Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 325: New Memories and Unexpected Changes



Naoki and Ogerpon rode Koraidon down the mountain. As they neared Mossui Town, Ogerpon's expression suddenly changed, a look of fear flickering across its face.

"Oge... pon..." Ogerpon murmured anxiously.

"Raao?" Koraidon tilted its head back to look at Ogerpon, then landed just outside the town. Naoki turned to face the frightened Pokémon.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"What's wrong?" Naoki asked, confused. Then it struck him-Ogerpon might be scared of entering the town because of the rejection it had faced in the past.

"You don't want to go in, do you?" Naoki asked gently.

"Pon..." Ogerpon nodded, its gaze dropping to the mask in its hands.

At that moment, a villager carrying a hoe walked by. Startled, Ogerpon hurriedly put on its mask and hid behind Naoki.

The villager, recognizing Naoki as a visitor from the agricultural exchange, smiled and waved. "Good afternoon! Have you had lunch yet?"

"Not yet," Naoki replied politely. "I just went for a look around outside and am heading back now."

The villager nodded warmly and continued on his way, whistling a tune as he went.

Koraidon let out a low rumble of concern. "Raao..."

Naoki turned back to Ogerpon. "Don't be afraid," he said softly. After a moment of thought, he added, "It was the descendant of the mask craftsman who told me about you. His ancestor tried to tell the truth to the villagers but was persecuted for it. He even lost his life."

Ogerpon hesitated, its small hands clutching its mask. Memories of the kind human who had made those masks surfaced in its mind.

"The craftsman's descendant has always been worried about you," Naoki continued. "He feels terrible about everything that's happened. Would you like to meet him?"

Afraid of frightening Ogerpon further, Naoki quickly added, "Don't worry-no one will hurt you this time. I'll be with you, and so will Koraidon."

"Raao!" Koraidon rumbled in agreement.

Ogerpon looked up at them, its glowing eyes filled with emotion. It hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly.

Naoki smiled and patted Ogerpon's head. But as he looked toward the town, he realized there was still some distance to the Yukito household. They would likely encounter more villagers along the way, which might frighten Ogerpon even more.

After thinking for a moment, Naoki pulled out an empty Poké Ball. "If you're nervous, you can stay in here for now," he suggested.

Without hesitation, Ogerpon touched the ball and disappeared inside. The ball wobbled gently twice before clicking, signifying a successful capture.

Unlike the times Naoki had captured other Pokémon, there was no sense of triumph or excitement. Instead, he felt a deep sadness for the lonely Pokémon now resting in the Poké Ball.

"Ogerpon is so pitiful," Naoki thought. "Once we're back at the ranch, I'll make sure Alcremie and the others take good care of it."

Sighing quietly, Naoki tucked the Poké Ball away and rode Koraidon into town. Along the way, several villagers greeted him warmly, and Naoki responded politely to each of them.

Before long, they arrived at the Yukito household. Outside, Yukito, the elderly craftsman's descendant, was feeding a Tympole by the Magikarp fountain. Spotting Naoki, he stood up quickly.

"Did you find Ogerpon?" Yukito asked anxiously.

Naoki nodded and pulled out the Poké Ball. Releasing Ogerpon, he watched as the masked Pokémon materialized in front of them.

Yukito's eyes widened in shock. Without a word, he quickly shut the gate and ushered Naoki and the Pokémon inside the house.

Hideko, who was preparing lunch in the kitchen, turned toward the commotion. When she saw Ogerpon, the iron basin in her hands clattered to the floor.

Carmine and Kieran, who were sitting on the sofa watching TV, leapt to their feet. Carmine covered her mouth in astonishment, while Kieran stared at Ogerpon, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

"That's..." Carmine stammered. "That's Ogerpon?!"

Naoki glanced at the masked Pokémon, which had instinctively moved to hide behind him. "Yes," he said calmly. "This is Ogerpon."

Kieran's excitement was palpable. He had admired the Pokémon since he was a child, not only because of its legendary strength but also because it had single-handedly defeated the three Pokémon revered as heroes. After learning the truth about Ogerpon's past from Yukito, his admiration had only grown.

Meanwhile, Yukito, after ensuring the doors and windows were securely closed, turned back to Ogerpon with tears welling in his eyes. His voice trembled as he murmured, "You're here... You're really here..."

"Oge?" Ogerpon murmured timidly, its glowing eyes darting nervously between the unfamiliar humans in front of it.

Naoki offered a reassuring smile and said, "This is Yukito, the descendant of the craftsman who made your mask. And these two are his grandchildren, Carmine and Kieran."

Turning back to Yukito, Naoki continued, "Ogerpon has agreed to leave with me. After the exchange meeting ends in two days, I'll take it back to my hometown."

Yukito's face lit up with relief. "That's wonderful. I'll leave everything to you," he said, his voice trembling slightly as though a heavy burden had been lifted. He sank into the sofa, letting out a deep breath, only to spring back up again moments later as if propelled by an unseen force.

"Oh! That reminds me there's one more thing!" Yukito exclaimed.

Naoki blinked in surprise. "What is it?"

Yukito: "The masks."

He leaned in for a closer look. "My ancestor made four masks for Ogerpon, but it seems only this one remains... Wait a second." His brow furrowed. "This mask is damaged, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Ogerpon hesitated before slowly removing the mask, its expression forlorn as it gazed at the worn and broken edges of the Teal Mask.

Naoki, noticing the Pokémon's distress, quickly changed the topic. "Can it be repaired?"

The mask clearly held deep sentimental value for Ogerpon. It was more than just a tool-it was a link to its cherished memories.

Yukito examined the mask carefully, his fingers running along its edges. "Although my skills aren't as refined as my ancestor's, don't worry. I can repair it."

Naoki breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."

Yukito nodded. "I have most of the materials needed for the repair, but there's one crucial ingredient I don't have. I'll need your help to obtain it."

"What do you need?" Naoki asked.

"Crystal shards from the bottom of the Luminous Pool," Yukito explained. "The pool is located at the peak of Oni Mountain, but the path is treacherous, filled with strong wild

Pokémon."

Ogerpon, standing nearby, grew visibly anxious at the mention of the danger.

Naoki, however, was undeterred. He knew Koraidon and his other Pokémon could handle any challenges along the way. "The top of Oni Mountain? I know the way. I'll head there right

now."

Without hesitation, Naoki retrieved Ogerpon's Poké Ball, returning it for safekeeping. He then turned on his heel, mounted Koraidon, and set off toward the mountain. Halfway to the summit, Ogerpon unexpectedly emerged from its Poké Ball, its expression filled with worry. "Pon... oge..." it murmured, tugging gently at Naoki's sleeve. Naoki immediately understood. He reached out, gently patting Ogerpon's head. "It's okay. Don't worry," he reassured it.

Despite Naoki's calming words, Ogerpon still seemed uneasy. After a brief moment of

hesitation, it made up its mind to stay outside the Poké Ball. While it wasn't confident in

battle, it wanted to be nearby to help if needed.

With Ogerpon at his side, Naoki urged Koraidon onward, the three of them heading toward the Luminous Pool at the peak of Oni Mountain.

...

Meanwhile, back at Yukito's home, the craftsman examined the Teal Mask closely under the warm light of the room. Turning to his curious grandchildren, Carmine and Kieran, he began to speak.

"There are four masks in total," Yukito explained. "In addition to this Teal Mask, there are three others: the Hearthflame Mask, the Wellspring Mask, and the Cornerstone Mask." Yukito sighed deeply. "The other three masks are currently kept in the shrine at the center of Kitakami. The villagers consider them relics of the Three Loyal Pokémon..."

"That's outrageous!" Carmine exclaimed, her fists trembling with anger.

Kieran stayed silent, but his clenched fists betrayed his frustration.

Yukito shook his head. "What's important now is to repair Ogerpon's Teal Mask," he said, setting aside his meal and turning his full attention to the broken mask on the workbench.

After lunch, Carmine and Kieran grew increasingly agitated.

As they strolled through the town, Carmine finally exploded, her voice quivering with fury. "It's infuriating! Those masks belong to Ogerpon, not the so-called Loyal Pokémon!" Kieran glanced toward the northern part of the town where the shrine stood. After a moment,

he tugged on his sister's sleeve. "Carmine," he said quietly, "why don't we take the masks back? They should be returned to Ogerpon."

Carmine's eyes lit up with realization. "You're right! That's a brilliant idea, Kieran!" she

exclaimed.

Looking around to ensure no one was watching, Carmine added, "Everyone's busy having

lunch right now, so the shrine should be empty. Let's go grab those masks and give them back

to Ogerpon!"

The siblings quickly hatched a plan. With a shared look of determination, they slipped away,

heading toward the shrine halfway up the mountain.

...

At the summit of Oni Mountain, Naoki and Koraidon descended gracefully, sparing him the

arduous climb.

When the breathtaking view of the summit came into focus, Naoki was momentarily stunned. Before him lay a serene, crystalline pool, its surface shimmering under the sunlight. Beneath the still water, luminous crystals glowed brilliantly, their radiance casting prismatic patterns

in every direction.

These were no ordinary crystals. Naoki recognized them immediately-they resembled the crystals found in Area Zero, the heart of the Paldea region.

'Dr. Sada once mentioned these crystals were imbued with immense Terastal energy,' Naoki thought.

As the connection formed in his mind, Naoki suddenly understood why Slugma had appeared overly crystallized during his earlier encounters.

'But why would such crystals-unique to Paldea-be present here in Kitakami, far across the

world?' Ogerpon, oblivious to Naoki's musings, stared at the glowing crystals with childlike delight. "Pon! Pon!" it chirped, hopping excitedly.

Naoki smiled, assuming Ogerpon was simply enchanted by the beauty of the pool. Koraidon landed nearby, and Naoki dismounted. "Have you been here before?" he asked

Ogerpon.

"Pon~" Ogerpon shook its head and trotted eagerly to the edge of the lake. Its bright eyes sparkled as it gazed at the crystals beneath the water.

The tranquility of the summit seemed to put Ogerpon at ease. For once, its timid demeanor

faded, replaced by curiosity and wonder.

Naoki and Koraidon followed, their footsteps crunching softly on the volcanic debris

scattered around the pool. Naoki crouched by the lake, assessing the situation. The crystals were embedded deep beneath the water's surface.

His gaze shifted to the surrounding terrain. The ground was a pale white, scattered with

volcanic rubble.

"This must have been a volcano," Naoki murmured, his mind piecing together the area's

history. He imagined a powerful eruption in the distant past, creating the crater that now held the shimmering pool. Over time, volcanic ash enriched the soil, attracting settlers who founded the village below. But the mystery of the crystals lingered.

"Could the Terastal energy have seeped up from underground?" Naoki wondered.

"Pon?"

Ogerpon gazed at the glowing crystals resting beneath the surface of the lake, its expression troubled. The shards were submerged, and it had no idea how to retrieve them. Noticing this, Naoki grinned and began rolling up his sleeves. "Leave it to me!" he declared.

Under the sunlight, Naoki leapt nimbly into the lake with a splash, diving beneath the surface.

The cold water prickled his skin, but he swam confidently to the bottom, collecting several crystal shards.

Moments later, he resurfaced, holding the glowing fragments triumphantly. "I've got them!"

he called out, his voice ringing with excitement.

"Pon! Pon!"

Ogerpon cheered, its mask tilting slightly as it bounced on its toes.

Naoki climbed back onto the shore, drying himself off quickly and slipping back into his

clothes. "Let's head back to town and get your mask repaired," he said, smiling warmly at Ogerpon. He mounted Koraidon, extending a hand to help Ogerpon up. Together, they soared down the mountain, the cool wind whipping past them. As they neared Mossui Town, however, Ogerpon grew visibly uneasy. Without a word, it retreated into its Poké Ball. Naoki sighed, his expression softening with understanding. "It really doesn't feel comfortable here," he muttered to himself. "Maybe we should wrap things up quickly and head back to Paldea."

Koraidon landed gracefully in Yukito's yard, and Naoki handed over the shimmering crystal fragments. Yukito's eyes widened in astonishment. "Already? That was fast!" he exclaimed. Naoki chuckled, patting Koraidon's head. "That's what happens when you've got a great Flying Pokémon to help," he said. "Raao!" Koraidon rumbled proudly, puffing out its chest.

Yukito took a deep breath, holding the shards carefully. "Well, now it's time for the final

step," he said, his voice steady with determination.

He placed the crystal fragments onto the mask and began working meticulously with his

tools. Sparks flew as he chiseled and smoothed the pieces, his focus unbroken. Meanwhile, Naoki glanced around the house. Carmine and Kieran were nowhere to be seen. He

frowned. 'Where did those two run off to?'

Before he could dwell on the thought, Yukito's voice broke through. "It's done!" he

announced joyfully.

Naoki rushed over to see the completed mask. The Teal Mask now gleamed with a brilliant

crystal inlaid at its center, emitting a soft, radiant light. A strange energy pulsed through it, faint yet undeniable.

At just a glance, Naoki could tell this mask was special-akin to legendary artifacts like Dialga's Adamant Orb. This was undoubtedly Ogerpon's exclusive treasure. "Let's try it on Ogerpon," Yukito said, his voice tinged with anticipation. Naoki nodded, releasing Ogerpon from its Poké Ball in a flash of white light. The masked

Pokémon appeared, looking up curiously.

Naoki knelt down, holding the newly restored mask out to it. Ogerpon froze, staring at the Teal Mask with wide eyes. For a moment, it seemed as though time had rewound-memories of the past surged forward, of the original mask craftsman handing over a mask with the same

gentle care. Tears welled up in Ogerpon's eyes, glistening like stars. It looked at Naoki with gratitude before wiping its tears and carefully placing the mask on its face.

As soon as the mask settled into place, a powerful aura rippled outward.

...

At the shrine atop Apple Hill, a pillar of ominous purple light erupted into the sky. From

within the shrine, three shadowy figures began to materialize. The Three Pokémon stepped forward, their bodies emanating a dark, foreboding energy.

Their expressions twisted into cruel smirks as they surveyed the world before them. They

moved with confidence, crossing their arms and stepping forward with an air of domination.

Back at Yukito's house, Naoki was asking Ogerpon how it felt with the repaired mask when the peaceful moment was shattered by frantic footsteps.

A young girl burst into the room, her face pale with worry. "Grandpa Yukito! Something terrible happened!" she cried. "Kieran and Carmine went to the shrine to steal the masks-

and they got caught!"

...

Bonus Chapter