It didn't take long for Serena to return to the group on Togekiss's back, and for Ash to be delivered like a dangling radish from Dragapult's claws.
Professor Oak's face darkened instantly.
"I told you all clearly—stay with the group. Never wander off. Viridian Forest is dangerous. A single accident could turn disastrous."
Serena bowed her head, cheeks flushing red.
Ash just laughed cluelessly.
"Hehe! I'm totally fine, Professor Oak! Dragapult protected me!"
Oak was opening his mouth to deliver a harsher lecture when—
BOOM—
A massive shadow descended.
Charizard landed heavily, dust swirling around its wings, clutching a filthy and traumatized Goh in its arms like a captured criminal.
Professor Oak rushed over and inspected the boy.
Fortunately, aside from a scraped knee and a near-fatal fright, Goh was perfectly intact.
Chen Shi stepped forward, arms crossed.
"Charizard… what happened with this kid?"
Charizard shot Goh a withering side-eye, then let out a long, detailed roar explaining the situation.
The more Chen Shi listened…
the more his expression warped between disbelief and exasperation.
"You went to provoke a Beedrill swarm?
You sure have guts.
Didn't Professor Oak literally just tell everyone NOT to mess with them?"
Goh's face burned crimson.
He lowered his head in shame.
He had completely underestimated Weedle—
thought it was weak, harmless, and "catchable."
He never imagined that swatting one Weedle would summon an entire army of furious Beedrill.
He would never forget today's terror.
If Charizard hadn't swooped in at the last possible second…
He didn't even want to think about what would've happened.
Professor Oak rubbed his temples.
"Let this be a lesson. In the wild, danger is everywhere. Caution is your greatest shield."
"…Yes," Goh muttered weakly.
Oak turned to Ash and Serena.
"And you two—stay close to the group. No more running off."
Both children nodded vigorously.
Meanwhile, disguised as an Eevee on Chen Shi's shoulder, Mew yawned loudly.
All of this drama meant nothing to it.
It had only one crisis in mind:
Where are the sweet Pokéblocks?
By evening, Oak guided a tired—but safe—group of children back to the camp entrance.
The waiting parents collectively exhaled in relief.
Professor Oak clapped his hands.
"That concludes today's summer camp. Let's return to Pallet Town!"
Back in town, families began saying their goodbyes.
Before leaving, Serena hugged Togekiss tightly.
"Bye-bye, Togekiss!"
Togekii~
Togekiss waved her wings warmly.
Serena stole a shy glance at Ash, cheeks pink, before following her mother home.
Chen Shi chuckled.
"Looks like someone's taken a liking to you."
Ash scratched his cheek.
"Huh? Really?"
Gary scoffed and marched straight back into the lab, pretending not to care.
Ash waved cheerfully.
"I'm going home for dinner! See you tomorrow, Chen Shi!"
Both Chen Shi and Professor Oak waved as the boy sprinted off.
The Next Morning
Chen Shi packed his things and headed to Professor Oak's office.
"Teacher, I'm heading home today. My flight's soon—I wanted to say goodbye."
Oak paused, his stern face softening.
"…Alright. Travel safely."
Then he suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Chen Shi's sleeve.
"Wait—before you go, could you leave me more Fairy-type Pokéblocks? I need them for my research!"
Chen Shi laughed.
Instead of Pokéblocks, he handed Oak three items:
A written recipe for Fairy-type Pokéblocks
A Key Stone
A Kangaskhanite
"This is the recipe. And these two stones are for your Kangaskhan.
Be careful the first time you try Mega Evolution—
mother and child together might trigger… unique reactions."
Oak accepted them slowly, almost reverently.
His voice turned uncharacteristically soft.
"…Then I'll see you at the World Championship.
I'll be watching your matches."
Chen Shi smiled.
"I'll look forward to it."
He turned and walked toward the exit—
Only to be tackled at the gate by Gary, who hugged his waist tightly.
"Shishu… you're leaving?!"
Gary's big eyes shimmered with reluctance.
Not only because he admired his "Shishu"—
but also because:
If Shishu leaves… who's going to cook for me?!
Grandpa only knows how to make instant noodles!!
Chen Shi ruffled Gary's hair.
"Every farewell is so we can meet again stronger.
I have things I must do—a path I have to chase.
You'll understand when you grow up.*"
He smiled gently.
"Next time we meet, I hope you've taken your own steps forward too."
Gary nodded firmly.
"I'll remember! And when the Championship begins, I'll be there cheering for you!"
Chen Shi waved once more—
Then strode toward the sunlight, his silhouette long and steady.
As though walking not away from Pallet Town…
but toward the grand, shining stage waiting for him somewhere ahead.
Gary remained frozen at the gate, eyes wide.
Inside his small heart—
A new flame had been lit.
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