Pokemon: A New Path

"Baa?" The Skiddo let out a confused bleat.

The other two Skiddo also looked over in puzzlement. Naoki felt a bit embarrassed.

Fortunately, at that moment, a metaphorical light bulb appeared above the head of one of the Skiddo, and it seemed to have a sudden realization.

"Baa!" 'Maybe the trainer wants to give the milk to other Pokémon on the ranch'!

Skiddo could produce a lot of milk, and if there were baby Skiddo that needed it, they would provide it. If there were no baby Skiddo, they would store it temporarily.

Therefore, the three Skiddo remained indifferent to Naoki's request.

"Maa~" 'Want milk? I'll give it to you! You're our trainer, and you feed us such delicious food'!

Naoki looked at the Skiddo, still a little puzzled. He asked tentatively, "Are you willing to share your milk with me?"

"Baa!" The Skiddo nodded in unison.

Naoki was delighted, but he felt that the Skiddo had misunderstood something. After a brief pause, he explained that he needed their milk to sell and make money.

He continued, "I'll use the money I earn to buy more ingredients and make more Green Grass Dumplings for you."

"Maa?" The Skiddo looked confused, as if asking how much more he would make.

Naoki thought for a moment and replied, "A lot. You won't be able to finish it in your lifetime."

"Baaa...!"

Upon hearing this, the Skiddo's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if they were eager to offer all the milk in their bodies right now in exchange for the dumplings.

Naoki chuckled. "That won't be necessary."

He sighed in relief and said to the Skiddo with a smile, "Then it's settled."

The Skiddo would provide him with milk, and he would be responsible for feeding them for their entire lives. They had made a pact of mutual support.

Late at night, the vast pasture was shrouded in darkness. The Skiddo yawned and lay down on the meadow, flattening a large area of grass as they quickly drifted off to sleep.

Inside the wooden house, the Nacli, having eaten their fill, snuggled up to each other and fell into a deep sleep. Naoki stood at the door, gazing at the Pokémon in the room, a slight smile on his lips. The ranch was becoming more and more lively.

"You should get some rest too!" Naoki said to Cyclizar, who was standing nearby. "I have to go out again tonight, so don't wait up for me. Go to bed!"

"Cyclizar." Cyclizar nodded obediently.

Naoki patted its head, gently closed the door, and rode Koraidon towards Casseroya Lake.

Following the path he remembered, Naoki arrived at the top of the cliff once again. Even before getting close, he could see the familiar figure. Dragonite was still sitting there, lost in thought, gazing at the moon with a forlorn expression.

Koraidon landed softly, and Dragonite, hearing the sound, turned around. Naoki expected the Dragonite to fly away like it had in previous days, but to his surprise, it didn't leave. It simply remained seated, motionless.

Looking closer, Naoki noticed that the Dragonite seemed to have more visible scars on its body compared to a few days ago, looking quite battered.

Was it injured? Naoki instinctively took out an Oran Berry from his backpack and offered it to the Dragonite.

Dragonite blinked, looked down at the berry in the man's hand, then back up at him.

"Eat it!" Naoki encouraged. "It'll help your injuries heal."

"Roar." Dragonite sighed softly, declining Naoki's kindness, and closed its eyes again.

Undeterred, Naoki sat down next to Dragonite with Koraidon and gazed at the moon alongside it. "Is something troubling you?"

"Roar." Dragonite lowered its head.

"Gaah?" (Did you come here because that Dragonite despised you for being weak?) Koraidon suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Dragonite raised its head sharply, a surprised look on its face.

"Roar?" (How did you know?)

"Gaah!" (I just know.) Koraidon tilted its head, deliberately keeping the question vague.

Dragonite sighed again. "Roar."

It was true. It was a very weak Dragonite. Due to its clumsy nature, other Dragonite were able to learn many powerful moves as they grew, but it couldn't. As it matured, Dragonite gradually accepted this reality, but not long ago, it had fallen in love with another Dragonite.

That Dragonite had rejected it because it couldn't use Dragon Tail.

Dragonite felt heartbroken and came to this lonely spot every day to brood. Earlier that day, it had tried to train itself by battling other Dragonite, but instead of becoming stronger, it ended up getting injured.

Thinking of this, Dragonite couldn't help but sigh again.

Naoki watched with curiosity as Koraidon communicated with Dragonite. Being human, he couldn't understand their conversation, but from Koraidon's demeanor, it seemed they were communicating quite effectively.

Koraidon then asked, "Gah?" (Have you ever thought about finding a human Trainer to help you become stronger?)

Dragonite blinked, confused. "Roar?" (A human Trainer? What's that?)

Koraidon explained, "Gaah." (They're humans who can help Pokémon become stronger, evolve, and learn new moves.)

Dragonite's eyes widened in disbelief. "Roar?!" (Could I do that too?)

Koraidon nodded confidently. "Gaah!"

Dragonite was excited and asked quickly, "Roar?" (Where can I find one?)

'This guy is so naïve'. Koraidon felt a bit tired and turned to look at Naoki.

Dragonite followed its gaze and then asked hopefully, "Roar?" (Is he a Trainer?)

Koraidon nodded.

In the next moment, Dragonite stood up excitedly.

Naoki was stunned, and then Koraidon used its claws to retrieve a Poké Ball from his pocket.

Naoki was confused. He took the Poké Ball Koraidon offered him, and before he could ask any questions, he heard Koraidon and Dragonite talking.

Then, Dragonite extended its claw. The moment it touched the Poké Ball button, its body was engulfed in a red light.

Witnessing this, Koraidon seemed satisfied. "Gah!" 'Now I can finally get some sleep'!

Naoki was still baffled. He looked at the Poké Ball in his hand, then at Koraidon, and couldn't help but ask, "What did you say to it? Why did it suddenly change its mind?"

"Gah." Koraidon shook its head, indicating it hadn't said anything, then pointed at the Poké Ball and flexed its muscles.

Naoki was taken aback and guessed, "It wants to become stronger?"

"Gah!" Koraidon nodded happily.

What the heck? Wanting to become stronger, so it needs a trainer? Why was this Dragonite acting so foolishly? But he wasn't a trainer!

Naoki looked at the Poké Ball in his hand.

This... should be considered a successful capture, right?