Team Rocket has always had a mysterious connection to Mew.
Long ago, Giovanni's mother, Team Rocket's original founder, learned of Mew's existence through rare research findings. She dispatched Jessie's mother, Miyamoto, on a top-secret mission to locate the elusive Pokémon.
But Miyamoto vanished during that mission, caught in a deadly blizzard. She was presumed dead the same year, leaving behind a five-year-old Jessie.
It was through that mission, however, that Team Rocket managed to acquire a fossilized eyelash from Mew. Years later, after Giovanni inherited leadership of Team Rocket, he used that DNA to launch the infamous cloning project, creating what they hoped would be the strongest Pokémon: Mewtwo.
"Mew, did the bad guys see you?" Naoki asked from across the room.
"Miu?" Mew shook its head, then chirped confidently, "Miu!"
It had transformed into a Toucannon when the villains approached. When they tried to attack, it morphed again, this time into a towering Groudon.
The intruders panicked and ran away without a fight.
Naoki blinked. "Well, I guess that works."
Iono, who was nearby, looked puzzled. "Bad guys? Did Mew run into trouble?"
"Miu!" Mew nodded vigorously. (They were really bad people who hunt and capture Pokémon!)
Naoki explained, "If I had to guess, the ones Mew's talking about were probably members of Team Rocket."
"Team Rocket?" Iono echoed.
"Yeah. They're a criminal organization that's been active for decades in the Kanto and Johto regions. Pretty big, too. There were even rumors that they managed to infiltrate parts of the Pokémon League in those regions," Naoki said with a sigh.
Iono gasped. "No way! Even the League?"
Naoki nodded. "Back in the early days, the League wasn't as stable as it is now. It was chaotic, and that gave rise to organizations like Team Rocket, ones that profited by capturing and selling Pokémon. Some of them are still around."
At this point, most regional Pokémon Leagues had only existed for a little over two centuries, and Team Rocket had been active for at least sixty or seventy years of that.
"Then... our Paldea League hasn't been infiltrated, right?" Iono asked anxiously.
Naoki smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Based on my travels, the Paldea League is one of the most secure in the world. Besides, Kanto is so far away, it'd be nearly impossible for Rocket operatives to reach us."
"And don't forget, we've got Geeta," he added with a grin.
She'd never allow an infiltration. And even if Team Rocket did sneak in, Geeta would probably just assign them full-time grunt work until they crumbled under the pressure. They'd be working overtime by sunrise and demoted to filing by noon, just like that one poor assistant, Larry.
"That's a relief," Iono exhaled, finally at ease.
Naoki looked over at Raikou, who was lying calmly on the soft carpet near the fireplace. He asked gently, "Raikou, thank you for all your help at the gym these past few months. Now that everything's settled, do you have any plans moving forward?"
With Iono's due date coming up in March, and once she fully recovered, she'd return to her duties as Gym Leader. Raikou wouldn't be needed to fill in anymore.
But that would all depend on how quickly Iono recovered.
Raikou slowly stood and replied with quiet dignity, "I shall act according to the will of Lord Ho-Oh."
The ten months spent living among humans had changed him, just a little.
He had seen with his own eyes that not all humans were cruel or selfish. There were still those, like Naoki and Iono, who genuinely cared for Pokémon and treated them with respect and kindness.
Was Naoki planning to send him away now? Raikou pondered silently. A small part of him felt reluctant to leave.
'Ho-Oh?' Naoki hadn't heard from Ho-Oh in quite some time, but given it was winter, the legendary Pokémon was probably nesting near the World Tree. Suicune and Entei were likely there as well.
With that thought, Naoki smiled and extended an invitation. "In that case, why don't you stay at the ranch and celebrate the New Year with us? Everyone's going to be here—it'll be lively!"
"Thank you very much," Raikou said with a polite bow of the head, visibly relieved.
So Naoki hadn't been trying to send him away after all.
Last year, Teddiursa and Mew had taken off for the Mysterious Labyrinth and didn't get to celebrate the New Year at home. But this year, they were here, joined by Victini.
With Jirachi, Farfetch'd, and Arboliva also present, this New Year felt more complete than ever before.
Naoki was delighted and even went out to buy several barrels of fireworks. He was ready to make this New Year celebration unforgettable at the ranch.
The 202nd year in the League Calendar quietly came to an end in the warmth of Naoki's expectations.
On New Year's Day, snow was surprisingly absent. As soon as morning arrived, Naoki got to work in the kitchen.
Some Pokémon stayed close to help him prep the meal. Others joyfully played hide-and-seek in the snow maze Naoki had built for them outside, while a few checked the mailbox for holiday letters sent by the townspeople.
Guests from the World Tree also arrived at the ranch.
Entei and Suicune, curious about the life Raikou had been living, came to see the ranch for themselves and meet the so-called "Rainbow Hero."
Even Chansey, who worked as a doctor atop the World Tree, returned to visit and shared its prized eggs with everyone.
Pawmot's parents also stopped by, reuniting with their child after a long time.
For a while, the ranch was filled with joyous chatter and celebration.
All this reminded Naoki of the New Year festivities from his own childhood. Back then, his parents would be busy in the kitchen preparing the New Year's feast, while he and his friends ran around outside, setting off firecrackers and lighting fireworks.
Now it was his turn. He had become the adult, and the Pokémon around him were the children.
Thinking of that, Naoki felt a deep warmth in his heart.
Iono sat on the sofa, gently rubbing her baby bump, smiling at the heartwarming scene around her.
To surprise her, Naoki had secretly invited her parents to spend the New Year at the ranch. He knew how much it would mean to her.
When Iono saw her parents step through the door, she froze, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Silly girl, what are you staring at us for?" her mother laughed. "Don't you recognize your own family?"
Iono blinked, then quickly turned to look at Naoki. Sure enough, he stood in the background with his usual playful smile.
Overwhelmed with joy, Iono rushed over and hugged her mother tightly. "Mom!"
Her mother patted her back gently. "There, there, sweetheart. Sit down and take it easy."
Her father stood quietly nearby, watching the reunion with warm eyes. He looked at Naoki and nodded approvingly.
It was clear that their daughter was truly happy here.
Naoki smiled in return, then turned back to the kitchen. After a short while, Iono's mother joined him, and the two of them began preparing a feast together.
The family enjoyed a meal together. That afternoon, after Iono's mother gave her daughter a few final instructions and warm hugs, she and her husband returned to Levincia City.
Once they had left, Iono turned and threw herself into Naoki's arms. "Thank you," she whispered.
Naoki gently patted her back. "We're family. You don't need to thank me."
Iono's expression bloomed with joy. "I'm really happy I met you!"
But just as she finished speaking, she suddenly gasped in pain. A sharp jolt passed through her stomach, and a warm gush of fluid ran down her thighs.
"H-hh…" she hissed through clenched teeth.
"What's wrong?" Naoki immediately sensed that something wasn't right.
Iono looked down at her legs, her voice trembling. "My water just broke… the baby's coming!"
Naoki felt like thunder had struck him in the head. But he quickly forced himself to stay calm. His eyes darted around, then landed on Indeedee.
"Indeedee, please hold down the fort. I'm going to start the car!"
"Ai ya!" Indeedee squeaked, clearly nervous but nodding in understanding.
Naoki rushed to grab a warm blanket, laid it across the passenger seat, and slid the keys into the ignition. He backed the truck toward the door, then ran back to gently carry Iono into the car.
Indeedee stood in the doorway, watching them anxiously.
Naoki turned the key, then said reassuringly, "Take care of the ranch for me. Don't worry, it'll be okay."
"Ai ya!" Indeedee nodded again, doing her best to stay composed.
Just as the truck roared to life and began to pull out, Koraidon, who had been trailing behind as usual, sensed the urgency. In a flash, it sprinted across the snow, leapt onto the back of the truck, and landed with a heavy thump just before the vehicle gained speed.
Naoki, startled by the noise, looked back and saw the Pokémon peeking through the rear window.
"Koraidon? What are you doing? It's freezing outside!" Naoki called back.
But the only response he got was a cheerful "Agh-gah!"
Naoki couldn't help but smile. There was no changing Koraidon's mind once it was set.
As he drove, he quickly pulled out his phone and called Iono's parents, who had just left, to let them know: Iono was in labor!
The moment the staff heard someone was going into labor, a team of nurse Pokémon and human staff rushed forward. A Blissey in a nurse's cap helped wheel Iono toward the delivery room.
Just before she was taken in, Naoki held her hand tight.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "It's going to be okay. I'm right here, and so are all the Pokémon."
Iono was already covered in sweat, but she clutched his hand with strength and gave a small, determined nod. Then she was gently guided through the doors by the nurse.
Naoki took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. Koraidon sat nearby, glancing at the operating room door with quiet concern.
Not long after, Iono's parents arrived in a rush. Once they understood the situation, they joined Naoki in the hallway, waiting anxiously together outside the delivery room.
About an hour later, a sharp, newborn cry pierced the quiet hallway.
The doors of the operating room swung open, and a nurse emerged holding a small bundle wrapped in a soft blanket. She looked toward the anxious family and beamed.
"Congratulations, it's a girl!"
Naoki stood up instantly. The moment he laid eyes on the child, his breath caught in his throat.
This tiny being… was his child?
He was a father now.
A strange, overwhelming rush surged through his chest, something unfamiliar, something powerful. He blinked hard and quickly asked, "Where's my wife?"
"Don't worry," the nurse said gently, "the mother is doing well. She's still inside. Would you like to see her?"
Naoki nodded quickly. "Mom, Dad, please watch over the baby. I'm going to check on Iono!"
"Of course!" Iono's parents were glowing with joy as they took the baby into their arms. Their eyes sparkled as they looked at their granddaughter.
They were grandparents now.
Naoki stepped quickly into the room and saw Iono resting quietly on the bed. Her face was pale but peaceful. He hurried to her side and took her hand.
"How are you feeling?"
Iono, drained and weak from the delivery, gave him a faint but content smile. "Where's… the baby?"
"She's with your parents. Don't worry, everything's fine. She's healthy, and she's beautiful. It's a girl… We'll call her Elara."
It was the name they had agreed on long ago. If the baby was a girl, she'd be Elara. If a boy, Youshu.
Iono closed her eyes slowly, then opened them again, her voice soft. "I'm… so tired…"
"Then sleep," Naoki whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "Mom and Dad are here. I'm here too. Everything's alright now."
Hearing that, Iono finally let go of her lingering tension and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Soon after, the nurse wheeled the baby to the ward, and Naoki followed closely behind.
Iono's parents were already there, along with Koraidon, who had rushed to the hospital with them earlier.
Naoki walked over and looked at the newborn cradled in her grandmother's arms. With trembling hands, he gently reached out and touched the baby's tiny fingers.
"Ah" she gurgled softly, squirming slightly at his touch.
Naoki smiled. "Koraidon, come on. You can greet her too."
He turned to the Pokémon and said warmly, "Her name is Elara."
Koraidon stepped forward carefully, golden eyes unusually soft. It reached out one claw, ever so gently, and touched the baby's hand.
In that moment, a quiet vow echoed in its heart.
"Agashi." (Little master… I'm back.)
...
Bonus @500
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