he retracted his ordinary Metagross.
Meowth looked around nervously, trembling in place. "I-I haven't left yet, Meowth!"
Lu Ye coughed awkwardly.
"Sorry, but we can't leave witnesses… Haunter, Shadow Ball."
"Haunter!" (*≧▽≦)
"What a terrible feeling, Meowth~~~!!"
As he watched another star fly off into the distance, 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 again.
The chances of pulling a Poké Ball from this are one in ten thousand!
"System, could you be any stingier?!"
[?]
Officer Jenny rushed over, concern evident in her expression. "Are you alright, sir?"
"I'm fine." Lu Ye scanned the area, noticing that Steven had already slipped into the crowd with Jirachi.
Turning back to the flustered Jenny, he smiled. "From your accent, I'd guess you're from Kanto?"
"Wha—?! I worked hard to fix my accent!" Jenny blushed, adding, "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?" Lu Ye asked, taken aback.
"No, no, no!" Jenny stammered, her face turning even redder. "It's my sisters—Joy and the others—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? That sounds ominous!
Jenny handed him a business card with a smile. "I'm Jenny from Celadon City. It's an honor to meet you!"
Lu Ye took the card, stuffing it into his pocket. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Jenny snapped to attention, saluting. "Safe travels!"
Though Team Rocket's antics had caused a commotion, the festival quickly resumed as normal.
Following the direction of the trio's disappearance, Lu Ye muttered, "I think they landed somewhere nearby…"
---
In the forest, rustling sounds came from the trees.
Perched on a branch, Team Rocket's trio let out a collective sigh.
"Another failure…"
"This is all Jessie's fault! If you hadn't insisted on stealing that Eevee, we'd have been long gone!"
"Excuse me?! Wasn't it you who said Eevee was too cute and presenting it to Giovanni would guarantee a promotion?!" Jessie snapped.
"Meowth, it's all your fault!" James accused.
"Me?! What did I do, Meowth?!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Lu Ye held his head in his hands, sighing deeply. "Haunter, get them down from there."
"Haunter!"
Haunter promptly yanked the trio from the tree, tossing them onto the ground.
The three groaned before spotting Lu Ye and gasping in unison.
"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 at the badge, reading aloud word by word, "Team Rocket… O-officer?!"
"No way! There's no way Donghuang has officers!"
"But this badge doesn't look fake, Meowth…"
Jessie hesitated, then asked suspiciously, "Kid—uh, sir—are you really an officer?"
Lu Ye grinned, pulling out his phone.
"Hello, Matori? I've got three fools here. Yes, those three."
Matori sighed audibly over the line, adjusting her glasses before forcing a polite smile. "Can you put them on video, Teacher Lu?"
"Sure." Lu Ye turned the phone toward the trio. "Talk to her yourselves."
"Watermelon-head glasses girl!" the trio shouted in unison.
Matori's temple throbbed as she barked, "You tried stealing from a Rocket officer?! I'm reporting this to Giovanni! Prepare for demotion and a pay cut!"
Cold sweat dripped down the trio's faces as they imagined the scene:
A red-garnet-ringed hand slamming on a couch, a commanding voice thundering: "Jessie, James, Meowth! For insubordination, you're pay will be reduced and will be demoted!"
Persian glaring down at them, snickering disdainfully.
"Nooo!!"
"Commander, it was a misunderstanding! Honest!" James wailed.
"Yeah, Meowth! Jessie just had a momentary lapse of judgment!"
"What?! It was your idea, Meowth!"
As the trio began bickering, Lu Ye coughed. "Matori, I'll handle this."
Matori sighed, her voice softening. "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 in surprise, "They even prepped an escape route? Giovanni really dotes on them…"
Looking at the tearful trio, Lu Ye 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, Meowth!"
The three rubbed their hands together, grinning sheepishly.
Lu Ye massaged his temples, sighing again.
No wonder they haven't been promoted after all these years…
"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 already have funds?" James asked, scratching his head.
Meowth leapt up and smacked James's head. "Leave it to us, Meowth!"
"I have another condition," Lu Ye added, wagging his finger with a sly grin.
"I get 30% of your earnings!"
The trio huddled together, whispering conspiratorially.
"This officer seems really strapped for cash…"
"No way he's worse off than us, right?"
"This must be a loyalty test! A great chance to impress Giovanni, Meowth!"
"Meowth's right! Besides, the economy's rough, and 30% isn't too bad…"
The trio straightened up and saluted.
"No problem! Consider it done!"