Alex gave Brock a firm pat on the arm. "You'll see me and Pikachu at the Indigo Plateau Conference soon enough."
"I believe it," Brock replied, still half in shock. He had underestimated that cute little Pikachu at first glance, but after the battle he knew better. The tiny Electric-type had just pulled off a flawless two-on-one victory while at a type disadvantage. Its speed and power were anything but ordinary.
After a quick goodbye, Alex and Misty left the Pewter Gym together.
"Congratulations on your first badge!" Misty said, walking beside him. Even after all the teasing and "bullying," she still offered the words with a genuine smile.
"Thanks. Let's stock up before we head out."
Alex led her to the local supply store. He grabbed several bottles of Pikachu's favorite ketchup, and the little mouse's eyes lit up with pure joy. It immediately decided that any Trainer who understood its needs this well was worth following forever.
Alex kept shopping, picking out supplies for Pidgeotto and the rest of the team.
" Misty, what do you want? Jenny already wired the prize money— we've got plenty for a while."
Misty huffed, pretending to be difficult. "Hmph. Since you're suddenly rich, you're treating me to something good." But when she actually chose, she picked the cheapest ice cream cone on the shelf.
*She really is trying not to spend too much…* Alex felt a warm flutter in his chest. *If we ever run low, I can just hand the Team Rocket trio over to the police again and collect another reward.*
"Done shopping? Let's go."
Misty peeled the wrapper off the ice cream cone with careful fingers, revealing the smooth, creamy swirl. She brought it to her lips, pink tongue sliding out slowly. She licked a long, deliberate stripe up the side, eyes half-lidded in pleasure.
"Mmm… it's really good," she murmured.
She took a bigger mouthful, wrapping her soft lips around the thick head of the cone. The cold cream melted instantly on her warm tongue, and a thick white drop escaped the corner of her mouth. It slid down her chin, then lower, tracing a shiny trail along the curve of her neck before disappearing into the valley between her breasts. Her tight tank top did nothing to hide how her nipples had stiffened into two obvious little peaks from the cold and the slow, sensual way she was sucking on the treat.
Alex couldn't look away. His gaze burned as he watched her tongue swirl around the cone again, lips stretching wide, cheeks hollowing slightly as she sucked harder. Another thick dribble of melted ice cream ran down her fingers and dripped onto the soft swell of her cleavage, making her skin glisten. She licked her lips clean with a slow, deliberate stroke, completely unaware—or maybe fully aware—of how filthy the whole scene looked.
Misty finally noticed his stare. Her cheeks flushed deep pink, but instead of scolding him she gave the cone another long, teasing lick, eyes locked on his. Heat pooled between her thighs again, the same slick ache she'd felt by the river when he'd stared at her bare tits. Her clit throbbed in time with every swirl of her tongue. She pressed her thighs together under her skirt, feeling her panties grow damp.
*God, why does the way he's looking at me make me so wet?* she thought, biting back a tiny whimper. *It's just ice cream… but he's staring like he wants to lick it off me instead.*
She gave the cone one last slow suck, lips sliding down the length before pulling off with a soft, wet pop. A final drop of cream clung to her lower lip until she licked it away, deliberately slow.
Alex's voice came out low and rough. "Careful, Misty. Keep eating it like that and I might start getting ideas."
Misty's face burned hotter, but the little smirk she gave him said she didn't entirely mind those ideas.
Once the ice cream was finished and the supplies were packed, they headed straight for Mt. Moon.
Right outside the cave entrance they found a man in a white lab coat being mobbed by a swarm of Zubat. He was waving his arms and yelling in panic.
"So many Zubat…" Misty winced, the memory of the Spearow flock flashing through her mind.
"Pikachu, go!" Alex ordered.
Pikachu leapt forward and unleashed a powerful Thunder Shock. Electricity crackled across the swarm, dropping every Zubat in one bright burst. Most of them were still young; the battle gave Pikachu enough experience to jump straight to Lv. 28.
The researcher dusted himself off and bowed deeply. "Thank you so much! I'm Lyle from the Pewter City Science Museum. I came to Mt. Moon to help protect the ecosystem. News about Moon Stones has brought tons of treasure hunters, and they're destroying the habitat. The Clefairy are panicking and fleeing the caves."
Just then, another loud commotion echoed from deeper inside.
**Ding! New mission triggered: Drive out the Team Rocket trio destroying Mt. Moon and restore the Pokémon to their normal lives.**
**Mission Reward: Top-grade Moon Stone (evolves specific Pokémon and greatly enhances their abilities).**
*Of course it's those three again,* Alex thought with a grin. He accepted the request without hesitation. "We'll handle it. Might even get another reward when we drop them off at the police station."
They followed Lyle into the cave. Many of the wild Pokémon inside looked exhausted and listless, barely reacting to humans passing by. The deeper they went, the louder the familiar voices became.
Misty poked Alex's side, eyes sparkling with recognition. "Isn't that—?"
"Push harder! Put your back into it!"
"Meowth, if you can't handle it, let James do it—he's way stronger than you!"
They rounded a corner and found Jessie, James, and Meowth struggling to tie thick ropes around an enormous, glowing rock—a massive Moon Stone.
"Need a hand?" Alex called out cheerfully.
Jessie's head snapped toward him. The moment she recognized Alex, her eyes narrowed into slits. "You again?! You persistent little ghost! This time we're not falling for any of your tricks. We won't believe a single word out of your mouth!"
James cracked his knuckles. "Old grudges and new ones—we're taking you down and stealing that Pikachu right in front of you!"
Meowth smirked. "This guy looks like a pushover. I'll take the nerd in the lab coat. You two handle the kid and the girl."
Jessie and James grumbled under their breath about Meowth always picking the easiest target, but the fire in their eyes was real. They were done being humiliated.
The Team Rocket trio tensed, ready for battle, determined to finally get their revenge.
(End of Chapter 16)