Chapter 155: Evolution! Eevee's Wish
August 27th, Thursday.
The evening grew darker. The small town remained lively, but the giant Meowth ice cream stall stood out, bustling with activity. "Here's your Bluk Berry ice cream. Enjoy!"
"40 yuan, please. Come again!"
As the crowd thinned out, Jessie and James slumped onto a bench. "I'm so tired!"
Meowth counted their earnings. "We cleared over 60,000 today, meow! If business stays this good, we can build something big!"
James shuddered. "Could this… be Teacher Lu's grand plan?"
"Discovering opportunities, building stronger machines, and catching rarer Pokémon!" Jessie's eyes sparkled. The trio tossed their money into the air. "All hail Teacher Lu!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Excuse me, are you still selling ice cream?"
"Sorry, we're closed—" James froze. "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, meow!"
"What did he just say?" Cynthia asked Lu Ye.
Meowth improvised, "He said, 'Good job!'" James, still gagged, nodded tearfully.
The trio sighed in relief, barely avoiding exposing Lu Ye's identity.
"A talking Meowth?" Cynthia asked, curious.
Meowth froze, then babbled gibberish. "Abba abba! (◑▽◐)"
Lu Ye covered his face. "It's a rare species. Pokémon are full of surprises!"
"Is that so?" Cynthia said thoughtfully.
If I keep these three around, Officer Jenny might be at my door tomorrow.
…
Thirty minutes earlier, Cynthia had returned and joined Lu Ye for a stroll. 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 menu. "Hmm… let me think." 5 minutes passed. Then 10 minutes. Lu Ye stared at her profile the entire time and nodded, 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.
"Oh!" Cynthia's eyes lit up. "Then I'll take 3 scoops, please."
"Eevee!" Eevee, 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, meow?"
"Eevee! o(´^｀)o" Eevee huffed.
"Here's your ice cream, meow!" Meowth handed over a cone. Lu Ye held it up for Eevee, who leaned down to lick it, getting cream on its face. Lu Ye burst into laughter. "Eevee! (#｀皿´)"
Cynthia smiled. "Come on, they're waiting for us."
At the peak, Steven and the others were preparing to send Jirachi back to the stars. "We're leaving," Lu Ye said to the trio. "Work hard!" They bowed. "Come again soon!"
As the pair walked away, the trio whispered, "Our captain's so approachable!"
"So much better than that glasses woman!"
"Following him will lead to promotions and riches, meow!"
…
Lu Ye walked alongside Cynthia, Eevee on his shoulder. He pulled out a pendant. "They say if you fold a petal each day for 7 days, your wish will come true." He handed it to Cynthia. "It's for you."
Cynthia blinked. "I've never heard of that legend."
"Some guy at the festival told me," Lu Ye coughed. "It's a limited-edition prize!"
Cynthia studied him before pulling an identical pendant from her pocket. "They sell these for 50 yuan at street stalls." She smirked. "I got one for you, too."
"Damn it!" Lu Ye groaned in both Chinese and Japanese.
Too afraid to ride Garchomp, Lu Ye opted for Tropius. Tororo happily carried him up to the rocky peak. A comet stretched across the sky as Jirachi floated mid-air.
[Let's play together!]
Steven checked his watch. "Alright, let's play."
Jirachi cheered, flying in circles, scattering stardust. It stopped in front of Lu Ye for a hug. [Lu Ye, kiss!]
Lu Ye chuckled, picking it up and kissing its cheek. "I wonder if I'll live long enough to see you wake again… You sleep more than Snorlax!" Jirachi stuck out its tongue playfully before leaping into Cynthia's arms.
Eevee, on Lu Ye's shoulder, was promptly scooped into his arms. "Life is short… for both humans and Pokémon." He gazed at the stars. "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…" it whimpered, snuggling closer.
"Jeez…" Lu Ye murmured. "You could learn from Jirachi and be more affectionate!"
"Eevee!" Tugging at his sleeve, it gazed up at him, mustering its courage. "Eevee… ⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄"
Suddenly, its body began to glow faintly white. But Lu Ye's gaze shifted to the sky, unaware. The comet connected to Jirachi with a beam of light, activating its True Eye. The stars shimmered as Jirachi slowly ascended.
Lu Ye took out his harmonica, playing "The Place Where Stars Belong." The long-awaited meteor shower finally arrived. As Jirachi drifted toward the comet, its gaze glistened with tears.
Do mythical Pokémon feel emotions too? 7 days might be a speck in its 1,000-year lifespan, but what mark would these memories leave?
Jirachi's voice echoed one last time: [Let's all play together!]
"Let's make a wish," Steven suggested. "Close your eyes, and it might come true."
Everyone complied. In the silence, Lu Ye felt a cool sensation on his arm. "I wish my Pokémon can grow up safe and happy," he whispered.
Unnoticed, 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. A soft voice called out.
Lu Ye opened his eyes.
The "Wishing Star of Seven Nights" arc ends.
[Inorin Note:
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