"Miu?" Mew tilted his head, puzzled by the word trainer.
Seeing this, Baraz couldn't help but wonder to himself. 'Are these Pokémon… wild?'
But if they are, then… how did they come together like this?
"They're the Great Hero Expedition Team!" Hoopa quickly floated over to explain, his expression full of pride. "It's an organization that travels the world to help Pokémon in need! They just helped Grandpa Dan summon rain and save the farmland!"
'The Great Hero… Expedition Team?'
Baraz was stunned. 'What kind of team is that?'
They didn't seem to have any trainers with them. So how had they pulled that off?
Just then, Meray returned, holding a small tray.
"Here, please enjoy!" she said warmly.
She placed the donuts down in front of the Pokémon. One by one, their faces lit up as they began to eat. Mew happily floated upside down while munching. Teddiursa clapped his little paws. Victini closed his eyes in bliss, savoring every bite.
And Hoopa? She was already on his second one, humming cheerfully like a little donut-loving foodie.
The siblings watched with gentle smiles for a while before quietly returning to their tasks.
Meray headed to a side room and began packing a small travel bag, carefully folding clothes and tucking away essentials.
Meanwhile, Baraz stood beside a wall map, tapping his finger on a distant location. He called out, "Once we leave the Valley, you take Hoopa straight to Dahara City. I'll head out to look for the Prison Bottle. We'll meet up there."
Meray's expression grew serious. "Alright. Be careful."
Nearby, Hoopa, still happily munching, suddenly froze with a half-eaten donut in hand. Her golden eyes widened with excitement as she overheard.
"Meray! Meray!" Hoopa spun around mid-air. "Are we going out to play?!"
Meray chuckled and reached up to pat his head affectionately. "Yes, Hoopa. This time, we're going out not only so you can see the world, but also to solve… your problem."
"Hoopa's… problem?" Hoopa asked, confused.
She nodded gently. "A hundred years ago, your true power was sealed away. If we can find what was lost, you'll be able to return to your true self."
"True power…" Hoopa murmured in awe.
Baraz didn't look away from the map. "I'll go search for it. Meanwhile, you and Meray head to Dahara City."
"Dahara City?!" Hoopa spun in the air excitedly. "Hoopa's going to eat so many donuts!"
Meray laughed. "Of course."
Mew, Teddiursa, and Victini exchanged glances.
They suddenly remembered what Naoki had told them back at the ranch. That Hoopa's powers were sealed long ago… and that one day, someone would need to help unseal them.
'That time was now, wasn't it?'
Mew puffed up her chest and declared, "Miu!" (We're coming to help too!)
"Eh?" Hoopa blinked, hovering upside down. "You guys want to come to Dahara City with Hoopa?"
"Teddi-Teddi!" Teddiursa nodded vigorously. (Because we're all good friends!)
"Good friends! Good friends!" Hoopa cheered, flipping joyfully in mid-air. "Hoopa is sooo happy! Let's go together!"
Meray paused mid-pack and looked up with surprise.
"Meray! Meray!" Hoopa called excitedly. "Mew and the others say they want to help Hoopa too! Hoopa is so happy!"
Meray blinked, startled. "Huh…?"
"If everything you say is true, then perhaps they really can protect you and Hoopa for me." Baraz spoke calmly, looking at the Pokémon in front of him. "Mew, Victini, Teddiursa, and Zapdos—I'd like to ask you to escort Meray and Hoopa to Dahara City. Once all of this is over, I'll make sure to properly thank you."
"Miu!" Mew nodded cheerfully.
That afternoon, Meray and Baraz left the Valley of Creation with Hoopa.
The siblings parted ways at the edge of the desert. Baraz rode off into the shifting sands atop his Braviary, heading deep into the wilderness to search for the Prison Bottle, while Meray took Hoopa and set off for Dahara City, accompanied by the Hero Expedition Team.
That was where it all began.
As Braviary soared away into the desert sky, Meray clasped her hands and silently prayed.
'Brother… please find the Prison Bottle.'
...
Paldea Region – Naoki's Ranch, Back Mountain
Autumn leaves danced through the air, blanketing the forest floor in brilliant reds, oranges, yellows, and greens, like a spilled painter's palette across the earth.
Every fall, the hills behind the ranch would sprout an abundance of delicious wild mushrooms.
As the temperature dropped, there was nothing better than a warm bowl of mushroom soup to chase away the chill. Naoki still had some dried mushrooms left over from the previous year. Just the thought of simmering them into a hearty chicken and mushroom stew made his mouth water.
Under the canopy of tall trees, nestled among the rich, humus-covered roots, clusters of fat, tender mushrooms thrived.
"Oh, Hazel Mushrooms again! It's a bumper harvest this year!"
Naoki reached down and picked a handful, placing them into a woven basket. Standing beside him was Koraidon, the once-legendary Pokémon now acting as a gentle mushroom porter. A bamboo basket packed with mushrooms was slung over its sturdy back.
"Ah, hiss…" Koraidon let out a quiet sound.
Naoki carefully added the latest mushrooms to its load, gave it a pat on the head, and smiled. "Alright, let's head home."
With that, the pair started back down the mountain toward the ranch.
Naoki couldn't help but notice how lush the back mountain had become in recent years. Perhaps it was thanks to the influence of the Calyrex, or the regrowth after the devastating wildfire long ago. Whatever the reason, the land seemed to bloom with renewed life.
The trees were tall and leafy, bearing vibrant fruit. Rivers flowed steadily through the thick woods, and the air was rich with birdsong and rustling leaves.
The plentiful food, fresh water, and shelter had drawn in many Grass-type and Forest-dwelling Pokémon. It was beginning to feel more like a full-blown nature preserve than a simple ranch backdrop.
On their way down the mountain, Naoki passed by a grove of fruit trees that he and the Pokémon had planted together seasons ago. Now they had grown into a lush orchard.
Clusters of wild Pokémon had gathered under the trees, feasting and frolicking among the fruits.
Naoki spotted a playful gathering of Pokémon: Greedent, Oddish, Bellossom, Vivillon, Lilligant, and Tandemaus.
To his delight, he even saw a Lurantis dancing amidst the wildflowers.
But as soon as Lurantis spotted Naoki and Koraidon, it gave a startled shiver and darted off into the tall grass, too shy or too wary to stick around.
Naoki chuckled softly and shook his head, then continued down the mountain path with Koraidon trailing behind.
...
Bonus @1000 PS
Access chapters ahead @patreon.com/Keepsmiling818