Pokémar Episode V, A Clone's Destiny

Partners

By the evening, we reach the Guild entrance. It's time to make the call about where we will live. Here at the Wigglytuff Guild, or in Pokemon Paradise with the rest of New Hope. For the past week, Thunder and I had been discussing the best way to approach the problem. Of course, neither of us wanted to leave their groups behind, but there were compelling arguments for both.

Bringing New Hope into the fold of the Guild would give us more resources to work with and more support from other exploration teams. Not to mention, our expertise dealing with outlaws would be of great use out on the frontier. Meanwhile, Paradise offers independence, less restrictions on what we can do, and, the most compelling of all, not getting a freaking 90% tax on our earnings.

With all that considered, I said I wanted to return to Paradise, but Thunder wasn't quite so sure. But now, standing at the mouth of the tent, the time to decide has come.

"Have you decided yet?" I ask. 

"I... think I have. As hard as leaving the Guild would be, I think you're right. Paradise just has more opportunities."

"I understand. I promise we'll try and hop on over here every so often to check in with everyone. Maybe do a couple missions as Shock-Leaf."

"I'd like that a lot. Does that mean we're both New Hope and Shock-Leaf?"

"Yeah, I think so." I step onto the grate in front of the tent.

"Hold still! Checking footprint!" Diglett yells from below. Both Josh and Jackson jump from the sudden and surprisingly loud voice.

"Why that?!" Josh yells. "Why do that!? It's stupid!"

"Footprint is Snivy! Alex, specifically! Next Pokemon step onto the grate!"

"That's an interesting security system." Jackson muses.

"Speaking from experience, determining someone by footprint alone is not easy. Diglett is really good at his job." Thunder says. One after another everyone else steps onto the grate and is identified. Once we're all checked in Diglett gives the go-ahead and the portcullis raises. "Now then, follow me." Thunder leads us into the tent and down the ladder into the guild proper. By the time we reach the next floor, nearly everyone is gathered around, all mobbing around the ladder with questions.

"Alright, everyone! Settle down!" I call out. Slowly, the commotion dies down, giving us a chance to speak. "Thank you. I'm gathering you all want to hear what happened to us for the last month and a half." Assenting murmurs sound out from the crowd. "Alright then. Get comfy. It's a long one."

Thunder and I tell the story as everyone listens with fascination. A tale of a world of humans and pokemon must be a wonderous concept. They seem especially interested in Mewtwo, a living being designed as though they were a machine. I make sure to iterate that in spite of their origin, Mewtwo is just as much a pokemon as the rest of them. We also discourage people from traveling through these portals. Ninetales' job is hard enough without tourists trying to break through. We also take the time to introduce Jackson and Josh, of whom are welcomed with open arms.

"...There is one other thing we need to mention." I say, starting to wrap things up. "Thunder and I have agreed that we will return to Pokemon Paradise together. To be frank, it has better opportunities than we could get here at the Guild."

"Although, Alex, would you mind if we stayed for the night here? I'd like a chance to say goodbye to everyone and gather my things."

"Of course, Thunder."