Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 439: Slowpoke & Shellder

March 21, 200th Year of the League Calendar

Naoki met Larry once again, though the latter seemed more worn out than usual.

"This is the King's rock that Geeta asked me to deliver to you. My job here is done," Larry said, handing over the item.

He was dressed in a black suit, but his polished shoes were now scuffed with dust. His typically stoic face showed a rare hint of fatigue, and his posture screamed exhaustion.

Naoki couldn't help but recall what Geeta had mentioned about Larry purchasing goat milk from his ranch to stay awake during his long work hours.

Looking at Larry now, Naoki felt compelled to say, "Mr. Larry, would you like to come inside, have some tea, and take a quick rest?"

Larry shook his head, his tone was as tired as his expression. "No, thanks. My job's done, and now I just want to go home."

Larry had earned himself three days of paid leave for completing this task, and he intended to spend every moment of it recuperating at home.

Naoki nodded, watching as Larry turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped under the weight of endless responsibilities.

Home truly was the best place for a hardworking man like Larry.

Naoki didn't look away until Larry's figure disappeared down the path.

Then, he shifted his gaze to the object in his hand: the King's Rock, the key item needed for Slowpoke's evolution into Slowking.@@novelbin@@

The King's Rock wasn't much different from the one in the games. It was a golden crown, aged and weathered, bearing marks of time's passage.

Legend had it that this crown once belonged to an ancient king. Imbued with the essence of kingship, it carried a faint aura of authority.

This energy was the secret to Slowpoke and its evolution partners gaining their kingly transformations, and becoming leaders of their kind.

With the King's Rock secured, all Naoki needed now was a Shellder willing to bond with his Slowpoke. Once that was done, Slowpoke would be ready to evolve into Slowking.

Fortunately, Shellder were quite common and often found in coastal waters. According to Naoki's Rotom Phone, Shellder could be spotted along most beaches in the Paldea region.

Luckily, Kosaji Town was near the Paldean coastline.

He retrieved Slowpoke's Poké Ball from his bag and then headed to the World Tree and retrieved Slowpoke into the Pokeball.

"I'll be back soon," Naoki said as he prepared for his excursion, grabbing the diving gear he'd purchased recently. Before leaving, he informed the Indeedee siblings.

"Indeedee~" The elder brother and younger sister nodded, signaling that they'd manage things while he was gone.

"Thanks. I'm counting on you," Naoki said, ruffling their heads affectionately.

Before setting off, he glanced around to check on the other Pokémon.

The Eeveelutions were playing hide-and-seek in the meadow. Pawmot and its parents were tending to the hens in the chicken coop. Farfetch'd was practicing with its leek in the onion patch, and Dragonite and the others were out running errands.

Most of the other Pokémon were enjoying themselves at Snorlax Park, just across the river.

With everything in order, Naoki headed to the Kosaji Town beach, bringing Koraidon along to help search for Shellder.

.....

Back at the ranch, Cyclizar watched Naoki and Koraidon leave. A pang of envy flickered in its heart.

Koraidon was always so dependable, able to assist Naoki in almost any task.

Compared to Koraidon, it felt like such a failure.

No matter how much it trained or improved its moves, it didn't seem like anything it did truly helped Naoki.

With a heavy sigh, Cyclizar flopped onto the grass, staring blankly at the sky.

"Raaao…"

The more it thought about its shortcomings, the more disheartened it became.

...

The sky was a brilliant blue, the water crystal-clear, and the sun bathed everything in its warm glow.

The endless sea stretched out calmly, with the occasional flock of Wingull gliding gracefully through the air. They swooped down to rest on the sandy shores, folding their wings as they settled comfortably.

"Come on out, Slowpoke!"

With a burst of white light, the pink, dopey figure of Slowpoke materialized on the beach. Its unfocused eyes gazed blankly into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.

After what felt like an eternity, Slowpoke seemed to realize that it was no longer in its usual surroundings. Its cream-colored mouth opened slowly.

"Slow?"

Naoki chuckled, placing the King's Rock Larry had delivered onto Slowpoke's head. The crown fit snugly, resting perfectly atop its round head.

Slowpoke, now crowned, remained as vacant as ever, its gaze unchanging.

Naoki examined it carefully, nodding in satisfaction.

"You know, Slowpoke, the King's Rock really suits you. If only your eyes showed a little more… insight, it'd be perfect," he teased lightly.

With the crown in place, it was time for the next step: finding a Shellder willing to form a bond with Slowpoke.

Naoki and Koradion began their search along the coastline. Despite their best efforts, the beach seemed deserted. There were no Shellder to be found, only a few Sandshrew scuttling about and Wingull basking in the sunlight.

Seeing this, Naoki turned to Koraidon. "Let's head into the water."

Obligingly, Koraidon's form shifted. Its paws adjusted into fins suitable for swimming, its tail extended for balance, and the tire-like structure on its chest inflated like an airbag.

In this form, Koraidon resembled a sleek, rideable jet ski.

Naoki scooped up Slowpoke, climbed aboard Koraidon, and together they sped across the tranquil waves, slicing through the water effortlessly.

Once they were far from the shore, Naoki instructed Koraidon to stop.

Although Koraidon was adept at swimming, it wasn't built for extended dives. Even a legendary Pokémon needed air eventually.

Patting Koraidon's head, Naoki reassured it. "Stay here and wait for me. I won't be long."

"Graa!" Koraidon nodded, its expressive eyes watching Naoki intently.

Donning his diving gear, Naoki dove into the water, with Slowpoke lazily perched on his back.

The underwater world was breathtaking. Sunlight filtered through the ocean surface, creating shimmering patterns on the seafloor. Coral reefs of every imaginable color dotted the seabed, swaying gently alongside clusters of seaweed.

A myriad of Water-type Pokémon darted through the vibrant undersea landscape: Alomomola with its nurturing demeanor, schools of Finneon glinting like underwater jewels, Luvdisc swirling gracefully, and Lanturn emitting soft, mesmerizing glows.

Naoki scanned his surroundings carefully.

Shellder often burrowed into sandy seabeds, using their tongues to sift through sediment for food. At night, they retreated into these self-made holes to sleep.

"Let's check the sand," Naoki muttered, descending deeper with Slowpoke in tow.

As they explored, a school of Wishiwashi suddenly scattered at the sight of the unfamiliar intruders. The tiny fish swarmed in panic, shimmering like silver rain.

"They're so small," Naoki thought. "Hard to believe these little ones can become sea monsters."

He recalled the fascinating legend of Wishiwashi.

Individually, Wishiwashi were some of the weakest Pokémon in existence, easy prey for predators like Gyarados. A single Wishiwashi wouldn't stand a chance.

But when they came together, their School Form transformed them into a formidable force—an entity so massive and powerful that it earned the nickname "Demon of the Deep."

Even a naturally ferocious Pokémon like Gyarados would steer clear of a Wishiwashi in School Form.

Naoki pulled out his Rotom Phone, aiming the lens at the shimmering school of Wishiwashi darting through the azure water. The sunlight filtering down enhanced the spectacle, and he couldn't resist recording the mesmerizing sight.

After a while, the scattered Wishiwashi, realizing there was no imminent danger, slowly regrouped, forming their characteristic school. They hovered in the surrounding waters, their shimmering scales reflecting light like a liquid mosaic.

"Rotom, could you ask these Wishiwashi if there are any Shellder around here?" Naoki requested, glancing at his reliable gadget.

The Rotom Phone, built with state-of-the-art waterproof technology, floated forward confidently. Its animated face turned to Naoki as it chirped, "Got it, Rotom!"

Rotom buzzed over to one of the tiny fish, transmitting Naoki's question in the Pokémon language. The Wishiwashi, initially wary, cautiously assessed the human before responding with a series of soft noises.

The phone's translator activated: [Yes, there are Shellder here. They're buried in the sand at the seabed, Rotom.]

Naoki nodded thoughtfully. Shellder, though harmless to Wishiwashi, tended to bury themselves for safety and to ambush prey. The Wishiwashi, having no natural enmity with Shellder, had naturally noticed their presence.

"Thank you," Naoki replied.

He reached into his pouch and retrieved two raw eggs, cracking them deftly underwater. The yolk and whites drifted in the current, dispersing like a savory cloud.

The faint scent caught the attention of a few timid Wishiwashi. Hesitant at first, they cautiously approached, nipping at the floating egg pieces.

Before long, more Wishiwashi joined in, forming a shimmering congregation. The two eggs were quickly consumed, prompting Naoki to retrieve a small bottle of milk from his gear. Opening it, he let the creamy liquid flow into the water.

The Wishiwashi, thrilled by the unexpected treat, eagerly drank the milk. Their usual diet of plankton and algae didn't come close to this rich flavor. Their tiny eyes sparkled with delight.

Naoki watched the scene unfold with amusement. "Enjoy, little ones," he murmured, chuckling softly.

By the time the bottle was empty, the Wishiwashi had grown far less wary of him. A few even circled Naoki as though to thank him, their movements fluid and harmonious. Then, to his surprise, several began swimming in a purposeful formation, signaling him to follow.

"Are you leading me somewhere?" Naoki asked, intrigued.

The shimmering school flicked their tails, creating ripples in the water as if answering, [Yes, Rotom!]

A wide grin spread across Naoki's face. "Well, lead the way."

The Wishiwashi guided him deeper, their silvery forms cutting through the blue expanse. The sandy seabed stretched endlessly before them, illuminated by the dancing rays of sunlight penetrating the waves.

As Naoki followed, the surroundings grew more vibrant. White sands gave way to patches of coral reefs brimming with life. Long, slender bodies of Huntail and Gorebyss peeked from crevices in the coral, cautiously observing the human.

Eventually, the school of Wishiwashi slowed, their silvery forms circling a large rock. Atop the rock was a sight Naoki had been waiting for: Shellder, their tough shells glinting faintly in the light, resting amidst patches of seaweed.

Naoki's heart leapt with excitement. Found them!

He turned to glance at Slowpoke, still perched lazily on his back, completely unbothered by the underwater adventure.

Naoki said with a grin, "Let's see if one of these Shellder is willing to partner with you."

If the Shellder agrees to the partnership, evolution will occur immediately. However, if either party finds the arrangement unsuitable post-evolution, they can separate and revert to their original forms.

The relationship between Slowpoke and Shellder is unique, and their evolution works differently from other Pokémon. This "symbiotic evolution" allows them to revert at any time by simply detaching Shellder from Slowpoke. The evolved Slowking or Slowbro will separate into a regular Slowpoke and Shellder.

The school of Wishiwashi stopped a short distance away, their silvery forms shimmering in the underwater light. They neither approached nor left, watching Naoki with curiosity.

Naoki swam forward, carrying Slowpoke on his back.

One of the Shellder rested on a nearby rock, its shell slightly ajar. Inside, two small eyes peered out, and a pink tongue lazily poked from between its black shell.

Before Naoki could approach, the Shellder noticed him. Startled, it clamped its shell shut with a sharp "clack" and began swimming away, the two halves of its shell snapping open and closed to propel it backward. As it retreated, something small and shiny popped out from its shell.

A pearl.

Naoki blinked in surprise. "Really?"

It appeared that the Pokédex entry was accurate—Shellder would spit out pearls they deemed bothersome. The fleeing Shellder disappeared into the coral, leaving its pearl behind. Undeterred, Naoki turned his attention to the other Shellder nearby.

At that moment, Naoki felt Slowpoke stir on his back. Curious, he turned to look. For the first time, Slowpoke moved on its own, its previously vacant eyes seemingly drawn to something. Slowly and deliberately, it slid off Naoki's back, paddling toward a specific target.

Naoki followed Slowpoke's gaze to see another Shellder perched on a protruding rock. This one wasn't fleeing but instead lazily blowing bubbles. The pearl from the earlier Shellder had landed perfectly atop its shell, shimmering in the sunlight filtering through the water.

Slowpoke stopped just short of the Shellder and stared at it, its gaze locked on the glistening pearl. For a moment, neither Pokémon moved.

Sensing Slowpoke's presence, the Shellder stirred. Its shell cracked open, revealing its cautious eyes. Upon seeing the pink Pokémon so close, it reacted instinctively, snapping its shell shut with a powerful Clamp—right on Slowpoke's head.

"Slowwwy..." Slowpoke mumbled, seemingly unfazed by the attack.

The underwater scene changed instantly. A surge of bubbles erupted around the two Pokémon, and a bright, radiant light enveloped them both. The water shimmered with the light of evolution, and their forms began to merge.

Naoki shielded his eyes, marveling at the transformation.

When the glow faded, a brand-new Pokémon stood before him. Towering slightly taller than Slowpoke, the Pokémon balanced on two legs. Its neck was adorned with a frilly, orange-and-white, umbrella-like structure, while a Shellder, now resembling a crown, rested atop its head. Despite its newfound regal appearance, the Pokémon's wide grin and soft eyes retained an unmistakable silliness.

Naoki stared at it, speechless.

"Is this really Slowking? Why does it still look… not so smart?" Naoki mused aloud.

Slowking turned its gaze toward him, its wide, contemplative eyes glinting with intelligence. It opened its mouth and released a string of bubbles.

"&@#%."

Naoki blinked in surprise. "Wait, was that Slowking… talking?"

He quickly turned to his Rotom Phone. "Rotom, can you translate that?"

The Rotom Phone's screen flickered for a moment before displaying garbled text. "Cannot translate, Rotom!"

"Okay… then scan Slowking instead," Naoki requested.

Rotom responded with its characteristic chirp. "Scanning Slowking! Slowking, also known as the Sage of the Sea, is renowned for its calm demeanor and wisdom.

In certain regions, there's a saying, 'If you're lost, ask Slowking,' reflecting its reputation for intelligence.

While it is known to solve any problem it's asked, its unique language remains incomprehensible to humans. Rotom!"

Naoki sighed, scratching his head. "So… Slowpoke has evolved, but now it has its own private language? Great."

Despite its puzzling communication, Slowking seemed content in its new form. The Shellder crown on its head fit perfectly, and Naoki observed that the two Pokémon had bonded quite well. At least, it seemed so—probably?

"Slowking, do you still recognize me?" Naoki swam closer, pointing to himself.

Slowking gazed at him with its serene, wise eyes and nodded slightly. Of course, it remembered Naoki—the human who had brought it here and helped it evolve into its new form.

But within its mind, Slowking wrestled with far more profound questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? Why does this world exist?

As Slowking pondered the mysteries of existence, Naoki cleared his throat to regain its attention. "Let's head back to the ranch first. We can figure the rest out there."

Slowking seemed to consider the suggestion. Finally, it nodded in agreement and uttered another incomprehensible string of sounds.

"Still can't understand you," Naoki muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile. He gestured upward. "Let's go."

The two began their ascent, swimming toward the surface. Slowking followed Naoki with a slow, deliberate pace, as if deep in thought. Naoki couldn't help but recall the plot of Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One. In that film, a Slowking lived on Shamouti Island, guarding the temple and guiding the Chosen One.

That Slowking was unique. Not only could it predict the future, but it also spoke human language fluently.

"Does this mean all Slowkings can learn to speak, or was that one Slowking just… special?" Naoki mused to himself.

Naoki smiled. "Guess I'll have to figure out how to communicate with you. If Rotom can't translate, maybe I'll try translation seed crisps."

...

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