Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 336: Alder's Gratitude



Alder looked at the young man in front of him, suppressing the hope and nervousness bubbling within, and asked politely, "Excuse me, is this Naoki Ranch?"

Naoki snapped out of his thoughts and, recognizing the man immediately nodded. "Yes, it is. Welcome, Mr. Alder."

"You know me?" Alder's eyebrows raised in slight surprise.

Naoki offered a small smile. "The champion of the Unova region is quite famous, even in far- off places like Paldea."

Alder's face turned red. He knew well enough that his reputation as Unova's Champion was mostly confined to his home region. The idea that his fame had spread to a distant region like Paldea seemed highly unlikely, especially since he had retired from his duties as Champion some time ago.

'Could Naoki be a fan?' That would explain why he had reached out through Leon, Galar's Champion, to invite Alder to the ranch.

Unaware of Alder's internal musings, Naoki thought about the reason for his visit-Alder's injured Volcarona. Gesturing toward the door, he said, "Please, come inside so we can discuss this properly."

"Of course," Alder agreed, gripping the strap of his backpack tightly. He followed Naoki into the house, his emotions a jumble of anticipation and fear. While he hoped beyond measure that this rancher could heal Volcarona's lingering injuries, he also feared the worst-that the hidden damage might be irreparable.

As they entered the living room, Alder's thoughts wandered back to the events that had led him here. Not long ago, while traveling across Unova, he had received a surprising call from the Unova Pokémon League.

The staff informed him that Leon, the Champion of the Galar region, wanted to speak with him. Alder, puzzled by the request, had called Leon back, only to learn that there might be hope for Volcarona. Leon had told him about Naoki Ranch and suggested he take Volcarona there for treatment. Though skeptical, Alder's desire to save his beloved companion outweighed his doubts. Without hesitation, he made the journey to Paldea.

In the living room, Alder briefly glanced at Calyrex, who was sitting gracefully nearby, before looking away out of respect. He placed his backpack on the floor, pulled out a stack of papers, and handed them to Naoki.

"These are Volcarona's medical reports from various Pokémon Centers. They indicate that Volcarona's injuries are severe, and current medical technology has no means to fully heal them."

Naoki accepted the reports and skimmed through them. While he couldn't make sense of the more technical aspects, he noted a recurring theme-Volcarona had suffered critical injuries to its core and bore numerous hidden wounds that standard treatments couldn't address. After a moment's thought, Naoki called Indeedee, asking it to retrieve some Life Milk. Then he turned to Alder. "Can you let Volcarona out so I can take a look?"

Alder nodded eagerly and retrieved a red-and-white Poké Ball from his bag. In a flash of light, Volcarona appeared on the floor. The once-majestic Pokémon, known for its fiery beauty, looked pale and frail. Its three pairs of brilliant orange wings were dull and listless, its vibrant blue eyes had dimmed, and it lay on the ground, barely able to move.

Seeing Volcarona in such a state made Alder's chest tighten. This Pokémon was his first partner, his steadfast ally through countless battles and adventures. They had achieved so much together, and Alder had always imagined they'd share this life forever. But reality had dealt them a cruel hand.

Alder crouched beside Volcarona, gently stroking its fluffy white ruff. "Can he fly again?" he asked softly, his voice cracking with emotion.

Naoki hesitated, not wanting to give false hope. "I can't promise anything," he admitted. "But let's try."

Naoki handed a bottle of Gogoat milk to Alder and said, "Feed this to your Volcarona."

Alder took the bottle, noting its sweet fragrance and creamy texture. It was warm, glowing faintly, almost as if it held some latent power. His brows furrowed in uncertainty. "Is this... milk?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

"Just give it to Volcarona," Naoki encouraged with a small smile.

Though puzzled, Alder didn't hesitate. Carefully, he brought the bottle to Volcarona's mouth. The weakened Pokémon instinctively began drinking, its eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. As the last drop of milk disappeared, a stunning transformation unfolded.

A radiant, milky-white light erupted from Volcarona's body, enveloping it completely. Alder gasped as warmth filled the room, radiating from the glowing cocoon. The atmosphere grew thick with an intense heat as if the very essence of fire had come alive.

Slowly, under Alder's awestruck gaze, Volcarona's once-dim wings reignited with a fiery red brilliance. The six pairs of delicate, flame-like appendages fanned out, burning with renewed intensity, casting the room in a warm, otherworldly glow. For a fleeting moment, the sight was akin to a phoenix reborn from its ashes.

Alder's throat tightened, his vision blurred with tears. "It's recovering... Volcarona is recovering..." His voice trembled with hope.

As the light dimmed, Volcarona softly landed on the ground, its spirit visibly brighter. Though still weak and slightly unsteady, it was clear the Pokémon was in much better condition than before. Its once-dull eyes now shimmered faintly, and its wings stirred gently, catching the air with tentative flutters.

Alder crouched down, his hands hovering over Volcarona as if afraid the moment might shatter. "Is it... is it truly okay?" he whispered, barely daring to believe what he saw.

Naoki didn't answer immediately. Though the life-giving goat milk had worked wonders, it was not an all-encompassing cure. He glanced at Calyrex, who had been observing the scene

quietly.

"Calyrex", Naoki addressed. "Could you examine Volcarona's condition?"

Calyrex nodded, his regal demeanor softened by compassion. Floating toward Volcarona, the majestic Pokémon extended a hand. A faint blue aura surrounded the king as he conducted a telepathic examination of Volcarona's body.

Alder watched the Calyrex in stunned silence, his emotions a mix of awe and reverence. The legendary Pokémon's presence was humbling, its serene authority palpable.

After a moment, Calyrex raised his hand, and soft blue light coalesced above it, forming into a crystalline droplet. The droplet radiated gentle energy, embodying pure healing power. Slowly, it descended, landing on Volcarona's body.

The effects were immediate. Volcarona's wings flared to life, their fiery glow now more vibrant and steady. The hidden injuries deep within its core dissipated under the power of the Life Dew. With renewed vigor, Volcarona flapped its wings powerfully, lifting off the ground effortlessly. The air filled with the sound of its gentle hum, a testament to its vitality.

Tears streamed freely down Alder's face. Overcome with emotion, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Volcarona in a tight embrace. "You're back... my partner... you're back!" he murmured, his voice thick with gratitude and love.

Volcarona responded by lowering its body temperature to make itself a warm, soft cushion for Alder. Its antennae brushing against his shoulder in a tender display of affection.

Watching the heartfelt reunion, Naoki exchanged a glance with Calyrex. Both smiled quietly, pleased by the sight of the bond between trainer and Pokémon.

After some time, Alder finally composed himself. He sniffed and wiped at his face, his dark complexion flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry... I must have made quite the scene," he said with a sheepish smile, returning to his seat.

Naoki shook his head, a kind expression on his face. "It was nothing. I'm just glad Volcarona is

doing better."

To Naoki, it was just a bottle of goat milk, but to Alder, it meant everything.

Gripping the bottle with reverence, Alder turned to Naoki, his expression solemn. "No matter what, I, Alder, owe you a favor."

The weight of his words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity. Alder frowned, his voice soft yet firm as he added, "If it weren't for you, I would've lost Volcarona forever. After living with it for so many years, I could feel it... its life was slipping away."

To be honest, Alder had already steeled himself for the inevitable-the day he would have to bid farewell to Volcarona and lay it to rest in the Celestial Tower in Unova. But now, against

all odds, there was hope.

His gaze drifted, his voice carrying the weight of reflection. "Trainers strive so hard every day to become champions, but being champion is just one step in life. It's not the end, nor is it the

most important thing."

Alder paused, his expression softening. "What I've experienced with Volcarona has shown me how fleeting and fragile life can be... Even something as powerful as Volcarona isn't immune

to the passage of time."

He let out a faint, bitter laugh. "When I learned that its injuries couldn't be healed with modern medicine, I was heartbroken. But through that heartbreak, I came to appreciate just how precious the simple joys of being with Pokémon truly are."

"Exactly," Naoki agreed, his tone thoughtful. "No matter what we achieve-whether it's becoming a trainer, a champion, or something else-the Pokémon themselves are what

matter most."

The two continued to chat, their conversation flowing naturally. Naoki learned that the administrative responsibilities of the Unova League were now primarily handled by the Elite Four, as Alder had stepped away from official duties. He also discovered that the Unova League was collaborating with the Paldea League to establish Blueberry Academy-a prestigious institution aimed at fostering the next generation of trainers.

Alder mentioned with a chuckle that several gym leaders in Unova were considering sending

their grandchildren to study there. The thought seemed to lighten his mood, his once- worried expression replaced by one of peace.

Over time, Alder's demeanor softened further, revealing his approachable and optimistic nature. Despite his former title as champion, he carried himself humbly, showing no trace of

arrogance.

Naoki couldn't help but find Alder's personality refreshing-and amusing. Somehow, Alder seemed convinced that Naoki was one of his biggest fans.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Alder laughed heartily, rummaging through his backpack. "You remind me of myself, you know. Your love for Pokémon... it's genuine. I can see it in how you care for them." Before Naoki could clarify, Alder pulled out a Poké Ball and asked for a pen. With a flourish, he signed his name on the ball. "Here," Alder said, grinning. "These little gifts are for you. Use them as decorations or mementos!"

Naoki blinked, holding the signed Poké Ball in his hand, momentarily speechless.

It quickly dawned on him why Alder had come to this conclusion. From Alder's perspective, Naoki must have seemed like an avid fan who had gone to extraordinary lengths-tracking down Leon, connecting through Geeta, and ultimately helping Volcarona. Surely, no one would go to such trouble unless they admired him immensely. Naoki sighed inwardly. 'I'm not even a fan of Alder.'

Alder was visibly moved. He placed the signed Poké Balls on the coffee table, patted Naoki's

shoulder with a broad smile, and said, "If you ever need help in the future, don't hesitate to

find me! I, Alder, will be there as soon as I can!"

Naoki hesitated but eventually swallowed the words of explanation he had been preparing. He couldn't think of another way to explain how he knew about Alder and the condition of Volcarona. Letting Alder assume he was just a fan seemed simpler.

However, Alder still seemed unsatisfied. "Are you sure there's nothing you want? Anything at all? If it's within my power, I'll do it!"

"No, really, there's nothing," Naoki replied, shaking his head. His mind briefly wandered to the legendary dragons of the Unova region-Zekrom, Reshiram, and Kyurem. However, he doubted even Alder, despite being the region's champion, had any real information about

them.

Before Naoki could think further, Alder's gaze fell on the newspaper lying on the table. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the article Naoki had marked about Rotom Technologies. "You seem interested in Rotom Technologies," Alder remarked.

Naoki was caught off guard. "Not particularly," he replied after a moment. "I just had an idea

for a communicator and was curious about the company."

"Oh? A communicator? Like a videophone?" Alder asked. Though he wasn't personally invested, he was intrigued by Naoki's interest and wanted to understand more. Seeing Alder's curiosity, Naoki decided it couldn't hurt to explain. Picking up the pen Alder

had used earlier, he began sketching on a piece of paper. After a few moments, he turned the drawing toward Alder, revealing a design resembling a modern smartphone.

"I was thinking about creating something like this," Naoki explained. "It's a small, portable

smart communicator that combines a videophone with internet capabilities. It could even include features like a Pokémon encyclopedia. Imagine being able to contact others anytime, anywhere, while also having a detailed Pokémon guide in your pocket."

Alder stared at the sketch, his brow furrowing slightly. The concept reminded him of the

Pokédex used by trainers in the Unova region. Those devices had communication functions, allowing trainers to stay in touch with professors while on their journeys.

"I'm not sure I entirely understand," Alder admitted, "but it does sound useful. And if it's

something you're serious about, I think I might be able to help."

Naoki's interest piqued. "Really? How?"

Alder leaned back, a grin spreading across his face. "There's a prestigious dinner coming up soon in the Unova region. It's an event where wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and accomplished trainers from around the world gather. If tradition holds, the head of Rotom Technologies will be in attendance."

Naoki's eyes widened slightly. "The head of Rotom Technologies?"

Alder nodded. "That's right. I attended the event a few years back. I even remember meeting

the company head's daughter. She's a spirited young girl who loves Pokémon battles. At the dinner, she was challenging everyone-trainers, gym leaders, even the Elite Four." Naoki's mind raced. That "spirited young girl" had to be Nemona.

Alder continued, "I can invite you to the dinner as my guest and introduce you to the company

head. You'll have the chance to pitch your idea directly."

Naoki considered Alder's offer carefully. Though he hadn't expected such an opportunity to

fall into his lap, it seemed too valuable to pass up.

Alder observed Naoki's expression and smiled. He had initially come to the ranch for Volcarona's sake but had grown increasingly impressed by the young man before him. Alder's champion's intuition told him that the scarlet Pokémon in the living room and the Pokémon that had just used the Life Dew to heal the Volcarona must be extremely powerful.

His intuition told him Naoki had more potential than he let on. If anyone deserved to attend

that prestigious event, it was him.

...

Next Bonus Chapter @ 2500 power stone

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 376+ at patreon.com/Keepsmiling818