Pokemon: A New Path

On New Year's Day of the 202nd year of the League Calendar, an auspicious miracle occurred in the town of Kosaji. Countless townspeople bore witness to the majestic silhouette of Ho-Oh soaring across the sky, leaving behind a breathtaking rainbow.

Tiny glimmers of light drifted down like blessings from above.

The town was stunned. Trainers on the streets scrambled to chase after the silhouette of the Legendary Pokémon, hoping for a closer glimpse, while many of the town's families simply stood in awe and whispered heartfelt prayers.

To many, this was a sign of great fortune. After all, Ho-Oh was a Pokémon long believed to herald joy and prosperity. Seeing it was said to bring happiness to the soul.

Back inside the hospital, the three Legendary Beasts—Raikou, Entei, and Suicune—were still lying quietly near the room's corner. Suddenly, all three stood up at once.

"Lord Ho-Oh is here!" Suicune announced.

"Ho-Oh?" Naoki blinked in surprise.

Raikou said nothing. He turned toward the window and leapt outside in a streak of thunder.

Moments later, he returned, gently holding a shimmering Rainbow Feather in his mouth.

Naoki's eyes widened when he saw it.

Raikou padded silently over to the baby's crib and, with careful reverence, placed the feather beside her.

Everyone in the room watched in silent awe.

The message was clear. Lord Ho-Oh had come to bestow its blessing on Naoki's daughter.

"This is…" Naoki trailed off, overwhelmed.

He walked to the window and gazed up at the sky. The brilliant rainbow arched overhead like a divine ribbon across the heavens.

"Thank you, Ho-Oh," Naoki whispered.

According to legend, a Rainbow Feather from Ho-Oh could bring everlasting happiness to those it touched. For the Sky King to offer one freely… this was the highest of gifts.

At that moment, the lights in the hospital flickered and dimmed.

The shadows in the room shimmered unnaturally.

A creeping, ghostly chill settled in the air.

The Pokémon all tensed, instantly sensing something was off.

Iono's parents looked around in alarm, unsure of what was happening.

Naoki's heart dropped.

He grabbed his Rotom Phone and hurriedly typed out a message.

[Naoki: Please don't come out! The room's too small! I'll bring the baby to see you after we get home!]

There was no mistaking it, this could only be the work of Giratina.

And in a room already packed with Dragonite and the three Legendary Beasts, having a towering Ghost-Dragon type barge in would be… catastrophic.

After sending the message, the rippling shadows paused.

Then, after a few seconds, they quietly receded.

The flickering lights steadied, and the eerie atmosphere vanished.

Naoki let out a deep sigh of relief.

"What… what was that just now?" Iono's parents asked, still bewildered.

"Just… some overenthusiastic guests trying to visit."

"???"

"I don't know, maybe it was a Ghost-type Pokémon passing by?" Naoki offered with a wry smile.

Iono's parents exchanged confused glances, clearly unsettled by the strange moment. But without any further clues, they could only let it go.

That afternoon, Naoki told Iono and the Pokémon to rest in the ward while he stepped out alone to handle the hospital discharge process.

"Please wait a moment... The total comes to 5,200 League Coins. Will that be cash or online payment?" the nurse asked politely.

Naoki had rushed out earlier and didn't bring much cash, so he replied, "Let's go with online payment."

"All right." After completing the transaction, the nurse reminded him gently, "Make sure the mother takes good care of herself once you're home. It's chilly out, so it's best to avoid going outside for a few days."

Naoki blinked. "Wait, you mean we can go home this afternoon? There's no need to stay for observation?"

"Of course not!" the nurse said with a cheerful smile. "The mother's in excellent health. She should be fully recovered within a week."

"A week? That fast?" Naoki was stunned. "Doesn't she need to stay in confinement or something?"

"Confinement?" The nurse tilted her head. "What's that?"

"It's the recovery period after childbirth. Usually a few weeks," Naoki explained.

"Oh, you mean the seven-day rest period!" the nurse said. "As long as she has good nutrition and stays warm, most moms bounce back in three days!"

Naoki stared at her.

What? Is the human body in the Pokémon world just... built different?

"And what about the baby?" he asked, trying to stay grounded. "Does she need to stay for observation?"

"No need. Your baby is in perfect health. Just keep her warm, feed her daily, and let her sleep plenty. That'll help her grow strong and healthy."

After a pause, the nurse smiled. "You're a Pokémon Trainer, right? Have you raised Pokémon fresh out of an egg?"

"Yeah," Naoki nodded.

"Then you'll be just fine. Taking care of a newborn is pretty similar!" she said cheerfully.

Naoki was speechless.

This... This was a bit wild.

The nurse's words made him think of Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, where the protagonist, Koko, was raised in the wild by the Mythical Pokémon Zarude.

Zarude had raised Coco without any modern support, no formula, no diapers, just fruit and nature, and yet the kid still grew up healthy and strong.

Maybe... humans were just another kind of Pokémon?

The thought lingered as he returned to the hospital room, where Iono's parents were getting ready to leave.

"We're heading out now," her father said. "Take good care of yourself. We'll come visit again soon."

Iono nodded with a soft smile. "I will."

Her mother turned to Naoki. "Don't let her catch a cold. Keep her warm and make sure she eats properly."

"Understood. Thanks for everything."

With that, the elderly couple departed from Kosaji Town, their figures gradually disappearing down the snow-covered path.

After they left, Naoki began packing up their things.

To avoid exposing Iono and the baby to the freezing weather, he called Giratina.

Giratina opened a portal to send Iono and baby Elara directly home.

Meanwhile, Naoki took the scenic route, driving their old pickup truck with all the Pokémon on board.

As he cruised through the snowy road, flakes drifted down from the pale gray sky.

But even as the cold wind swept across the windshield, Naoki didn't feel the chill in his heart.

From today onward... he was a father.

"Koraidon, I'm going to be a dad!" Naoki said joyfully, turning to his partner with a beaming face.

"Agas~!" Koraidon responded, rumbling with genuine happiness.

"I wonder what she'll be like when she grows up... Do you think she'll love Pokémon as much as I do?" Naoki mused aloud, his voice soft with wonder.

He pictured a little girl sitting on the porch, waiting for him to return from work, running into his arms and calling him "Daddy." The thought made him smile even more.

"Koraidon, you know what? I'm really, really happy," he whispered, his heart full.

"Agas!" Koraidon replied again, its tone warm and proud.

"When the time comes, let's raise her together. Maybe she'll take over the ranch one day… or become a Trainer." Naoki looked toward the snowy horizon.

"Agas…" Koraidon murmured, unsure of what the future would hold.

"Anyway, whatever she chooses, as long as she's happy, that's what matters most." Naoki exhaled deeply, coming to peace with the thought.

It wasn't about the ranch. It never had been. It was about the Pokémon. Wherever Koraidon, Cyclizar, and the others were—that was home.

The old pickup rumbled through the snow, heading toward the ranch, towards home.

A fresh layer of snow coated the ground as Naoki pulled up. He got out, helped Koraidon down, and stepped into the warm, cozy living room.

A cradle sat near the fireplace, lined with soft cushions. Inside, their baby girl—Elara—slept peacefully, bathed in flickering firelight.

Standing quietly nearby was Indeedee, gently rocking the cradle to soothe the baby in her dreams.

The three Legendary Beasts—Raikou, Entei, and Suicune—rested on the floor, their gazes fixed tenderly on the child.

Nearby, Mew, Victini, Jirachi, and Teddiursa gathered around the crib, peeking in with wide eyes and quiet excitement.

Floating opposite them was Calyrex, who hovered beside the cradle, regal and serene, watching over Elara.

As soon as Naoki stepped inside, Calyrex turned to him with a gentle smile. "Congratulations, Naoki."

Naoki grinned. "Thanks!"

Just then, Iono stepped out from the bedroom. Surprised, Naoki walked over quickly. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

Iono looked puzzled. "I don't know why, but after drinking the goat milk porridge you made… I feel full of energy. It's like I completely recovered."

Naoki blinked. "Wait, really?"

Could Life Goat Milk have restorative effects on new mothers, too?

"Any dizziness or soreness?" he asked quickly.

Iono shook her head. "None at all! Honestly, I feel even better than before."

"It must be the goat milk."

Iono giggled. "That means I don't have to be stuck in bed anymore!"

Naoki smiled wryly. "Still, better safe than sorry. It's freezing out. Stay warm and don't go outside for the next few days."

Iono nodded, understanding his concern. "Alright, I will."

After making sure both Iono and Elara were settled, Naoki picked up his Rotom Phone and sent a message to Giratina:

[Naoki: You can come to the ranch now. The baby's here, and she's doing great.]

A moment later, as he set the phone down, a message notification popped up, it was from Mewtwo.

[Mewtwo: May I visit to see the child?]

Naoki readily agreed.

Not long after, the shrunken Giratina and Mewtwo arrived at the ranch.

Mewtwo silently looked down at the sleeping baby in the crib, lost in thought.

Giratina poked its head closer to get a better look at the tiny human cub inside.

Suddenly, the baby seemed to sense an overwhelming aura and stirred uneasily.

The next second, their eyes met.

Giratina grinned, trying to be friendly—but to anyone else, it looked utterly terrifying.

"Waaaaaaaah!"

A loud cry burst out from the crib.

Giratina: "!!!"

Naoki: "…"

'Giratina really needs to work on that smile.'

Iono chuckled and walked forward. "She must be hungry. I'll go feed her."

She gently picked up the baby and carried her to the next room.

Giratina stood frozen, looking completely stunned.

'Do I really look that scary?!'

Naoki tried not to laugh and reassured it, "She's still a baby. She doesn't know you yet. Give it time, when she grows up, she'll love playing with you."

Naoki could already sense that his daughter had inherited traces of his Dragon-Taming ability and even a flicker of Viridian aura. Someday, she might be able to give Giratina massages, too.

Giratina perked up.

"I'll take her anywhere she wants to go!" it promised solemnly.

Naoki grinned. "Sounds like you're officially her godfather now."

Giratina left the ranch in high spirits and returned to the Reverse World.

Mewtwo also departed silently, heading back to the World Tree.

Raikou, Entei, and Suicune decided to stay behind and celebrate the New Year at the ranch with Naoki's family.

The next morning, the trio visited the World Tree to report to Ho-Oh.

Raikou stepped forward. "Lord Ho-Oh, I've completed all the Rainbow Hero support missions."

Entei added, "Do you have any further instructions for us?"

Ho-Oh's eyes glowed softly. "I can feel great potential in that child. She, too, may become a Rainbow Hero one day. Until then, I want you to watch over her and protect her until her time comes."

The three Legendary Beasts were momentarily surprised but quickly nodded in unison.

"Yes, Lord Ho-Oh!"

...

Meanwhile, two esteemed visitors arrived at the ranch from afar.

One was the reigning Champion of the Paldea League, Geeta. The other was Alder, Champion of the Unova League.

It was January 1st, Year 203 in the League Calendar. On the very first day of the new year, Geeta had wrapped up all her duties by staying up late to finish League work, just so she could visit Naoki and see the future Paldea Champion herself.

Alder, having recently helped resolve the last remnants of Team Plasma's chaos, finally had time to relax. With the Unova region peaceful again, he caught the first morning flight to Paldea.

The two Champions arrived at the ranch, greeted one another, and were warmly welcomed into the living room by Naoki and Iono.

Upon seeing Alder walk in from afar, Geeta became a little suspicious.

'Is he trying to poach Naoki from Paldea?!'

But Alder remained oblivious to the tension. He grinned and clapped Naoki on the shoulder. "Congratulations! Where's the little one? Let me take a look!"

"She's sleeping in the room," Naoki replied with a smile, leading both guests into the nursery.

Geeta and Alder peered down at the baby girl.

"Wow, she's adorable!" Alder said, then pulled a fiery red egg from his backpack. "This is my gift to celebrate the birth!"

Naoki blinked. "That's…"

Alder beamed. "It's an egg from my Volcarona. Judging by the timing, it should hatch soon. It can grow up alongside your daughter. By the way, what's her name?"

Iono answered proudly, "Her name is Elara."

"Elara? Beautiful name!" Alder placed the egg beside the crib. "Take it. Naoki once saved my Volcarona's life. I should've given you this long ago."

Realization dawned on Geeta. So that's it… He's not here to steal talent. He's here to repay a favor.

"This is too much," Naoki said instinctively. After all, a Volcarona egg—especially from a Champion-level Pokémon—was incredibly rare and valuable.

But Alder waved it off. "Compared to what you did for me and Volcarona, this is nothing. I've been searching for the right person to entrust the egg to. After thinking about it, there's no better trainer than you."

Understanding the sincerity behind the gift, Naoki gave a grateful nod. "Then I'll accept it, on behalf of Elara. Thank you."

Just then, Geeta pulled out a small box and handed it to Naoki.

Inside was a glowing feather, shimmering with pale, silvery-blue light, like moonlight made solid.

"This is something I promised you long ago," Geeta said with a smile. "It wasn't easy to find. It's said to ward off nightmares and protect its owner. I thought it'd be the perfect charm for your daughter."

Naoki's eyes settled on the feather. Immediately, information rose to the surface of his thoughts:

[Crescent Feather: A feather from Cresselia, the Lunar Pokémon. Said to shine with the light of the moon, it has the power to dispel nightmares and protect those who carry it.]

...

Stones PLZZ