"So? What's your decision?"
"All I ask is that you teach Torterra how to use Jungle Healing. Once you do, we'll leave and your peaceful life won't be disturbed again."
Paul stood before the Zarude tribe, his voice was cold and emotionless.
As soon as he finished speaking, Mewtwo lifted the psychic silence it had imposed on the Zarude. An immediate wave of anger and shouting erupted:
"Zarude!"
"Zaru!"
"Zarrr!"
Most of the Zarude weren't particularly strong, nor patient. Paul's domineering stance only stoked their frustration and grief. It wasn't that they doubted Torterra could learn Jungle Healing—a move considered exclusive to their kind, but rather that they couldn't accept the humiliation. Their home had been invaded, and they stood powerless before the intruder.
"Noisy fools."
Mewtwo found their howling irritating and silenced them again with a casual wave of psychic force.
Though newly born into this world and still forming its worldview, Mewtwo was already less tolerant than most humans. And when it came to the Zarude—Mythical Pokémon supposedly on the same level as Mew, Mewtwo couldn't hide its disdain. Their brute tempers and unappealing appearance only fueled its dislike.
Even without understanding their language, Paul could infer the Zarude's meaning through his powerful psychic sense and aura affinity. Seeing no clear response from them, he didn't lose his composure. Calmly surveying the tribe, his gaze landed on two Zarude in particular: one elderly, and the other wearing a distinctive pink scarf.
In Paul's memory, these two were the tribal elder and Koko's adoptive father—both practical and open-minded, by Zarude standards.
"What about you two? What do you say?"
He walked closer and addressed them directly. Mewtwo released its psychic seal.
"Zaru…"
Dada Zarude eyes burned with restrained anger.
'Why do humans always intrude on us? Can't we live in peace?'
'Koko had already left the jungle to explore the world, seeking harmony between people and Pokémon. Why did some humans insist on destroying that hope?'
Paul responded coldly:
"When you carry something precious, you draw trouble. You know full well how rare your Tree and Sacred Spring are. The last human who came here chose to leave peacefully, that doesn't mean the next ones will. And if not them, others will come."
"I'm just one of those."
His tone darkened:
"If you cooperate, this ends peacefully. If not, I'll do what that other human didn't, I'll open this tree and find out what you're hiding inside."
Torterra, gifted with a deep connection to life energy, had already sensed the Sacred Spring's presence. Its internal life force had subtly become more refined just by being near it. If the Zarude agreed to teach it Jungle Healing, Paul was confident Torterra could learn it—perhaps even merge it with its existing move Forest Healing into something even greater.
If they refused? Then Paul had two options:
— He could have Mewtwo hypnotize a Zarude to force it's knowledge out, though it was unclear how effective that would be against a Mythical Pokémon.
— Or… he could let Torterra absorb the Sacred Tree's energy directly.
Of course, Paul was bluffing about destroying the tree. Even if it was the Zarude's sanctuary, there was no need to destroy it especially since Torterra didn't need to break anything. Why smash the tree to get its energy when it could just absorb it quietly?
And it already was.
While the others argued, Torterra had secretively extended its roots through a crack where the sacred spring's waters flowed, slowly tapping into the tree's purer internal essence.
"Zaru…"
The elder Zarude looked at Paul, eyes full of doubt.
'Can humans really be trusted?'
Paul met his gaze evenly.
"Do you really have a choice?"
The elder hesitated. Then with a sigh, he turned to Dada Zarude and gave a quiet nod.
"Zaru…"
Dada Zarude seemed ready to protest but ultimately lowered his head in acceptance.
'We're at their mercy. What choice do we have?'
"Excellent."
Paul's reply was laced with quiet sarcasm. He turned toward Torterra now emanating a gentle green light, its body in perfect resonance with the Sacred Tree's vitality.
"Torterra, come learn the move."
"Raaa~"
At his trainer's command, Torterra opened its eyes, ending its quiet communion with the tree. It withdrew its roots and trotted over to stand beside Paul, curiously inspecting the primate-like Zarude.
"Zaru…"
Now free from the psychic seal, Dada Zarude reluctantly stepped forward and began demonstrating Jungle Healing.
With a roar, he planted both arms on the ground, channeling the jungle's life force. His body glowed with lush green light. Around him, fresh grass burst forth, sprouting from bare soil. After gathering enough energy, he released it in a wave that enveloped Torterra and every Pokémon nearby in its gentle healing aura.
Torterra watched the entire process closely. It recognized the move's flow, Jungle Healing felt remarkably similar to its own Forest Healing, though the two weren't identical.
Before it could process further, the Zarude began explaining the move's mechanics: principles, key points, limitations, and strategies. He demonstrated again.
He'd done his part. Whether Torterra could learn the move or not was out of his hands.
The Zarude acknowledged Torterra's strength, possibly stronger than dozens of their tribe combined. But learning a move like this wasn't about strength or talent alone. Some things were innate, perhaps even fated.
"Zaru?!"
Suddenly, the Zarude sensed a massive surge of life energy and turned, wide-eyed.
To his shock, the clumsy-looking Torterra now exuded the same life aura he had just demonstrated. The great tree on its back pulsed with energy, and its body seemed to merge seamlessly with the forest.
Bathed in the verdant glow, the Zarude felt a wave of calm wash over him, soothing his lingering anger.
"Zaru…? This… this can't be happening…"
Moments ago, Torterra had never seen the move. Now it had mastered it.
"Torterraaa~"
But Torterra ignored the stunned Zarude, immersed in its contemplation.
Jungle Healing is difficult, most Grass-types could train for a lifetime and still fail. But Torterra already knew Forest Healing.
Let's compare:
Jungle Healing: Heals ¼ of the user's and allies' HP and cures status conditions.
Forest Healing: Heals ½ of the user's HP and ¼ of allies', and cures only the user's status conditions.
Mechanically similar, but conceptually distinct.
Jungle Healing emphasizes self-generated life energy—smaller in volume, but purer and capable of status healing.
Forest Healing channels ambient life energy from nature—larger in volume, but less refined.
By mastering the art of producing life energy, Torterra had immediately learned the move.
But it wasn't satisfied.
Rather than stop there, Torterra dove deeper—comparing, analyzing, and refining. The two techniques were so closely related that they could likely be fused into something new.
Gather. Create. Refine.
Paul didn't interrupt. Nor did he allow any of his other Pokémon to distract Torterra. Every gaze in the clearing was now fixed on it.
"Raaaa…"
Suddenly, Torterra's aura flared and then vanished. The bright green glow receded into its shell, and the great tree on its back erupted in radiant light.
Jungle Healing: integration with the jungle itself.
Forest Healing: absorbing the surrounding forest's power.
Torterra's vision was different.
It didn't want to merge with the jungle.
It didn't want to merely absorb from it.
It wanted something greater.
A power born not of dependence—
But of mastery.
"Raaaa!"
Torterra cast a glance at the Sacred Tree, then looked back and nodded at Paul, as if asking for confirmation.
"Go ahead. We've got your back." Paul said calmly.
From the moment Jungle Healing was demonstrated, Paul had already reached a conclusion, these Zarude were truly weak.
Their comfortable, isolated lifestyle had only fostered bad tempers and stagnant strength. Even Dada Zarude, who was among the stronger members of the tribe, clearly struggled to execute a single tribe-exclusive move. It was embarrassing.
Paul now felt he had been far too courteous earlier. In a situation like this, being a little more forceful wasn't just justified, it was necessary.
Torterra had a purpose here. Paul had no reason to hold back.
"Raaaa~"
With Paul's approval, Torterra began walking toward the Sacred Tree, ignoring the fearful glares from the surrounding Zarude.
"Zarude..."
Dada Zarude tried to stop it. But before it could move, a flash of golden light from the Sacred Tree struck it down. Thick, cable-like tails pinned it to the ground.
It was Electivire, now fully healed thanks to the Sacred Spring's restorative power!
"Vireee~"
Lounging comfortably on a Zarude cushion, Electivire flashed a grin. It looked forward to a good battle with Torterra soon.
Paul's remaining Pokémon gathered behind Electivire, watching the Zarude with mocking amusement as if forming a teasing ensemble.
"Are we going too far?" Mewtwo asked, a flicker of doubt in its eyes. Though it disliked the Zarude, forcing them to lose their home felt cruel.
"He knows what he's doing." Paul replied coolly.
Destruction? No—never.
Torterra, of all his Pokémon, was the kindest at heart.
In battle, Torterra would fight without mercy. But harming the innocent or doing evil? Never.
As the other Pokémon watched, Torterra approached the Sacred Tree and closed its eyes.
It wasn't idle. It was trying to associate with the jungle, the forest, the earth, and the Sacred Tree itself.
Roots unfurled from beneath it, intertwining with the Sacred Tree. A slow, wordless dialogue began.
Faint green light shimmered across both Torterra and the Sacred Tree. The glow intensified.
Countless green motes rained down like droplets, merging into Torterra's body and strengthening it.
Still, Torterra wasn't satisfied. A red glow emanated from the tree on its back, and it began absorbing the Sacred Tree's energy with urgency.
The Sacred Tree's vitality visibly faded. Its life force was being drawn into Torterra before their eyes.
Yet the Sacred Tree didn't resist. It gave freely.
The Zarude, once furious, now stood in stunned silence.
'Why? Why would the Sacred Tree willingly bestow its power on an outsider?'
Regardless of their confusion, Torterra continued absorbing.
Then, from the foliage on its back, a bright light burst forth. A deep green plate—a Leaf Plate, hidden among the leaves—rose into the air. It shattered, transforming into pure energy and fusing into Torterra's core.
Its aura surged.
Bathed in radiant green light, Paul and the others watched in awe as Torterra seemed to become the forest itself. It was no longer just a Pokémon, it was the jungle.
Then the jungle withered.
Only a single towering tree remained.
A divine tree.
Torterra had become the Sacred Tree.
"Raaaa~!"
With a mighty roar, the surrounding glow faded. Only the faint radiance of the tree on its back remained—brighter and livelier than ever.
Its deep roots withdrew from the Sacred Tree, and Torterra gave a respectful nod before returning to Paul.
"Looks like you gained something worthwhile." Paul remarked.
"Raaaa~"
Torterra grinned and nodded.
Thanks to the Sacred Tree's blessing, Torterra had grown stronger across the board. It had even acquired enhanced botanical control, enabling it to manipulate plants not born from its own power—similar to the natural gifts of a Venusaur, though not quite at Celebi's level.
But the greatest gain?
It had mastered the balance of life energy, and fused the moves Forest Healing and Jungle Healing into one.
"Let's call this move Light of Life." Paul declared.
Not the fanciest name, but accurate and easy to understand.
"Raaa~"
Torterra accepted the name without hesitation.
Light of Life: By becoming one with the Sacred Tree, Torterra radiates life energy like a Sacred Spring, healing itself and its allies by 1/2 HP and curing all status conditions.
"Release them."
Paul's order was followed immediately by Mewtwo, who cut off its psychic control over the Zarude. And they collapsed to the ground.
"Zarude!"
"You broke your promise, human!"
Now free, the Zarude howled in rage. Yet Mewtwo's overwhelming pressure kept them frozen in place.
The Sacred Tree may have given willingly, but who could be sure Paul and Torterra hadn't done something menacing?
"A promise? Haha~"
Paul sneered.
"Only the strong can protect what they care about. If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves."
"You're mythical Pokémon, graced with healing springs and sacred woods. And this is all the strength you've gathered in how many years? Pathetic."
"With such rich resources, even a mediocre Pokémon should hit Elite level after a decade of steady effort. Not necessarily Champion-level, but at least respectable."
"But you? You hoarded the Sacred Spring, excluded others, and ended up weak. What a waste."
"You didn't use the Sacred Tree's gifts. So Torterra did. Seems fair."
"And as for promises? You trusted a few empty words? That's naive."
"Never entrust your dearest treasures to the mercy of your enemies."
"Stay as you are, and someday the Sacred Tree will be destroyed. Or taken."
He returned his other Pokémon to their Poké Balls, then leapt onto Garchomp's back.
No one had come here yet. But that didn't mean they never would.
No one had tried to seize the Sacred Tree yet. Only because they weren't strong enough.
And who knew when another Paul would show up?
"Until we meet again."
Paul cast one last look at the stunned Zarude and the Sacred Tree behind them. A twisted smirk curled on his lips as Garchomp soared into the skies.
If Torterra ever needed more, Paul would return once the Sacred Tree had replenished itself.
That, he thought, was sustainable development.
"Zarude!"
Enraged and humiliated, the freed Zarude howled into the forest.
'Humans strength... it was infuriating!'
Only a few—Dada Zarude the elder, and some sharper Zarude stood quietly, fists clenched and eyes narrowed.
(End of Chapter)
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