Pokemon: A New Path

Jirachi hesitated.

For a long time, it had known only one life—sleeping within its crystal cocoon, waking up for just seven days every thousand years.

Because of this, Jirachi had never traveled anywhere since the day it was born.

But in these past two days, Mew and Teddiursa had shown it so many new and wonderful things.

The Hero Expedition Team, the delicious Poffins, the lively World Tree, the beautiful landscapes beyond its homeland.

Jirachi had listened in awe, its heart filled with longing. It wanted to see these places for itself, to explore and experience the world—just like everyone else.

But the land of Forina needed it.

The Pokémon, the flowers, the grass—they all depended on Jirachi's power. Without it, the plants would wither, and the Pokémon would lose their food and homes.

Jirachi couldn't let that happen. It didn't want to leave them behind. With this thought, Jirachi finally made up its mind.

Floating slightly higher, it turned to May and declared with firm resolve:

"Jira" "I will return to the land of Forina to absorb the energy of the stars and help the Pokémon and nature there!"

May's eyes widened.

"But… that means you won't get to explore other places, right?"

Before Jirachi could answer, Ash's face lit up with an idea.

"Wait! What if Jirachi only returns to Forina when the Millennium Comet appears?" he suggested excitedly. "You could gather star energy for the land then, and for the rest of the time, you'd be free to travel anywhere you want!"

It seemed like a perfect plan—but Jirachi shook its head.

In a small, childlike voice, it replied:

"Jira" "No… Nurturing can't be completed all at once. The land wouldn't be able to handle it. The energy must be transferred slowly, over time."

Hearing this, Ash fell silent.

For the first time, everyone's excitement faded. A quiet sadness settled over the group.

Naoki, watching Jirachi's expression, was about to say something when— Absol, who had been silently standing guard beside Jirachi, suddenly stepped forward.

The Pokémon gazed at Jirachi, eyes calm yet filled with understanding. With a low, steady voice, it spoke:

"Absol." (It's okay. Don't worry. We'll take care of ourselves. Jirachi should do what makes him happy.)

Jirachi's eyes widened slightly. It wasn't expecting that answer.

"Absol..."

The Rotom phone buzzed, its digital voice translating Absol's words.

"Absol is telling Jirachi to follow its heart."

Ash murmured the words back to himself, thinking.

But Jirachi still hesitated. Even if Absol said it was okay, it couldn't ignore its responsibilities. The land of Forina had always relied on it. It had been this way for as long as it could remember.

If it suddenly left, what would happen to all the Pokémon who depended on it?

"Ursa!"

"Miiu..."

Teddiursa and Mew looked sad, sensing Jirachi's uncertainty. Naoki glanced at Absol, admiration flickering in his expression.

Thinking of this, Naoki said: "I have a way… to let Jirachi care for Forina without needing to absorb energy from the stars."

As soon as he said this, everyone around him and Pokémon looked at him.

Naoki turned to the group. "Wait here for a moment," he said before walking back toward his home.

Ash and the others watched curiously as he disappeared into the ranch house. A few minutes later—Naoki returned, holding something large and radiant in his hands.

A single massive leaf, glowing with a gentle green light.

The moment Naoki stepped forward, all eyes turned toward the leaf in his hands.

"Whoa… it's glowing!" May gasped in awe.

Teddiursa and Mew perked up, ears twitching as they inhaled the scent drifting from the leaf.

"Ursa?"

"Miu?"

The scent was familiar—filled with pure natural energy.

Naoki held the leaf up and spoke.

"This is a treasure I obtained by chance. It releases powerful natural energy, enriching the land around it and helping plants flourish."

He turned toward Jirachi and Absol.

"If we place this in Forina, it can take over Jirachi's role. That way… Jirachi will finally be free to travel the world."

A hush fell over the group.

Max's eyes widened. "That's amazing!"

Brock, however, thought for a moment, then voiced a concern.

"Mr. Naoki, if this leaf is that valuable, wouldn't removing it affect your ranch?"

At his words, Ash, Jirachi, and the others looked at Naoki with worry.

But Naoki simply chuckled, shaking his head.

"There's no need to worry," he assured them. "This ranch is already thriving. The land is fertile, and I know how to keep it that way without relying on this leaf."

He smiled.

"Farming isn't just about using rare items. It's about dedication—cultivating the soil, using the right nutrients, and planting wisely. That's something I can do on my own."

His confidence put everyone at ease.

Naoki gently handed the glowing leaf to Absol.

"Take it."

Absol's eyes widened in shock. Jirachi, still floating beside it, stared at the leaf in amazement. Like an innocent child, it couldn't help but ask:

"Jira" "Why would Naoki give Jirachi such a precious treasure?"

Naoki smiled warmly.

"Because this way, Jirachi won't have to spend eternity sleeping."

Jirachi's small body trembled slightly, processing those words. For the first time in its life, someone had freely given it a choice—without asking for anything in return.

Naoki's kindness felt… overwhelming.

"Jira" "Naoki…" Jirachi whispered softly.

Naoki tilted his head. "Hmm?"

Then, in a sudden joyful motion, Jirachi dove into Naoki's arms, snuggling against his chest.

"Jira" "Thank you!" it chirped. "Naoki is the best!"

Naoki chuckled.

He gently stroked Jirachi's soft, warm body, feeling the small Pokémon's happiness through its gentle glow.

May, watching from the side, couldn't help but sigh with relief and joy.

"This is really wonderful!" she said with a smile.

Ash nodded, grinning brightly.

"Yeah! Now, Jirachi won't have to worry about the Forina region anymore."

The cool summer breeze drifted across the ranch, rustling the grass beneath their feet. Above them, the stars twinkled softly as if blessing Jirachi's newfound freedom.

That night, everyone spent a peaceful evening together, enjoying their final moments with Jirachi under the starlit sky.

The next morning, Ash and his friends prepared to leave.

Their adventure through Hoenn wasn't over yet. They still had Gyms to challenge, Badges to collect, and ultimately, the Ever Grande Conference to compete in.

But before that, they had one final task—returning the Leaf of Life to the Forina region with Jirachi.

Naoki wasn't surprised to hear this.

Instead, as the group was about to depart, he stepped forward, bringing Vigoroth along with him.

The Normal-type Pokémon stood beside Naoki, beating its chest with excitement.

Naoki then turned to Ash.

"Thanks to you, Vigoroth has finally been able to calm down over the past few days," Naoki said. "This little guy really likes you… and he's eager to see the outside world."

He paused, then continued with a small smile.

"But I can't leave the ranch… so, Ash—would you take him with you?"

Ash blinked in surprise. Brock, quickly realizing what Naoki meant, spoke up.

"Does this mean Vigoroth wants to become Ash's Pokémon?"

Before Naoki could answer, Vigoroth let out an excited cry, pounding its chest eagerly!

Ash's face lit up with excitement.

"I get it!" He clenched his fist, determination burning in his eyes.

"Alright then—Pikachu, let's do this!"

May and Brock stepped back to watch. Meanwhile, Jirachi hovered in front of Naoki, looking up at him with wide, curious eyes.

"Jira" "Will Jirachi be able to see Naoki again in the future?"

Naoki chuckled, nodding slightly.

"Of course. You can visit me anytime you want."

Jirachi's eyes sparkled.

"Jiraa" "Yay!" it cheered happily.

The decision was made—once the Leaf of Life was returned to Forina, Jirachi would live at the World Tree with Mew, Teddiursa, and the others.

Naoki turned to look at the Hero Expedition Team, giving them an approving nod.

"You all did an excellent job completing this mission."

"Ursa~!"

"Miiu~!"

Mew and Teddiursa blushed, feeling a little embarrassed but very proud.

Naoki then shifted his gaze to Zapdos, who stood tall and regal nearby. With a knowing smile, Naoki added—

"And Zapdos… I heard about your incredible efforts in that battle. You were amazing!"

At Naoki's praise, a suspicious blush appeared on Zapdos' cheeks.

Trying to maintain its proud composure, it turned its head away with a sharp cry—

"Chiiu!"

Naoki chuckled at the reaction.

Meanwhile, the sound of an opening Poké Ball echoed through the ranch.

Ash's capture battle had ended. With an excited grin, he held up the Poké Ball containing Vigoroth and declared:

"I caught Vigoroth!"

His friends cheered for him.

Naoki, watching the scene, gave a small nod and said, "Well then, goodbye, Ash."

Ash nodded back eagerly.

"Goodbye, Mr. Naoki! One day, Pikachu and I will definitely travel to the Paldea region, and when we do, we're going to challenge you and Koraidon!"

Naoki smiled warmly.

"I'll be looking forward to that day. Until then, I wish you a safe journey."

"Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

With that, Ash and his friends, travelers with the dream of becoming Pokémon Masters, departed from Naoki's Ranch, setting out once more on their adventure.

As their silhouettes faded into the distance, the ranch was left in peaceful silence.

Hidden behind a thick bush, three familiar figures peeked out, watching the young Trainers disappear over the horizon.

"The twerps are finally gone," James muttered.

Meowth scratched his head. "So… what do we do now, meow?"

Yesterday, the store owner realized his mistake when the mysteriously vanished snacks were returned out of nowhere.

After realizing he had wrongfully accused them, he not only apologized but also gave them some money to help them get back on their feet—after learning their transportation had been destroyed, leaving them stranded and forced to work for him.

With their debts cleared and their pockets no longer empty, their next mission was up for debate.

Jessi, however, didn't even hesitate.

"What else? We go after the twerp's Pikachu!" she declared.

Those Dragonites are not something they can deal with, and the guy who can have so many Dragonites deliver goods must be a big shot, not someone they can afford to provoke.

Compared to picking a fight with that kind of Trainer, stealing Pikachu sounded a lot safer.

Besides, Team Rocket wasn't planning on setting foot in Paldea just yet.

For now, their mission was to investigate Team Magma and Team Aqua in Hoenn—and, of course, to finally capture Pikachu.

James nodded in agreement.

"That settles it! Time to get back to work!"

He could already see their glorious future ahead.

...

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