Pokemon: A New Path

The woman followed Naoki into the living room, taking a quiet moment to observe him.

She nodded inwardly.

‘Handsome, calm, and well-mannered. Seems like a good young man.’

Her arrival had caught the attention of the Pokémon, who began gathering around curiously.

As a former trainer, her sharp eyes instinctively scanned the Pokémon surrounding her.

A shiny Dratini, its smooth scales gleaming in the light. A Cyclizar, comfortably sprawled near the fireplace. A shiny Pawmot, its fur crackling faintly with electricity. A Garganacl, standing firm like an unmovable fortress. A Butterfree, fluttering near the window.

Each one was well-groomed, strong, and full of vitality.

Even among them, some Pokémon radiated a particularly powerful presence.

The woman chuckled inwardly.

‘No wonder my husband walked away in complete defeat…’

Naoki turned to her.

"Please, have a seat and rest for a while."

He then called over Indeedee and asked her to bring a cup of tea.

"Ai-ye~"

The elder Indeedee sibling nodded gently and soon returned with a steaming cup of tea.

"Thank you."

The woman accepted the cup, tilted her head back, and drank the entire thing in one go.

She had clearly been parched, as she let out a satisfied sigh.

"Ahh… That was refreshing! Thank you very much!"

Naoki chuckled. "You're welcome."

Naoki took a seat across from her. "Are you a traveler from out of town?"

The woman nodded.

"Yes. I heard about the legendary Pokémon of Kosaji Town, so I traveled all the way from Levincia City to visit.

"I didn’t expect to get lost on the mountain trails, though… I wandered for quite a while before I finally found a place with people."

Naoki raised an eyebrow.

Levincia City?

His thoughts immediately drifted to Iono.

Smiling, he pointed toward the door.

"If you head west after leaving the ranch, you’ll reach the town. Just follow the path until the end."

"And if you’re looking for the shrine, take the northern mountain road—it’ll lead you straight to the shrine, where the King of Bountiful Harvests is worshipped."

The woman listened carefully and nodded in appreciation.

"Ah, I see. Thank you very much!"

Then, she tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

"By the way, I never got your name."

Naoki smiled politely. "My name is Naoki. I run Naoki Ranch."

The woman murmured his name softly.

"Naoki… Naoki..."

Then, after a moment of thought, she glanced at him again and asked with interest:

"You look quite young. What are you, 25?"

Naoki blinked in surprise.

For once, someone didn’t assume he was older than he actually was.

‘Finally!’

Pleased, he quickly corrected her: "I'm 22. I'll be 23 later this year."

Hearing this, the woman’s eyes lit up.

"Oh my, you're the same age as my daughter!" she said with a knowing smile.

"Daughter?" Naoki echoed in surprise.

The woman in front of him seemed to pick up on his thoughts and chuckled.

"Don't look so shocked," she said with a smile. "Believe it or not, I'm forty years old! Come to think of it, you should be calling me auntie!"

"!!!"

Naoki was stunned. "Forty years old?!"

But she looked like she was barely thirty!

Do people in the Pokémon world not age normally?!

"That’s right." The woman nodded lightly, then turned to glance outside. Her gaze lingered on the sprawling ranch, a fascinated look in her eyes.

"It's rare to see such peaceful countryside in a big city like Levincia," she mused.

There was something comforting and refreshing about the tranquility of the ranch—a life in harmony with nature.

"Would you mind giving me a tour?" she asked.

Naoki smiled. "Of course."

Naoki led her across the vast land, introducing her to the many Pokémon and facilities on the ranch.

They passed by the Gogoat pasture, where the Pokémon lazily chewed on fresh grass, their bells chiming softly in the breeze.

Further down, they reached the farmlands, where rows of crops flourished under the watchful care of Dugtrio.

Then came the apple orchard, where Pokémon like Tropius helped maintain the trees, ensuring a bountiful harvest.

Finally, they arrived at the Wooloo pastures, located across the river, where the Pokémon enjoyed grazing under the open sky.

The woman couldn't help but marvel at the sight.

"You've truly built something incredible here," she said in admiration. "Managing a ranch of this scale so efficiently—and at such a young age! That’s no small feat!"

Naoki scratched the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I'm not doing this alone," he admitted. "Many Pokémon help me take care of everything."

The woman studied him for a moment before asking softly:

"What about your family? Do they live here with you?"

Naoki paused briefly before shaking his head.

"They… passed away a long time ago," he said, his voice steady. "I wasn’t here originally, but I moved here later."

The woman’s expression faltered.

"Oh… I’m so sorry to hear that."

For a moment, she gazed at him with gentle sympathy.

What a difficult path this young man must have walked…

But before she could say anything more, Naoki shook his head with a small smile.

"It’s alright. That’s all in the past."

The woman nodded, her expression softening.

"You're right. We should always look ahead and focus on the future," she said warmly.

She glanced at her watch, realizing it was time to leave.

"Well, thank you for your hospitality," she said with a kind smile. "I feel much better now, so I won’t take up any more of your time!"

She had noticed that Naoki had been working in the fields before she arrived.

"It’s no trouble at all," Naoki assured her. "I've been helped by many people before. It’s only natural to pay it forward."

Before leaving, Naoki pointed her toward the town.

"Just follow the path straight ahead, and you’ll reach town," he explained.

"If you’re heading to the shrine, take the northern mountain road. It’s completely safe—you won’t have to worry about wild Pokémon attacking."

The woman smiled gratefully.

"Thank you. You’re very kind."

Then, she reached into her bag and handed it to him.

"These are some souvenirs I picked up during my travels," she said. "Please take them—as a small token of my appreciation for your kindness!"

Naoki shook his head instinctively.

"You really don’t have to be so polite," he said.

After handing Naoki the gift, the woman turned and walked away.

But after a short distance, she paused, turned back, and waved with a gentle smile.

"See you next time!" she said.

Naoki blinked in confusion. See you next time?

What did she mean by that?

Before he could ask, she had already disappeared down the path.

For a while, Naoki just stood there, staring in the direction she left.

Then, he looked down at the bag in his hands. Curious, he opened it—and his eyes widened in surprise.

Inside was a set of beautifully crafted Apricorn Poké Balls.

A Love Ball, a Friend Ball, a Moon Ball, a Heavy Ball, a Fast Ball…

Each one was exquisite and handmade.

Naoki was momentarily stunned.

Because these were no ordinary Poké Balls—they were extremely rare and valuable!

Apricorn Balls were a relic of the past, crafted long before modern Poké Ball technology took over.

Unlike mass-produced Poké Balls, these were handmade from Apricorns, a type of fruit that grew on special trees.

Long ago, Poké Ball craftsmen would carve out the Apricorns, carefully shaping them into Poké Balls before weaving special capturing nets inside.

And unlike ordinary Poké Balls, each type of Apricorn Ball had a unique effect:

Love Ball – Increases the catch rate for Pokémon of the opposite gender of the one in battle. Friend Ball – Instantly makes a captured Pokémon more affectionate toward its trainer. Moon Ball – Makes it easier to catch Pokémon that evolve with a Moon Stone. Heavy Ball – Works better on heavier Pokémon. Fast Ball – More effective on Pokémon that tend to flee quickly.

Before the creation of modern Poké Balls, Apricorn Balls were the standard for capturing Pokémon—and they had been around for anywhere between 400 to 700 years.

However, with advancements in technology, they were gradually replaced by the red-and-white Poké Balls that trainers used today.

Apricorn Balls took too long to craft, and only a few skilled artisans still carried on the tradition, making them exclusively for renowned trainers.

Because of their rarity, Apricorn Balls had become priceless collector’s items.

Some trainers would even harvest Apricorns themselves and commission a craftsman to create a special Poké Ball for their Pokémon—a romantic gesture that symbolized their bond.

Naoki never expected that simply offering a glass of water and some rest would earn him such a valuable and meaningful gift.

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

He stared at the Apricorn Balls in his hands, feeling a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

...

After leaving the ranch, the woman returned straight to Levincia City.

She stepped inside her home, where her husband was already waiting for her.

Hearing the door open, the man looked up from his chair.

“Well?” he asked.

The couple had been together for many years, and they had developed a deep, unspoken understanding. Just from this single word, the woman knew exactly what he was asking.

He wanted to know what she thought of Naoki.

A gentle smile formed on her lips as she recalled her visit.

“He? He’s a very sensible young man,” she said warmly.

The man’s face immediately soured as he remembered his humiliating six-loss streak from their previous encounter.

The woman sighed at his reaction.

“Don’t be like that,” she chided. “That child hasn’t had it easy. His parents passed away early, and he’s had to manage everything on his own.”

The man hesitated, his gruff exterior wavering slightly.

“He runs the ranch all by himself, taking care of so many Pokémon,” she continued. “Not only that, but he was extremely polite to me and went out of his way to help. He’s a good person.”

At this point, she couldn’t help but add, “If the two of them can continue like this, we won’t have anything to worry about.”

The man let out another gruff snort, but this time, it lacked its usual sharpness.

“Levincia City and Kosaji Town are so far apart,” he muttered. “It won’t be easy for Iono to come back often.”

“Oh, come now! That’s hardly an issue!” The woman chuckled and shook her head. “I saw a Dragonite at the ranch. With its speed, it could fly back and forth in less than thirty minutes.”

“Snort.”

She smirked. “You stubborn old fool! I think you just can’t admit you were wrong! Weren’t you the one who declared that you’d show the kid your strength?”

The man stiffened.

“…”

He had no comeback.

...

Meanwhile, back at Naoki’s Ranch, the Apricorn Poké Balls were carefully placed inside a display cabinet for safekeeping.

Time passed quickly, and soon, February of Alliance Year 201 arrived.

The fields on the ranch had been fully planted, and thanks to the Gogoat’s care, the crops that had just sprouted were already in bloom—bearing fruit at an astonishing rate.

Despite the abundant harvest, Naoki did not immediately gather the vegetables.

Instead, he decided to sell them fresh—placing them directly onto the shelves of the ranch’s farm store.

To ensure that customers received the freshest vegetables possible, Naoki implemented a direct-harvest system—orders would be picked straight from the field and shipped out immediately via Dragonite Express, guaranteeing top-quality produce upon arrival.

With that task handled, it was time for him to focus on his next objective—capturing the Four Treasures of Ruin.

Raifort had already sent him the precise locations where each of the four Pokémon were sealed. All he had to do was travel to those sites, lift the seals, and capture them.

Naoki unfolded a detailed map of the Paldea region, carefully scanning it.

The nearest site was the Grasswither Shrine, where Ting-Lu was sealed. The shrine was located north of Casseroya Lake, in a place called Guoba Lindao.

Before setting out, Naoki sent a quick message to Raifort.

Naoki: Heading out now.

It didn’t take long for Raifort to reply.

Raifort: Go for it! I am counting on you

Naoki chuckled and responded with a simple OK emoji before checking the time.

It was 8:30 AM.

The sun had just risen, casting a warm golden glow over the ranch. If everything went smoothly, he could be back home by the afternoon.

Before leaving, Naoki turned to the Indeedee siblings. "I'm heading out for a while. I should be back in the afternoon. I'll leave the Pokémon in your care during lunchtime," he instructed.

"Ai ah~"

"Ai eh."

The two Indeedee siblings nodded in unison, assuring him that they had everything under control.

Naoki smiled, feeling reassured, and stepped outside.

The ranch was as lively as ever.

A group of Pokémon frolicked on the grass, their playful cries filling the air.

Spring had arrived, bringing mild temperatures and lush greenery. The pasture’s vibrant grass swayed gently, and colorful flowers bloomed in the fields, attracting Butterfree and other Pokémon.

Koraidon sprawled lazily on the grass, basking in the warm spring breeze.

Meanwhile, Cyclizar was chasing Butterflies, weaving through the tall grass in a playful attempt to catch them.

The sight made Naoki chuckle.

For a brief moment, he pictured a traveling trainer wandering through the tall grass—only for a Cyclizar to leap out, triggering a wild Pokémon battle.

Now, Naoki finally understood why trainers in the games always ran into Pokémon jumping out of the tall grass.

In the thick grass, Cyclizar had its full attention on the fluttering Butterflies overhead.

It crouched low, eyes locked on the butterfly’s graceful movements, tail flicking as it prepared to pounce.

At that moment, the Butterfly drifted out of the grass, heading toward a nearby stone to land.

This was its chance!

Cyclizar seized the perfect moment—launching itself forward in a burst of speed, stretching its claws to capture its prey.

But the instant its claws touched the surface, it felt something struggle beneath its grip.

This… was way too strong for a mere Butterfly!

"Gah?"

Cyclizar hesitated, its eyes narrowing in confusion.

Carefully, it lifted its claws—revealing a mysterious green Pokémon sitting on the stone.

The creature had a single eye, a sleek black-and-green body, and a green diamond-shaped core on its belly.

Meanwhile, the Butterfly had already escaped, fluttering off into the sky.

"Gah?!"

Cyclizar stumbled back in shock.

The unknown Pokémon seemed equally startled. A green glow flickered over its body, as if in response to some unseen force.

At that very moment, inside Naoki’s bedroom, the Zygarde Cell he had placed on his desk to bask in the sun suddenly emitted a bright green light.

A second later, that glowing beam shot out of the room.

And it wasn’t just that one.

Across the entire ranch, countless green lights surged into the air.

Even from the back mountain, faint green glows could be seen rising toward the sky.

Naoki had no idea how many Zygarde Cells had been observing his ranch from the shadows all this time.

At the moment, he had been petting Greavard’s fluffy head, enjoying the soft warmth of its fur. But as soon as he noticed the odd phenomenon, he froze.

His gaze lifted toward the sky—where streams of glowing green lights converged toward Cyclizar.

"…?"

With a puzzled expression, Naoki quickly moved forward to investigate.

What he saw completely stunned him.

Within the swirling green lights, a new Pokémon began to take shape.

It was tall and sleek, resembling a Doberman, with glowing pale eyes and a body composed of black and vibrant green patterns.

A collar-like structure wrapped around its neck, extending into a leash-like shape, and just beneath its chest, a diamond pattern gleamed ominously.

Naoki’s mind immediately recognized the Pokémon’s form.

Zygarde’s 10% Form.

"Wait… what?"

He had known that Zygarde Cells were quietly watching over various regions, but this wasn’t one of the ones he knew.

His first thought was Squishy, the red-core Zygarde Core that traveled with Bonnie in the anime.

But something was off.

This Zygarde wasn’t Squishy.

It had a green core, which meant only one thing.

"Z2…?"

Naoki’s breath hitched.

Unlike Squishy, who had formed a deep bond with humans, Z2 viewed humans as disruptors of balance.

In the anime, it had even warned Squishy against trusting humans, believing they were a threat to order.

Had Z2 been watching the ranch all along?

...

Bonus Chapter @400 PS

Read upto 60 chapters ahead @ /Keepsmiling818