The revitalized Tree of Beginning basked in a gentle breeze.

"Mew~" Mew floated ahead, leading Natsume's group toward the exit.

Steven glanced back one last time.

Crystals glowed softly, Pokémon played freely, and the Three Regis had retreated into the Tree's depths.

"Quite the adventure," Steven murmured, his sharp features softening with a smile.

Up front, Lucario walked beside Ash.

Hearing the System's completion chime,

Natsume paused mid-step, momentarily surprised.

Probably nothing good... he thought warily.

"Mew~" Mew's tail drooped as it hovered listlessly, its expression forlorn.

"It says goodbye, meow," Meowth translated.

"Until next time," Steven said warmly.

"Mew, you, Pikachu, all of us—we're friends now!" Ash adjusted his cap with a grin. "Right, Pikachu?"

"Pikachu~!" The Pikachu mouse nodded from Ash's shoulder.

On Natsume's right stood the newly evolved Blastoise—

Its massive gray shell, powerful blue limbs, and twin cannons gleaming ominously.

"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)"

The ultimate big shot adjusted its sunglasses with a cool nod.

Ahead, Lucario's eye twitched.

This guy's aura post-evolution... is downright terrifying.

Natsume cleared his throat.

Theoretically... two cannons meant either double Hydro Pumps per turn,

Or stacking both attacks into one devastating blast.

Even Mega Kangaskhan's Parental Bond can't compete!

"Why do my Pokémon keep breaking the rules...?"

He shook his head, turning to the pink feline still floating nearby.

When he reached out, Mew immediately nuzzled against his palm, giggling. "Mew~~"

"We might not meet often," Natsume said, "but I'll send over anything fun I find."

"Mew?" It tilted its head.

"Of course!" James chimed in. "Natsume-sensei owns a game company!"

Steven's eyebrows rose, recalling his own addiction to Gold Miners.

Not a bad way to pass eternity...

"You can game with me too!" Ash flexed his arms. "I'm a Angry Pidove grandmaster!"

Surrounded by eager faces, Mew's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Mew~?"

"I'll deliver everything personally," Natsume promised, ruffling its head. "No more loneliness."

Mew did a joyful loop before suddenly zipping back into the Tree.

It returned clutching the music box, nudging it toward Natsume.

"For me?"

"Mew!" A firm nod.

The toy Lapras inside swayed gently as the melody played.

"Thank you." Natsume smiled. "I'll treasure it."

"Mew~~(〃'▽'〃)"

...

Ash had left Sir Aaron's aura gloves behind.

Lucario pressed a paw to its chest before the relic.

Aura... guide me.

Then it turned toward the sunlight.

Birds sang as dappled light filtered through the trees, illuminating the distant castle.

Steven slid into the driver's seat. "Hop in—one last ride together!"

"Even... us?" The Team Rocket trio pointed at themselves.

"Absolutely!" His laugh was infectious.

"Thank you, Mr. Steven!" They piled in cheering.

Natsume smirked.

Though they'd probably just build another balloon otherwise...

"Meowth," Natsume turned from the passenger seat, "can you get wifi inside the Tree?"

"Technically challenging, meow." Meowth licked its paw smugly. "But we're Team Rocket's elite!"

"Piece of cake!" Jessie and James fist-bumped.

Somehow, their tech prowess surpassed even the Tree's ancient barriers.

Natsume stared skyward.

Giovanni wasting them on petty theft is criminal.

"Natsume-sensei," Steven mused, "is introducing Mew to the internet... wise?"

"Mew embodies purity, like Pallet Town."

Natsume watched the forest blur past, black hair fluttering.

"Wars and human malice never dimmed its wonder."

He grinned. "Besides, gaming might be the perfect hobby for a guardian."

Ash nodded sagely.

Meowth whispered: "What if it becomes a NEET, meow?!"

Natsume understood Steven's concern.

This world's Mewtwo sought its origins through human DNA.

The parallel Mewtwo had turned philosopher after connecting to cyberspace.

But his goal was simpler—to keep Mew from loneliness.

Unless...

He pondered.

Should I just introduce civilization early?

Imagine Mew blinking at a smartphone—

Poof! Centuries fly by!

Steven suddenly brightened. "Devon Corp can provide satellite support."

Meowth gasped. "For real, meow?!"

"The Mossdeep Space Center's next launch..." Steven winked. "We're investors."

Natsume did a double-take.

Right. Steven wasn't just a champion—heir to Devon's empire.

And almost (but not quite) as handsome as himself.

Damn. Harsh.

...

Back at Cameran Palace...

Queen Ilene hosted a triumphant celebration for the heroes who saved the Tree of Beginning.

As both Aura Mentor and Hoenn Champion, Natsume received equal honors.

He immediately called Green about acquiring handheld consoles. "Get extras—these things better survive centuries!"

If only Nokia made gaming devices... Natsume lamented. Mew could've used those for millennia.

"No problem!"

"Can you deliver to Cameran Palace within two days?"

"Don't insult a merchant's professionalism, Natsume-sensei!"

The next morning...

Green arranged a prepaid Rocket Delivery.

Phones, consoles, and gaming rigs arrived at the palace gates.

The deliveryman trembled upon meeting the legendary Mentor—refusing payment outright.

"I'm not some tyrant," Natsume grumbled, insisting on paying.

Later, Natsume returned to the Tree of Beginning.

Thanks to Team Rocket's bizarre tech wizardry, Mew acquired its first smartphone.

"Got wifi?" Natsume asked.

"Mew~"

Already engrossed in a multiplayer game with Togepi, Mew giggled uncontrollably.

"Togepi~" The Togepi munched chips beside a jumbo soda bottle.

"Mew~!" Hovering midair, Mew clutched its console with a mischievous grin.

Natsume's eye twitched.

Oh no... I've created the world's first NEET deity.

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