It had been several years since they last t.
The first ti they encountered one another was on the Island, during a ti when wtwo was still lost in its search for aning. To uncover the purpose of its existence, wtwo had transford the ruins of Team Rocket's forr research lab into a grand castle. It invited powerful humans to this eerie banquet as part of its plans to prove the superiority of its kind.
It was during this fateful gathering that w appeared, breaking into the castle.
wtwo, created from w's own genetic material, engaged w in a fierce battle to prove that the clone was superior to the original. The fight quickly escalated, dragging in the Pokémon and Trainers who had been lured to the island.
Amid the chaos, a young Trainer nad Ash stepped in to stop the clash, only to be caught in the crossfire and turned to stone. The Pokémon present cried out in anguish, their tears combining to miraculously revive Ash.
Witnessing this act of love and unity between humans and Pokémon deeply moved wtwo. It abandoned its plans for revenge and led the cloned Pokémon away from the Island in search of peace.
The second ti they t was on a cliffside.
It was there that wtwo learned of the Great Hero Expedition Team and ca to better understand w—the being it once saw as its "mother." At w's invitation, wtwo brought its group of cloned Pokémon to Naoki Ranch, where Naoki welcod them warmly.
At the ranch, wtwo noticed how Naoki treated the cloned Pokémon no differently than any other. To Naoki, they were all living creatures with their own place in the world.
Perhaps out of gratitude—or perhaps for so other reason wtwo couldn't quite identify—it chose not to erase Naoki's mory of their visit, sothing it usually did for those who encountered it.
After leaving the ranch, wtwo and its companions traveled the world, searching for a sanctuary where they could live in peace.
But even after years of wandering, wtwo still hadn't found that place.
Yet, it didn't feel disheartened. Along the way, it t countless Pokémon and had ample ti to reflect on life.
The human DNA within its body gave it intelligence and emotions beyond those of ordinary Pokémon. This journey of self-discovery had profoundly changed it.
wtwo's current state of mind was a stark contrast to the turmoil it experienced on New Island. It had grown from a creature filled with anger and resentnt to one that understood the value of coexistence.
Through its travels, it had witnessed Pokémon treating it as an equal, not as sothing "other." For the first ti, it felt like a part of the world—a being who had entered life as any other and would eventually leave it in the sa way.
Now, reuniting with w, wtwo felt a surge of emotion. It found itself looking forward to sharing its experiences and hearing about w's own journey.
Suppressing its imnse psychic power to avoid startling the forest's inhabitants, wtwo approached with its group of cloned Pokémon and called out telepathically:
"w."
w, napping beneath the shade of a towering tree, perked up at the familiar voice.
Still slightly groggy, it glanced toward the source and imdiately recognized the figures in the clearing.
It was wtwo, along with the cloned owth, Pikachu, and others!
"Mi-u!" w chirped joyfully, springing into the air and darting over to greet them. It flew in circles around wtwo and its group, radiating excitent.
The commotion woke up Teddiursa and Zapdos, who were resting nearby.
Teddiursa's eyes lit up, and it rushed over to greet wtwo and its companions. "Ursa!"
Zapdos, unfamiliar with wtwo, seed confused by its teammates' enthusiasm. Teddiursa quickly introduced the psychic powerhouse: "Ursa!" (This is wtwo, a good friend we t before!)
Realizing this, Zapdos relaxed. It nodded slightly at wtwo, acknowledging its presence.
wtwo returned the gesture before turning to w and Teddiursa.
"Long ti no see," it said telepathically, its deep voice resonating in their minds.
"Mi-u!" w nodded enthusiastically, agreeing it had been far too long.
Curious, w tilted its head and asked, "Mi-u?" (Are you traveling too?)
wtwo nodded.
The Pokémon settled into the clearing, and Teddiursa brought out snacks made by Naoki from Zapdos's travel bag to share with the group.
wtwo glanced at the ticulously crafted treats, clearly made with care, and turned to w.
"Yes," wtwo said. "I wanted to see the world—and I'm searching for a place where the cloned Pokémon can live in peace."
w tilted its head and asked, "Mi-u?" (Have you found such a place yet?)
wtwo shook its head. "Not yet."
It explained that while the world was vast, many places were already occupied by humans, making them unsuitable. wtwo preferred a quiet, secluded valley—one untouched by humans, with a beautiful environnt and abundant resources.
Of the three criteria, the availability of resources was the most important.
Initially, wtwo hadn't considered this, but as it traveled, it began to understand a fundantal truth: Pokémon needed food to survive.
For wtwo itself, finding food was no issue, but the companions it led were not so self-sufficient.
Every ti they stopped to rest, wtwo's priority was finding a safe place for the group and then searching for food.
As it reflected on its journey, wtwo let out a rare sigh. "So, this is what life is. This is the life of humans and Pokémon born into this world."
Hearing this, w and Teddiursa exchanged a aningful glance.
Both w and Teddiursa liked wtwo very much and already considered it a good friend.
In the past, when the night was quiet and everyone else was asleep, w would sotis think about wtwo—wondering where it was and how it was doing.
That feeling only grew stronger after the World Tree began to flourish.
It would be wonderful if wtwo, Pikachu, and owth could co live on the World Tree with us.
Then we'd never have to be apart again!
w imagined the joys of seeing each other whenever they wanted, sharing fruit from the trees, stargazing, playing gas, or inviting friends to explore secret bases.
Just thinking about it made w's heart feel light and happy.
Determined, both w and Teddiursa decided to extend an invitation.
Teddiursa stepped forward and said excitedly, "Ursa!" (wtwo, why don't you co live with us on the World Tree?)
Hearing the unfamiliar term, wtwo looked puzzled.
"The World Tree?" it repeated, its voice laced with curiosity.
Teddiursa nodded enthusiastically. "Ursa!" (That's right! The World Tree!)
w chid in with a playful laugh. "Miu~" (Yes, it's a huge tree planted by Naoki! Many of our good friends live there now.)
Teddiursa's eyes sparkled as it added, "Ursa!" (If you co too, we can always be together!)
Naoki…
At the ntion of that na, wtwo's mind wandered back to its last visit to Naoki Ranch. It recalled how the human had shared fruit wine with it and treated its group of cloned Pokémon with kindness.
"Naoki planted the World Tree?" wtwo asked.
Teddiursa nodded firmly. "Ursa!"
wtwo looked back at the group of cloned Pokémon that had been following it for years—Pikachu, owth, Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Sandslash, Gyarados, Golduck, Ninetales, Nidoking, Vaporeon, Rhyhorn, Flareon, Rapidash, and wigglytuff.
Over ti, the group had grown to include even more companions: a Mareep, a Purrloin, a Bunnelby, an Eevee, a Mudbray, and a Skiddo.
These Pokémon had all faced hardship at the hands of humans, and wtwo had stepped in to rescue them. They had been with it ever since, relying on its strength and guidance.
wtwo's gaze softened as it observed its companions. It knew it wasn't making decisions just for itself anymore—there were others who depended on it.
w and Teddiursa watched as wtwo's thoughtful silence stretched on.
"Miu?" w tilted its head, sensing the hesitation.
anwhile, Teddiursa looked disheartened, unsure why wtwo wasn't imdiately agreeing.
"Ursa…" (It would be so nice if we could all live together…)
wtwo's silence lingered, but it wasn't dismissive—it was contemplative.
At that mont, w's expression brightened as an idea ca to mind.
"Miu!" (I've got it!)
w flew up to wtwo, its face glowing with excitent.
Startled, wtwo looked at w quizzically.
w curled its body, concentrating intensely, and a magical blue aura began radiating outward.
The air around them shimred, and the forest clearing transford into a breathtaking new scene.
In the blink of an eye, they were no longer surrounded by trees, but instead floating above an enormous, towering World Tree.
Almost in the blink of an eye, all the Pokémon noticed the massive tree towering before them.
Their faces lit up with surprise.
"Pika!"
"ow?"
"..."
Even wtwo, who rarely showed emotion, was visibly taken aback. However, it quickly realized that this wasn't real—it was a projection of the World Tree created by w's mories!
"So, this is the World Tree?" wtwo gazed forward, a trace of curiosity in its voice.
In comparison to the enormous tree, they seed so small and insignificant.
"Miu!"
w nodded enthusiastically, its tail curling in excitent.
With a wave of its telekinesis, w gently carried everyone forward through the scene.
They floated above the dense, vibrant treetops of the World Tree, revealing an expansive area below that left even wtwo stunned.
From above, the size of the World Tree's ecosystem rivaled that of a human-built tropolis.
There were lush forests, rolling green adows, clear streams winding through the foliage, and a sparkling circular lake in the center of an open clearing.
This was only what they could see from their vantage point—there was surely more beyond the horizon.
As they soared over the treetops, w took the lead in introducing the World Tree:
"Miu~" (This is the World Tree. Don't worry, it's very quiet here. Except for Naoki, who occasionally visits, no other humans co here. The tree is a sanctuary for Pokémon. Naoki even promised to help us build a headquarters for our Expedition Guild right here!)
Teddiursa chid in enthusiastically: "Ursa!" (That's right! There will also be a Pokémon Tavern, Pokémon Café, Pokémon Restaurant, and even a Pokémon Hospital—all run by Pokémon!)
"Miu!" (And Naoki will plant lots and lots of fruit trees, so no one will ever have to worry about being hungry again!)
Teddiursa's eyes burned with determination as it added: "Ursa!" (We want the na of the Great Hero Expedition Team to be known across the world! We'll help every Pokémon in need!)
Hearing this, the group of cloned Pokémon behind wtwo gazed at the scene before them with awe.
Even before wtwo could respond, they looked visibly moved.
If they could have a ho like this—where endless fruits grew, where they could play with their companions upon waking, and where they wouldn't have to wander aimlessly—it would truly be paradise.
Most importantly, it would be a place they could share with wtwo.
After introducing the World Tree, w and Teddiursa didn't press further.
They simply stood back, watching wtwo and the other Pokémon quietly, leaving the decision in their hands.
Although w and Teddiursa dearly wished for wtwo and its companions to stay, the choice had to be made by them.
wtwo turned to face the cloned Pokémon that had followed it for so long.
As its gaze swept over them, it could already see their answer written in their eyes.
"Do you want to live here?"
Pikachu, cloned from Ash's Pikachu, was the first to respond: "Pika-pi!" (Only if you're coming with us.)
The cloned owth, originally part of Team Rocket's experints, gave a soft, thoughtful response: "ow."
wtwo's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of emotion crossing its face.
Its sharp, glowing eyes scanned the faces of the other Pokémon.
wtwo noticed Pokémon such as Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise nodding to it in unison.
Closing its eyes for a mont, wtwo whispered, "I understand."
When it reopened its eyes, it turned to the expectant w and Teddiursa.
"Thank you, w, Teddiursa," wtwo's deep voice echoed in the minds of the two Pokémon. "We'll set out together to see the place you ntioned."
"Miu!" w let out a joyful cry, spinning in the air with delight.
Teddiursa nodded excitedly, adding, "Teddi!" (You'll love it there! Once you stay, you won't have to wander around outside anymore!)
Seeing how much these two Pokémon cared, wtwo felt a twinge of emotion it rarely allowed itself to feel.
"Alright," wtwo said with a faint smile. Then, looking at them, it asked, "Will you co with us?"
w and Teddiursa shook their heads.
"Ursa!" (Not yet. Naoki gave us a few missions to complete. Right now, we're helping a Pokémon nad Jirachi!)
"Miu!" (But we'll be back by winter. Then, I'll show you my secret base—it has lots of toys!)
Seeing w's playful innocence, akin to that of a human child, wtwo couldn't help but smile.
Could this truly be the Pokémon it was cloned from?
Their personalities were as different as night and day.
The human DNA within wtwo had taught it what a mother was, and in a way, w was its "mother."
Yet, looking at the carefree, childlike w in front of it, wtwo pushed the thought aside.
"Very well," it said softly. "We'll wait there for your return."
Later That Afternoon
After delivering the apples to his custors, Naoki began the drive back to the ranch.
The earthy scent of the country road filled the air as Naoki drove his old pickup truck at a steady pace.
A group of Eeveelutions had claid the passenger seat, pressing their fluffy faces against the window, eagerly watching the scenery roll by.
In the back of the truck, Koraidon and Cyclizar rode along, enjoying the breeze.
From ti to ti, Naoki passed trainers with backpacks, so battling wild Pokémon in the tall grass while others hurried along.
Watching these scenes, Naoki couldn't help but feel like a background NPC in a ga, living a simple life—driving his truck, working with Pokémon, and running errands.
"Ordinary people in the Pokémon world must feel like this," he mused, chuckling to himself.
Suddenly, Naoki noticed a young trainer standing on the roadside, frantically waving for help.
Raising an eyebrow, Naoki pulled over and leaned out the window.
"Hey, what's going on?"
The boy's expression was filled with urgency. "Sir, please help ! This Litleo is hurt and needs treatnt imdiately!"
Naoki glanced at the Pokémon in the boy's arms.
The Litleo looked frail and weak, its fur disheveled, and its body covered in scars. Its eyes were shut tightly, and its breathing was shallow.
"Don't worry—hold on!"
Naoki reached into the back of the truck and pulled out a bottle of Life Goat Milk.
"Feed this to Litleo. It'll feel better right away."
The boy hesitated for a mont before taking the bottle and gently feeding it to the injured Pokémon.
The next mont, sothing magical happened.
The milk glowed faintly, turning into a soothing energy that coursed through Litleo's body, healing its wounds at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Within seconds, Litleo's fur regained its luster, its wounds disappeared, and its breathing steadied. Slowly, it opened its eyes.
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