c161: Team Rocket Defrauds Students of Pokémon!!
"Hi, hi!! Sorry to interrupt!" The three chefs Jessie, James, and Meowth emerged from the camp kitchen with a cart full of ingredients, freshly prepped for tonight's Courtney-themed party and the following morning's farewell breakfast.
Seeing several summer camp students walking by, they pushed the cart faster to catch up.
"Ah!! It's the three chefs," one of the students said, recognizing them. The two students walking side-by-side greeted them warmly.
Jessie smiled with faux grace. "Congratulations on completing your summer camp successfully!"
"Thank you!" the two students replied together.
"It's all thanks to the delicious meals you three cooked for us," said one. "We're really grateful to the chefs for taking such good care of us."
"Ha~ I'm so happy to hear that!" the blue-haired chef James, wearing his chef's toque scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin, basking in the praise.
"By the way, what's going on? Is there something you need from us?" one of the two students asked curiously.
"Oh!! Well, now that the summer camp has officially ended…" Jessie began.
"…to ensure the Pokémon remain in optimal Contest Condition and health before they're returned to the lab, Professor Oak has asked us to help with the preliminary collection," Meowth added with a straight face.
"We're going to take your Pokémon to the Center for final health checks before they're transferred back to the Pokémon Lab," James explained smoothly.
Even though the excuse was flimsy, the three of them had spent the last two weeks working honestly (well, mostly honestly) as camp chefs. Their presence and roles had become familiar, and so the two students didn't question them at all.
"Ah!! But… isn't Nurse Joy supposed to handle that?" one student asked hesitantly.
Jessie flipped her hair confidently. "Ms. Joy is busy organizing the party. Besides, don't judge a book by its cover! I'm actually certified as a licensed Pokémon Health Aide. It's totally legit."
Student E: "Really? That's so impressive! A cook and a nurse?"
Student F: "That's so cool!!"
"It's only natural," Jessie said with a smug smile, clearly enjoying the admiration.
"Then I'll leave my Pokémon's checkup in your capable hands, Miss Chef," said one student, bowing slightly.
With no hesitation, the two students handed over their Poké Balls.
"Alrighty, please place the Poké Balls into this basket," James instructed politely. "We'll return your Pokémon to the Center in about half an hour."
"Bye now~" Jessie said, waving.
"Bye~ Meow~" Meowth echoed cheerfully.
With the Poké Balls safely stowed away, the trio continued their quiet theft under the guise of official business.
---
Meanwhile, Ash Ketchum, after receiving his Excellent Student Medal during the graduation ceremony, returned to his cabin to place the medal in his backpack. Afterward, he headed for the Pokémon Center alongside Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie, ready to wrap up the final day.
Students were gathering at the Center to register for social accounts, required to join the Pokémon Summer Camp exchange group Professor Oak had created. It was a digital space where they could stay in touch after returning home.
As Ash walked, his natural instincts as a battler kicked in. New Pokémon were still fresh in his memory, and he reflexively opened his PikaScan system to gather information. With one scan, he aimed it at a Pokémon he'd seen earlier during the ceremony one that had caught his attention.
Scanning target: Fennekin
---
[Pokémon Data: Fennekin]
Nickname: Flame-Ear Fox
Level: 5
Type: Fire
Nature: Shy
Ability: Blaze (Hidden Ability: Magician)
Rating: B (Elite Class)
Copyable Skills:
[Basic] Scratch
[Basic] Ember
[Uncommon] Tail Whip
---
Next, Ash turned toward another nearby Pokémon.
> Scanning target: Squirtle
---
[Pokémon Data: Squirtle]
Level: 5
Type: Water
Nature: Lively
Ability: Torrent (Hidden Ability: Rain Dish)
Rating: B (Elite Class)
Copyable Skills:
[Basic] Tackle
[Basic] Water Gun
---
Ash narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Both of them are solid for early-stage battles. Their natures match their roles, and their ratings put them among the stronger Pokémon here…"
"Hey Ash!" Serena's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. She approached with her newly registered Pokémon Exchange ID, a bright smile on her face.
"Coming!" Ash replied, slipping his device back into his pocket. He cast one last glance toward the direction of the camp canteen.
Tonight's party might be loud and fun… but something feels off.
He couldn't put his finger on it yet. But if there was one thing he'd learned through his journey so far from facing Team Rocket ambushes in Pewter City, to the Cerulean Stun Spore Scam, to battling with Serena in the earlier chapters=it was that calm moments didn't last long.
The newly received starter Pokémon from the Pokémon League were still at Level 5, but unlike the temporary Pokémon distributed during summer camp, these were meant for formal training and long-term bonding.
The Pokémon that Serena, Tierno, Trevor, and Shauna received this time were all confirmed to be of B-rank elite qualification.and not just at the baseline. These were the top-tier among B-rank elites, and deservedly so, being members of the starter trio from Kalos: Fennekin, Froakie, and Chespin.
Though not quite like Ash's Froakie, whose status had already been revealed earlier in the summer as:
Qualification: S (Peerless)
"Favored by the mysterious power of the Kalos region, this Pokémon is destined to awaken a special transformation and shoulder a key role in defending Kalos from a future catastrophe."
...even so, the Pokémon gifted to Serena and the others held considerable potential.
From both a training and resource perspective, these starter Pokémon were absolutely worth investing in. As seen in the League-licensed research files, starter Pokémon, especially those with elite-tier potential, had statistically strong growth curves during both mid-stage evolution (e.g., Braixen, Frogadier) and final evolutions (Delphox, Greninja, Chesnaught). They were strategic assets in any young trainer's journey.
---
"Okay, I've registered your social accounts and added you to the official Kalos Summer Camp group chat!" said Trevor, typing rapidly as he worked at the computer station set up in the Pokémon Center lounge.
"Even though we'll all head home tomorrow, I truly believe we'll stay connected. The friendships we formed during this camp… they won't fade," he added, adjusting his glasses with a determined smile.
Trevor had been quick to handle digital tasks. Ash didn't need to do much he already had accounts registered. Before attending summer camp, Ash had used his home computer to research Gym battles, League qualifiers, and even the nature of Pokémon aura resonance.
"Alright, group setup complete," Trevor said, shutting down the screen. "Now let's go outside and take some photos!"
"Also," Ash said, turning to the group with a glint in his eyes, "how about this? As a way to thank our Pokémon for sticking with us all camp, let's cook them one last meal ourselves just us, no help."
"Great idea! ×7" everyone agreed enthusiastically.
---
However, trouble was already brewing.
"Hi, Nurse Joy, we're here to pick up our Pokémon" one student started.
"Huh?" Nurse Joy blinked, puzzled. "You didn't send any Pokémon here for check-ups."
"Wait... what? Didn't Professor Oak ask the cafeteria chefs to take our Pokémon for health checks, and have them returned here after thirty minutes?" asked the confused student.
Joy's frown deepened. "No such instruction was given. We always wait until after the farewell period for any checks, and that's only after you've said goodbye to your Pokémon. Also, no cafeteria staff have ever been authorized to help with Pokémon retrieval."
Word spread quickly. Within minutes, more and more students arrived at the Center, each asking the same question: Where were their Pokémon?
To every group, Nurse Joy gave the same response. No Pokémon had been sent in. No health checks were scheduled. No chefs were involved in Pokémon transfers.
---
"Ash… something's wrong," said Tierno, glancing nervously around the crowd. He and the others had just arrived at the Pokémon Center when they noticed the commotion.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "This doesn't feel right…"
He folded his arms, processing everything quickly.
Despite their helpful roles, the three chefs Jessie, James, and Meowth.had never provided any official League ID or worked directly with Professor Oak. They had appeared just before camp started, offering to help in the kitchen. While their food had always been excellent and nutritious almost suspiciously so.Ash had always found it odd how conveniently they showed up.
More importantly, this involved the safety of Pokémon. Ash's sense of danger sharpened.
"Their identities… they're not just suspicious anymore."
His expression turned serious.
"They're imposters."
Ash clenched his fists. "Those chefs... they're Team Rocket."
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