Pokemon: A New Path

"So, what you want… is for your trainer to only pay attention to you and no other Pokémon?"

In the living room, Naoki sat on the sofa with Koraidon, his arms resting on his lap as he looked across at the Sprigatito sitting in front of him.

The little Grass-type Pokémon leisurely licked its paw before nodding firmly. "Spiri!" (That's right!)@@novelbin@@

Hearing this, Koraidon, who had been watching silently, let out a deep, rumbling sound.

"Raao…" (I feel like you're asking the wrong person…)

Koraidon wasn't wrong.

Naoki: "…"

Yes. This was absolutely the wrong person to ask.

He himself had way too many Pokémon who got jealous of each other!

Sprigatito tilted its head at Koraidon's reaction. "Spiri?" (What's wrong?)

"Nothing, haha!" Naoki quickly covered for Koraidon's comment with an awkward laugh.

However, Sprigatito remained skeptical, narrowing its eyes.

"Spiri…?" (Can you really help me?)

"I'm not sure," Naoki admitted. "But I can try to think of some solutions for you."

Sprigatito's ears twitched. "Spiri?" (Like what?)

Naoki considered for a moment before offering his advice.

"For starters, you should be more proactive. Don't just wait around—express how you feel to your trainer! Be there when they need help. Maybe that way, they'll think you're smart and reliable, and naturally, they'll start paying more attention to you."

However, as he spoke, he recalled a crucial fact—Sprigatito, much like most feline Pokémon, was notoriously independent, easily jealous, and prone to sulking.

If its trainer started giving more attention to another Pokémon, there was a good chance Sprigatito would get moody, ignore commands, or, in the worst-case scenario… run away from home.

Hearing Naoki's words, Sprigatito fell into deep thought.

"Spiri?" (If I do that… will my trainer only care about me?)

Koraidon, who had been sitting beside Naoki this whole time, let out a quiet huff. It looked as if it had something to say but was hesitating.

Naoki, on the other hand, hesitated for a different reason.

He wasn't going to lie to the little Sprigatito, but he also couldn't make empty promises.

"Not necessarily," he said honestly. "But your trainer might start appreciating you more than before."

Sprigatito took a moment to digest that.

Then, suddenly, it brightened up. "Spiri-ha!" (I got it! I'll try it first! If it works, I'll give you my treasure!)

Before Naoki could even respond, Sprigatito leaped off the sofa, dashed out the door, and disappeared into the bushes.

Naoki sighed in relief.

At least he wouldn't have to deal with another overly possessive Pokémon in his home.

However…

"Raao…"

Koraidon watched Sprigatito vanish into the distance, then suddenly turned its head toward Naoki. Its expression was unreadable.

A moment later, it rumbled, "Raao?"

Rotom Phone quickly translated: [Who is your favorite Pokémon, Naoki?]

Naoki: "…"

A polite, neutral smile spread across his face. "I like all of you equally."

Koraidon narrowed its eyes.

"Raao…?" (Really? Then… who do you like more?)

"I like all of you the same," Naoki repeated firmly.

Seeing that Naoki was dodging the question, Koraidon changed tactics.

"Raao?" (Do you like Cyclizar?)

Naoki blinked in mild surprise but answered without hesitation, "Of course."

He glanced at Koraidon and added, "For a trainer, their first Pokémon is always special. And Cyclizar was the first Pokémon I met when I arrived in this region."

Naoki's voice softened with nostalgia.

"Back then, before the ranch became what it is today, it was just the two of us. I had nothing—no money, no stable home—just a rundown cabin that barely kept out the rain. But Cyclizar stayed by my side. Cyclizar never left, even when things were tough."

"Cyclizar slept beside me every night in that old, drafty house, just to keep me warm."

A quiet breeze passed through the room.

Koraidon listened to Naoki's words in silence.

It didn't know how to feel.

This warmth… this weight of emotions… It was the same feeling it had experienced before when it was just a Cyclizar—when it first met Naoki.

It was impossible to say Koraidon didn't feel anything deep down.

Because right now… it was both a Cyclizar and not a Cyclizar.

It had evolved—transcended its former self—yet at its core, it was still the same Pokémon that had once followed Naoki through thick and thin.

So, it felt both happiness… and jealousy.

The happiness came from knowing just how much Naoki cherished that Cyclizar.

The jealousy?

It came from the fact that the Cyclizar in Naoki's memories—the one he spoke about so fondly—was not Koraidon as it was now, but the past version of itself.

Seeing Koraidon lost in thought, Naoki continued,

"But you know, each of you Pokémon means something different to me—like how every family member has a unique role. A father, a mother, siblings… Each one plays an important part. Because everyone is together, we can call it a family."

"Raao…" plicated.)

Koraidon's head started to spin from all this talk about family dynamics.

In the end, it decided to abandon overthinking altogether and simply flopped onto the soft grass, stretching out comfortably. It gazed up at the sky, watching white clouds drift lazily overhead.

Naoki chuckled before turning back toward the house.

It was time to start preparing lunch for the Pokémon.

As he entered the kitchen, the familiar bubbling sound of molten magma echoed from the heating pipes. Slugma emerged, its molten body glowing faintly as it slithered across the floor, ready to assist Naoki with starting the fire.

Naoki smiled at the Pokémon's diligence.

"You're always so reliable."

Squatting down, he grabbed a few berries and energy cubes from the counter, offering them to Slugma. The little Lava Pokémon's eyes gleamed as it accepted the treat, its body pulsing warmly in excitement.

Two small bursts of white smoke suddenly puffed out from its vents with a whoosh—startling a flock of Chatots that had been resting on the rooftop. With loud, indignant squawks, the birds scattered into the sky.

Naoki let out a small laugh. "Alright, alright, eat up."

Using a metal tool, he carefully removed the charred fruit cores that had burned inside Slugma's molten body.

As he worked, a thought crossed his mind.

Looking at the slightly cramped ventilation ducts, he suddenly asked,

"Hey, would you be interested in living over at the World Tree instead?"

Slugma, halfway through chewing a berry, froze.

"Sluu?" (Huh?)

Naoki explained, "I mean, this place is kind of small. You're always moving through the pipes every day—it must feel a little suffocating, right?"

Compared to the vast, open space of the World Tree, this little kitchen vent felt almost unfair to Slugma.

Especially now that the World Tree had flourished. So many Pokémon had moved there already, yet Slugma remained behind, confined to this tiny corner of the ranch.

Besides… with the house's air conditioning and fireplaces working perfectly fine, it wasn't like they needed a living heater anymore.

Naoki half-expected Slugma to immediately leap at the opportunity.

But to his surprise—

"Sluu!"

Slugma shook its head firmly.

"You want to stay here?" Naoki asked in surprise.

"Sluu!"

Naoki furrowed his brows. "Why? The World Tree has so much more space, and plenty of Pokémon would love to be your friend."

"Slu!"

At that moment, Naoki's Rotom Phone lit up and automatically translated Slugma's response.

"Slugma says: 'Because Naoki and Pawmot are here, I want to stay too.'"

"Slu~"

Slugma nodded happily, confirming its words.

Naoki blinked, a little taken aback. Then, slowly, his lips curved into a warm smile.

"I see. Then let's stay here together."

"Sluu~!"

The flames inside Slugma's molten body crackled even more vibrantly.

Satisfied, Naoki turned back to his cooking, chopping up fresh ingredients while Slugma curled up nearby, exhaling small puffs of steam in contentment.

He switched his Rotom Phone to flight mode, letting it float to the side and automatically play the noon news from the Paldea region.

Just as he was stirring the pot—

His phone buzzed with an incoming message.

[Iono]: Hey, hey! Have you eaten yet?

Naoki's hands paused. The moment he saw her name, his heart skipped a beat.

Immediately, his mind flashed back to what Indeedee had said to him a while ago. Suppressing a complicated feeling, he replied while still stirring the food.

[Gold King]: Almost. What's up? What's got you messaging me at this hour?

Iono's reply came almost instantly.

[Iono]: Uhhh… mostly, I wanted to ask if you're free in June! There's gonna be a SUPER luxurious summer festival in Levincia City and—

[Iono]: Well, I felt kinda bad for making you take care of me last time, so I wanna invite you and Koraidon over for a day! My treat! 🥳🎊

Naoki stared at the message.

She was inviting him and Koraidon… to Levincia City's Summer Festival?

If it weren't for Indeedee's previous implications, Naoki wouldn't have thought too much about it.

For a moment, Naoki hesitated.

'Could it be… that what Indeedee had said was actually true?'

Did Iono… have a crush on him?

"No, no way," he dismissed the thought almost immediately.

It would be way too embarrassing if he had just misread the situation.

Imagining himself assuming she liked him—only for it to turn out that she didn't—was enough to make him cringe. He would just look like some ordinary guy getting ahead of himself.

So, after a brief moment of contemplation, Naoki decided to play it safe and act as if nothing had happened. He calculated the timing and was about to agree to Iono's invitation.

But then he paused.

Come to think of it, he probably wouldn't be free in June.

By then, the World Tree would be fully matured, and he had to work with Giratina and Mewtwo to relocate it into the sky.

Not only that, but based on the intel Steven had shared, the Hoenn region's crisis was expected to unfold around that time.

He needed to remain at the ranch, keeping an eye on the situation in case Steven required his help.

With all of that in mind, Naoki typed out his response.

[Gold King]: June is going to be a busy time at the ranch. The crops will need harvesting, and with the seasons changing, I have to prepare seeds for autumn planting in advance.

A reply came almost instantly.

[Iono]: Ah… what a shame! There's gonna be a huge fireworks festival in Levincia, and the Gym's closing for the day. I wanted to invite you and Koraidon to come watch! 🎆

Fireworks festival?

Naoki raised an eyebrow.

[Gold King]: There's actually going to be a fireworks show here in Kosaji too. People will gather at the beach that night to celebrate the end of summer. Is this some kind of tradition across Paldea?

[Iono]: Yeah, pretty much! A lot of coastal cities throw festivals this time of year. Are you taking Koraidon and the others to the one in Kosaji?

[Gold King]: Of course. But a small-town festival probably won't be as lively as a big-city event like Levincia's.

[Iono]: Ugh, I wish I could go somewhere quieter! The Levincia beach gets insanely crowded. Last year, even my Bellibolt and I got stuck in the crowd! I don't wanna deal with that again. Looks like I'll be spending another boring holiday at home… 😩

Reading that, Naoki chuckled. He could almost picture Iono sulking dramatically.

After a moment of thought, he replied:

[Gold King]: If you're that bored, why not come to Kosaji's festival instead? It's not as crowded, so you won't have to fight your way through people.

Iono's next response came in record time.

[Iono]: Eh?! Wait, really?!

[Gold King]: Sure. The more, the merrier.

Iono's reply was just as direct.

[Iono]: OKAY!! Then I'm definitely coming!!

Naoki simply responded with an "OK."

After that, Iono seemed to get busy, wrapping up the conversation with a quick goodbye before logging off. Now left alone, Naoki's thoughts shifted back to the Hoenn situation.

If Steven was reaching out to him for assistance, then things in Hoenn must have escalated beyond what even the Champion could handle.

That meant the only way to stop what was coming…

The modern world had long since entered the Internet Age.

For a large-scale event like this, there would definitely be trainers, reporters, and thrill-seekers rushing to document everything.

Naoki really didn't want to risk exposing his identity.

If he was caught on camera, his face could go viral overnight.

And the next thing he knew—every eager trainer who had ever heard his name would be showing up at the ranch, demanding a battle.

If Calyrex and Giratina took action, there was no doubt about it, the entire world would know that both Legendary Pokémon were at Naoki's ranch, alongside him.

And when that happened…

The peaceful sanctuary he had built would be completely overrun by eager trainers, reporters, and fanatics.

The ranch would be razed to the ground by overwhelming crowds.

Naoki wasn't afraid of people. But the idea of losing the peaceful, stable life he had built for his Pokémon… That was what concerned him.

After a moment of contemplation, an idea struck him.

To protect the sanctuary of the ranch, he needed to take precautions.

He had to disguise himself.

That way, no one could associate his everyday identity—the ordinary, mild-mannered rancher Naoki—with the masked savior who would intervene in Hoenn's crisis.

Not only would this ensure his Pokémon could continue living undisturbed, but it would also keep unsavory groups from setting their sights on them.

Groups like Team Rocket and Team Galactic.

Sure, Naoki wasn't afraid of them. But dealing with their relentless schemes would be incredibly annoying.

So, how would he do it?

He had a perfect example to reference.

There was already a Pokémon at his ranch that excelled in masking its identity.

Just like Zoroark, he needed to craft a persona—

A masked hero who would step forward in times of disaster.

And without the mask?

He would remain nothing more than a simple rancher.

Unless someone inside his circle revealed the truth, no one would ever connect the two identities.

After all, it had worked before—

Blaziken Mask, aka Meyer, was the loving father of Clemont and Bonnie and the owner of an electronics shop.

But secretly? He was the masked hero who fought against Team Flare.

And then there was Professor Kukui.

By day, he was a professor and teacher at the Pokémon School.

But at night? He transformed into the Masked Royal, battling fiercely in the Battle Royal Dome.

With his decision made, Naoki nodded to himself. Whenever he left the ranch, he would wear a mask.

A simple yet effective disguise. Now, he just needed someone to make one for him.

…But why go to an outsider when he had someone far more capable at home?

Mewtwo with its unparalleled crafting abilities, it was the perfect Pokémon for the job.

After lunch, Naoki grabbed his Rotom Phone and opened a video call with Mewtwo.

The screen flickered for a moment before the Pokémon appeared.

"What is it?" Mewtwo's voice was deep, its piercing gaze watching him through the screen.

Naoki smiled. "I need your help with something."

Mewtwo remained silent, waiting.

Without wasting time, Naoki explained his plan.

When he finished, the screen was quiet for a long moment.

Finally, Mewtwo spoke.

"…I see."

A thoughtful pause.

Then—

"I can do it, but I'll need materials."

Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Materials?"

Mewtwo nodded.

"When I built my castle on the Island, I attempted to create objects purely with psychic energy."

"But I failed."

Mewtwo's expression darkened slightly.

"I am unsure if it was due to my lack of power at the time, or if some other unknown force prevented me from shaping raw matter into solid form."

"In the end, I was forced to use Team Rocket's abandoned facilities as my building materials."

Its gaze sharpened.

"However… creating something as simple as a mask? That is well within my abilities."

...

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