Pokemon: A New Path

Naoki shifted gears abruptly, beginning a tale seemingly unrelated to the crisis at hand. "Have you heard the legend of the King of Bountiful Harvests?" he asked, his tone taking on a storyteller's gravitas.

Kieran and Carmine blinked in surprise at the sudden change of topic. "The King of Bountiful Harvests?" Carmine echoed.

Naoki nodded solemnly, his expression serious. "Its name is Calyrex, and it is a Pokémon once loved and revered by the people in the Galar region. Let me tell you its story."

Naoki wove the legend: how Calyrex wandered the land on its loyal steed, bringing abundance to those in need. It was worshipped as a benevolent ruler, but as the centuries passed, its legend faded, and humans began to forget. Left to wander the snowfields in loneliness, its power diminished until it was rediscovered a thousand years later. In gratitude for saving their land, humans built a shrine on a mountain to honor Calyrex, ensuring its legacy endured.

Carmine gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "That's incredible! It sounds way stronger than those three... companions." She spat the word with disdain. "No, those three villains can't even compare!"

Kieran's eyes gleamed with fascination. The idea of a Pokémon that had once been a king and ruled a kingdom captured his imagination.

But the siblings soon realized the story didn't seem to address their current predicament. Carmine furrowed her brow. "Naoki, isn't this a little off-topic? Don't we need to figure out how to help everyone in the village?"

Naoki smiled. "It's not off-topic at all. You see, I happen to be a friend of Calyrex. I can ask it to help."

The siblings' jaws dropped. "Wait, what?!" Kieran exclaimed. "You actually know a Pokémon like that?!"

Carmine stared at Naoki as though seeing him in a new light. "Uncle, you're amazing!"

Naoki: "…"

Forget it, let this little girl scream whatever she wants!

Deciding to act quickly, Naoki glanced toward the fog-shrouded streets below. "Is there a Pokémon Center in town?" he asked.

"Yes!" Carmine replied eagerly. "It's on the street behind the Momozawa store."

Naoki nodded and instructed Dragonite to carry Kieran and Carmine to the center while he and Ogerpon rode Koraidon, carefully weaving through the purple fog and the wandering villagers.

The Pokémon Center was dim, its usual cheerful atmosphere replaced with tension. As they approached, they heard faint footsteps from inside, followed by the sound of curtains being pulled back slightly.

The door creaked open, and Nurse Joy peeked out. Spotting Naoki and the children, she quickly ushered them inside. "Hurry!" she whispered urgently.

Once everyone was safely inside, Nurse Joy closed the curtains and leaned against the door, her expression worried. "Everyone in town has started acting so strangely... I've never seen anything like this."

She looked at the children and offered a gentle smile. "Don't worry. I've contacted the Sinnoh League, and they're sending help as soon as possible."

Kieran and Carmine, however, were not frightened. They exchanged glances, their excitement mounting. "Naoki's going to call Calyrex!" Carmine whispered to her brother.

Nurse Joy tilted her head in confusion. "Calyrex? What's that?"

Naoki scanned the Pokémon Center until his eyes landed on a row of video phones in the corner. Turning to Nurse Joy, he asked, "May I use the video phone?"

Though puzzled, Nurse Joy nodded. "Of course. Feel free."

Naoki strode over, punching in the number for his ranch. The screen flickered to life, and soon the face of Indeedee appeared on the screen.

As if hearing Naoki's voice, Alcremie and Glaceon quickly gathered in front of the screen. The group of Pokémon pressed their faces eagerly against the camera, their expressions cheerful and curious.

Naoki chuckled, greeting his Pokémon warmly. Then, turning to Indeedee, he said, "I need to speak with Calyrex. Something urgent has come up."

Hearing this, Indeedee immediately turned and called toward the living room behind it.

"Ai-ye!"

Calyrex, who was quietly watching a show, floated into view upon hearing its name.

When the Pokémon appeared on screen, it inclined its head regally. "Cla… Mo-Chi-?" it asked telepathically.

Naoki sighed, realizing the telepathy wouldn't transmit over the video call. Thinking quickly, he explained the situation aloud. "Calyrex, there's a strange Pokémon in this town using its power to control the villagers. I can't pinpoint its location, and things are getting out of hand."

Calyrex's expression hardened as it grasped the gravity of the situation. It gave a firm nod, signaling its willingness to help.

Naoki turned back to Indeedee. "Please escort Calyrex to the Pokémon Center in town and send it through the Poké Ball Transporter as quickly as possible."

Indeedee saluted smartly. "Ai-ye!" It swiftly moved to make the arrangements.

After the call ended, the Pokémon on the ranch sprang into action.

...

Back at the Pokémon Center, Kieran and Carmine were still buzzing with excitement. They had watched the entire interaction from behind Naoki and couldn't contain their awe.

"That's Calyrex?" Carmine asked, eyes wide. "Its head is… so big!"

Naoki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Be respectful. That's not how you talk about someone as noble as Calyrex."

Carmine quickly clamped her hands over her mouth. "Sorry!"

Kieran, more cautious, whispered, "Will Calyrex be mad?"

Naoki shook his head with a small smile. "Calyrex has a kind heart. But that's no excuse to be impolite, okay?"

The siblings nodded solemnly, promising to be more respectful.

Nurse Joy, who had been observing the exchange, still looked confused. Naoki didn't bother to explain further, instead walking over to the transporter as it lit up. Moments later, a Poké Ball materialized in the machine with a soft hum.

Naoki retrieved the Poké Ball, and with a flash of light, Calyrex appeared in its Rider form atop Spectrier, exuding a commanding presence that silenced the room.

"Whoa…" Kieran and Carmine gasped in unison, their amazement evident.

Even Nurse Joy, who had seen her fair share of legendary Pokémon, was rendered speechless by the regal aura Calyrex carried.

Calyrex's gaze swept the room before focusing on Naoki. Telepathically, it asked, "Where is the threat?"

Naoki stepped forward and recounted the events that had unfolded in the village. He explained the strange fog, the zombified villagers, and the mysterious Pokémon's actions. When he mentioned the three villainous Pokémon stealing Ogerpon's masks and causing the death of its caretaker, a storm of fury flickered in Calyrex's usually calm eyes.

Calyrex turned its attention to Ogerpon, its gaze softening with a rare display of warmth and compassion. There was a deep understanding in its eyes as if it could sense the pain and loss Ogerpon had endured.

"I never imagined such wicked Pokémon could exist in this world," Calyrex said, its voice regal yet tinged with sorrow. "They must be brought to justice."

Kieran and Carmine, overwhelmed by the majestic presence of Calyrex, stood rooted in awe.

"That's right! Those bad Pokémon deserve to be punished!" Carmine exclaimed, clenching her fists in anger.

"Calyrex, please save everyone in this town," Kieran added, worry evident in his voice as he thought of his grandparents. 

Calyrex inclined its head slightly in acknowledgment, then guided Spectrier out of the Pokémon Center with a fluid, commanding stride. The townsfolk wandering the streets, still under the strange Pokémon's control, turned at the sound of Spectrier's hooves. Slowly, they began to surround the Pokémon Center, their vacant eyes devoid of any emotion.

Calyrex surveyed the crowd calmly, its gaze steady and unyielding. Without a word, it summoned its immense psychic power. Like a tidal wave, the energy surged outward, sweeping through the entire town in an instant.

A radiant light burst forth, illuminating the dark streets as if it were midday. The villagers froze in place, their movements stilled by the overwhelming force. Slowly, their clouded minds began to clear under the influence of Calyrex's powerful psychic aura.

As consciousness returned, confusion flickered across their faces. Some were startled, others embarrassed as they realized their actions and the events that had transpired. Their attention was soon drawn to the regal Pokémon before them, mounted on its ethereal steed.

"What… is that?" a villager murmured.

"What just happened?" another whispered.

Meanwhile, Kieran and Carmine spotted their grandparents in the crowd. Overjoyed, they rushed forward, throwing themselves into the arms of Yukito and Hideko.

"Grandpa! Grandma!" Kieran cried, his voice trembling with relief.

Yukito and Hideko embraced their grandchildren tightly, their faces still filled with shock as they looked toward Calyrex.

"That Pokémon… where did it come from?" Yukito muttered.

Sensing their apprehension, Kieran quickly explained. "Don't worry! That Pokémon is called Calyrex, and Uncle Naoki brought it here to help us!"

While the villagers murmured amongst themselves, Calyrex closed its eyes, extending its psychic powers further. Its aura spread like a fine web, searching the town for the source of the disturbance. Moments later, its eyes snapped open.

"I have found it," Calyrex announced telepathically. Without hesitation, it unleashed another surge of psychic energy.

The mischievous purple Pokémon, hiding deep within the shadows, was suddenly enveloped in a blinding white light. Before it could comprehend what was happening, it was teleported to a clearing in front of the Pokémon Center.

The creature blinked, disoriented, as it found itself exposed. Panic set in as it realized the villagers were no longer under its control and that a powerful presence loomed before it. The Pokémon turned, attempting to flee.

Ogerpon, watching from the sidelines, let out an angry cry, its voice trembling with emotion.

Before Ogerpon could act, countless tiny spirits appeared around Calyrex. These glowing entities shimmered gently in the air, like stars scattered across a midnight sky.

Then, in an instant, the stars shattered. The glowing purple spirits swirled through the air and surged toward the mischievous Pokémon, swarming it.

A strange, resonating hum filled the air. "Buzz..."

Pecharunt, still scrambling to flee, was engulfed by the storm of spirits. With a final, deafening crash, the Pokémon collapsed to the ground. Its vibrant purple form dimmed as it lost consciousness, rendered completely powerless.

The villagers, gathered nearby, stared in stunned silence.

Finally, the village chief broke the quiet, his voice trembling with awe. "What kind of Pokémon is that...?"

Carmine and Kieran, seeing the one responsible for the chaos defeated, couldn't contain their excitement. 

"Calyrex is amazing! That was incredible!" Carmine cheered.

"Yeah! It taught that bad Pokémon a lesson!" Kieran added, his fists pumping in celebration.

'Calyrex?' The village chief's expression froze.

Something about that name felt deeply familiar. His eyes flickered toward Naoki, standing amidst the crowd, and a memory surfaced—Naoki's story about the King of Bountiful Harvests, shared during his visit to the rice fields just days ago.

'If Calyrex truly existed… could that legend also be real?'

The realization left the village chief visibly shaken.

Calyrex, however, remained composed. It paid no attention to the villagers' chatter, focusing instead on the unconscious Pokémon before it. Mounted on Spectrier, Calyrex leaned closer, its psychic powers gently probing the Pokémon's past and future.

After a long pause, Calyrex straightened and spoke, its voice filled with both authority and regret. "You were loved, yet you failed to recognize it. You used your powers to control and harm those who cared for you, consumed by greed. In doing so, you turned love into pain and created this tragedy."

Calyrex paused, its gaze heavy with sorrow. "I cannot take your life, nor can I offer forgiveness on behalf of those you've wronged."

Initially, Calyrex considered sealing Pecharunt within the bounds of this village until it understood the true meaning of love. But after another moment of reflection, it dismissed the thought.

"I do not hold the authority to decide your fate," it concluded, turning away from the fallen Pokémon.

Ogerpon stood silently nearby, its masked face tilted downward. The sight of the Pokémon responsible for stealing its masks and the loss of its loved ones reignited a deep fury within it.

The villagers remained, watching in tense silence. Their eyes shifted between Pecharunt and the "oni" they had feared for so long, unsure of what would come next.

Ogerpon's fists trembled as it struggled to contain its emotions, its tiny frame quivering with unresolved rage.

Naoki, observing the conflict in Ogerpon's eyes, sighed deeply. He stepped forward, standing beside the masked Pokémon.

Ogerpon glanced up at him, startled.

Naoki looked down at it, his expression calm but firm. "Do what your heart tells you to do," he said softly. "No matter what happens next, I'll take responsibility for it."

Whether the villagers continued to misunderstand Ogerpon, or whether the world judged it as a cruel oni, none of that mattered to Naoki.

Because from now on, Ogerpon would no longer belong to Kitakami. It would leave with Naoki, journeying to the distant Paldea region to begin a new chapter in its life.

There, it would no longer be shunned as a oni. Instead, Ogerpon would roam freely, play with other Pokemon, and join celebrations with joy. During the festivals in the town, it can take off its mask and revel alongside everyone.

At this moment, not only Naoki, but also Yukito, Hideko, Carmine, and Kieran were all focused on Ogerpon.

A deep silence settled over the group. No one spoke. Everyone seemed to be waiting for Ogerpon to make its decision.

"Oge…"

Ogerpon looked at Naoki, its wide eyes reflecting his gentle expression and the reassuring touch of his hand on its head. Slowly, tears welled up in its eyes.

Then, in a decisive gesture, Ogerpon removed the verdant mask from its face, revealing its true visage.

In its hands, a surge of potent Grass-type energy gathered, coalescing into a massive thorny club.

Gripping the weapon tightly, Ogerpon began walking toward the fallen Pecharunt, who lay motionless, breathing faintly.

Step by step, it moved forward. The sound of its quiet footsteps echoed in the still air.

It was just like that fateful day when Ogerpon had charged down the mountain in anger to avenge the one it had lost.

The onlookers, the townspeople who had once feared Ogerpon, watched in stunned silence.

As Ogerpon reached pecharunt, it raised the thorn club high above its head.

And then, with all its strength, it brought the club crashing down.

"Boom!"

The ground shook as the club struck—not pecharunt, but the floor beside it, leaving a deep crater.

...

Before Naoki's departure, the village elder, with tears in his eyes, thrust a sealed purple doll imbued with Calyrex's power into Naoki's hands.

"Please, Mr. Naoki, take this Pokémon with you! It has brought nothing but trouble to our village!" he pleaded.

Word of the events had spread quickly. Everyone now knew the truth: the malicious Pokémon had been the one controlling the townsfolk and leading the Loyal Three to steal Ogerpon's masks.

Fearful of the Pokémon's influence and worried that the seal might someday weaken, the elder desperately wanted it removed from the village.

Naoki sighed. While Ogerpon hadn't harmed Pecharunt in the end, merely leaving a gaping hole in the ground nearby, the memories associated with the Pokémon were still too painful.

Keeping it nearby would only serve as a constant reminder of the past.

Naoki shook his head, pushing the doll back toward the elder. "Calyrex's power is strong. As long as Pecharunt remains sealed, it won't pose a threat. If you're still worried, just bury it on Apple Hill. There's no need to send it with me."

The elder trembled, tears welling in his eyes, but Naoki's firm tone left no room for debate.

"My work here is done," Naoki declared. "The exchange meeting has ended, and it's time for me to return home."

Not only had he gained Ogerpon's trust, but Calyrex had also strengthened its connection with the villagers, harvesting newfound faith from the people of Kitakami. 

Naoki turned to leave, ready to return to his ranch in Paldea.

But just as he was about to step away, the elder called out to him once more, his voice desperate.

"Wait! Mr. Naoki!"

"What's wrong?" Naoki paused and turned back to ask.

The village elder hesitated, his words faltering before he finally stammered out, "Could you… could you please not tell anyone the truth about the legend circulating in Kitakami Township… please!"

It was a plea, tinged with desperation. The village relied on the legend of the Loyal Three to draw tourists, develop the area, and ensure its prosperity.

Naoki blinked, momentarily speechless. 

Aside from Yukito's family, it seemed the townspeople and the four Pokémon shared a similar outlook in one peculiar way: Pecharunt and the Loyal Three had sought to steal Ogerpon's mask for their own gain, and the villagers wanted to exploit the fame of the Loyal Three to boost tourism. Neither seemed particularly concerned with the actual integrity of their "companions."

The phrase came to Naoki's mind: "No matter if the cat is black or white, as long as it brings wealth, it's a good cat." 

It felt oddly fitting for the mindset here.

Naoki sighed. "If that's the case, why don't you promote Ogerpon instead? It's a legendary Pokémon too, isn't it? There's really not much difference."

The village elder looked flustered, scratching his head awkwardly. "This… well, uh…" His words trailed off.

Naoki shook his head, no longer willing to entertain the conversation. "Let's go!"

Without waiting for a response, Naoki turned, climbed onto Koraidon, and took off into the sky.

Kitakami gradually receded into the distance, the sprawling green fields and winding roads growing smaller and smaller until they vanished entirely.

When the town was finally out of sight, Naoki reached for Ogerpon's Poké Ball on his belt. He held it in his hand and said softly, "Ogerpon, please take care of me from now on."

The Poké Ball trembled gently in response, as if the Pokémon within was answering him.

Naoki smiled, his grip on the ball tightening briefly before tucking it away again.

The wind swept through his hair as Koraidon soared higher, the endless blue sky stretching above. With a contented sigh, Naoki patted Koraidon and said, "Alright, let's head home."

"Raao!"

...

Bonus Chapter