It had been several years sihey st met.

  The first time they entered one another was on the Isnd, during a time whewo was still lost in its seareaning. To uhe purpose of its existence, Mewtwo had transformed the ruins of Team Rocket's former research b into a grand castle. It invited powerful humans to this eerie ba as part of its pns to prove the superiority of its kind.

  It was during this fateful gathering that Meeared, breaking into the castle.

  Mewtwo, created from Mew's owic material, engaged Mew in a fierce battle to prove that the e was superior to the inal. The fight quickly escated, dragging in the Pokémon and Trainers who had been lured to the isnd.

  Amid the chaos, a young Trainer named Ash stepped in to stop the csh, only to be caught in the crossfire and turo stohe Pokémo cried out in anguish, their tears bining to miraculously revive Ash.

  Witnessing this act of love and unity between humans and Pokémon deeply moved Mewtwo. It abas pns for revenge ahe ed Pokémon away from the Isnd in search of peace.

  The sed time they met was on a cliffside.

  It was there that Mewtwo learned of the Great Hero Expedition Team and came to better uahe being it once saw as its "mother." At Mew's invitatiowht its group of ed Pokémon to Naoki Ranch, where Naoki weled them warmly.

  At the ranch, Mewtwo noticed how Naoki treated the ed Pokémon no differently than any other. To Naoki, they were all living creatures with their own p the world.

  Perhaps out of gratitude—or perhaps for some other reasowo couldn't quite identify—it chose not to erase Naoki's memory of their visit, something it usually did for those who entered it.

  After leaving the ranch, Mewtwo and its panions traveled the world, searg for a sanctuary where they could live in peace.

  But even after years of wandering, Mewtwo still hadn't found that pce.

  Yet, it didn't feel disheartened. Along the way, it met tless Pokémon and had ample time to refle life.

  The human DNA within its body gave it intelligend emotions beyond those of ordinary Pokémon. This journey of self-discovery had profoundly ged it.

  Mewtwo's current state of mind was a stark trast to the turmoil it experienced on New Isnd. It had grown from a creature filled with anger ament to ohat uood the value of coexistence.

  Through its travels, it had witnessed Pokémoing it as an equal, not as something "other." For the first time, it felt like a part of the world—a being who had entered life as any other and would eventually leave it in the same way.

  Now, reuniting with Mew, Mewtwo felt a surge of emotion. It found itself looking forward to sharing its experiences and hearing about Mew's own journey.

  Suppressing its immense psychic power to avoid startling the forest's inhabitants, Mewtroached with its group of ed Pokémon and called out telepathically:

  "Mew."

  Meih the shade of a t tree, perked up at the familiar voice.

  Still slightly groggy, it goward the sourd immediately reized the figures in the clearing.

  It was Mewtwo, along with the ed Meowth, Pikachu, and others!

  "Mi-u!" Mew chirped joyfully, springing into the air and darting over to greet them. It flew in circles arouwo and its group, radiatiement.

  The otion woke up Teddiursa and Zapdos, who were resting nearby.

  Teddiursa's eyes lit up, and it rushed over to greet Mewtwo and its panions. "Ursa!"

  Zapdos, unfamiliar with Mewtwo, seemed fused by its teammates' enthusiasm. Teddiursa quickly introduced the psychic powerhouse: "Ursa!" (This is Mewtwo, a good frie before!)

  Realizing this, Zapdos rexed. It nodded slightly at Mewtwo, aowledging its presence.

  Mewtwo returhe gesture before turning to Mew and Teddiursa.

  "Long time no see," it said telepathically, its deep voice resonating in their minds.

  "Mi-u!" Mew nodded enthusiastically, agreeing it had been far too long.

  Curious, Mew tilted its head and asked, "Mi-u?" (Are you traveling too?)

  Mewtwo nodded.

  The Pokémoled into the clearing, and Teddiursa brought out snacks made by Naoki from Zapdos's travel bag to share with the group.

  Mewtwo g the meticulously crafted treats, clearly made with care, and turo Mew.

  "Yes," Mewtwo said. "I wao see the world—and I'm searg for a pce where the ed Pokémon live in peace."

  Mew tilted its head and asked, "Mi-u?" (Have you found such a pce yet?)

  Mewtwo shook its head. "Not yet."

  It expihat while the world was vast, many pces were already occupied by humans, making them unsuitable. Mewtwo preferred a quiet, secluded valley—oouched by humans, with a beautiful enviro and abundant resources.

  Of the three criteria, the avaibility of resources was the most important.

  Initially, Mewtwo hadn't sidered this, but as it traveled, it began to uand a fual truth: Pokémon needed food to survive.

  For Mewtwo itself, finding food was no issue, but the panions it led were not so self-suffit.Every time they stopped to rest, Mewtwo's priority was finding a safe pce for the group and then searg for food.

  As it reflected on its journey, Mewtwo 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, Mew and Teddiursa exged a meaningful gnce.

  Both Mew and Teddiursa liked Mewtwo very mud already sidered it a good friend.

  In the past, when the night was quiet and everyone else was asleep, Mew would sometimes think about Me 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 Mewtwo, Pikachu, ah could e live on the World Tree with us.

  Then we'd never have to be apart again!

  Mew imagihe joys of seeing each other whehey wanted, sharing fruit from the trees, stargazing, pying games, or inviting friends to explore secret bases.

  Just thinking about it made Mew's heart feel light and happy.

  Determined, both Mew and Teddiursa decided to extend an invitation.

  Teddiursa stepped forward and said excitedly, "Ursa!" (Mehy don't you e live with us on the World Tree?)

  Hearing the unfamiliar term, Mewtwo looked puzzled.

  "The World Tree?" it repeated, its voice ced with curiosity.

  Teddiursa nodded enthusiastically. "Ursa!" (That's right! The World Tree!)

  Mew chimed in with a pyful ugh. "Miu~" (Yes, it's a huge tree pnted by Naoki! Many of ood friends live there now.)

  Teddiursa's eyes sparkled as it added, "Ursa!" (If you e too, we always be together!)

  Naoki…

  At the mention of that name, Mewtwo's mind wandered back to its st visit to Naoki Ranch. It recalled how the human had shared fruit wih it and treated its group of ed Pokémon with kindness.

  "Naoki phe World Tree?" Mewtwo asked.

  Teddiursa nodded firmly. "Ursa!"

  Mewtwo looked back at the group of ed Pokémon that had been following it for years—Pikachu, Meowth, Charizard, Bstoise, Venusaur, Sandssh, Gyarados, Golduiales, Nidoking, Vaporeon, Rhyhorn, Freon, Rapidash, and wigglytuff.

  Over time, the group had grown to include even more panions: a Mareep, a Purrloin, a Bunnelby, an Eevee, a Mudbray, and a Skiddo.

  These Pokémon had all faced hardship at the hands of humans, awo had stepped in to rescue them. They had been with it ever since, relying on its strength and guidance.

  Mewtwo's gaze softened as it observed its panions. It k wasn't making decisions just for itself anymore—there were others who depended on it.

  Mew and Teddiursa watched as Mewtwo's thoughtful sileretched on.

  "Miu?" Mew tilted its head, sensing the hesitation.

  Meanwhile, Teddiursa looked disheartened, unsure why Measn't immediately agreeing.

  "Ursa…" (It would be so nice if we could all live together…)

  Mewtwo's silence lingered, but it wasn't dismissive—it was ptive.

  At that moment, Mew's expressihtened as an idea came to mind.

  "Miu!" (I've got it!)

  Mew flew up to Mewtwo, its face glowing with excitement.

  Startled, Mewtwo looked at Mew quizzically.

  Mew curled its body, trating intensely, and a magical blue aura began radiating outward.

  The air around them shimmered, and the forest clearing transformed into a breathtaking new se.

  In the blink of ahey were no longer surrounded by trees, but instead floating above an enormous, t World Tree.

  Almost in the blink of an eye, all the Pokémon noticed the massive tree t before them.

  Their faces lit up with surprise.

  "Pika!"

  "Meow?"

  "..."

  Evewo, who rarely showed emotion, was visibly taken aback. However, it quickly realized that this wasn't real—it roje of the World Tree created by Mew's memories!

  "So, this is the World Tree?" Mewtwo gazed forward, a trace of curiosity in its voice.

  In parison to the enormous tree, they seemed so small and insignifit.

  "Miu!"

  Mew nodded enthusiastically, its tail curling iement.

  With a wave of its telekinesis, Mew gently carried everyone forward through the se.

  They floated above the dense, vibrant treetops of the World Tree, revealing an expansive area below that left evewo stunned.

  From above, the size of the World Tree's ecosystem rivaled that of a human-built metropolis.

  There were lush forests, rolling green meadows, clear streams winding through the foliage, and a sparkling circur ke in the ter 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, Mew took the lead in introdug 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 e here. The tree is a sanctuary for Pokémon. Naoki even promised to help us build a headquarters for our Expedition Guild right here!)

  Teddiursa chimed ihusiastically: "Ursa!" (That's right! There will also be a Pokémon Tavern, Pokémon Café, Pokémoaurant, and even a Pokémon Hospital—all run by Pokémon!)

  "Miu!" (And Naoki will pnt 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 name of the Great Hero Expeditioo be known across the world! We'll help every Pokémon in need!)

  Hearing this, the group of ed Pokémon behiwo gazed at the se before them with awe.

  Even before Mewtwo could respond, they looked visibly moved.

  If they could have a home like this—where endless fruits grew, where they could py with their panions upon waking, and where they wouldn't have to wander aimlessly—it would truly be paradise.

  Most importantly, it would be a pce they could share with Mewtwo.

  After introdug the World Tree, Mew and Teddiursa didn't press further.

  They simply stood back, watg Mewtwo and the other Pokémon quietly, leaving the decision in their hands.

  Although Mew and Teddiursa dearly wished for Mewtwo and its panions to stay, the choice had to be made by them.

  Mewtwo turo face the ed 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, ed from Ash's Pikachu, was the first to respond: "Pika-pi!" (Only if you're ing with us.)

  The ed Meowth, inally part of Team Rocket's experiments, gave a soft, thoughtful response: "Meow."

  Mewtwo's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of emotion crossing its face.

  Its sharp, glowing eyes sed the faces of the other Pokémon.

  Mewtwo noticed Pokémon such as Venusaur, Charizard, and Bstoise nodding to it in unison.

  Closing its eyes for a moment, Mehispered, "I uand."

  When it reopes eyes, it turo the expet Mew and Teddiursa.

  "Thank you, Mew, Teddiursa," Mewtwo's deep voice echoed in the minds of the two Pokémon. "We'll set out together to see the pentioned."

  "Miu!" Mew 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, Mewtwo felt a twinge of emotion it rarely allowed itself to feel.

  "Alright," Mewtwo said with a faint smile. Then, looking at them, it asked, "Will you e with us?"

  Mew and Teddiursa shook their heads.

  "Ursa!" (Not yet. Naoki gave us a few missions to plete. Right now, we're helping a Pokémon named Jirachi!)

  "Miu!" (But we'll be back by wihen, I'll show you my secret base—it has lots of toys!)

  Seeing Mew's pyful innoce, akin to that of a human child, Mewtwo couldn't help but smile.

  Could this truly be the Pokémon it was ed from?

  Their personalities were as different as night and day.

  The human DNA withiwo had taught it what a mother was, and in a way, Mew was its "mother."

  Yet, looking at the carefree, childlike Mew in front of it, Mewtwo 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 ers, Naoki began the drive back to the ranch.

  The earthy st of the try road filled the air as Naoki drove his old pickup truck at a steady pace.

  A group of Eeveelutions had cimed the passenger seat, pressing their fluffy faces against the window, eagerly watg the sery roll by.

  In the back of the truck, Koraidon and Cyclizar rode along, enjoying the breeze.

  From time to time, Naoki passed trainers with backpacks, some battling wild Pokémon iall grass while others hurried along.

  Watg these ses, Naoki couldn't help but feel like a background NP a game, living a simple life—driving his truck, w with Pokémon, and running errands.

  "Ordinary people in the Pokémon world must feel like this," he mused, chug to himself.

  Suddenly, Naoki noticed a young traianding 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 me! This Litleo is hurt and reatment immediately!"

  Naoki g 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 trud pulled out a bottle of Life Goat Milk.

  "Feed this to Litleo. It'll feel better right away."

  The boy hesitated for a moment before taking the bottle aly feeding it to the injured Pokémon.

  The moment, something 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 seds, Litleo's fur regais luster, its wounds disappeared, and its breathing steadied. Slowly, it opes eyes.