Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 297: Slugma



After learning about the functions of the television, Calyrex became quite intrigued by this rectangular box that could produce sound and display moving pictures.

Seeing Calyrex's interest, Naoki invited Him to join everyone on the sofa and watch television together. The King graciously accepted the invitation.

Since the seats next to Naoki were already taken by Pawmot and Koraidon, Calyrex settled comfortably into a single-seater sofa nearby. This, however, didn't hinder His enjoyment of the program.

At that moment, a heartwarming documentary titled Warm Lava Worm House was airing.

The story revolved around Anna, a young girl who returned from the bustling city to visit her grandparents in the countryside during her winter vacation. Her grandparents lived a cozy, simple life with a host of Pokémon companions.

The documentary showcased a Pokemon chopping firewood with its strong jaws, a Froslass serving as a refrigerator, a Galvantula generating electricity, and an Ariados weaving silk for sweaters.

The highlight of their home, however, was a group of Slugma living inside specialized heating pipes. These lava Pokémon not only provided warmth to the house during the chilly winter months but also helped light fires for cooking.

Anna quickly grew fond of the Slugma and wanted to befriend them. However, the Slugma, shy by nature, kept moving through the heating pipes to avoid her. Her grandfather explained that when Slugma are happy, they emit cheerful "bang bang" sounds and release small puffs of smoke.

In the end, the Slugma realized Anna's sincerity. On the day of her departure, they delighted her by filling the house with their "bang bang" noises and smoky puffs as a heartfelt goodbye. Though short, the documentary conveyed a warm, nostalgic atmosphere, highlighting the harmonious relationships between humans and Pokémon. It painted a picture of a world where even non-trainers could share their lives with Pokémon, a testament to the progress made over thousands of years.

After the show ended, Calyrex sighed softly, clearly moved. "Television is truly extraordinary," He remarked, admiration in His tone.

Naoki chuckled, nodding. "Humans have never stopped moving forward. Who knows? Maybe in the near future, we'll even fly to other planets on spaceships."

Calyrex's eyes widened slightly, and He mused, "Even with all my powers, I could never achieve such a feat. Humanity's ingenuity is truly remarkable."

During the commercial break, Pawmot was still captivated by the documentary. The little Pokémon tugged at Naoki's sleeve, its eyes full of excitement.

"What's up, Pawmot?" Naoki asked, turning to face it.

"Pawmot!" it exclaimed.

Calyrex, acting as translator, smiled as He relayed the message. "It says, 'Slugma is such an amazing Pokémon!""

Naoki blinked in surprise. "You really like Slugma, huh?"

"Pawmot!" Pawmot nodded vigorously.

It seemed to have developed a dream-to one day have its own heating pipes filled with Slugma, living together as friends.

Naoki scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I see... Well, that's an interesting idea. But Slugma usually lives in volcanic areas. They're not easy to find elsewhere."

Naoki considered the situation and realized there was indeed a potential solution.

"For instance," he mused aloud, "I could take some time to visit the Hoenn region and explore the area around Mt. Chimney. It's known for being home to Magcargo and Slugma. If I come across one, maybe I can invite it to live with us here on the ranch."

The idea of adding a Lava Pokémon to the ranch excited Naoki. A Pokémon like Slugma could serve as a natural heating source, replacing traditional heating systems and even assisting with cooking due to its naturally high body temperature.

However, there would be challenges. The house's infrastructure, including fireplaces, ventilation systems, and heating pipes, would need to be redesigned to accommodate the Lava Pokémon. Naoki began mentally drafting a plan for these renovations.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Hearing this, Pawmot's eyes sparkled with joy.

"Pawmot!" it squeaked, bouncing happily in place. However, it quickly seemed to think of another question. Tugging at Naoki's sleeve with its tiny paws, it looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes and asked:

"Pawmot? Pawmot Pawmot!" ("When will your granddaughter visit the ranch? I want to become her best friend, just like the Slugma in the show!")

Naoki froze, utterly caught off guard.

"What?" He stared at Pawmot in disbelief.

'Granddaughter? I don't even have anyone I like yet! How would I possibly have a

granddaughter?"

Pawmot was already daydreaming about the future.

"Pawmot?("Will your granddaughter live here with us?")

Alcremie, sitting nearby, chimed in with its opinion, nodding earnestly.

"Mree!" ("Of course she will!")

The Pokémon's imaginations began to run wild, filling the room with playful chatter about this hypothetical future family member. Even Calyrex was amused, watching the scene with a serene smile. Through His telepathy, He relayed their thoughts to Naoki.

Exasperated but fond, Naoki gently scooped Pawmot into his arms, cutting off its increasingly fanciful ideas. "Okay, enough of that! Let's clear something up-I don't have a granddaughter. No one is suddenly going to show up from the city to visit me, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't live here."

Pawmot looked crestfallen, its ears drooping.

"Pawmot..." ("Why not?")

Naoki sighed, trying to find a way to explain the complexities of human life to the Pokémon in a way they would understand. "Because," he began patiently, "children eventually grow up and have lives of their own. They meet new people, find Pokémon partners, and move away. It's just like how all of you left your parents to join me here on the ranch. Life moves forward." The Pokémon seemed to grasp his explanation, nodding thoughtfully. Only Koraidon remained calm, lying beside Naoki's legs, seemingly unbothered. After all, there was a secret that only Koraidon knew-a secret it wasn't ready to share.

Meanwhile, Pawmot seemed lost in thought, its cheerful demeanor dimmed. Unlike the other Pokémon, who had voluntarily left their parents to embark on new adventures, Pawmot's journey had been different. It was brought to the ranch by a Pokémon known as a Bombirdier, and now it couldn't help but wonder: were its parents worried about it after it left? Naoki noticed Pawmot's sudden shift in mood and immediately guessed what was troubling

it.

"I'll figure something out..." he said reassuringly.

Naoki knew that Bombirdier primarily lived in the mountainous regions southwest of Paldea. These Pokémon were known for crafting bags from their chest fluff and fallen feathers, which they used to collect stones, branches, and other objects. They would then drop these items

from the sky as part of their peculiar play behavior.

With this in mind, Naoki returned to his room and pulled out a detailed map of the Paldea region from his desk. He spread it across the table, and the Pokémon eagerly gathered around,

watching him intently.

He located the ranch on the map, then traced a line to a nearby mountainous area known to be home to Bombirdier. "If they brought you here, then they likely didn't stray far from their

nesting area," he explained.

Naoki circled a wilderness zone in the southern part of Kosaji Town with his pen. "This area might be a good starting point," he said.

Still, he wasn't entirely sure. Turning to Pawmot, Naoki asked, "Can you remember anything else about where you lived before?"

Pawmot furrowed its brow, recalling carefully before answering,

"Pawmot!" (It was a forest with lots of trees, and there was one really big tree in the middle!)

Naoki frowned slightly. "A forested area with a large tree?" He tapped the map thoughtfully. "That could describe a lot of places..."

For a moment, Naoki felt stuck. "If only Mewtwo were here," he murmured to himself.

Mewtwo's psychic powers could delve into the memories of Pokémon and humans alike, uncovering details buried deep in the mind. With its help, they might have been able to pinpoint the exact location.

But Mewtwo had departed some time ago, leaving the ranch behind.

Naoki sighed, glancing at the other Pokémon. "What about those Pokémon who visit the

tavern?"

Over time, the Pokémon Tavern had become a popular destination, attracting an ever- increasing number of Pokémon guests. Among them were several wild Pokémon who had migrated from distant places. These travelers often stopped by the tavern after hearing other Pokémon talk about its warm atmosphere and excellent reputation. They would rest for a while before continuing on their journeys.

Naoki, inspired by this influx of visitors, decided to post a "missing Pokémon" notice at the tavern, hoping the wild Pokémon passing through might come across Pawmot's parents during their travels. Without delay, he shared his idea with sister Indeedee, who managed the tavern. He asked her to spread the word to the Pokémon guests.

Indeedee, ever kind and helpful, nodded with a reassuring smile. "Ai Ai~"

Pawmot, moved by her kindness, chirped softly, "Pamo!" (Thank you!)

Indeedee chuckled warmly, her soft laughter putting Pawmot at ease.

The next evening, as the Pokémon Tavern opened its doors, Indeedee made sure to relay

Naoki's message to the visiting Pokémon. Standing in her usual spot, she addressed the guests, explaining the situation and asking anyone who spotted Pawmot's parents to inform

her.

Naoki, busy tending to the ranch, didn't visit the tavern that evening but learned the outcome from Indeedee later. The Pokémon guests had all agreed to keep an eye out for Pawmot's parents during their travels. With the missing Pokémon notice now widely shared, the next step was simply to wait patiently for news.

While they waited, something unexpected happened.

One morning, as Naoki was weeding in the fields, Mrs. Dantes, who lived in town and regularly ordered fresh goat's milk from the ranch, came to see him. Her visits were always

friendly, though her unannounced appearance this time surprised Naoki. "Mrs. Dantes?" he greeted her, setting down his tools. "Is everything alright?"

The kind old lady smiled warmly. "Oh, Naoki, has the quality of your goat's milk improved

recently? I noticed that the market in Kosaji is now selling something called 'Life Goat's Milk.' Did they purchase it from you?"

Naoki nodded. "Yes, that's correct. We've started supplying it recently."

Mrs. Dantes hesitated briefly before continuing, "Well, I've been wondering-do you still sell regular goat's milk, or is it all this enhanced variety now?"

Naoki was taken aback, sensing a peculiar tone in Mrs. Dantes' voice. Concerned, he asked,

"Did something happen?"

Mrs. Dantes looked genuinely surprised as she explained, "Ever since my husband drank the

goat milk delivered by Dragonite the other day, he's been bounding around like a child with boundless energy! It's as if he can't sit still. But that's not all-he's been having nosebleeds several times a day!"

Shaking her head, she continued, "We went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor said

it was due to overnutrition. At first, we couldn't figure out what caused it. Then it hit me-it had to be the goat milk!"

Naoki stood there, stunned. "Really? The goat milk caused that?"

He himself usually drank the milk from the Miltanks on the ranch, as he wasn't a fan of

Gogoat milk's distinct taste. While he'd sampled the Life Goat Milk once, it hadn't become a regular part of his diet.

Mrs. Dantes nodded emphatically. "It's true! That goat milk is far too potent for an older man like him. So, I came to ask-do you still have regular goat milk? Something a bit... milder?" Naoki frowned thoughtfully and shook his head. "Unfortunately, we don't have any regular goat milk left. The goats on the ranch produce only the enhanced Life Goat Milk now."

He paused, considering her situation. "But how about switching to fresh milk from the Miltanks instead?" he suggested. "The Miltanks here produce milk of exceptional quality, though it's not quite as intense as the Life Goat Milk."

Mrs. Dantes seemed relieved by the idea. "That might be just the solution! Let's give it a try."

With a smile, Naoki nodded. "Alright, we'll replace the goat milk with Miltank milk for you."

She breathed a visible sigh of relief and handed Naoki a small paper bag. "Here," she said warmly. "I baked some cookies. Please, have a taste!

"Thank you very much," Naoki said with a polite smile. He took the bag of cookies from Mrs.

Dantes and waved goodbye as she turned to leave the ranch.

Naoki thought her situation was a one-off, but over the next few days, he started receiving

calls from other customers who had been buying goat milk.

One after another, they shared similar concerns: the goat milk was too nutritious. They

complained of sleepless nights, frequent nosebleeds, and even significant weight gain. Some admitted they'd started worrying about becoming overweight just from drinking too much of it. Most asked to switch their orders from goat milk to the more traditional Moomoo Milk

from the Miltanks.

Naoki found himself dumbfounded. After hanging up yet another call, he opened the

refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of the infamous Life Goat Milk, and stared at it.

"Can it really be this overpowered?" he muttered.

With a mix of curiosity and skepticism, Naoki unscrewed the cap, raised the bottle to his lips,

and took a large gulp.

Almost instantly, he felt a surge of vitality flood his body. The fatigue from working in the

fields earlier that day vanished in an instant, replaced by a boundless energy that made him feel like he could take on the world.

He clenched his fists, feeling a wave of power coursing through his veins. His muscles felt primed, his mind sharp.

"Wow..." Naoki whispered in astonishment. "This is unreal!" Then, without warning, two warm streams trickled down from his nose.

Startled, he touched his face and found blood smeared across his fingers. "What the-?!" he

yelped. "A nosebleed? Seriously?!"

Brother Indeedee, who had been nearby, immediately sprang into action. The concerned

Indeedee handed Naoki a box of tissues, his little hands trembling.

"Ai Ai!" Indeedeecried out, visibly worried.

"Thanks!" Naoki grabbed a handful of tissues and pressed them to his nose. He tilted his head

slightly and dabbed furiously until the bleeding finally subsided.

"Phew..." Naoki let out a deep breath and looked towards Indeedee with an apologetic grin. "I

guess the Life Goat Milk really is that potent..."

But even as the blood dried, the energy coursing through his body refused to subside. Naoki

felt so invigorated that standing still seemed impossible.

"I can't just sit around like this!" he declared suddenly, grabbing the nearest axe and rushing

outside.

Before Indeedee could stop him, Naoki made a beeline for the firewood pile. Under Indeedee's worried gaze, he began chopping logs at an almost superhuman pace.