Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 426: Guiding Cynthia

Chapter 426: Guiding Cynthia

"It all makes sense now…" Professor Oak murmured, his face filled with disbelief.

The relationship between Giratina and the gods of time and space, as well as the connection between the Distortion World and the real world, were topics worthy of in-depth study. This newfound information made it clear that humanity had barely scratched the surface of the mysteries of the Pokémon world.

"There's still so much out there waiting to be discovered," Professor Oak said, his voice tinged with wonder.

Naoki smiled faintly and asked, "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

Cynthia glanced sideways, her mind drifting to the murals in Celestic Town. The ancient artwork depicted a Pokémon that seemed to be above Dialga and Palkia. Could Naoki possibly know something about this enigmatic figure?

With curiosity guiding her, Cynthia decided to ask.

"Mr. Naoki," she began, "is there another Pokémon, one not yet discovered by humans, that exists beyond Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina?"

Naoki blinked in mild surprise at the question. Had Cynthia already started piecing together the clues about Arceus? He studied the Sinnoh Champion for a moment, then decided there was no harm in sharing what he knew.

"If I'm not mistaken," Naoki said carefully, "you're referring to a Pokémon called Arceus."

"Arceus?" Cynthia and Professor Oak both repeated in unison, their attention instantly captivated by the name.

Naoki nodded. "Yes. In legends, Arceus is described as the Creator Pokémon. It has been called many names throughout history—the God of Creation, the Great Deity of Sinnoh…"

He paused before continuing, "According to what I've learned, when the world was first created, there was nothing. Arceus emerged and brought the first semblance of order by creating Dialga to control time and Palkia to govern space. From that moment, time began to flow, and space stabilized."

He gestured thoughtfully. "At the same time, Arceus created the Distortion World, which Giratina governs. It serves as a counterpart and support to the material world we live in."

"Once the material world was established, Arceus created the Lake Guardians—Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie—to give form to the spiritual world. Together, they represent knowledge, emotion, and willpower, combining spirit with matter to complete the balance of existence."

As Naoki spoke, Cynthia's golden eyes sparkled with awe. These myths and legends, so deeply entwined with the origins of the world, were unlike anything she had encountered before.

Naoki noticed her fascination and added, "The Sinnoh region isn't the only place with tales of Arceus. Many regions around the world have their own legends and relics tied to the Creator Pokémon."

Cynthia's curiosity deepened. "Where might I find such places?" she asked, her voice urgent but composed.

Naoki could see her determination and pointed out a few notable locations. "The first is the Ruins of Alph and the Sinjoh Ruins in the Johto region. It's said that the innermost part of these ruins holds secrets tied to the truth of creation, but only those who are chosen may find the path."

"The truth of creation…" Cynthia murmured, her heart racing with excitement. "Have you been there yourself?"

Naoki nodded. "Yes, during my travels before settling here at the ranch, I visited the Ruins of Alph. The experience was unforgettable."

This was partially true—it aligned with his adventures in the games. He wasn't deceiving Cynthia, merely framing his knowledge in an understandable way.

Cynthia committed the location to memory, already planning an investigation.

"The second place," Naoki continued, "is the ancient town of Michina in the Sinnoh region. Its ruins date back thousands of years and hold significant ties to Arceus."

Naoki hesitated briefly before elaborating. "According to legend, Arceus was once betrayed and sealed underground by humans using a mercury trap. Gravely injured, it fell into a deep sleep in a void, harboring immense anger and waiting to awaken. When it does, it is said to seek retribution against humanity."

"Michina…" Cynthia whispered, her expression serious as she etched the name into her thoughts.

"The third location," Naoki said, "is Kalos region. There, I saw a tower, depicted as a structure built to honor Arceus."

"I've got it all noted," Cynthia said, her tone brimming with determination. She looked as though she wanted to rush off immediately to investigate the three places Naoki had mentioned.

True to her decisive nature, Cynthia didn't linger at the ranch. After gathering the information she needed, she stood and expressed her gratitude.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Naoki. I won't take up any more of your time. My next stop will be Michina in the Sinnoh region," she said.

But as she thought further, she adjusted her plan. No, I should transit through the Johto region first, investigate the Ruins of Alph, and then head north back to Sinnoh, she decided internally.

Naoki: "…"

So this was Cynthia's personality—direct and efficient!

He didn't try to persuade her to stay but offered her a simple farewell. "I wish you the best of luck."

Cynthia smiled faintly, the corners of her lips curving up gracefully.

Before leaving, she added Naoki to her contacts on her Rotom Phone. "I'll reach out to you after I've investigated those myths, legends, and ruins," she said.

Naoki nodded. "Sounds good."

And with that, Cynthia departed.

As he watched her leave, Naoki couldn't help but reflect. Despite being a Champion with a regal demeanor often likened to an "iceberg beauty," Cynthia was approachable and down-to-earth when discussing myths and legends. The contrast between her reputation and her actual personality caught him off guard, even though he had anticipated she would be respectful and kind.

After all, people with noble and virtuous appearances often carried cold, distant personalities. Yet Cynthia was gentle, warm, and devoid of arrogance.

"I have to admit," Naoki thought with a smile, "Cynthia is truly a captivating person."

"What's on your mind?" Professor Oak's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Naoki blinked, snapping back to reality. "I was just thinking how different Cynthia is from what I expected."

Professor Oak chuckled. "Oh?"

Naoki elaborated, "Doctor, don't you think it's unusual? Logically, someone like Cynthia—unfathomably strong and exuding such noble grace—would seem cold or difficult to approach."

Understanding dawned on Professor Oak, and he laughed heartily. "I see what you're getting at. But isn't it the same with you?"

Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

Professor Oak gestured toward him. "You're just as extraordinary, Naoki. You've raised Pokémon of incredible strength, yet you're here running a humble ranch instead of showing off your skills as a Champion. On top of that, you welcome passing Trainers and students, letting them train with your Pokémon. You're hardly arrogant yourself."

Naoki: "…"

When phrased that way, it did seem true! Naoki smiled sheepishly.

Just then, Professor Oak's Rotom Phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket, he glanced at the screen before pressing the answer button.

The next moment, a familiar face appeared on the video call.

"It's Ash!" Professor Oak exclaimed. "And it looks like you've made it to Rustboro City!"

"That's right!" Ash grinned widely, holding up a badge case. Opening it, he revealed a gleaming badge. "Pikachu and I just completed the Rustboro Gym Challenge and won the Stone Badge!"

"That's great!" Professor Oak nodded with a smile. "There are still many badges left to collect before you have all eight, so keep up the hard work! When you participate in the Ever Grande Conference, I'll come to cheer you on!"

Ash, filled with enthusiasm at the mention of the Ever Grande Conference, clenched his fist and said, "Yes! Pikachu and I will give it our all!"

"Pika~!" Pikachu chimed in agreement.

At that moment, Brock, who had been observing the background on Professor Oak's Rotom Phone, noticed something unusual. The area around Professor Oak didn't resemble his lab in Pallet Town. Instead, it looked like a farm, with vast fields of crops and several unfamiliar Pokémon roaming nearby.

Brock squinted, his curiosity piqued. "Professor Oak, are you on a business trip?"

Professor Oak chuckled. "No, I'm visiting a friend here in the Paldea region."

He adjusted the Rotom Phone's camera, pointing it at Naoki, and introduced him to Ash and the group. "This is Mr. Naoki, a very skilled Trainer from the Paldea region!"

Naoki smiled as he saw Ash, Brock, and their companions, May and Max, on the screen. Waving, he greeted them warmly. "Hello there!"

It was Naoki's first time meeting Ash, and he couldn't help but feel curious about the energetic protagonist he had heard so much about.

Ash, always polite and cheerful, waved back. "Hello, Mr. Naoki! I'm Ash from Pallet Town!"

Professor Oak laughed. "Ash, if you ever get the chance, you should visit the Paldea region. There are many Pokémon here that you won't find in Kanto!"

Ash's eyes lit up at the mention of discovering new Pokémon. "Really? That sounds amazing! I'll definitely visit when I get the chance!"

Professor Oak nodded, smiling at Ash's excitement. "Good! For now, I'll be heading back to the lab soon. And as always, if you catch any new Pokémon during your journey, feel free to send them to me. I'll take care of them for you."

Ash grinned. "Thanks, Professor! I'll keep that in mind."

With that, the call ended. Professor Oak lowered his Rotom Phone and let out a nostalgic sigh. "That boy is Ash. His father left home when he was young, so he grew up with just his mother."

He smiled fondly as he continued. "Ash has always been a bit reckless. When he was five, he missed a summer camp because he overslept. And when he turned ten, he arrived late to pick his first Pokémon. By the time he got there, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle had already been chosen by other Trainers. All that was left for him was Pikachu."

Naoki listened with interest as Professor Oak recounted Ash's early days.

"Ah, that boy has been traveling for quite a while now."

Naoki listened quietly from the side.

As he observed Professor Oak's thoughtful expression, a realization suddenly struck him.

Professor Oak knew Ash. More precisely, he knew Ash even before Ash was born.

When Professor Oak was a young man, he traveled through time with the help of Celebi. During that journey, he was transported to the future, where he met Ash. Together, they embarked on a thrilling adventure and worked to defeat a Pokémon Hunter.

Through that extraordinary experience, the two became close friends despite being separated by time and space.

Could this be the reason why Professor Oak took such great care of Ash later in life? Naoki pondered this newfound insight.

In his past life, many online jokes speculated about Professor Oak's kindness toward Ash, attributing it to his relationship with Ash's mother, Delia. But now, Naoki saw that wasn't the case at all.

Looking at the kind and gentle Professor Oak standing before him, Naoki felt he finally understood. Oak's care for Ash came from their shared bond during that fateful journey.

Perhaps even Ash's unique Pikachu was something that Professor Oak had specially prepared for him, knowing what lay ahead. After all, Professor Oak had already seen glimpses of the future.

These thoughts led Naoki to ask, "By the way, Professor Oak, why did you choose to build your research lab in Pallet Town?"

After all, Pallet Town was a small, quiet village in the Kanto region. Whenever Ash introduced himself during his travels, people often remarked on its remoteness, calling it a "tiny place" or even saying they'd never heard of it.

Professor Oak wasn't just any researcher—he was a renowned Pokémon Professor and a top graduate of Celadon University. He could have chosen a more prominent location for his work.

Hearing Naoki's question, Professor Oak paused for a moment, a nostalgic expression spreading across his face. He then answered softly:

"That's because someone very important to me lives there. When I was a child, I made a promise to him that we'd meet again."

Naoki watched as Professor Oak's mind seemed to drift to the past. His thoughts returned to a summer long ago, when he encountered a boy named Ash in a forest where the legendary Forest Guardian Celebi was said to dwell.

Naoki smiled inwardly. His suspicions had been correct.

"That friend must have meant a lot to you," Naoki said.

Professor Oak nodded with a warm smile. "He and I shared a connection—our temperaments were surprisingly similar."

"That's amazing!" Naoki exclaimed.

But a new thought crossed Naoki's mind. Had Professor Oak moved to Pallet Town to keep his promise to Ash? Or had Ash met Professor Oak because Oak had already settled there?

'If we think about it,' Naoki thought, 'this might be a time loop.'

There was no beginning or end, no one who came first or later. The two events were intertwined, cause and effect of one another.

Because Professor Oak met Ash as a child, he chose to establish a research institute in Pallet Town.

And because Professor Oak established his research institute in Pallet Town, Ash eventually met the young Professor Oak.

.....

March 1, Year 200 of the Alliance Calendar, Spring

After spending six days at the ranch, Professor Oak departed from the Paldea region, his luggage brimming with research data.

Naoki accompanied him to the airport, riding atop Koraidon to see him off. Only after watching the professor board his plane did Naoki and Koraidon turn to make the journey back home.

By the time Naoki returned to the ranch, the sun had dipped low in the sky, painting the horizon in hues of gold. The evening had arrived, and the Pokémon who had spent the day playing across the ranch now showed signs of fatigue.

Yet, without Naoki home, they hesitated to retreat indoors. Instead, they formed a neat line under the eaves of the ranch, their curious eyes fixed on the gate, eagerly awaiting Naoki's return.

As the minutes stretched on, some Pokémon began to nod off, their heads bobbing drowsily.

When Naoki finally appeared, gliding across the grass on Koraidon's back, the sight before him made his heart melt.

Under the soft glow of the setting sun, a small Eevee, half-asleep, was the first to notice him. Its drowsy expression lit up in an instant.

"Bu-yi!" it called, its voice a joyful melody that broke the quiet.

The call stirred the other Pokémon, who turned their heads toward the approaching pair. Spotting Naoki, they immediately perked up, their weariness forgotten. With excited cries, the Pokémon dashed toward him, their faces beaming with happiness.

Naoki dismounted and was quickly surrounded by his companions, their eyes sparkling with joy and relief at his return. Seeing them so eager to welcome him home, warmth spread through Naoki's heart like a comforting fire.

Smiling gently, he crouched down and began to pat their heads one by one, his voice soft and full of affection.

"Alright, everyone," he said, his tone soothing. "If you're tired, it's time to head inside and rest."

His Pokémon, reassured by his presence, began to calm down. Some nuzzled his hand, while others yawned and stretched before heading toward the cozy warmth of the ranch house.

As Naoki watched his Pokémon slowly make their way home, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. This was more than just a ranch—it was a family.