By the time they left the Quagsire cave and returned to camp, night had already fully fallen.
"Alright, that's it for today's stream. Thanks for watching—see you tomorrow."
After a brief farewell, Chen Mo signaled Yi Ge to cut the stream.
"Good work."
Yi Ge set down the camera, poured a cup of water, and handed it over.
"I'll handle dinner tonight. You get some rest."
"Alright."
Chen Mo didn't refuse.
He knew—
Yi Ge had noticed.
Ever since discovering Zekrom's scattered scales, his mood had been off. Add in a ten-hour livestream—
He was exhausted.
Body and mind alike.
"Pika…"
Pikachu, who had walked on its own for the latter half of the journey, quietly approached Chen Mo as he lay down on the air mattress.
"Pika~"
It gently licked his cheek.
"Thanks, Pikachu."
Chen Mo turned over, rubbing its soft head.
At first, when he came to this world, he wanted to escape.
Then he accepted his role—
To teach people about Pokémon.
To help humans understand them.
And things… were going as he hoped.
But now—
The journey had grown heavier.
Mr. Arthas' request.
The mystery of Pokémon appearing in this world.
Suicune's omen.
Reshiram's disappearance from history.
And now—
Zekrom's fallen scales.
Too many questions.
Too many burdens.
"Pika…"
Pikachu licked him again.
"It's okay," Chen Mo said softly.
"I'm just… a little tired."
"Let me rest for a bit. Wake me when dinner's ready."
Sleep soon overtook him.
Pikachu watched him, worry in its eyes.
His shadow shifted—
And a purple-black figure emerged.
Gengar floated beside Pikachu.
"Ke…"
Unusually quiet.
It drifted to the luggage, grabbed a small blanket, and gently covered Chen Mo.
Seeing Pikachu still downcast—
Gengar thought for a moment.
Then—
Its eyes lit up.
"Ke!"
Without hesitation—
It grabbed Pikachu and floated outside.
Yi Ge, who had just lit the campfire, looked over.
"…What is it?"
"Ke…"
After some animated gestures—
Yi Ge frowned.
"You want to cook dinner yourselves?"
"Ke ke!"
Gengar nodded eagerly.
"…Have you decided what to make?"
"Ke…"
Gengar froze.
Yi Ge sighed.
"Wait here."
Moments later—
He returned with a familiar egg.
"Ke!"
Gengar's eyes sparkled.
That taste—
Unforgettable.
"There's leftover rice," Yi Ge said calmly.
"Use this Miracle Egg and make fried rice."
He paused.
"…Can you?"
"Ke!"
Gengar puffed its chest.
Easy.
...
Soon—
Yi Ge stared at the charred, unrecognizable mess in front of him.
Then at Gengar's proud grin.
"…Let's try something else."
Just then—
Pikachu ran out, holding Chen Mo's phone.
It tapped the screen—
Showing the lock screen photo.
Under a pavilion—
Sunlight shining.
A young Pichu hugging an apple.
Chen Mo smiling beside a steaming pot.
"…I see."
Yi Ge crouched slightly, a rare smile appearing.
"Hot pot. Good idea."
"It's cold tonight—perfect."
"I'll have Xatu catch a fish from Chengying Lake."
"Ke!"
Gengar raised its hand.
Fishing? Leave it to me.
And before Yi Ge could respond—
It shot off toward the lake.
...
"Pika pika…"
A familiar voice stirred Chen Mo awake.
He opened his eyes slowly.
"Is it dinner time?"
"Pika!"
Something felt… different.
"What is it?"
"Pika."
Pikachu shook its head—
Then tugged him outside.
As he stepped out—
A rich aroma hit him.
Chen Mo froze.
By the fire—
Under Yi Ge's guidance—
Gengar hovered over a bubbling pot—
Pouring in beaten Miracle Egg.
The fragrance deepened.
"This is…"
Yi Ge spoke simply:
"They made it for you."
Chen Mo looked—
At Gengar, standing proudly.
At Pikachu, now perched on his shoulder.
Warmth surged through him.
"…Let's eat."
He sat down—
Picked up his chopsticks—
And took a large piece of fish from the pot.
The fish—
Chosen by Magikarp.
Cut by Pikachu using Iron Tail.
Chunky, uneven—
But full of effort.
The broth—
Rich from wild mushrooms and spices—
Enhanced by the Miracle Egg.
One bite.
Chen Mo's eyes lit up.
"Delicious."
That was enough.
Gengar and Pikachu beamed with joy.
Chen Mo smiled—
Then released Pidgeotto and Absol.
Gengar immediately dragged Pikachu over—
Showing off proudly.
"…That guy."
Chen Mo shook his head, amused.
He turned to Yi Ge.
"Thanks. For taking care of them… and the egg."
"It's nothing."
Yi Ge waved it off.
"It's just an egg."
Chen Mo still felt a bit guilty.
That egg—
Was meant for research.
But Yi Ge shook his head.
"It's meant to be used."
"And we've already started locating the Chansey group."
"We'll get more."
Then—
Unexpectedly—
Yi Ge continued.
"When I first joined the army… I had a close friend."
"He got seriously injured. Had to retire."
"We swore to serve our country."
"So I trained harder. Pushed myself."
"Then…"
"I got injured too."
"My superior told me—"
"'You idiot. Do you think the world depends on you alone?'"
"'You think you're carrying everything?'"
"'I won't praise you. I'll call you what you are—a fool.'"
Yi Ge looked at Chen Mo.
"I'm not good with words."
"But I think…"
"What he wanted me to understand—"
"Is the same thing I want you to understand."
"If the sky falls—"
"There are still others. There's still the country."
"Relax a bit."
"You've done more than enough."
Chen Mo was silent.
Then—
He nodded.
"…Okay."
Under the moonlight—
A full moon reflected on Chengying Lake.
Pikachu and Gengar ran off to play with Magikarp.
Pidgeotto joined them.
Absol wandered quietly through the forest.
By the warm fire—
Chen Mo's shadow flickered—
Then settled into stillness.
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