August 27th, Thursday.
The evening grew darker as the stars scattered across the velvety sky.
The small town remained lively with decorations, but the giant Meowth ice cream stall stood out the most, bustling with activity.
"Here's your Berry ice cream. Enjoy!"
"40 Pokedollars, please. Come again!"
As the crowd thinned out, Jessie and James slumped onto a bench, groaning, "I'm so tired!"
Meowth, meanwhile, licked its lips while counting their earnings. "We cleared over 60,000 orders today, Meowth! If business stays this good tomorrow, we can build something big!"
James shuddered. "Could this… be Teacher Lu's grand plan?"
"Discovering opportunities, building stronger machines, and catching even rarer Pokémon!" Jessie's eyes sparkled.
The two, along with Meowth, tossed their money into the air and shouted, "All hail Teacher Lu!"
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet emerged from its Poké Ball with a triumphant cry.
"Excuse me, are you still selling ice cream?"
"Sorry, we're closed for the day." James chuckled awkwardly, but then froze as he stammered, "C-captain?!"
Jessie and Meowth pounced on James, pinning him down as they forced a smile.
"Order anything you like! It's on us!"
"You're our 17,835th customer, so this one's free, Meowth!"
"What did he just say?" Cynthia asked, turning to Lu Ye.
Meowth quickly improvised, "He said, 'Good job!'"
James, still gagged, nodded tearfully.
The trio sighed in relief, barely avoiding exposing Lu Ye's identity as a Rocket officer.
"A talking Meowth?" Cynthia asked, her curiosity piqued.
Meowth froze, then began babbling gibberish. "Abba abba abba! (◑▽◐)"
Lu Ye covered his face.
"It's a rare species. Pokémon are full of surprises!"
"Is that so? I suppose that makes sense," Cynthia said thoughtfully.
Lu Ye sighed.
If I keep these three around, Jenny might be at my door by tomorrow morning.
Thirty minutes earlier
Cynthia had returned from soloing a gym and, with the crowd dispersing, joined Lu Ye for a leisurely stroll.
Meanwhile, the Rocket trio watched in awe.
"Teacher Lu can charm Sinnoh's Champion?!" Jessie whispered.
"No wonder Giovanni values him so highly!" James added.
Cynthia stopped at the ice cream stall, her gaze fixed on the colorful menu.
"Hmm… let me think."
Five minutes passed.
Then ten minutes.
Lu Ye stared at Cynthia's profile for the entire ten minutes and nodded to himself, satisfied.
NICE. This was worth it!
"U-uh, have you decided, ma'am?" Jessie asked nervously.
"You could do a mix-and-match," James suggested with a sheepish grin.
"Oh!" Cynthia's eyes lit up, and she smiled. "Then I'll take three scoops, please."
"Eevee!" Eevee, perched on Lu Ye's shoulder, bared its teeth.
Meowth yelped, teary-eyed. "No need to curse at me, kid! I didn't do anything wrong!"
"It just wants its own ice cream," Lu Ye said, exasperated.
Meowth sighed. "Why didn't you just say so, Meowth?"
"Eevee! o(´^｀)o" Eevee huffed, turning its head away.
"Here's your ice cream, Meowth!" Meowth handed over a cone.
Lu Ye held the cone up for Eevee, who leaned down to lick it, getting cream all over its face.
Lu Ye burst into laughter.
"Eevee! (#｀皿´)"
Cynthia smiled as she watched the scene. "Come on, they're waiting for us."
Lu Ye nodded and followed her.
---
At the peak, Steven and the others were preparing to send Jirachi back to the stars.
Though their time together had only been a few days, it was enough to forge precious memories.
"We're leaving," Lu Ye said with a light cough. "Work hard and no slacking!"
The trio bowed in unison. "Come again soon!"
As the pair walked away, the trio huddled together, whispering.
"Our captain's so approachable!" Jessie said softly.
"So much better than that glasses woman!" James agreed.
"Following him will definitely lead to promotions and riches, Meowth!"
Staring up at the vast night sky, they cheered, "What a great feeling!"
"Wobbuffet!"
---
Lu Ye walked alongside Cynthia, Eevee perched on his shoulder. He casually pulled out a pendant and gave it a gentle shake.
The intricate pendant jingled like a wind chime, its seven petals representing Jirachi's seven-day revival.
"They say if you fold a petal each day for seven days, your wish will come true."
He handed it to Cynthia. "It's for you."
Cynthia blinked, accepting the pendant. "I've never heard of that legend before."
"Some guy at the festival told me," Lu Ye coughed. "It's even a limited-edition prize!"
Cynthia studied him for a moment before pulling an identical pendant from her pocket.
"They sell these for 50 Pokedollars at street stalls." She smirked. "I got one for you, too."
"Damn it! (草!)" Lu Ye groaned in both Chinese and Japanese.
Too afraid to ride Garchomp, Lu Ye opted for Tropius instead.
Tropius happily carried him up to the rocky peak, where the view opened to reveal a starry expanse.
A comet stretched across the sky, its long tail glowing as Jirachi floated mid-air, surrounded by faint rings of light.
Jirachi blended seamlessly with the stars, its ribbons fluttering as it greeted Lu Ye with a bright smile.
[Let's play together!]
Steven checked his watch and smiled softly. "Alright, let's play together."
Jirachi cheered, flying in circles around everyone, scattering stardust.
Stopping in front of Lu Ye, Jirachi reached out for a hug, smiling sweetly.
[Lu Ye, kiss!]
Lu Ye chuckled, picking it up and planting a light kiss on its cheek.
"I wonder if I'll live long enough to see you wake again… You sure sleep more than Snorlax!"
Jirachi stuck out its tongue playfully before leaping into Cynthia's arms.
Eevee, perched on Lu Ye's shoulder, turned its head away awkwardly but was promptly scooped into his arms.
"Life is short… for both humans and Pokémon."
Lu Ye gazed at the stars, his voice tinged with emotion.
"I just hope you can grow up happy."
"Leave the worries to me…"
He smiled gently, stroking Eevee's head.
"I'm used to being backstabbed anyway!"
"Eevee…" Snuggling closer, it let out a soft whimper.
As Jirachi returned to Steven's embrace, the atmosphere grew tender beneath the cosmic sky.
"Jeez…" Lu Ye murmured. "You could learn from Jirachi and be more affectionate!"
"Eevee!"
Tugging at his sleeve, Eevee gazed up at him, its eyes sparkling as it mustered all its courage.
"Eevee… ⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄"
Suddenly, its body began to glow faintly white.
But Lu Ye's gaze shifted upward to the mesmerizing starry sky, unaware of what was happening below.
The comet connected to Jirachi with a beam of light, activating its True Eye.
The stars shimmered brilliantly as Jirachi slowly ascended.
Lu Ye took out his harmonica, playing "The Place Where Stars Belong."
The long-awaited meteor shower finally arrived, a cascade of falling stars gracing the heavens.
As Jirachi drifted toward the comet, its gaze glistened with tears amidst the starlight.
Do legendary Pokémon feel emotions too?
Seven days might be a mere speck in Jirachi's thousand-year lifespan, but what mark would these memories leave?
Jirachi's childish voice echoed one last time in everyone's hearts: [Let's all play together!]
"Let's make a wish," Steven suggested. "Close your eyes, and it might come true."
Everyone complied, closing their eyes.
In the silence, Lu Ye felt a cool sensation creep up his arm.
"I wish my Pokémon can grow up safe and happy," he whispered.
Unnoticed by all, Eevee's glow intensified.
Watching a fleeting meteor, it silently made its wish: "I wish my trainer becomes the greatest in the world!"
The wind stilled.
"Eevee…" a soft voice called.
Lu Ye opened his eyes.
---
The "Seven Days Wishing Star" arc ends.