Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 436: The Great Migration to the World Tree

That night, the Dragonites who worked at Naoki’s ranch returned to Dragonite Island.

Since they had decided to move to the World Tree, this was their chance to say goodbye to their companions on Dragonite Island.

Dragonite Island lay peacefully in the vast ocean, its silhouette resembling a crescent moon against the night sky. Nourished by the power of dragons, the island’s vegetation flourished, with clusters of berries hanging heavily from the trees that thrived in the fertile soil.

Rustle!

The leaves of the forest trembled as a Dragonite’s head popped out from the foliage. Its chubby claws reached for a bunch of berries, which it happily stuffed into its mouth. The burst of juicy flavor made the Dragonite hum in satisfaction as it munched.

Not far from this scene was a circular lake, where Dratini and Dragonair were playing near the clear water.

“Wooo~!”

A series of cheerful calls echoed from the sky, catching the attention of the Dragonites on the island. They looked up and saw their friends returning from the ranch, laden with their delivery boxes.

The young Dratini and Dragonair playing near the lake perked up, their eyes lighting up with curiosity and excitement as the returning Dragonites landed.

Eagerly, the young Pokémon crowded around the delivery Dragonites, their gazes fixed on the boxes they carried.

The Big Brother Dragonite, as usual, distributed some Poffins to the eager Dratini and Dragonair. The sweet aroma of the treats wafted through the air, and the younger Pokémon eagerly nibbled at their portions.

More Dragonites on the island were drawn to the commotion. Their curious eyes darted toward the Poffin boxes, their expressions asking, “What does that taste like?”

Typically, the working Dragonites would share only a small portion of their Poffins. But tonight was special. Since they were leaving the island and would have plenty of delicious treats at the ranch, they decided to share everything as a parting gift.

“Ooooh~”

The working Dragonites opened their Poffin boxes and generously distributed their contents to their companions.

Soon, a growing crowd of Dragonites gathered, happily munching on the Poffins while wondering why the delivery team was being so generous.

One of the working Dragonites cheerfully explained,
“Awoo~!” (Because starting tomorrow, we’ll be moving in with Naoki!)

This announcement left the other Dragonites stunned.

“Awooo?!”

Some Dragonites looked shocked, while others seemed worried about the implications of this move.

'If they’re leaving… does that mean we won’t get to eat Poffins anymore?!'

Word of the decision quickly reached one of the older Dragonites, who approached the gathering with a calm but curious demeanor.

The elder Dragonite asked, “Awoo?” (Are you certain about this decision?)

The working Dragonites nodded enthusiastically, sharing stories of their life at the ranch.

“Awooo!” (Naoki is a wonderful human! He’s so kind!)

“Awwooo~” (Thanks to him, I was able to evolve into a Dragonite!)

“Awoo, awoo!” (I love working there! Every day, I deliver milk with Rotom, and I even get paid! Rotom said I can use the money to buy more poffins!)

“Awo!” (And when we do well, Naoki uses his magical power to help us grow stronger!)

The stories captivated the other Dragonites, sparking curiosity in even those who had previously shown no interest in humans or the ranch.@@novelbin@@

However, some Dragonites remained unconvinced. One hesitantly asked,

“Awoo...” (But if you leave, how will we get more Poffins?)

One of the working Dragonites thought for a moment before replying confidently,

“Awoo!” (You can work part-time, too!)

Another working Dragonite chimed in, “Awoo!” (That’s right! If you work part-time, Naoki will give you all the Poffins you want!)

The hesitant Dragonite’s eyes lit up with realization.

“Awoo!” (That’s a great idea!)

Soon, the other Dragonites, previously worried about losing access to Poffins, reached the same conclusion.

If they also worked at the ranch, they could enjoy delicious Poffins every day!

.....

The following morning, a large group of Dragonites departed from Dragonite Island, soaring across the vast Paldea Sea toward the Paldea region.

As they flew, their presence was detected by an ocean ferry traversing the sea.

The captain and first mate stood on the deck with their binoculars, stunned by the sight.

Passengers on board quickly gathered on the deck, their faces painted with astonishment.

“So many Dragonites... Are they migrating?” someone murmured in awe.

Dragonite migrations were an exceedingly rare phenomenon, often considered a sign of good fortune. Many of the tourists clasped their hands together and began making wishes to the majestic Pokémon.

6:35 AM, Paldea Time

Naoki was busy feeding the Pokémon at the ranch when a sudden shadow passed overhead.

Looking up, he froze in surprise. A massive group of Dragonites was descending into the pasture, their wings creating a flurry of movement in the air.

Naoki: !!!

While it wasn’t unusual for the Dragonites to arrive for work, this… this was an entirely different scenario.

“Why are there so many Dragonites?!” Naoki exclaimed, barely concealing his shock.

Spotting the Big Brother Dragonite among the group, Naoki approached it hurriedly and asked, “What’s going on?”

The Big Brother Dragonite replied calmly, “Awoo.” (They want to work here too.)

Another Dragonite chimed in eagerly, “Awoo awoo!” (That’s right! Naoki, as long as you give them Poffins, they’re willing to work like us!)

Naoki listened to their responses, and it all began to make sense.

Apparently, after his Dragonite employees returned to the island the previous evening, they had shared stories about life on the ranch and the delicious Poffins. The news had spread, inspiring these Dragonites to migrate en masse.

However, Naoki suspected the real motivation was their desire for the Poffins…

Looking at the eager faces of the newly arrived Dragonites, Naoki found himself at a loss for words.

'If Professor Oak were to study Dragonite behavior here,' he thought, 'he’d probably discover that working at Naoki Ranch has become a trend among young Dragonites.'

Finally, Naoki smiled and welcomed them warmly. “Alright, everyone. Welcome to the ranch! I’m Naoki, the owner of this place.”

The Dragonites blinked curiously, clearly recognizing Naoki from his previous visits to Dragonite Island, where he had treated them to plenty of food.

“From today onward, we’ll be working together,” Naoki continued. “You’ll help me deliver goods, and in return, I’ll make you all the Poffins you could ever want.”

He then instructed Koraidon to fetch several spare Rotom Phones and called his own Dragonite over.

“Teach them everything,” Naoki said to Dragonite, “from how to use the Rotom Phone to the delivery routes.”

Dragonite puffed out its chest proudly and stepped forward to take charge. It began instructing the new Dragonites with an air of authority, demonstrating the delivery process with the help of the veteran Dragonites.

Meanwhile, Naoki took a headcount of the new arrivals.

“One, two, three... thirteen,” he muttered.

“There are thirteen new Dragonites, added to the twelve already working here... That makes twenty-five Dragonites and one Dratini at the ranch.”

Naoki: …'This is getting out of hand.'

The sheer number of Dragonites at the ranch was astonishing.

“If I recall correctly,” Naoki murmured to himself, “there were only about thirty Dragonites on Dragonite Island. How many are even left there now?”

Including the Dratini and Dragonairs that hadn’t yet evolved, the total number of Dragonites on Dragonite Island was likely no more than fifty.

And now, nearly half of them had come to Naoki’s ranch.

Even Naoki couldn’t believe the sheer number.

He recalled that the giant Dragonite, known for its immense size and strength, also lived on Dragonite Island. Originally, this Dragonite had journeyed to the Paldea region in search of companionship and eventually found a tribe on the island. But now, with so many Dragonites migrating to Naoki’s ranch, it would be left with fewer friends.

Naoki felt momentarily speechless.

Should I invite the remaining Dragonites to settle at the World Tree? he wondered.

It would certainly be a way to reunite the tribe, even if they didn’t work for him. However, Naoki quickly realized this plan had a major flaw—those who had stayed behind likely had no intention of leaving their island home.

If they wanted to come, they would have joined this morning’s migration. Naoki wasn’t about to force them.

After careful thought, he decided to abandon the idea.

However, while Naoki gave up the notion, the Dragonites themselves seemed to have other plans.

That evening, after a long day of work, Naoki brought the Dragonites to the World Tree. For the time being, he settled them near the lake where Milotic resided.

Once the arrangements were complete, Naoki returned to the ranch, leaving the Dragonites to explore their new surroundings.

Curious about their environment, the Dragonites began to fly around, getting a feel for the vast and vibrant World Tree.

Meanwhile, Pokémon who had already made the World Tree their home—like Milotic, Tropius, and the Treecko trio—noticed the newcomers.

To make them feel welcome, Arboliva prepared a warm welcome by offering fruits from the tree’s storage. Tropius even shared its own banana-like fruit with everyone.

After discussing with everyone, Arboliva and Milotic held a bonfire party for the Dragonites.

The atmosphere was lively.

Arboliva used large leaves to serve fruit, while the warm flames illuminated the gathering.

As they sat around the fire, the three Treeckos were particularly curious about their new companions.

“Treck?” they asked, tilting their heads. (Where are you from?)

One of the Dragonites answered cheerfully, “Awoo~” (We’re from Dragonite Island, where many Dragonites live!)

Another Dragonite eagerly nodded in agreement but soon lowered its head, its tone becoming melancholic. “Awoo...” (But we’ll never see them again...)

The Treecko sitting nearby tilted its head, clearly puzzled. “Treck?” (Why not?)

The Dragonite sighed, replying, “Awoo.” (Because they stayed behind on Dragonite Island.)

This particular Dragonite was one of the newer arrivals. Having spent its entire life on Dragonite Island, the transition to the World Tree was a little overwhelming.

It missed the familiar surroundings of the island and the companions it had left behind.

Unlike the Dragonites, the Treecko trio seemed completely at ease. Their excitement about the future and the Pokémon Guild they were helping to establish overshadowed any homesickness. They were already envisioning their role in running a cozy café at the World Tree.

The flickering light of the bonfire cast soft shadows across the faces of the gathered Dragonites. A lingering sadness hung in the air as the reality of parting from their companions on Dragonite Island settled in. Even Milotic and the Treecko trio couldn’t help but feel the weight of the Dragonites’ sorrow.

Arboliva, observing the scene with gentle eyes, quietly pondered the situation. Having been with Naoki since childhood, it had learned to silently pay attention to his actions and decisions.

Naoki always chose togetherness, no matter the circumstances. He believed in the power of companionship.

Inspired by this thought, Arboliva suddenly had an idea. If the Dragonites are upset about leaving their friends, wouldn’t it be better to live together?

Arboliva perked up and addressed the Dragonites. “Oliv, Oliv!” (If you miss your friends so much, why not invite them to live on the World Tree with you?)

“Awoo?!” The Dragonites blinked in surprise, their heads tilting in unison.

Arboliva continued, “Arboli” (As you can see, the World Tree is vast and has plenty of room for everyone. If they come here, you’ll never have to be apart again. It’ll be just like the ranch—a place for everyone to live together happily.)

Hearing this, the Dragonites’ eyes sparkled with renewed hope.

What a brilliant idea! The World Tree was beautiful, peaceful, and perfect for their tribe. Their friends on Dragonite Island would surely love it.

Excited by the thought, the Dragonites began to chatter animatedly, making plans to visit Dragonite Island first thing in the morning to extend their invitation.

Their spirits lifted, and the atmosphere around the bonfire became warm and cheerful again. That night, under World Tree, the Dragonites slept soundly, their hearts filled with anticipation.

......

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight bathed the ranch, the Dragonites approached Naoki to share their plan.

They explained their idea with earnest expressions, their large eyes filled with hope. “Awoo!” (We want to invite everyone from Dragonite Island to live on the World Tree. Is that okay?)

Naoki stared at the group in disbelief, needing a moment to process what they were asking. “Wait… You’re saying you want all the Dragonites on the island to move here?”

“Awoo!” The Dragonites nodded enthusiastically, their tails swishing with excitement.

“But what if they don’t want to leave?” Naoki asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

The Dragonites were quick to reassure him, puffing out their chests with confidence. They explained that everyone on Dragonite Island had grown up together, sharing countless memories—catching fish in the sea, gathering berries in the forest, and watching the stars and sunrises.

If they missed their friends, surely their friends felt the same way.

“Alright then,” Naoki said with a smile, touched by their determination. “Let’s go together.”

After quickly closing the ranch for the day, Naoki mounted Koraidon with his own Dragonite by his side. Along with the group of working Dragonites, they set off across the glistening waters of the Paldea Sea.

After nearly a year, Naoki found himself returning to Dragonite Island. The secluded haven stood tranquil in the middle of the vast ocean, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant wildlife.

As they approached, the group could hear the familiar calls of wild Dragonites echoing through the Island's forest. The scent of ripe berries filled the air, carried by a gentle breeze.

The working Dragonites led the way, excited to share their stories and their invitation.

Naoki dismounted Koraidon, taking in the serene beauty of the island. Memories of his previous visits flooded back, along with a realization—Dragonite Island had a unique charm, one that felt like home even to him.

His Dragonite, too, seemed nostalgic. Its gaze swept across the landscape, remembering the days it had spent here with its kin.

Dragonite reflected on its past. Back then, it felt like the "fool" of the group—clumsy and unsure of itself. But the other Dragonites never laughed at or bullied it. Instead, they always treated it with kindness. Despite their support, it couldn’t shake the feeling of being inadequate, always seeing itself as “just a stupid Dragonite.”

Looking back now, Dragonite felt a wave of nostalgia for those simpler times. Life had been carefree, filled with days spent playing in the lake and dreaming of growing stronger.

Dragonite glanced at the group of island Dragonites, who were now vying for Naoki’s attention. It made a decision then and there—it wouldn’t stop Naoki from teaching them new moves. After all, they were its family, and learning from Naoki could only make them stronger.

The working Dragonites began negotiating with the island Dragonites, enthusiastically sharing tales of life at the ranch and the World Tree.

Naoki, observing the lively discussion, turned to his Dragonite with curiosity. “Did you play with them when you were little?” he asked.

Dragonite nodded with a soft “Awoo,” recalling the memories fondly. Back then, it was just a tiny Dratini, surrounded by others as weak as itself. They had spent their days swimming in the lake, eagerly waiting for the day they would evolve. Older Dragonites would bring back berries and fish to feed them, watching over the younger generation with care.

Naoki smiled warmly at Dragonite. “You’ve grown so much since the first time I met you,” he said, his voice filled with pride.

Dragonite, caught off guard by the compliment, scratched its head shyly and let out a soft “Awoo~.”

But then, a playful gleam entered Naoki’s eyes. He leaned closer and whispered, “By the way, that Dragonite you had a crush on… is it among them?”

Dragonite froze, its eyes widening in shock. It looked as though Naoki had struck a nerve.

Naoki couldn’t help but chuckle at its reaction. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like her anymore?”

Dragonite’s wings twitched nervously, unsure how to respond. 

“Come on,” Naoki said with an encouraging smile. “You’re a strong Dragonite now! You should have confidence in yourself.”

Dragonite sighed, a little flustered. It let out a reluctant “Awoo...” before turning its gaze toward the other Dragonites, clearly still shy about the topic.

Meanwhile, the negotiations between the working Dragonites and the island Dragonites seemed to have reached a conclusion. The Dragonites all turned to Naoki, their expressions bright with excitement. One of the working Dragonites stepped forward eagerly, letting out a cheerful “Awooo!”

“Did they agree?” Naoki asked, hopeful.

The Dragonite nodded enthusiastically, its tail wagging with joy.

Naoki let out a relieved breath, a smile spreading across his face. “That’s great.”

As he scanned the gathered Dragonites, his eyes landed on a familiar figure—the giant Dragonite. Once towering over its peers, it had eaten a special pumpkin dish Naoki had prepared during a previous visit. Now, its size had adjusted to match that of a normal Dragonite.

“Long time no see, Dragonite!” Naoki greeted warmly, his voice carrying a note of nostalgia.

The giant Dragonite responded happily with a deep, resonant roar: “Awoo~!”

It clearly remembered Naoki, the person who had helped it find this haven in the first place. Gratitude filled its heart, and the bond between them felt stronger than ever.

Now that the Dragonites had agreed to live within the World Tree, Naoki turned his attention to the logistics of their new home. 

If all the Dragonites were housed on the Expedition Guild floor, it would undoubtedly become overcrowded. Furthermore, feeding this many Dragonites with the output from the orchard he had cultivated would be nearly impossible. He’d need to expand the orchards, and fast.

Naoki fell into deep thought, his eyes scanning the lush Dragonite Island. His mind wandered to the interior of the World Tree, considering its many levels and vast spaces.

Suddenly, inspiration struck.

Could Calyrex, use its psychic powers to relocate the entirety of Dragonite Island into the World Tree? 

Naoki’s mind raced as he pieced together the logistics. He recalled that the World Tree’s lower levels housed a massive valley with an expansive open space. With some minor modifications, it could be transformed into a perfect Dragonite sanctuary. If they transferred the island along with some seawater and stocked it with fish, the environment would replicate the Dragonites’ current habitat. They could hunt fish as they pleased and, when in the mood for something sweet, visit the orchard for fruit.

He knew of Calyrex’s immense power—it had once saved an entire forest and its Pokémon by relocating the entire ecosystem. Surely it could manage this task.

Excited, Naoki whipped out his Rotom phone and called Calyrex. After hearing Naoki’s idea, Calyrex affirmed it was feasible.

“Where are you now?” Calyrex asked.

Naoki shared his location, and Calyrex used the phone’s navigation to teleport directly to Dragonite Island.

“Should we evacuate the island first?” Naoki inquired.

Calyrex took a moment to scan the surroundings, its gaze calm and analytical. Finally, it shook its head. “No need. You can stay where you are.”

The next moment, Calyrex’s eyes glowed with radiant energy as it activated its psychic powers. A surge of pressure emanated from its form, sending ripples through the air.

The immense psychic energy manifested as a soft blue aura that enveloped Dragonite Island and a significant portion of the surrounding seawater. The power was so intense that it distorted the space around them, warping the sky and horizon into a surreal swirl of colors.

Then, in a flash of dazzling white light, the entire island—along with its inhabitants and the surrounding waters—vanished from the ocean.

Before Naoki or the Dragonites could fully comprehend what had happened, the scenery around them shifted dramatically.

Gone was the endless ocean. In its place was a mysterious, otherworldly environment—the inside of the World Tree.

Calyrex had not only transported Dragonite Island but had also brought a vast expanse of seawater along with it. The transplanted waters flooded the valley, filling the area with a shimmering blue sea that perfectly mirrored the original habitat. 

Dragonite Island now floated peacefully on the surface of this newly created “ocean.” As the waves settled, the once-turbulent waters became calm and serene, reflecting the soft light from above.

The Dragonites were utterly dumbfounded. They gazed around in disbelief, taking in the uncanny resemblance to their former home. The gentle waves lapped against the shore, and the familiar trees and berry bushes swayed in the breeze.

...

You can support me on Patreon and read upto 50+ chapters ahead /Keepsmiling818