Lucas sat on Ninetales' back, swaying gently as they headed toward the film set.
The film set was located not far from Twinleaf Town.
After coming to an agreement yesterday, Mime Jr. woke up early today. With the help of Gothitelle and the others, it prepared breakfast for the Canteen, asked Meowstic to look after the place, and then followed Gothitelle to the film set to act.
Lucas had discussed it with Edward: Mime Jr.'s scenes would all be filmed in the morning. By three or four in the afternoon, Mime Jr. would return from the set to the Breeding House to start preparing dinner for the Canteen.
This way, Mime Jr. could go acting while still continuing to cook in the Canteen.
Although this would be tiring, Mime Jr. seemed very satisfied with the arrangement.
Lucas arrived at the set, saw Mime Jr. filming, and had Ninetales stop so they could watch from a distance.
It was gazing affectionately at a Ponyta with a single horn on its forehead and a mane of light purple and light blue-green. The Ponyta's eyes were glistening with tears, looking pitiful.
The acting was so good that Lucas almost suspected Mime Jr. of bullying the poor thing.
However, although Mime Jr. was raised by Lucas and Gengar, its personality seemed to form a sharp contrast with theirs. It hadn't been "polluted" by Gengar and Lucas at all; it was well-behaved, obedient, and sensible.
"Hmm, my Mime Jr. is just so cute."
Lucas took another look at Mime Jr.'s acting.
"Wow! Expressionless ————"
"Lucas: ————"
"Cut! Fantastic! Mime Jr., that's the expression, very good! I knew you were cut out for this!"
Edward looked extremely excited, as if he had struck gold. "That look—seven parts cold, three parts nostalgia, reluctance, and heartache—is excellent. Let's take a break. We have one last shot, and then we'll wrap up this morning's filming."
Seven parts cold? Three parts nostalgia and reluctance? And heartache?
Did Mime Jr. learn how to act from Gengar?
"But how come I feel ———— I can't see it?"
"Ninetales, did you see it?"
"Shu?"
What?
"The look of seven parts cold, three parts nostalgia, reluctance, and heartache."
Ninetales nodded gently.
"Lucas: ?"
Is it really my problem?
Mime Jr. ran off the set, took out the hot honey water Gothitelle had prepared for it that morning, and gulped it down.
"Acting is so tiring ————"
Just then, the Ponyta walked over and whispered something to Mime Jr.
Mime Jr. flashed a very bright smile, then took out a plastic bowl and poured some honey water for it. The Ponyta didn't mind that Mime Jr. had already drunk from it and lowered its head to drink.
"Mime Jr."
Lucas called out.
Mime Jr. looked up, saw it was Lucas, and ran over happily.
"Nini."
"Why are you here?"
Lucas got down from Ninetales' back, bent down to pick up Mime Jr., and let it sit on his shoulder.
He had actually gotten used to having a Pokémon sitting on his shoulder.
Of course, realizing he had gotten used to it, he realized that Pikachu standing on Ash's shoulder wasn't such a difficult thing after all ————
"Better on the shoulder than lying on the head, right?"
"Don't you think so, Celebi?"
"The Breeding House happened to be free today, so Ninetales and I came over early to check on you. How are you adjusting? Is it fun? Acting?"
Mime Jr. nodded vigorously. "Nini~"
"It's very fun~"
"Let me tell you, I filmed so much content today, from the morning until now."
"Wow, our Mime Jr. is amazing. A round of applause for you."
Lucas smiled and clapped, and Mime Jr. laughed, holding its head high.
"Are you tired?"
"It's okay, a bit easier than the Canteen."
"Then, will you be a full-time actor from now on?"
"No, I like cooking, and I like acting, but I like cooking more."
"Got it. Keep up the good work. Hungry? I prepared your favorite fish and pork rib soup."
After Lucas finished speaking, he reached out his hand behind him.
"Gengar?"
Lucas turned back and didn't see Gengar.
"Lucas: (∀°"
"Oh no! I forgot! Gengar didn't come!"
Ninetales looked at Lucas.
"Did you give the lunch box to Gengar?"
Lucas nodded.
Ninetales rolled its eyes dramatically.
Meeting Mime Jr.'s curious gaze, Lucas chuckled, "Wait for me, I'll be right back."
He ran to a secluded spot and opened the Distortion Channel.
It was better not to let others know about the Distortion Channel.
Carrying the thermal container, Lucas walked back to Mime Jr.
"Ta-da! Let's eat. Oh, by the way, I prepared plenty, so you can share it with your new friend."
Lucas looked at the Ponyta not far away, which had been watching them.
"So beautiful ————"
Mime Jr. hugged the thermal container and let out a cute "Nini~"
Then it ran to the Ponyta and whispered something. The Ponyta looked toward where Lucas and Ninetales were. Lucas was grinning and waving, causing the Ponyta to shyly lower its head.
"Smack!"
"Sss~"
Lucas gasped, turned around, and saw Ninetales squinting its eyes innocently.
"Little jealous creature."
"Smack!"
"Shu."
"That's for badmouthing me."
"You knew that?!"
"Smack!"
"∑（\△\ | "
"Why are you hitting me again!"
"Shu————"
"Just a habit."
"Lucas: ————"
Edward walked over. Lucas reached out to stroke Ninetales' chin, looked at the approaching Edward, and asked, "How much content is left for today?"
"Just the last bit. If we're fast, we can finish in about half an hour or so."
"OK."
Lucas nodded.
"Mime Jr. really likes acting, and it has talent too."
Edward watched Mime Jr. eating with the Ponyta and said, "It seems to like cooking as well?"
Lucas nodded, "Cooking used to be its favorite thing, but now, it seems acting has been added to the list."
"But generally, very few people can balance both ————"
Edward hesitated for a moment and said, "It will be very tiring. There won't be enough time. In the end, it's highly likely it will have to make a choice and keep only one."
Lucas looked at Edward with a gentle smile, "You're right, but as long as it likes it, it can do whatever it wants in my care."
Edward was stunned. Feeling the confidence in Lucas's tone, he laughed too. "I see. No wonder it's so carefree, smart, cute, and likable. It's all because of you, its Trainer."
Mime Jr. had only been there for half a day, and it had already won the affection of all the crew members and Pokémon on set.
In the morning, it shared the snacks it brought with everyone, and during breaks, it would play with the staff, using its smile to help them relax.
Its carefree nature seemed out of place with the atmosphere of the film set, yet it complemented it perfectly.
Now that he felt Lucas's doting love for Mime Jr., he finally understood why Mime Jr. was so carefree.
"It's so nice, Mime Jr., having such a Trainer who supports you in doing what you love ————"
Before Edward could finish his thoughts, he suddenly heard Lucas whisper, "When it comes to acting, Diantha should be quite an expert, right? Should I ask her to guide Mime Jr.?"
"Who? Diantha?"
"Is it the Diantha I know? That famous actress and League Champion superstar, Diantha?"
"You know her? For real?"
Before he could finish speaking, Lucas's phone rang. He saw Lucas pick up the phone and answer it, and a familiar voice came from the other end.
"What do you mean?"
Lucas looked at Diantha on the screen. It seemed she had just finished filming and was sitting on a chair resting while staff touched up her makeup.
Lucas walked to Edward's side, ensuring he wasn't blocking the view, and turned the camera toward Mime Jr.
"Mime Jr. recently joined a film crew and made a guest appearance. I noticed it seems to really like acting, so I wanted to ask when you're free. If you have time, could you give Mime Jr. some guidance on acting? Of course, I will pay."
Diantha looked at Mime Jr., who was sitting in the distance eating with a Ponyta, and a smile appeared on her face.
"Ah, Mime Jr., you actually like acting too?"
Diantha's heart melted.
If one were to ask which Pokémon from the Breeding House was Diantha's favorite, it would definitely be Mime Jr.
Cute, lively, smart, and it also cooks delicious meals and makes tasty desserts.
Diantha was a total dessert lover.
"Let me finish filming this movie first. It's almost over, probably another week or so. I'll come over to your side then and guide Mime Jr. I might not be able to beat you in battles, but when it comes to acting, I'm much better than you."
Diantha's voice rang out.
Edward, standing behind, curiously leaned his head over to look at Diantha on the screen, falling into silence.
"It really is Diantha?"
"How does a Breeding House owner from the countryside like you know Diantha?"
"And you said she couldn't beat you in a battle? Could it be that you are the Champion of Sinnoh?"
"But I heard the Champion of Sinnoh is named Cynthia? And she's a woman?"
"OK, then I'll trouble you."
Lucas was very grateful.
Ninetales, behind him, thought: 'Him? He can't act as well as you? If it comes to playing dumb, you definitely can't beat him.'
"As for the payment, Cynthia has already given it to you on your behalf."
Diantha revealed a mischievous smile.
Lucas was full of question marks. "What do you mean? By the way, where is Cynthia? I remember she said she was going to find you, right?"
"That's right. Yesterday I took her out for a meal, and then we went back to the hotel to rest. Lucas, you two are together, but you haven't seen Cynthia's body yet, right? Don't worry, yesterday I—"
"Hey, hey, hey! This isn't an uninhabited area, there are outsiders here!"
Lucas hurriedly interrupted Diantha.
This woman, how does she dare to say anything?
Diantha on the other side covered her mouth and started laughing.
"Rest assured, I will take good care of your dear—Miss Cynthia—for you."
Lucas hung up the phone directly.
He then looked at Edward, who was standing to the side, and seeing him in a daze, waved his hand in front of him.
Edward looked at Lucas blankly: "Ah? What's wrong?"
"Was that Champion Diantha just now? Was it really her? You actually know her; can you let me say a few words to her? I'm her fan, please, please!"
Edward begged.
Lucas gestured to the hung-up phone and shrugged.
Seeing that Edward hadn't heard anything, Lucas turned his head with satisfaction to look at Mime Jr.
"Director Edward, is this Ponyta from the Galar region?"
Edward followed Lucas's gaze and saw the Galar Ponyta eating with Mime Jr., then nodded. "Did I not tell Lucas? I am from the Galar region."
"You are from the Galar region?"
Lucas was a bit surprised, looking at Edward, unable to tell.
Edward nodded. "This Ponyta is a Pokémon entrusted to my care by a friend. It has been with me since it was little. Perhaps because it has been with me for too long, it also grew to like acting. This drama was tailor-made for it."
Lucas nodded. So that was it.
I have to say, the Ponyta from the Galar region really looks beautiful.
Ordinary Ponyta and Rapidash are handsome, while the Galar Ponyta and Rapidash are incomparably beautiful.
(Too beautiful)
The colorful manes add unparalleled beauty to them.
After accompanying Mime Jr. to finish the last bit of acting for the day, Lucas took it, sat on Ninetales, and swayed back to the Breeding House.
"Nini?" Why didn't Gengar brother come today?
Mime Jr., held in Lucas's arms, tilted its little face up, looked at Lucas, and asked in confusion.
Hearing Mime Jr.'s question, Lucas didn't know how to answer for a moment.
He couldn't just say that yesterday Gengar volunteered, saying it could also come over to play a cameo role, only to be refused by Edward without hesitation, right?
"No, you will scare the children in front of the screen."
Edward had also extended invitations to the other Pokémon at the Breeding House, but in the end, only Mime Jr. agreed.
"As for it, you'll know when you get back."
Lucas sighed.
Getting off Ninetales' back, Lucas carried Mime Jr. into the Breeding House, and at a glance saw Gengar lying on the ground, its eyes lifeless.
Beside it sat Shauna and Tomoyo, along with other Pokémon, trying to comfort it.
But no matter how Shauna and the others comforted Gengar, Gengar remained in a state of despair.
It looked like this rejection had dealt a huge blow to Gengar.
Although Gengar looks very optimistic on the surface, it is actually a particularly fragile Pokémon deep down.
It is just a playful child, but because it was the first Pokémon to follow Lucas, it always tries to act like a big brother.
Although it always teases its younger brothers and sisters, when danger arises, Gengar is always the first to step forward.
"Nini?" Gengar brother, don't be sad. How about we get up and go steal some honey?
Mime Jr. ran to Gengar's side, grabbed Gengar's arm, and pushed it repeatedly.
Gengar remained unmoved.
Vespiquen flew into the Breeding House, holding several jars of sweet honey in its hands. It looked at Lucas and shook its head.
It didn't even want the sweet honey.
"Lilli?" What should we do now?
Lilligant tugged at Lucas's pant leg, asking what should be done.
Gengar, who likes watching TV and cartoons, must have had a dream of being an actor when it was little, right?
Just like himself when he was little—actor, scientist, police officer, soldier—he wrote a bunch on his composition, but ended up working in a factory tightening screws after growing up.
Lucas walked over, looking down at the lifeless Gengar.
"Still depressed?"
Gengar saw it was Lucas and nodded slightly.
"If he won't give you a chance, why don't we just film it ourselves?"
Lucas kicked it lightly, raised an eyebrow at it, and said, "It's no big deal. We'll film it ourselves at the Breeding House. We have a camera, and if we're missing anything, we can just buy it. Lilligant, phone."
"Lilli~" Coming~
Lilligant quickly brought the phone over.
"Gen gengar!" You're tricking me again—
"Why would I trick you? Let me tell you, I recently wrote a script, and it's really good. Remember Diantha? She'll be coming to the Breeding House in a few days to personally direct us. You don't trust me, but do you not trust her?"
Upon hearing this, the light in Gengar's eyes gradually returned.
Seeing this, Lucas struck while the iron was hot. "I've already thought of the script name: 'The Shapeshifting Gengar.' It's about a Gengar that possesses incredible power; every time it wakes up, it changes its identity. Today it's Detective Gengar, tomorrow it's Chef Gengar, the day after it's Fisherman Gengar. It goes on adventures based on its different identity each day."
Gengar's eyes brightened even more.
"However, it seems a certain Gengar doesn't seem to like it, so never mind. Let's let Lilligant film it. 'The Shapeshifting Lilligant' will probably also look great. After all, our Lilligant is so gentle, beautiful, and elegant. Oh~ my sunshine, my little bird, my spring flower, my Lilligant~"
After speaking, Lucas strode toward Lilligant, simultaneously opening his arms.
Lucas felt his leg being grabbed by a huge force.
Lucas turned back to find Gengar lying on the carpet, clutching his left leg with both hands and pulling hard backward, while its two short legs kicked continuously on the carpet to gain leverage, holding Lucas firmly in place.
"Gen gengar!" No! I want to act! I want to be The Shapeshifting Gengar! You let me act, you can't give it to anyone else!
"Gengar!" No way! Don't! This is mine!
Lucas and Lilligant looked at each other and smiled, then looked at Gengar. "Fine, fine, fine, we'll let you do it. So why aren't you getting up now? Still lying on the ground?"
Gengar revealed its signature smile. Hehehe.
It floated up, but the smile on its face quickly disappeared.
"Gen gengar!" But they said I would scare the children.
"Who said that? He doesn't understand. Our Gengar is so cute, how could it scare children? Little Shauna, Little Tomoyo, were you scared?"
Shauna shook her head, hugging Gengar's short leg. "Hehehe, Uncle Gengar wouldn't scare us."
Tomoyo hugged the other leg. "Gengar bro—Uncle, we love playing with Uncle Gengar the most."
Tomoyo originally intended to call him brother, but hearing Shauna call him uncle, she quickly changed her words.
Gengar: Although I was comforted, why does it still feel a bit off? I've become an uncle?! Stop!!!
After comforting Gengar, Gengar floated out of the Breeding House. Lucas sat in the rest area and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally comforted him."
Vespiquen looked at Lucas and was just about to speak when it saw its subordinate Combee fly over.
Queen, it—that fatty—stole the honey again!
Vespiquen: (°) "Bee!!!" Gengar!!!
"Gen gengar!" Oh no, I've been discovered, time to run!
"Bee!" Die!
"Gen gengar!!!" Stop!!! Help!
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