Pokemon: A New Path

Despite all the heated arguing, Groudon and Kyogre still refused to register Pokégram accounts.

For Legendary Pokémon, their pride was far too great.

They saw no need to rely on human admiration to prove their superiority.

Thus, Giratina's plan to stir up an internet battle between the two failed completely. The Renegade Pokémon had wanted to see if their followers would surpass its own. But it turned out… neither of them cared about popularity at all.

Instead, Groudon and Kyogre continued arguing in their chat group, exchanging insults without pause.

Naoki considered stepping in to stop them. But after thinking it over, he decided…As long as they weren't destroying the world, a little bickering was fine.

And so, time passed quietly.

In the blink of an eye, the Alliance Calendar Year 200 was coming to an end.

As the New Year approached, Kosaji Town was already immersed in festive preparations.

That evening, Naoki drove his pickup truck into town, ready to stock up on New Year's supplies.

The cold winter winds had already begun to pick up, and there were rumors that a heavy snowstorm would arrive in a couple of days.

By then, the road leading to town would likely be buried under snow. So Naoki decided to make the trip today while the roads were still clear.

After parking by the roadside, Naoki hopped out of his truck, accompanied by a few Pokémon.

Holding up his shopping list, he muttered,

"Steaks, flour, rice, pastries… and plenty of firewood."

As he walked down the street, he couldn't help but admire the lively atmosphere around him. Despite the chill in the air, the town was bustling with warmth and excitement.

People in the Pokémon world celebrated the New Year just as humans did. Even though the actual New Year's Eve was still a while away, the festive spirit was already in full swing.

Children bundled up in cozy red coats ran through the streets, their laughter echoing as they played.

Pokémon wearing woolen scarves accompanied their trainers, looking just as excited as the townsfolk.

Street vendors displayed rows of colorful fireworks, while workers carefully transported large crates filled with even more.

These would light up the sky on New Year's Eve, bringing a dazzling end to the year.

As Naoki walked through the bustling streets, he was greeted warmly by familiar faces.

Many of the shopkeepers in town knew him well.

A baker waved from his stall. "Good evening, Naoki! Are you here to stock up for the celebrations?"

Naoki smiled and nodded. "Yep! Gotta get everything ready so I can just hibernate."

Nearby, the florist—a cheerful woman arranging a bouquet—perked up at his words.

"Hibernate?" When the proprietress of a flower shop heard this unfamiliar word, an expression of interest appeared on her face.

As she spoke, Naoki's gaze drifted to her flower stand.

On it, a few Roselia and Cherrim stood lazily in their pots, their petals half-closing in the chilly air.

"It means staying home and keeping warm through winter," Naoki explained with a smile. "Kind of like how a Delcatty curls up in a cozy nest on a snowy day."

The florist nodded in understanding. "That sounds wonderful! Oh, by the way—our shop is holding a special event. To thank our loyal customers, we're giving away a complimentary potted plant! Since you're here, this one's for you."

She handed Naoki a vibrant potted flower, its petals blooming beautifully despite the cold.

Naoki was a frequent customer, having purchased many flower seeds from her shop before. Seeing her generosity, he didn't refuse.

"Thank you!" He smiled and passed the flowerpot to Koraidon, who stood beside him. "Hold this for me."

"Raao~" Koraidon let out a soft growl, carefully cradling the flowerpot in its claws.

Naoki chuckled, then turned back to the florist. "We've still got a lot to do, so we'll be heading off now. See you later!"

"Alright! Oh, and next year, our shop will be getting a fresh batch of rare flowers from Kalos—be sure to stop by!"

Naoki nodded enthusiastically. "I'll definitely check them out!"

After leaving the flower shop, Naoki and his Pokémon headed towards the department store.

As soon as they stepped inside, Ogerpon and Alcremie perked up in excitement. They were already familiar with this place, and before Naoki could say anything, several Pokémon turned their eager gazes toward him.

Naoki grinned, grabbing a shopping cart. "Alright, go ahead! Pick out whatever you want—I'll cover it."

"Pon~!" 

"Bamo~!" 

And with that, a small stampede of Pokémon dashed towards the aisles, tails wagging and wings fluttering.

Naoki chuckled to himself, watching as his Pokémon enthusiastically browsed the shelves. Taking out his Rotom Phone, he snapped a quick picture and sent it to Iono.

[Naoki: Shopping with the Pokémon. What are you up to?]

Iono's reply came almost immediately.

[Iono: Listening to my mom nag at me! (T^T) It's hilarious, though. My parents didn't travel anywhere this year, which is totally unlike them!]

Naoki paused for a moment, his expression softening.

He had heard stories about Iono's parents before.

Apparently, the two of them had once been renowned Pokémon Trainers, meeting by chance during their travels and falling in love at first sight.

After their travels ended, Iono's parents settled down in the bustling metropolis of Levincia, where they married and started a family—surrounded by their Pokémon, of course.

Now, they were nagging Iono, but… could it be that they thought she had rushed into a relationship too soon?

[Naoki: Do they think you're too young to be in a relationship?]

[Iono: Hmm? Of course not! They actually want me to get married already! I am an adult, okay! (>_<)]

Naoki: "…"

At that moment, he couldn't help but imagine Iono puffing up like a little Pufferfish, her face red with frustration.

He chuckled to himself, amused at the mental image.

Just then, Alcremie, Ogerpon, and the others came bounding back towards him, their excitement clear in their expressions. It seemed like they had finished picking out everything they wanted.

Seeing this, Naoki put away his Rotom Phone, gathered up his Pokémon, and took them around the supermarket one last time to ensure he had everything he needed.

After making all his purchases, he loaded up the pickup truck and checked the supplies one more time. Once satisfied that nothing was left behind, he started the engine and began the drive back to the ranch.

Even before they had fully arrived, Greavard came bounding toward them from the distance—tail wagging, paws kicking up the snow as it ran.

It was just like a loyal watchdog greeting its owner after a long day.

Knowing that the snowstorm could get worse later, Naoki drove the truck straight into the garage, ensuring it was parked safely before stepping out.

The moment he did, Greavard leaped up in excitement, its tongue lolling out as it eagerly licked Naoki's hand.

"Alright, alright!" Naoki laughed, scratching its head. "Let's head inside."

"Woof!"

Greavard barked happily, circling around Naoki like an excited puppy.

Still smiling, Naoki carefully maneuvered past the energetic Ghost Dog Pokémon, joining Koraidon and the others as they unloaded supplies from the truck and carried them into the house.

Just as they finished unpacking, something caught Naoki's attention.

Outside, snowflakes had begun to fall—small and delicate at first, then gradually becoming thicker and heavier, turning the entire landscape into a white wonderland.

The north wind howled, sweeping through the valley and carrying a low, eerie sound from the distant mountains.

It was as if the wind itself was weeping. Naoki stood by the window, gazing out at the world beyond.

Everything had turned into a vast, endless expanse of white.

He exhaled softly.

Thankfully, he had anticipated the snowfall and made sure to move Snorlax, Wooloo, Butterfree, and Combee into warm, sheltered areas ahead of time.

Outside, the snow continued to fall heavily, blanketing the landscape in a thick, icy layer.

But inside the ranch house, it was warm and inviting.

In the fireplace, Slugma lay curled up, lazily munching on a few berries. The heat radiating from its magma-like body traveled through the heating pipes, warming every corner of the room.

Near the fireplace, Cyclizar sprawled out on the carpet, its eyes half-lidded with pure bliss as it soaked in the comforting warmth.

Cyclizar: (…) 'content sigh

Across the room, Pawmot was perched by the window, scratching at the glass, its little paws pressing against the cold surface. It called over its friends as if beckoning them to come and see the snowfall.

As expected, Slugma, hearing the commotion, slowly slithered forward. It peeked through the pipe opening behind Pawmot, its molten body glowing faintly as it observed the heavy snowfall outside.

"Woo?" Slugma let out a low hum.

"Pawmot..." (So cold… (﹏))

The sight of the harsh winter storm sent a shiver down its molten body, and Slugma instinctively drew back.

Naoki, who had just finished organizing supplies, chuckled as he approached from behind.

"If it looks too scary outside, why not just close the curtains?" he teased with a grin.

Pawmot immediately turned around, puffed up its chest, and patted its little paws against itself.

"Pawmot!" (I'm not scared! I'm a brave

Naoki laughed at its overly dramatic declaration before patting its head fondly.

By now, the sky outside had darkened considerably.

Realizing that it was almost dinnertime, Naoki headed to the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves with a sense of determination.

Tonight's freezing weather called for something warm and hearty—something comforting.

And what could be more perfect than a hot, steaming pot of soup?

Just thinking about it was enough to make his mouth water.

With the decision made, Naoki rummaged through the pantry and pulled out a few fresh potatoes, a slab of beef, and an assortment of vegetables.

Step 1: Chop the potatoes into bite-sized cubes.

Step 2: Dice the beef into small, tender chunks.

Step 3: Add everything into the pot and let it slowly simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

As the broth bubbled and thickened, an irresistible aroma began to spread throughout the house.

The fragrant scent of stewed beef and hearty potatoes gradually filled the air, drifting into the living room where the Pokémon had been playing.

One by one, their ears perked up.

Their noses twitched.

And soon, the entire group of Pokémon instinctively turned toward the kitchen, their stomachs grumbling in anticipation.

Sniff, sniff...

The promise of a warm, delicious meal was too tempting to resist.

Naoki glanced over his shoulder and smiled as he caught sight of several Pokémon eagerly peeking into the kitchen, their eyes filled with expectation.

"Go ahead and take your seats at the table!" he called out.

"Dinner will be ready soon!"

"Gaaaah!"

With Koraidon leading the charge, the Pokémon scattered excitedly, racing toward the dining area—eager to dig in.

Naoki chuckled at the familiar sight. Life at the ranch was never boring.

Naoki turned off the stove, letting the bubbling soup settle.

Taking a ladle, he scooped up a small spoonful and blew on it lightly before tasting it.

The first sip carried a gentle warmth, the slight kick of spice tingling his tongue, but not overpowering. The rich aroma of stewed potatoes blended perfectly with the deep, hearty flavor of beef, spreading warmth through his body as soon as it went down.

A satisfied smile formed on his face.

Perfect.

Checking the soup's effect, Naoki nodded in approval. Just as he expected—it would help protect against the harsh cold.

Wanting to make sure that everyone had enough, he also prepared a few extra plates of fresh fruit and snacks before carrying everything to the dining table.

"Dinner's ready!"

The Pokémon didn't need to be told twice.

With a burst of excitement, they happily swarmed the table, their tails wagging and eyes sparkling as they eagerly dug into the meal.

The warm, steaming soup was the highlight of the feast, and the Pokémon quickly realized just how wonderful it was to have something so hot and comforting on a freezing winter night.

After dinner, Naoki sank into the bathtub, letting the warmth seep into his skin, easing the tension in his muscles.

As he leaned back in relaxation, a few of the smaller Pokémon, including Pawmot, Alcremie, and Eeveelutions, floated lazily in the water beside him, enjoying the cozy bath.

Meanwhile, the larger Pokémon, led by Koraidon, gathered outside the bathroom, peeking inside with pitiful expressions.

"Ah, gah..." Koraidon whined.

Naoki: "…"

Just as he was about to close his eyes and fully relax, Rotom's phone suddenly rang.

BZZZT! Incoming Video Call!

Naoki raised an eyebrow when he saw the name on the screen.

Cynthia?

Instead of answering the video call, he quickly switched to a voice call instead.

"Hello? Miss Cynthia, calling me at this time—is something wrong?"

From the other end of the line, Cynthia's calm yet serious voice came through.

"Apologies for disturbing you, but I have an unusual question that I was hoping you could help me with."

Naoki tilted his head slightly, intrigued.

"Oh? What is it?"

Cynthia's tone became even more thoughtful as she explained.

"You remember the locations related to the Creator Pokémon that you mentioned before? I decided to investigate them myself."

Cynthia began recounting her journey since her last visit to Naoki's ranch.

Following his guidance, she had investigated three locations tied to the ancient knowledge of Arceus:

The Ruins in the Johto region, Michina Town in the Sinnoh region, The tower in the Kalos region

Her first stop was the Ruins of Alph, where she uncovered a large number of Unown inscriptions and murals depicting the migration of the ancient Sinnoh people to Johto.

Afterward, she returned to Sinnoh, traveling to Michina Town, where she encountered Sheena and Kevin, two people chosen by Arceus who possessed mystical powers and served as the guardians of Michina's ruins.

It was there that Cynthia learned the truth about Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

With this newfound knowledge, she traveled once more, this time heading to the Kalos.

The people who lived there devoutly worshipped Arceus, having built great statues in His honor.

Additionally, Cynthia also met a mischievous Pokémon named Hoopa, who resided in the valley alongside its people.

"Is Arceus truly the one who created our world?" Cynthia asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Naoki replied calmly, "If the historical records are correct, then yes, that is what they suggest."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Miss Cynthia, have you ever studied the history of Sinnoh from centuries ago, back when it was still known as the Hisui region?"

Cynthia was caught off guard by the mention of that name.

"Hisui?" she echoed.

Naoki nodded, explaining further.

"I once uncovered information from ancient ruins—remnants from the Hisuian era."

"It is said that the first humans who settled in the region we now call Sinnoh—over a thousand years ago—were known as the Ancient Sinnoh People."

"They worshipped Arceus, the Pokémon they believed had created the world, and built sacred sites throughout Hisui, such as the Celestica Ruins."

"According to these ancient texts, Arceus created the world and then formed Dialga and Palkia to govern time and space, laying the foundation of reality."

"At the same time, He created Giratina to oversee the Distortion World and act as a counterbalance to our own dimension."

"And then, there were the lake guardians—Mesprit, Uxie, and Azelf—who granted humans emotions, knowledge, and willpower."

Hearing Naoki's words, Cynthia fell into deep thought, piecing together all the myths and legends she had studied over the years.

At that moment, everything seemed to click into place.

Her eyes brightened with excitement. This was groundbreaking—a major discovery that could reshape how ancient Pokémon mythology was understood.

For a historian like Cynthia, this was as thrilling as winning the lottery.

"Thank you, Mr. Naoki. This information is invaluable to my research."

"I won't take up any more of your time, but when I have a chance, I'll visit you in the Paldea region personally."

Naoki chuckled lightly.

"I look forward to it."

After exchanging a few more words, they ended the call.

The bathwater had started to cool, so Naoki got up, dried himself off, and changed into his warm pajamas.

He then helped Pawmot and the other small Pokémon dry their fur with a hairdryer.

Pawmot sat on a chair, clearly enjoying the warmth, and after its fur was completely dry, it happily flew onto the bed, curling up comfortably.

Naoki chuckled, reaching out to pat Koraidon's head, before walking around the house to check the doors and windows.

Looking outside, he saw a world covered in snow.

The wind howled, the bare trees trembled, and a few Murkrow flapped their wings, flying across the night sky.

"A true winter storm…" he murmured.

Naoki drew the curtains, shutting out the freezing world beyond. Taking a deep breath, he stretched.

"Alright, time to sleep."

Returning to his room, he lay down, feeling the warmth of the heated floors.

Beside him, Pawmot was already curled up on the pillow, looking peaceful.

A group of Eeveelutions also climbed onto the bed, snuggling up against him, their fluffy bodies radiating warmth.

With a small, contented smile, Naoki closed his eyes.

...

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