Beep, beep, beep—!
As the sharp beeping filled the air, August stepped toward the unconscious Ijun.
He had Gardevoir toss Ijun's limp body aside before picking up the tracking device that had been pinned beneath him.
"So this is what Team Rocket was relying on to track Mew?"
The device was surprisingly heavy, encased in a silver shell embzoned with a red "R" on the back. It looked like a small tablet with an attached antenna.
Examining it closely…
Just moments ago, Ijun had mistaken August for Mew because of this tracker, which ultimately led to his entire squad getting wiped out.
In a way, this device was the true culprit behind their downfall.
But August didn't think the tracker had malfunctioned.
His years as a ranger in the nature reserve had honed his senses.
Earlier, when he was tracking the scattered Rocket squads through the branching tunnels, he had felt someone—or something—watching him. At the time, he suspected it was Mew.
Now, with the tracker still beeping, it confirmed his guess—Mew had been observing him all along.
"Mew, you're here, aren't you?"
August called out to the seemingly empty space beside him.
Silence.
Gardevoir swept the tunnel with her psychic scan, just as she had before.
Still nothing.
Even after August waved the tracker around in every direction, Mew remained elusive.
Just as doubt began creeping in—
Mew~~
A soft giggle echoed through the air.
Whether it was because Mew found August's flustered behavior amusing or simply enjoyed the thrill of remaining unseen, it had finally decided to make its presence known.
Mew had revealed itself, but August didn't feel the least bit happy.
August: ?_?
If he wasn't mistaken, this was pure provocation.
Oh, you little—!
Rolling up his sleeves, August vowed that if he didn't find this creature today, he'd start writing his name backward!
Gripping his Keystone tightly, he exchanged a gnce with Gardevoir. She nodded in understanding.
Bringing her hands to her chest, she activated Mega Evolution.
The stone hanging at her colr floated up, radiating dazzling light as it enveloped her.
Power unleashed.
Her once-white gown darkened to pure bck, and her elegant arms transformed into flowing, shadowy extensions.
Buzz—!
A surge of telekinetic force rippled through the tunnel, distorting the very air.
Finally, as Gardevoir meticulously combed through the space with her heightened psychic abilities, she found something—something just barely brushing against her mental reach.
August, linked to her through telepathic resonance, received the feedback instantly. A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Gotcha!"
Not giving Mew even a moment to react, Mega Gardevoir immediately seized the presence with her full psychic might and yanked—
Mew—!!!
A startled cry rang out as a small, pink, feline-like creature was forcibly pulled from its invisibility.
Mew's big blue eyes widened in shock and confusion, as if it couldn't believe it had actually been caught.
"Heh… Looks like I finally got you, little kitty!" August let out a vilinous chuckle.
A pure vilin's smirk!
But Mew, rather than fleeing, didn't seem to feel any malice from August.
Instead of retreating, it floated closer, curiously circling both him and Gardevoir, inspecting them with keen interest.
It appeared to be trying to figure out the connection between August and Gardevoir's transformation.
August wasn't sure whether to admire Mew's boldness or call it downright gullible.
Gardevoir extended a cautious hand, and Mew pyfully brushed its tail against her arm before vanishing in an instant—only to reappear right next to August.
August had wanted to pet Mew for a long time.
Now that the little creature had approached him on its own, how could he let the opportunity slip?
Activating his [Viridian Power] to attract Mew's attention, he seized the moment when it was distracted—reaching out and running his hand through its soft fur.
The fine, velvety texture brushed against his palm, soft and incredibly pleasant to the touch.
Unable to resist, August gently ruffled Mew's head.
Mew—!
The little Pokémon froze, completely caught off guard. It didn't react until August rubbed its head a second time.
With a startled yelp, Mew darted behind Gardevoir, peeking out from behind her while giving August an "angry" gre.
August, completely unfazed, smirked. "See? This is the harsh reality of the world. Never trust humans so easily."
Mew?
Mew blinked in confusion. That was for my own good?
But August had no intention of expining further, because the moment he touched Mew, a system prompt echoed in his mind.
[You have personally touched Mew. New title unlocked: "First Contact with Mew."][Please select your reward.]
[1. Psychic Pte]
[2. Rainbow Wing]
[3. Mew's Genetic Blueprint]
"Huh?"
August hadn't unlocked a title for defeating an entire Team Rocket squad, but just from petting Mew, he got one?
Should he be impressed by Mew's significance… or just accept that Rocket Grunts were worthless in comparison?
Shrugging off the thought, he turned his attention to the reward choices.
The first option—another Pte. This time, the [Psychic Pte]. At this point, August was convinced Arceus was being milked dry.
Poor alpaca god…
The second option, [Rainbow Wing], was a feather from Ho-Oh. Compared to Arceus' divine relics, it wasn't even in the same league.
And the third… definitely valuable.
If Giovanni were given the choice, he'd pick [Mew's Genetic Blueprint] without hesitation.
But to August, that was the least useful option.
What would he even do with it? Create Mewtwo?
Putting aside the fact that he cked Team Rocket's resources, even if he had the funds, his scientific knowledge was nowhere near advanced enough to develop Mewtwo from genetic data.
Publishing a research paper on it? Sure, it would shake the academic world. He could probably even earn himself a Pokémon Professor title.
But August could already imagine what would happen next—Giovanni would personally pay him a visit, and he'd end up as the first Pokémon Professor in history to be imprisoned in Team Rocket's underground b.
So the choice was obvious.
[Psychic Pte]
Considering how often Ptes had been appearing, and the fact that this one was perfect for Gardevoir, it would be a waste not to take it.
Gardevoir, I've got something good for you ter.
August conveyed his thoughts through telepathy.
Gardevoir, intrigued, tilted her head slightly.
Just as she was about to respond—
Mew, floating beside her, suddenly perked up, its tail swaying as its blue eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Then—
Both August and Gardevoir felt an unfamiliar psychic presence slip into their mental link.
"Mew…?"
(What are you two talking about…?)
August: "???"
Gardevoir: "!!!"
---
T/N: !?!
