The sky, clouds, and mountains blended into one vast canvas of light. Though it was midday, the horizon glowed with the warm tint of a setting sun.
Amid that strange, golden stillness, a powerful Salamence descended from the clouds, wings cutting through the air with a deep, resonant roar before landing heavily on the open plateau of Apricot Blossom Hill.
The hill was a popular public park open and free, though carefully protected. The apricot season had already passed, and visitors were welcome as long as they followed one rule:
Leave the hill unspoiled.
Anyone caught harming the ecosystem would face immediate punishment under League law.
This time of year, the mountain was especially beautiful. Trails were dotted with couples from the nearby university, their laughter echoing faintly between the trees.
Lin Feng had asked Salamence to search for a secluded clearing, far from the crowds. Part of him wanted peace and privacy; another part wanted Mewtwo to quietly scan the mountain from above, just in case anything strange lingered after their recent adventures.
The result: nothing.
Mewtwo's psychic sweep found no anomalies only a few Leafeon and wild Pokémon wandering the slopes.
Lin Feng exhaled softly. "So, no disturbances... that's good."
If psychic power couldn't detect anything, then perhaps Aura might. But his Gardevoir's aura sensitivity was weak; using it to scan a whole mountain was impossible.
He frowned slightly. I really need to find a way to awaken my own aura one day...
Still, he didn't let disappointment linger. Instead, he began unpacking the portable barbecue set from his backpack. Every motion was practiced folding stands, leveling the grill, heating the iron plate. Within minutes, the smell of sizzling meat began to drift through the mountain air.
Once the setup was ready, Lin Feng released his team one by one.
The Eevee squad leapt out first, their tails flicking excitedly. Then came Blaziken, Goodra, the little Alolan Vulpix, and finally, Salamence, who stretched its wings proudly before settling beside a rock.
He had considered bringing Butterfree, but that one had decided the outside world was far too dangerous. Lin Feng chuckled helplessly. "You've got the heart of a survivor... maybe a little too cautious."
He couldn't blame it though. Ever since its Caterpie days, Butterfree had struggled to survive in the wild with its rare coloration it must have learned to be wary of everything.
Speaking of rare Pokémon... where's Mew today?
As if summoned by thought, a familiar voice chimed.
"Mew~?"
The tiny pink cat appeared out of thin air, floating right in front of him as he flipped a steak.
Lin Feng stared at it for a moment, expression flat. "...You always show up exactly at mealtime, don't you?"
Mew grinned mischievously, twirling in the air as its nose twitched. "Mew~! Smells amazing!"
Of course, its attention didn't stay long. Its big blue eyes soon drifted toward the silver-haired girl, Iris, who was spreading out a picnic blanket nearby with Mewtwo's quiet help. Sitting beside her was the guest of honor Jirachi, the Wish Pokémon whose golden eyes glimmered as it glanced repeatedly toward the grill.
The smell was divine.
So this is what they call cooking in this era... far better than anything from a thousand years ago, Jirachi thought, mesmerized.
Meanwhile, Alolan Vulpix was proudly telling the Eevee gang about its latest battle exploits how it had "almost single-pawedly" wiped out the entire Junior Cup competition.
"The challengers didn't stand a chance! I was a flash of white justice! Soon, I'll create a Hero Squad to protect our town. You guys can be the founding members!"
It puffed out its chest, appointing Eevee Nine as first squad captain, with Three and Five as sub-leaders.
Blaziken's ears perked up at that. "BLAZE!" (I want to join too!)
Lin Feng couldn't help but smile. Blaziken had never forgotten the "Hero Chicken" nickname he'd once given it.
Even Goodra joined in, eyes shining with admiration. "Goo~dra!" (Count me in!)
Only Wartortle watched quietly from the side, feeling a touch of envy. It knew its own trainer would soon travel to compete in tournaments it wouldn't have moments like this for long.
When it looked over, its trainer was laughing as a Sprigatito nestled in her arms, licking her hands affectionately.
Wartortle turned away, cheeks flushing. Why would anyone lick hands like that... embarrassing...
Lin Feng caught the tail end of the conversation and chuckled under his breath. If Vulpix really went around "defeating" entire tournaments, every young Trainer in the region would probably quit in despair. A one-year-old Champion Pokémon wasn't exactly fair competition.
Still, the mood was light. Even Salamence, usually stoic and proud, allowed itself a faint smirk.
Soon, the first batch of grilled meat was ready. The aroma swept across the clearing like a spell.
"Alright, future heroes fill your bellies first!" Lin Feng laughed as he handed out bowls and plates.
"Eevee!" "Vul! Vul!"
"Delicious! Oh my this is amazing!" Iris exclaimed between bites. After weeks of convenience food on the road, real barbecue tasted like heaven.
Wartortle, halfway through its plate, suddenly paused. The smoky flavor triggered memories of sneaking into town back when it was still a tiny Squirtle, drawn by the smell of food. Its heart swelled with nostalgia and joy. A faint blue glow shimmered over its shell as it quietly offered Lin Feng a gift: a shimmering Water Stone.
Mewtwo and Mew ate in silence, their expressions unreadable, though Lin Feng noticed a faint uptick of warmth in their aura.
He didn't press them. After all, Mew had recently gifted him several leaves from the Tree of Beginning, a priceless treasure. He planned to use them to craft special dishes once the Junior Cup ended.
Just as he was thinking that, a sudden chime echoed in his mind:
[Congratulations, Trainer! Jirachi's happiness has risen from 60% to 95%. You've received: 5 bags of Premium Miracle Fertilizer, 1 Top-Rank Rare Candy, and 1 Mysterious Wishing Fruit a celestial fruit said to have descended from outer space, holding unknown power.]
Lin Feng blinked. "...What?"
He turned toward the picnic blanket. Jirachi was sitting there, tears streaming down its cheeks as it chewed on a skewer.
He'd seen high happiness levels before, but 95%? That was almost unheard of. The only time it had happened before was when he was trying to earn the trust of that stubborn Feebas.
Had Jirachi really been moved to tears by food?
Curious, Lin Feng opened its status panel and froze.
The happiness bar, which had been glowing gold just moments ago, was dropping fast.
In three short seconds, it plummeted below zero.
His smile faded. Did it just remember something painful...?
Lin Feng didn't interrupt. The other Pokémon were still laughing and eating, oblivious to the sudden shift. Only Mew floated closer, tilting its head with concern.
"Mew?" (Hey... what's wrong?)
Jirachi didn't answer. Its tiny hands trembled, the half-eaten skewer slipping from its grasp as faint sparks of starlight flickered across its body.
The golden glow of the afternoon deepened, and a strange stillness fell over Apricot Blossom Hill.
The "Fruit of a Wish" in Lin Feng's hand shimmered faintly, as if it, too, could sense the sorrow in the air.