Naoki observed the surroundings of the tree hole from outside; it wasn't dilapidated, and there were still a few small footprints left in the snow, which seemed to belong to Pawmot.
This also meant that the two Pawmots were still living here.
Naoki breathed a sigh of relief, sincerely happy for the Pawmots.
Next, it should be a scene of a big happy reunion, right?
The long-separated parents and child meeting again, a family of three embracing and crying tears of joy.
What a warm and touching scene!
However, in the next second, Naoki saw a flash of Spark inside the cave.
Accompanied by a somewhat panicked "Pawmo" sound, Pawmot dashed out frantically.
Naoki: "??? "
Soon after, he saw two vigilant large Pawmots emerge from the tree hole, looking angrily at the unfamiliar Pawmot.
Pawmot hurriedly explained: "Pawmo Pawmo!" (Mom, Dad, I am your child!)
However, upon hearing this, the two large Pawmots became even more angry.
One of the Pawmots let out a threatening growl: "Pawmo!" (Imposter, our child doesn't look like you, go away! Don't pretend to be my child!)
Upon hearing this, Naoki and Pawmot simultaneously realized something.
Pawmot looked down at its fur and finally understood why its parents wanted to attack it upon seeing it.
It quickly shook its head and tried another way to prove its identity.
"Pawmo Pawmo!" (Mom, Dad, do you remember when you took me to look for berries in the forest when I was little? I accidentally fell into the river and was nearly swept away, and it was Lombre who saved me! You even gave Lombre lots of berries!)
The two large Pawmots hesitated, their faces showing disbelief.
Pawmot pressed its advantage: "Pawmo Pawmo!" (Last year, when you were digging at home, I ran out, fell asleep on a stone, and was taken away by a Bird-type Pokemon to a very distant place!)
Upon hearing this, the hostility of the two large Pawmots dissipated. In disbelief, they tremulously asked: "Pawmo?"
Pawmot nodded vigorously: "Pawmo!"
Then, Naoki saw the three Pawmots hugging each other tightly, crying out loud.
"Phew..." He let out a long breath, it seemed that everything had been safely resolved!
Koraidon also looked on happily at this scene: "Ahgahs~" It was happy for the Pawmots as well.
Meanwhile, the Squawkabilly beside them was shouting proudly: "Kokokyu!" (Squawkabilly is the most helpful Pokemon in the world, see that? I successfully helped the Pawmot family reunite!)
This would be a chapter in its Pokemon life written in bold colors, and once back, it would boastfully narrate this incident to all the Pokemons in the tavern!
After crying, Pawmot began explaining in detail to its parents about what happened after being taken away.
It landed in a human's ranch, was taken in by the owner, and with their help, evolved into Pawmot, becoming a very strong Pokemon.
Not only that, but it also met many companions.
The Pawmot parents, who had been staying in the forest waiting for their child to return, looked at Naoki with gratitude.
They, along with their child, thanked Naoki, Koraidon, and Squawkabilly beside them.
Naoki smiled slightly: "No need to thank me, your child is excellent."
The two adult Pawmots ran back into the tree hole and brought Naoki lots of berries.
They expressed their pure and sincere feelings in this way.
Naoki smiled and looked at Pawmot.
Pawmot cheerfully looked at its parents and extended an invitation: "Pawmo Pawmo?" (Mom, Dad, how about living on the ranch with us?)
Hearing this, the two large Pawmots were stunned, looking at their child with confusion.
Naoki explained: "Pawmot is inviting you to live on the ranch with it."
Pawmot: "Pawmo!" Exactly!
The two large Pawmots looked back at Naoki.
Naoki continued, "Don't worry, the ranch is big, it's safe there, and there's no end to berries. If you're willing to go, your family won't have to be separated ever again."
The two Pawmots looked at each other and then at their child.
Finding their child had made them happy, but leaving this place, where they had lived for so long, for somewhere else made them somewhat uneasy.
After all, normally, unless there was a drought, famine, or some natural disaster around their habitat, wild Pokemon would not easily migrate.
Pawmot keenly detected its parents' emotions, and it patted its chest, assuring them: "Pawmo Pawmo!" (I'll take good care of you!)
Having been separated from their child for so long, and now finally reunited, the two large Pawmots did not want to part with their child again so soon.
They exchanged a few glances before finally, after careful consideration, making their decision.
This time, they wanted to be with their child, protect it, and never be separated again!
So, the two Pokemons turned around and ran back into the tree hole, soon dragging out a huge pile of berries, chestnuts, and pine cones.
These were originally their stored food for the winter, but now since they were leaving, they would take them to their new home.