Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 23: First Encounter with Mew

Beep, beep, beep—!

Following the sound of the beeping, Asahi stepped toward the unconscious yeam rocket captain.

Gesturing for Gardevoir to toss the captain aside, Asahi picked up the tracking device the man had been lying on.

"So this is what Rocket Team's relying on to track Mew?"

The device was weighty, encased in a silver shell bearing the red 'R' logo. It resembled a small tablet with an attached antenna.

Studying the tracker in his hands…

The captain of team rocket had mistakenly targeted Asahi because of this device, leading to the complete annihilation of his team.

This tracker was undoubtedly the root cause.

But Asahi didn't think it was malfunctioning.

His time as a ranger in the nature reserve had sharpened his instincts. Earlier, while pursuing scattered Rocket Team squads through the tunnels, he'd felt as though he was being watched. At the time, he'd suspected Mew was nearby.

The beeping tracker now confirmed his theory—Mew had been observing him all along.

"Mew, you're here, aren't you?"

Asahi called out to the seemingly empty tunnel.

Silence.

Gardevoir scanned the area with its psychic abilities but found nothing, just as before.

Even with Asahi waving the tracker around for several minutes, there was no sign of Mew.

Just as doubt began to creep in, a soft voice echoed in the air:

"Mew~"

It sounded like stifled laughter, as though Mew found Asahi's flustered attempts amusing—or perhaps it simply enjoyed remaining undetected.

Hearing this, Asahi's expression froze.

"Did… did it just mock me?"

Rolling up his sleeves, Asahi resolved to find Mew no matter what.

"If I don't catch that thing today, I'll write my name backward!"

Clutching his Mega Evolution Key Stone, Asahi looked at Gardevoir. Sensing his intent, Gardevoir nodded.

It placed its hands over its heart, and the Mega Stone hanging from its chest floated into the air, glowing brilliantly as it enveloped Gardevoir in light.

With its power unlocked, Gardevoir's white gown turned pitch black. It raised one darkened arm lightly.

Buzz!

The intensified psychic wave distorted the very air.

Finally, Gardevoir's psychic energy brushed against something in the empty space.

Linked by telepathy, Asahi immediately sensed the discovery. A grin spread across his face.

"Got you!"

Before Mew could react, the now-Mega Gardevoir poured all its psychic power into restraining the hidden presence, pulling it into view.

"Mew—!"

With a startled cry, Mew—a small, pink, cat-like creature—was dragged out of invisibility.

Its wide, curious eyes were filled with astonishment, as though it couldn't believe it had been caught while hidden.

"Heh, gotcha, little kitty!" Asahi cackled like a villain.

His expression screamed "classic bad guy," but Mew didn't flee. It had sensed no malice from Asahi.

Instead, it floated closer, curiously inspecting Asahi and the Mega Gardevoir that had found it.

It seemed to be investigating the connection between Asahi and Gardevoir's transformation.

Watching Mew's defenseless behavior, Asahi couldn't decide whether it was bold or just naive.

Gardevoir reached out cautiously. Mew brushed its tail against Gardevoir's arm before quickly vanishing and reappearing beside Asahi.

Asahi had wanted to pet Mew for a long time.

Seeing it approach him on its own, how could he resist?

Unleashing the power of the Verdant Force to attract Mew's attention, he seized the opportunity to give it a quick pat.

The soft, fine fur against his palm was incredibly satisfying.

Unable to help himself, Asahi rubbed Mew's head a few more times.

"Mew—!"

Startled, Mew froze for a moment before yelping and darting behind Gardevoir, glaring at Asahi with what it probably thought was an "intimidating" look.

Unbothered, Asahi grinned. "See? This is why you shouldn't trust humans so easily!"

"Mew?"

Mew tilted its head in confusion. Was this really for its own good?

Before Mew could dwell on the thought, a system notification rang in Asahi's mind.

[You have unlocked the title 'First Encounter with Mew' by petting Mew.]

[Choose your reward:]

1. Psychic Plate

2. Rainbow Wing

3. Mew's Genetic Blueprint

"Huh?"

Asahi didn't expect that defeating so many Rocket Team members wouldn't unlock a title, but petting Mew would.

Should he say, "As expected of Mew"? It truly stood in a league of its own compared to those Rocket Team grunts.

Feeling both amused and awed, Asahi turned his attention to the rewards.

The first option was yet another plate—this time the Psychic Plate. At this point, he was almost certain that Arceus had been thoroughly plucked bald by the system.

Poor Arceus.

The second option didn't need much discussion—a Ho-Oh feather couldn't compare to Arceus's plates.

As for the third option, while undeniably valuable, it was the least useful to Asahi.

What was he supposed to do with Mew's genetic blueprint? Create Mewtwo?

Putting aside the fact that he didn't have the resources of the Rocket Team, even if he had the budget, his scientific knowledge was nowhere near the level required to extract anything useful from the genetic blueprint. That would be pure fantasy.

Publishing a groundbreaking research paper might be an option, earning him massive recognition in the academic world and possibly the title of Pokémon Professor.

But Asahi could bet that the moment his paper was published, Giovanni and the Rocket Team would show up at his door to kidnap him.

He'd become the first-ever Pokémon Professor to end up locked in the Rocket Team's basement.

So the choice was clear.

[I choose the Psychic Plate!]

Given how many plates had appeared already, and since this one happened to perfectly match Gardevoir's type, it would be foolish not to pick it.

[Gardevoir, I've got something good for you later.]

Asahi sent the thought telepathically to Gardevoir.

Hearing this, Gardevoir became curious.

Just as she was about to respond via telepathy, Mew, who was floating beside her, seemed to sense something. Its tail swished, and its bright blue eyes sparkled.

Suddenly, Asahi and Gardevoir both felt an unfamiliar psychic presence entering their telepathic link.

"Mew...?"

(What are you two talking about…?)

Asahi: "???"

Gardevoir: "!!!"

***

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