Pokemon: A New Path-Chapter 476: The Day the World Tree Matures

After Steven's departure, life at the ranch returned to its usual peaceful rhythm.

With the increase in Dragonites and the elimination of Team Magma and Team Aqua from the Hoenn region, Naoki finally introduced a cross-regional Dragonite delivery service.

The distance between Hoenn and the Paldea region wasn't too far. At full speed, Dragonite could make a round trip in just three hours—a manageable task for such strong flyers.

Initially, Naoki worried that the long distances might exhaust the Dragonites, but he soon learned from them that they genuinely enjoyed the journeys.

One of the Dragonites explained that their life on Dragonite Island had often felt dull. Rather than lingering there, most Dragonites would spend their days flying over the ocean, exploring unknown waters, training in storms, or even helping distressed ships and lost sailors.

Some Dragonites would embark on long flights around the globe, stopping on various lands along the way. In these travels, they might encounter humans and eventually choose to join the Trainers they like, leaving Dragonite Island behind forever.

Hearing this, Naoki felt reassured. The Dragonites seemed happy to be out and about delivering goods every day.

Meanwhile, he tended the ranch, cared for the Pokémon, harvested crops, packaged customer orders, and handed everything over to the Dragonites for delivery.

During this time, some businesses approached Naoki with partnership proposals. They wanted to formalize the operation into a dedicated Dragonite Express company that would handle all deliveries in the Paldea region. Their vision included transforming every Dragonite into a professional courier.

Naoki, however, turned them down. He didn't want his Dragonites overworked. Under these companies' plans, the Dragonites would lose their flexible schedules, constantly busy without the free time they currently enjoy. Instead of the current 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday, where they delivered a manageable number of orders, the Dragonites would be burdened with nonstop tasks.

Naoki ensured that the store's inventory remained limited, meaning each Dragonite typically handled only five or six deliveries daily. He also closed the shop promptly at 5 p.m. to avoid overloading the couriers. Naoki saw no need to squeeze more out of the Dragonites; he was already doing fine financially. He preferred seeing them work joyfully, then rest peacefully in the pasture, contentedly exposing their round bellies as they napped.

After Naoki declined their proposal, the companies shifted focus, training Pokémon like Pelipper and Pidgeot to serve as professional couriers instead.

Time passed quietly at the ranch, with the Pokémon thriving under Naoki's care. Soon, it was June 7th, in the 200th year of the League Calendar.

That day was destined to be extraordinary for Naoki and his Pokémon. Calyrex would ripen the World Tree for the final time.

Recalling the commotion the World Tree had caused previously, Naoki anticipated an even bigger spectacle this time. To minimize disruption, he chose to have the event take place at midnight.

Paldea region, Kosaji Town, 11:54 p.m.

The distant town lay silent and dark, its residents fast asleep. In contrast, Naoki Ranch was alight with activity.

Koraidon, Cyclizar, Gogoat, Butterfree, Alcremie, Garganacl, Miltank, Dragonite, Florges, Pawmot, Gholdengo, and Ogerpon all gathered to witness the World Tree's birth.

Elsewhere, in the Distortion World, Mewtwo and Giratina stood ready. Mewtwo, having spent time with Giratina, now had a clearer understanding of this legendary Pokémon's peculiar love of browsing the internet. Together, they prepared to elevate the World Tree.

When Naoki and his Pokémon arrived, Mewtwo turned to Giratina and said, "Let's begin."

The plan was simple: Giratina would place the World Tree in a special anti-gravity state, after which Mewtwo would use its psychic power to lift the tree into the sky.

Giratina glided around the tree, its blood-red eyes gleaming with anticipation. With a deep growl, it unleashed a jet-black energy that enveloped the World Tree and the floating island beneath it. The dark light absorbed into the tree, rendering it weightless.

Returning to Mewtwo, Giratina said, "Your turn."

Mewtwo remained silent, then raised its hand as a brilliant blue light gleamed in its eyes. Its immense psychic energy spread rapidly, wrapping around the World Tree and the floating island.

In an instant, the massive tree, the island, Mewtwo, and Giratina all vanished from the Distortion World.

Naoki and Calyrex, who were aboard the World Tree, felt a brief moment of disorientation. When their vision cleared, they realized the World Tree was now floating high in the sky.

Above them, a vast starry sky stretched out beneath the luminous moon. Beneath their feet lay a sea of clouds, shimmering faintly in the moonlight. It was a breathtaking, serene sight.

These views made it clear: the World Tree was no longer in the Distortion World. It had risen into the sky.

The massive World Tree stood firmly above the clouds, steady and unwavering.

The Pokémon around it were awestruck by the breathtaking sight, and each let out amazed cries.

"Gah…"

"Free…"

"Alcre…"

"Pamo!"

But Mewtwo wasn't finished.

Its eyes glowed blue as it scanned the surroundings. With a surge of psychic energy, the space around the tree warped, creating a strange, almost magical zone. It followed up by forming a barrier of light, then cloaking that barrier with an illusion. The resulting mirage concealed the World Tree from view, making it nearly impossible for humans to detect its presence from the outside world.

After completing these tasks, Mewtwo's psychic reserves were spent. It touched down on the World Tree's surface, visibly fatigued, and turned its gaze toward Calyrex.

It was now the Calyrex's turn.

Calyrex, wearing a serene smile, gave Mewtwo a gentle nod. Rising gracefully into the air, it unleashed a torrent of vibrant green energy that washed over the entire World Tree. The glow spread like a tidal wave, immersing Naoki and all the Pokémon in an emerald sea.

A strange, resonant hum filled the air, emanating from the World Tree. Then, just as suddenly, all the light was drawn inward, absorbed entirely by the tree's massive form.

"Buzz!"

For a moment, everything fell silent. The air itself seemed to pause, as though the world were holding its breath.

Then came the release: a rippling surge of natural energy radiated outward from the World Tree. The green wave spread across the sky, tracing the curvature of the planet and blanketing it with an aura of pure, vibrant life.

In the distant reaches of space…

Rayquaza, mid-bite into a meteorite, suddenly sensed something extraordinary. Looking down at the planet below, it saw the Earth—normally a rich blue—glowing with a vivid green hue.

"Rayq?!" What is that?!

Shocked, Rayquaza abandoned its meal, its shiny body swiveling toward the source of the energy. Without hesitation, it dove toward the planet, homing in on the place where the natural energy was strongest.

Johto Region

Perched atop the Bell Tower, Ho-Oh abruptly lifted its head toward the night sky. That same unmistakable aura of pure natural energy had returned, even stronger than before. This time, there was no mistaking it—what it felt earlier wasn't an illusion.

"What could this be?" Ho-Oh murmured, captivated by the overwhelming energy that called out from afar.

Beside it, Raikou tilted its head in confusion. "What's wrong, Lord Ho-Oh?"

Before it could get an answer, the sky above turned green, shimmering with the radiant energy of life itself. Raikou's eyes widened in shock, while Entei and Suicune stood silently, their gazes fixed on the sky.

Ho-Oh spoke, its voice firm yet thoughtful. "Something extraordinary has occurred. I must investigate. You continue your duties here."

With that, the majestic bird spread its golden wings and took flight, ascending high into the sky and leaving a trail of brilliant rainbow light in its wake.

The three legendary Pokemon and Marshadow stood atop the mountain, watching the scene unfold.

Their manes rippled softly in the night breeze. Entei, uncertain of what was happening, could only surmise that this event must be of great importance.

As Ho-Oh took off to investigate, they decided to remain focused on their mission. Once Ho-Oh's form vanished into the distance, the three beasts exchanged glances, then disappeared into the night.

After they left, Marshadow slipped quietly back into the shadows.

Kalos Region, Terminus Cave

Deep within the cavern, Zygarde, the legendary guardian of the ecosystem, stirred. Its pale, glowing eyes opened as a familiar sensation swept through it.

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The energy it had felt before had returned—and this time, the presence was undeniable. It wasn't a mere warning of natural imbalance. This was nature itself, pure and unfiltered.

Zygarde considered going to investigate in person. However, it decided against leaving its post in Terminus Cave. Instead, it dispatched a single Zygarde Core—a tiny, independent fragment of its consciousness—to investigate the source.

Elsewhere in Kalos, under the dense canopy of a shadowy forest, the small Zygarde Core emerged. With its gem-like chest glowing faintly, it turned its gaze skyward before bounding off toward the distant energy.

Hoenn Region

Beneath the surface of a massive volcano, the earth rumbled. The molten magma churned and glowed as Groudon, the primal embodiment of land, opened its eyes. It had only just returned to slumber, yet now, a profound energy had drawn it back to consciousness.

Deep in an underwater cave, Kyogre, the ancient lord of the sea, awoke at the same moment. Both legendary Pokémon felt the presence of immense natural energy. The purity and intensity of this energy were unlike anything they had experienced before.

To Groudon, it seemed clear—if it could absorb this energy, it would regain its full power. With a low, rumbling growl, it pulled itself out of the magma and climbed out of the volcano. It cast its gaze eastward, where the energy radiated strongest, and began a slow but deliberate march in that direction.

Beneath the waves, Kyogre felt a similar instinct. It propelled itself swiftly out of its hidden cavern and into open water. The massive sea creature surged through the ocean with increasing speed, determined to reach the energy source before Groudon.

Kyogre sensed Groudon's movement. The land deity was already on its way. If Groudon arrived first, it might seize the energy and restore its primal form. That couldn't be allowed to happen. Kyogre doubled its pace, churning the ocean behind it.

Both ancient titans were on the move once more.

At the Weather Institute, a lone researcher dozed at his station. He was startled awake by a blaring alarm. Blinking groggily, he turned to his monitor—and froze.

What he saw made his blood run cold. The two legendary Pokémon that had brought Hoenn to the brink of destruction were active again.

Since the previous crisis, the Hoenn League had placed continuous monitoring systems around Groudon and Kyogre, prepared to respond if they stirred again. The researcher had initially thought he was dreaming. But the sharp pain in his thigh from pinching himself confirmed the truth.

"Oh my god!" he muttered, panic rising in his voice. The researcher quickly triggered the institute's emergency alert.

Within minutes, the entire team gathered around the monitors. Satellite images showed Groudon emerging from its volcano and Kyogre leaving its underwater lair. Both were heading east.

At first, everyone assumed the two were preparing for another clash. But something about their trajectories didn't add up. They weren't moving toward each other.

A senior scientist barked out orders. "Immediately plot their projected courses!"

"Yes, sir!"

Fingers flew across keyboards. Within moments, the calculated paths of Groudon and Kyogre appeared on the screen.

The result left the researchers stunned. Neither Pokémon was heading toward a known location in Hoenn. Instead, their destination lay far beyond the region's shores, in a distant land across the sea.

"This… doesn't make any sense," one researcher murmured.

"Why would they leave Hoenn? What could be attracting them there?" another asked, a mix of confusion and dread on their face.

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