Chapter 329: Happy New Year in Advance
“Ladies and gentlemen, our flight is about to take off. Please fasten your seatbelts…”
A sweet female voice came through the speakers.
Lu Ye looked out the cabin window.
The wing cut through the pitch-black clouds, and his own reflection flickered on the glass.
A sudden headache struck him. Teacher Lu groaned, pulled his sleep mask back on, and muttered:
“Ash, remember to wake me up in the morning…”
“Didn’t you say you were gonna wake me up just now?” Ash scratched his head, confused.
“I changed my mind!”
On their three-person row, Gengar sat in the middle, tray table down, happily enjoying the in-flight meal.
Ash’s eyes widened. “Gengar, you’re still not full?!”
“Gengar?” Gengar shot him a sideways look. Bro, who you tryna disrespect here?
Lu Ye closed his eyes, trying to recall details of the coming events.
To be honest… all he remembered was the basic plot.
Even the name “Orudoran Castle” had only stuck because Lu Ye once googled it out of curiosity.
He’d found out it was modeled after Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle—that's what made it memorable.
“I think it’s got something to do with the Aura Guardian Aaron, Ash, and Lucario…”
Lu Ye made a mental note to investigate more once they arrived at Orudoran Castle.
Might as well get some sleep.
He rubbed his forehead.
Worst case, once he completed Professor Oak’s request, Ash could go through the movie plot himself.
With his Ultimate Rookie constitution, there wasn’t much to worry about…
Still, Lu Ye couldn’t fall asleep.
He opened the group chat—everyone was still online, so he connected to the Wi-Fi.
Just as the time ticked over to 12:00 AM, marking the start of the New Year—
“Happy New Year!” Gold cheered.
“Happy New Year~” Blue sent a lucky Meowth sticker.
“Don’t you guys in Donghuang celebrate Lunar New Year instead?”
Brock, ever the dependable househusband, smiled and said, “Teacher Lu, happy early New Year.”
Lu Ye couldn’t help but grin. “Happy early New Year!”
[Group Member ‘Mining—Call if Urgent’ has sent a lucky red envelope! Everyone come grab it!]
Ash: Happy New Year!
Ali: Happy New Year!
…
Seeing the red envelope amount, Ali sniffled, dabbing at her nose with a Band-Aid.
So many years… and this is the first New Year red envelope I’ve ever received!
Thank you, Senior Steven! o(╥﹏╥)o
“Happy New Year,” Green nodded slightly. “Ash, Teacher Lu—are you two out on a mission?”
“Yeah… spending New Year’s on a flight,” Lu Ye replied, a little sour.
And with this dummy, no less.
And who knows what’s going to happen next—
“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Teacher Lu!” Ash said cheerfully.
Lt. Surge: ?
Lu Ye: [Angrily bonks the guy above]
Lu Ye: Sorry, wrong person.
Lt. Surge: I’m getting my revenge! [Angrily bonks]
[Group Member ‘Captain of the Waterflow’ has been muted by the group admin for 5 minutes.]
Sabrina: ???
As a fellow Rocket Commander, Sabrina couldn’t help feeling a twinge of sympathy.
Reality always wins. No choice but to bow your head.
Lt. Surge’s eye twitched as he muttered:
“Whatever… I’ll just go beat up that spiky-haired brat Gold next time.”
Aunt Lorelei glanced at the fireworks outside the window, quietly took off her glasses, and polished the lenses.
Lorelei: This year, I won’t bother making a wish. The results are always the same anyway.
Gold: Looking for a boyfriend?
[Group Member ‘Gold’ has been muted for 12 hours by Admin ‘Lorelei.’]
Red chuckled. “I hope this year, Green and I can get stronger together!”
“Was that… a public confession?!” Blue was stunned.
Green snorted coldly, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
Is it because… there’s no one else left who can keep up with you?
Interesting.
The festive atmosphere slightly eased Lu Ye’s unease.
[Happy New Year~ (awkward Garchomp smile .jpg)]
Seeing that ice-cream icon send a holiday greeting made Lu Ye smile.
Once this mission’s over… he’d go back and see Cynthia!
Wait.
Lu Ye suddenly tensed.
Why did that feel like a death flag?!
…
January 1st – Clear skies.
Lu Ye still woke up early.
After all the breakfast prep over time, he’d unknowingly become a morning person.
He couldn’t help but miss the days when he could sleep until afternoon…
“Wake up.” Lu Ye glanced at the drooling Ash next to him. “Dummy.”
“Huh? We’re late?!” Ash jolted awake in a panic.
“Man… wish I could sleep like that while traveling,” Lu Ye sighed.
“Ehehe, guess I’m used to camping out!”
The two chatted as they got off the plane and headed toward their destination:
Orudoran Castle.
Wide views stretched on both sides—rolling snow-covered hills.
Out on the plains, you could even see an old-style steam train chugging along.
A long stone bridge led to a white stone castle at the far end, its pointed towers capped with snow.
“The treetops are frozen!” Ash exhaled white breath.
“Pretty scenic,” Lu Ye said, looking around.
Below the bridge was a frozen, mirror-like lake.
Standing here, you could admire both the castle and the lake at once—
Kind of like… Mondstadt?
The stone bridge was long and wide. Lu Ye called out Arcanine and pulled Ash up.
“Let’s go. He’s warm, too.”
“Awoooo~! (｀0´)”
Riding Arcanine, they reached the castle gates, where actual armored guards stood watch.
After explaining their purpose, one of the guards smiled.
“Yes, Professor Tully is currently residing here.”
“That’s great!” Ash gave a fist pump and looked at Lu Ye. “Once we bring the documents back, the mission’s done, right?”
“In theory.”
Lu Ye rubbed his chin. “Did Professor Oak tell you what kind of documents?”
“Um… something like handwritten notes on Pokémon research?” Ash scratched his head.
Lu Ye didn’t press further.
It was Ash’s exam mission, after all—he was just tagging along as a chaperone.
Right now, the priority was understanding the background of Orudoran Castle.
“Is there a Pokémon Center in the city?” Lu Ye asked.
“Of course. And there’s also a League-appointed Nurse Joy.”
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.
Perfect. He’d just ask Joy directly!
…
Once inside the castle, Lu Ye waved Ash off.
“You go find Professor Tully. Let’s meet back at the Pokémon Center in two hours.”
“No problem!” Ash nodded.
“Pikachu~!”
As Lu Ye walked off, Pikachu hopped down and looked around warily.
“What’s up, Pikachu?” Ash asked.
“Pika…” Pikachu shook its head.
“Let’s go finish the exam first,” Ash said, scooping Pikachu up. “Then we’ll meet back with Teacher Lu.”
“Pika-chuu~!”
Through the lens of a telescope, the little twerp and his Pikachu appeared in sight.
“The brat’s on his own!” Jessie exclaimed.
“But why would a Commander be with the brat?” James asked.
“Idiot!” Meowth leapt up and smacked James on the head. “Obviously the Commander’s got his eye on that Pikachu and is just waiting to make a move, nya!”
“If we grab that Pikachu first and offer it to the Commander…” Jessie rubbed her hands together gleefully.
All three looked to the sky.
[A giant hand pets Sylveon. In the shadows, the mentor’s raspy voice echoes:
‘Good job… for your contributions in capturing Pikachu, you three are now promoted to squad leaders!’]
“Sounds amazing~!”
“So soothing~!”
…
Out of their sight,
A tiny Meowth huddled in the corner, curiously peeking.
Its body suddenly shimmered with a soft white light.
“Mew~” The pink, kitten-like Mew giggled sneakily, swishing its long tail.
It morphed again—into a brave little Taillow.
Fluttering its wings, it soared off behind Pikachu.