The children gradually gathered at the entrance of the Oak Research Lab, buzzing with excitement as the summer camp was about to begin.
Gary burst out from inside the building, waving like a hyperactive Pidgey.
"Grandpa! Uncle Shi! I'm here!"
Professor Oak sighed.
"Gary, don't run around so wildly."
He gestured toward the two early arrivals.
"These two are Serena and Goh. You'll be attending the camp together."
"Mm!"
Gary nodded boldly, puffed up with confidence.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Gary!"
Serena timidly replied.
"H-hello…"
Goh beamed.
"Hi! I'm Goh!"
The three quickly formed a noisy cluster of chatter.
More and more parents began arriving with their kids. Soon, nearly every child had gathered—
except one.
Chen Shi exhaled slowly.
Ash.
He knew this would happen. He had reminded the boy last night not to sleep in, but oversleeping was Ash's innate talent.
Oak checked the time and shook his head.
"Alright… we can't make everyone wait any long—"
"WAIT!! I'M HERE—Professor Oak!!"
A breathless black-haired boy sprinted toward them, hair a mess, shirt crooked.
Of course.
Ash Ketchum, the child destined to oversleep even the day he receives his first Pokémon.
He skidded to a stop, panting hard.
Gary crossed his arms smugly.
"Uncle Shi warned you yesterday! And you still overslept? You're always the Sleepy King!"
Ash wilted.
"…I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't mean to…"
Oak only sighed.
"Just keep up. We're heading into Viridian Forest."
Ash instantly perked up.
"Yes, sir!"
Serena gave him a shy wave.
Ash blushed, scratching his cheek with a goofy smile.
Viridian Forest — Outer Region
Oak guided the group while explaining the wildlife, their habits, and how to behave safely.
Goh asked enough questions to make even a Chatot dizzy.
Ash, predictably, ignored all explanations about type disadvantages.
Soon, they entered the forest's outer zone.
Caterpie peeked from the branches, watching the children curiously.
Dragapult's eye twitched.
He really wanted to challenge a Caterpie.
To erase that black history.
But doing it in public would destroy his dignity forever.
He hovered obediently behind Chen Shi—tail stiff with restraint.
The group walked past a tree, and a plump, unusually clean Caterpie observed them.
Too clean.
Too round.
Too… sentient.
When Chen Shi passed, the Caterpie hopped down—
and shimmered into a Pidgey mid-air, tailing them from above.
Chen Shi narrowed his eyes.
That… wasn't normal.
But he ignored it for the moment.
When they reached a clearing by the river, Professor Oak clapped.
"We'll set up camp here! Parents watch from a distance—children must do the work themselves!"
The kids eagerly began unpacking tents.
Goh declared confidently:
"I'll be the first one done!"
Gary snorted.
"As if. That title is mine."
The remaining children joined in, turning the space into a lively, chaotic campsite.
Chen Shi leaned against a big tree, enjoying a rare breather.
With his Pokémon resting nearby, he occasionally scanned the area for danger.
Swampert nudged him.
"Swamp~?"
"You want to swim? Go ahead—just don't scare the kids."
Swampert dove into the river with an elegant plunk.
Togekiss helped Serena assemble her tent.
Florges trailed behind Ash like a gentle babysitter.
Charizard, Metagross, Leafeon, and Dragapult soaked in the sun, peacefully resting.
Chen Shi closed his eyes—
And immediately felt a stare.
His eyes snapped open.
On a branch sat a pristine, overly clean Caterpie… staring straight at him.
Again?
Chen Shi stood up, bemused, and held out a Pokéblock.
"Here, little guy. Want a snack?"
Dragapult's eyes went cold as death.
If not for the kids, he would have launched a Shadow Ball right between that insect's eyes.
The Caterpie ignored Dragapult's murderous aura.
It sniffed the block—
And devoured it.
Then looked up at Chen Shi with sparkling innocence, begging for more.
Chen Shi froze.
"…Why are you cute?"
He handed it another Pokéblock.
Caterpie munched happily.
Chen Shi opened its status window casually—
Then froze.
Completely, utterly froze.
His blood ran cold.
Because the screen displayed:
Pokémon: Mew
Level: ???
Potential: ???
Ability: Synchronize
Moves: ———
The Caterpie looked up, tilting its head innocently.
Chen Shi felt his soul leave his body.
He had just fed Pokéblocks… to the world's number one runaway Legendary Pokémon.
The shapeshifting menace itself—
Mew.
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