Mew had already noticed the humans following it, but instead of escaping, it actually slowed down.
Having finally found someone interesting to play with, Mew clearly wasn't planning to let go so easily.
During the chase, Mew continuously transformed into other Pokémon, attempting to trick Ash and Professor Oak.
Mew's transformation skills were undoubtedly exceptional, but against Professor Oak's sharp observational skills, every disguise was exposed with ease.
"Magmar cannot appear on the plains of Pallet Town," Professor Oak remarked with a knowing smile after seeing through Mew's illusion once again.
More knowledge gained.
Ash, like a sponge, absorbed every bit of information the professor shared, his curiosity endless.
"It should have come this way," Ash muttered, scanning the surroundings with furrowed brows, searching for any sign of Mew.
"If we can't find it, let's head back," Professor Oak finally said, satisfied with what they had already achieved today.
After all, witnessing the legendary Mew and recording its appearance, habits, and skills was already a monumental discovery. Once he returned to the lab, he could start compiling a simplified Pokédex entry for Mew.
Ash sighed. "I guess that's all we can do."
Although reluctant, he knew their pursuit of the dream had to end here. Continuing the chase wouldn't yield better results—after all, not even Professor Oak could catch Mew.
Just as they were about to leave, a cheerful cry echoed through the forest.
Following the sound, Ash spotted a Kangaskhan playfully hopping near the edge of a cliff.
"Professor Oak, I found Mew!" Ash said softly, trying to contain his excitement.
Mew's cry had been so loud that Professor Oak heard it too. He immediately moved forward to investigate, but then something struck him as odd.
That Kangaskhan dancing at the cliff's edge… it didn't have Mew's aura. Wait—was that actually a real Kangaskhan?
"What?!" Realizing the situation, even the normally composed Ash was alarmed.
Without hesitation, he dashed toward the cliff at full speed.
If it had been Mew, there'd be no problem—it could easily protect itself.
But Kangaskhan? One wrong step could lead to tragedy. Ash couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Whether it was fate's cruel joke or destiny's design, just as Ash was within ten meters of Kangaskhan, the cliff suddenly gave way.
[Steven: Did Ash not make it?]
[Wallace: My heart aches for the Kangaskhan baby… Even without that annoying Goh, it still couldn't escape the fate of falling off the cliff.]
[Diantha: Where's Mew? The miraculous Mew—please, do something! Save that baby just this once!]
[Lance: Relax, with Professor Oak there, Dragonite can save Kangaskhan in an instant.]
[Lorelei: Do you have the memory of a Magikarp? Didn't Professor Oak's Dragonite stay at the campsite?]
[Lance: ...…]
[Ding! Entering the Prize Quiz Segment!]
It's here—the quiz everyone's been waiting for!
[Question: Who successfully rescued the Kangaskhan baby?]
A. Pichu and Kangaskhan Mother, who arrived at the fastest speed.
B. Mew, hidden in the shadows, silently observing everything.
C. Professor Oak intervened.
D. The rampaging Ash.
E. No one rescued the Kangaskhan baby.
Before the rapid-fire answering officially began, the system released a new rule.
[New Penalty Mechanisms]
Penalty 1: If you answer within three seconds and get it wrong, you will be suspended from participating in five future quiz rounds.
Penalty 2: If you answer after three seconds and get it wrong twice in a row, you will be suspended from two future quiz rounds.
At Team Rocket Headquarters, Kanto…
"Damn it!" Giovanni, who was usually calm, actually cursed aloud.
He had just laid out a perfect quiz strategy to the four Team Rocket Executives, and now the system had destroyed it completely.
Giovanni couldn't help but suspect the system was targeting him.
His strategy had been simple: he and the four Executives would each choose a different option. That way, as long as they answered fast enough, Team Rocket would be guaranteed a win.
But now, with the new penalty rules, such a tactic was impossible.
Five-round suspensions? Too harsh!
[Steven: I was ready to dominate, but alas—I died before I even started!]
[Cynthia: Having a penalty mechanism isn't necessarily bad. It prevents blind guessing and keeps things fair.]
[Wallace: Hmph, that's such official talk. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were working with the system.]
[Cynthia: Heh, of course I'm with the system. Did you really think I was with you?]
[Lance: People who get rewards sure act differently. Look at her already drawing a line between us.]
[Diantha: Is there a possibility that we were never on the same side as you to begin with?]
[Lance: ...…]