On-screen—
The suddenly appearing Gengar was already holding neatly packed luggage, looking every bit like a thoughtful head butler!
"This is amazing, Gengar! Having you around really is the best!"
"Gengar~"
(^_?)☆ Gengar blinked, wearing an expression that said I'm the butler—this is simply my duty.
With Gengar's help,
Ash set off once more.
Another spur-of-the-moment journey.
Sinnoh — Mt. Coronet.
Deep within the towering forest, Ash stared at the navigation device in his hand, completely baffled.
"Is there really a research institute in a place like this?"
Ash was utterly dumbfounded.
No matter how he looked at it, this was just primeval forest, alright?!
"That's right~ The Mt. Coronet research institute is right here."
At that moment, a gentle voice suddenly sounded behind Ash.
Hearing that familiar tone and indulgent warmth,
Ash immediately turned around in surprise.
Sure enough—
The familiar blonde beauty appeared beside him.
"Miss Cynthia! Why are you here too?!"
Ash's voice matched his expression—full of delight.
"As for me, I'm one of the initiators of the Mew Project~"
"And it's been a while, Pikachu."
As she spoke, Cynthia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes full of smiling warmth.
"That's great! We get to travel together again, Miss Cynthia!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu enthusiastically greeted her.
Cynthia didn't hesitate at all—she directly scooped Pikachu off Ash's shoulder and into her arms.
Watching Pikachu cuddling up to Cynthia,
Ash suddenly felt… a bit jealous.
Something's not right!
Just then—
An annoying, smug voice rang out from nearby.
"Hey, you're way too slow. We've been waiting for you forever."
That familiar tone.
Those punchable words.
Ash turned his head viciously—
And sure enough.
It was that guy.
Gary.
"Why are you here?!"
"Why can't I be? The Mew Project was started by my grandpa, you know."
Ash froze.
…That actually made a lot of sense.
He couldn't refute it at all.
The two glared at each other, then simultaneously turned their heads away.
Seeing this,
Cynthia covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"You two really have a great relationship. This kind of bond is something only childhood friends have~"
"Who has a good relationship with him?!" ×2
[Delia: That actually does seem true. Ash and Gary grew up together—calling them childhood friends isn't wrong at all!]
[Professor Oak: I remember when they were young, they actually got along quite well. Gary would often go find Ash to play. I don't know when it changed into this.]
[Flint: I get it! Childhood friends always end up falling out when they grow up!]
[Gary: Don't spout nonsense! Ash and I are rivals! Rivals! Not childhood friends!]
[Ash: Exactly! Who'd want to be childhood friends with a smug jerk like Gary?!]
Kanto — Professor Oak's backyard.
Ash was sulking, not wanting to say a single word.
"If you're upset, just go beat up Blue."
Red said calmly.
"Hey! I'm not your punching bag!"
Blue's face turned green. Red was seriously saying something way too outrageous!
"Then how about we battle? It's been a long time since we fought anyway."
"Bring it on! Like I'm scared of you! Don't think you're the only one who's improved over the years—I'm not the same as back then either!"
Blue's mouth was tough, completely unafraid.
Ash and Gary could only rush in to separate the two.
If those two actually fought, all of Pallet Town would be finished!
"Calm down, Red!"
"Calm down, Blue!"
Behind them, Professor Oak stood there holding a cup of instant noodles, smiling brightly.
"They all really get along so well."
"Not at all!" ×4
…
On-screen—
With Gary and Cynthia leading the way,
Ash finally discovered the so-called Mt. Coronet Research Institute hidden behind a thicket.
However—
Could this rundown facility really be called a research institute?!
Ash was confused, yet deeply shaken.
"Let me be clear first, Ash. If you can't pass the Mew Project's trial, I absolutely won't let you join."
Seeing Ash's expression, Gary said irritably.
"Who are you looking down on?! Even if you made me challenge the Legendary Birds, I wouldn't chicken out!"
What the hell?!
How do you even know about that?!
Those are the Legendary Birds!
Do you think they're just random Pidgey on the roadside?!
"So let's hope your mouth stays that tough when the time comes."
Gary said coldly.
When the group entered the research institute, they found it completely empty.
"Huh? Looks like no one's here."
Gary irritably ruffled his spiky hair.
"In that case, I'll take you to complete the entrance trial."
"Really?!"
"Why would I lie to you?"
"Then hurry up and tell me—what's the trial?!"
"Pika!"
Ash and Pikachu asked in unison.
Cynthia stood to the side, smiling silently as she watched the two interact.
"The Mew Project, as the name implies, is focused on capturing Mew. As the project's main initiator, Dr. Hodaka gathered many Pokémon Trainers for this plan."
"To select trainers who are truly qualified, Dr. Hodaka designed various trials. Only those who pass will be told Mew's location."
"But why capture Mew? What's Dr. Hodaka's goal?"
Ash suddenly interrupted Gary, voicing his doubt.
Gary choked.
Left with no choice, he explained:
"Of course it's to understand the truth of the world. Mew is regarded as the ancestor of all Pokémon and possesses the genes of every known Pokémon. That means studying Mew's DNA could unravel the truth of the world."
"Of course, I know what you're worried about. Dr. Hodaka won't conduct the kind of evil research those criminal organizations do. No matter who captures Mew, after obtaining its DNA, Mew will be released."
Gary understood Ash well.
If Dr. Hodaka were truly evil, Gary would never have joined the Mew Project himself.
[Professor Oak: I know Dr. Hodaka fairly well. He's very rigorous when it comes to academic research. He's likely trying to understand why Pokémon appeared in this world by studying Mew.]
[Cynthia: Seeking the truth of the world? That's extremely difficult. Mew can only explain Pokémon's origin—only by studying the Creator could one truly understand the world.]
[Professor Rowan: That's even more impossible. From ancient times to now, records of the Creator are extremely scarce. Even the one that appears in our world isn't its true body. Studying it is pure fantasy.]
[Diantha: I admire Ash's attitude of getting to the root of things. If Mew were exploited by evil people, it could cause a world-ending crisis.]
[Professor Kukui: That's because Ash truly loves Pokémon. He puts them on equal footing with himself when thinking about these things.]
[Leon: Exactly. I've never seen anyone who loves Pokémon more than Ash. Even I wouldn't dare say I love them more than him.]
[Caitlin: Only someone like Ash is worthy of our Cynthia!]
[Lusamine: Couldn't agree more!]
…
On-screen—
"I see. Then I'm relieved! Hurry up and tell me—what exactly is the entrance trial?!"
Ash stopped dwelling on it and asked eagerly again.
As long as it wasn't some evil plot involving Legendary Pokémon and world destruction,
Ash was more than willing to help.
When it came to his relationship with Mew, Ash dared say—
No one was more familiar with Mew than he was.
At this moment,
No matter how speechless Gary felt, he could only continue explaining.
"Actually, Dr. Hodaka's challenge is both simple and difficult. The only requirement is having the strength to battle a Legendary Pokémon. All you need to do is bring back a trophy from one."
Gary raised a finger.
With recommendations from Professor Oak and Cynthia, Ash didn't actually need to go through this process.
But this was Ash we were talking about.
If he were allowed into the Mew Project directly, Ash would likely be excluded by others.
So Cynthia had Gary formally announce the challenge.
Sure enough—
Without even the slightest hesitation:
"Let's do it! I'm ready! Where are we going?!"
"Pika!"
Hearing about battling a Legendary Pokémon, Pikachu's god-slaying genes immediately activated!
Gary's face, however, went completely black.
"You're supposed to find it yourself, alright?!"
Then, regaining his composure, he added:
"Though I do know there've been signs of Moltres appearing in a valley near Pallet Town recently."
Gary…
He really was something. I'm crying.
His body said no, but his mouth obediently spilled all the information.
"Judging by you, you'd never find it on your own anyway. Fine—Dr. Hodaka won't be back for a while, so I'll reluctantly take you there."
Gary said this in an aloof tone.
Without waiting for Ash's response, he turned around and walked out of the institute.
Even as he exited, he didn't forget to say:
"Follow me."
"Oh—coming!"
Just like that, Ash's two-and-a-half-hour Sinnoh trip came to an end.
The three boarded a plane to Viridian City together.
Perhaps because it had been so long since they'd met,
Ash talked nonstop about his recent experiences along the way—
Catching Suicune, Chloe's strange behavior, meeting Mewtwo, and resolving the Galar crisis together with Gary.
Hearing these stories, Cynthia always wore a gentle smile.
Only when she heard about Chloe kissing Ash did her brows knit slightly—but once she learned of Ash's inner conflict, they relaxed again.
However—
When Cynthia heard about Ash's experiences after meeting Diantha—
Her body, which had been leaning back in her seat, suddenly stiffened.
Especially upon hearing that Diantha had traveled to Unova together with Ash—
Cynthia's face visibly darkened.
An oppressive low pressure filled the entire cabin!
"Miss Cynthia… are you okay?"
Even Ash, dense as he was, sensed something was wrong.
It seemed Miss Diantha and Miss Cynthia didn't have the best relationship.
"I'm fine."
Cynthia said gently, and the cold atmosphere vanished instantly—
As if it had never existed.
Still, that gaze didn't look like everything was fine at all.
[Flint: Fight! Fight! I love watching women fight the most!]
[Volkner: Forget it, you're hopeless. You keep challenging Cynthia's bottom line and you're still alive—your luck is insane.]
[Flint: No big deal. I basically live at the Pokémon Center. As long as I've got one breath left, I won't die.]
[Elesa: Champion Flint, you're really something…]
[Diantha: Wow, I didn't expect to see this expression from Cynthia. How strange~ Why could that be~ Let me think~ Could it be because of Ash~]
You really understand provocation.
[Cynthia: It's been a long time since we last battled. Do you have time? Let's set one up.]
[Diantha: Sure~ I'll be waiting in Lumiose. Don't you dare not come~]
Provocation.
Blatant provocation.
Having just obtained the Champion's Bearing buff, Diantha was fearless.
Today—
She could finally turn the tables and press Cynthia down hard!
At long last, she could shed the title of eternal runner-up!
[Ash: A battle between Champions? When does it start? Count me in!]
Audience: You really don't know why they're fighting, do you?!
…
On-screen—
After that incident, Ash wisely chose to keep quiet.
At the same time, he handed Pikachu over to Cynthia to help calm her slightly-off mood.
Only when the plane landed did Ash realize how fresh the air on the ground felt.
Only Gary looked constipated.
Damn it—why does Miss Cynthia care so much about Ash?!
So annoying!
Back in Pallet Town, they happened to run into Professor Oak, who was transporting Pokémon food.
Ash and Gary worked together to move an entire cart of food to the research institute's backyard.
The moment they entered—
Ash was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm from his Pokémon.
This was followed by the familiar Tauros Tackle ×30 before he finally escaped the Pokémon swarm.
Meanwhile, Professor Oak finished distributing the food and stood to the side, pounding his lower back.
"Gary, my workload increases whenever you're not around."
Gary immediately shot back:
"That's your own problem. You've got researchers here, yet you insist on doing everything yourself."
"Hehe, isn't it to build bonds with the Pokémon?"
On the other side—
Ash released Noivern and Charizard from his Poké Balls.
"Noivern, Charizard—come eat."
Watching the Pokémon feast, Pikachu swallowed enviously.
There was no denying it—the food in Professor Oak's backyard was top-tier.
Pikachu even felt a little nostalgic.
Luckily, Bulbasaur—the backyard's chief steward—noticed Pikachu's expression and shared some of its food.
At that moment, after scanning the backyard, Ash suddenly realized something was wrong.
Someone was missing!
"Professor Oak, where's Infernape?"
A flash of realization hit him—Infernape, who always competed with Charizard for the title of Fire-type big brother, was nowhere to be seen.
Hearing Ash, Professor Oak slowly walked over.
"Infernape? Lately it's been challenging some Pokémon, it seems."
He scratched his head, unsure how to phrase it.
After organizing his thoughts, he continued:
"After you took Charizard with you last time, Infernape's been quite depressed. It feels that maybe its strength wasn't enough, which is why you didn't take it along."
"These past days, Infernape's been constantly challenging the Fire-type Pokémon in the backyard. Then, when you chose to take Charizard again on this trip, Infernape left the backyard and disappeared."
"Well… not completely disappeared. It comes back every so often—but every time, it's covered in injuries."
At this point, Professor Oak couldn't help but shake his head.
Among Ash's Pokémon, many had strong personalities.
But Infernape was too straightforward—
The type that easily dug itself into a corner.
Especially after Ash chose Charizard twice in a row.
That made Infernape feel its pride had been challenged.
"Ah—!"
Ash froze.
He hadn't considered this at all!
"I'm sorry, Infernape… this is my fault. Please don't let anything happen to you…"
Ash murmured.
After hearing Professor Oak's explanation, Ash was consumed by deep self-blame.
Damn it!
Why hadn't he noticed this earlier?!
If he had, things wouldn't have turned out like this!
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