Pokemon: A New Path-Beautiful World[497]

The unusual scene unfolding on the ranch quickly drew the attention of many Pokémon.

In no time, Z2—now in its 10% Forme found itself surrounded.

Curious eyes watched it from all sides.

Z2 tensed slightly, uneasy under the scrutiny. Then, it heard the human speak.

"When did you get here?"

Naoki's voice carried a tone of genuine curiosity.

Whether it was Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, or Ho-Oh, they had all been drawn to the ranch on the day the World Tree fully matured.

If his guess was correct, Zygarde must have sensed the same event and responded accordingly sending out its cells and cores to monitor the area.

And, as Naoki had anticipated, his assumption was correct.

After observing for months in secret, the Z2 before him already seemed familiar with him and the ranch.

After a brief pause, Z2 finally responded—its words carried through telepathic communication.

"Last summer."

Hearing this, Naoki nodded thoughtfully. "As expected... That was when the World Tree fully awakened."

"You came to observe the situation, didn't you?" he asked again.

Z2, still in its sleek Doberman-like form, stared at the human with its pale eyes before giving a small nod.

Indeed, it had been lurking in the shadows, watching quietly.

The natural energy in this place was unlike anywhere else—a land once untouched by Zygarde's influence had gradually become an ecological haven.

At first, there were no Zygarde Cells present.

But as the World Tree flourished, Zygarde had dispatched more and more cells to survey the phenomenon.

It was a necessary precaution, ensuring the balance of nature.

This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.

"I see..." Naoki mused.

But Z2's keen senses picked up on something strange in the way he spoke.

"You already know who I am."

Naoki didn't hesitate. "Of course. You're one of Zygarde's Core entities—a guardian of balance and overseer of the ecosystem."

Then, his lips curled into a knowing smile. "If I had to guess, you were also drawn here by the force of nature's presence, weren't you?"

Z2's expression remained unreadable, but his response was telling.

"...Also?"

The choice of wording struck Z2 as odd. Were there other beings attracted to this place, just as it had been?

It made sense—after all, an event this monumental wouldn't go unnoticed.

Naoki chuckled. "In human terms, I'd say they're Pokémon on the same level as you."

Z2 narrowed its eyes slightly, contemplating the implication.

Before it could inquire further, Naoki continued. "Forget it. Since you're here, I might as well take you on a tour. Think of it as a welcoming gift—for Softy's sake."

Z2 blinked in confusion. "Softy?"

Naoki smirked. "The Core you just merged with."

Z2 fell silent. It understood what he meant.

However, those were merely its scattered cells, not separate consciousnesses.

It wasn't like it had absorbed another being.

But still, this human spoke as if those fragments of itself were individuals.

Z2 found it strange.

Yet... at the same time, oddly intriguing.

"Let's go." Naoki checked the time, calculating his schedule. "I'll show you the World Tree first."

Z2 didn't argue.

Instead, it silently followed the human, keeping a close watch on him. In Z2's view, humans were disruptors, creatures that upset the natural balance for their own gain.

But this one... was different.

Naoki wasn't an invader, he was a chosen guardian.

A human acknowledged by nature itself.

Passing through the Reversed Realm, the two soon emerged at their destination.

The moment Z2 stepped out of the passageway, its eyes widened.

Z2 could feel it, the overwhelming presence of pure nature flowing all around. It was as if the very essence of the land itself was concentrated in this one place.

Being here felt... peaceful. Comforting. Like returning to the embrace of a mother.

"I had no idea a place like this even existed..." Z2 muttered in awe.

The towering World Tree stretched high above, its massive canopy casting cool shade over the land. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, creating a breathtaking mosaic of golden rays across the lush forest floor.

But what truly stunned Z2 wasn't just the tree, it was the sheer number of Pokémon living within its sanctuary.

They weren't just wandering aimlessly.

They were cultivating the land, tending to crops, and working together in harmony.

The entire place operated like a carefully balanced ecosystem, thriving without human interference.

Naoki stood beside him with a knowing smile.

"This is the heart of the World Tree," he explained. "The natural energy you sensed, it all comes from here."

Z2 remained silent for a moment, absorbing the scene before it.

"I see..." it finally murmured.

Even as it stood mesmerized, a deeper concern lingered in its mind.

After a brief pause, Z2's voice turned serious. "The balance of this world is already fragile. In the land I have been watching, signs of negative energy cores have started appearing."

Naoki blinked. "Negative energy cores?"

He turned to the canine Pokémon beside him, awaiting an explanation.

Z2 nodded. "It is a phenomenon caused by ecological destruction."

"Massive plants, ones that humans and Pokémon cannot perceive began to spread across the land. Only I can see them."

"Up until now, I have been monitoring the ecosystem, watching for the signs of imbalance."

Naoki frowned slightly, recalling something.

In the anime, Ash's Greninja had been able to see those negative energy cores as well.

It was eventually recruited by Zygarde to help eliminate them.

Before Naoki could respond, Z2 continued, its voice calmer this time.

"But now..." it glanced around at the flourishing sanctuary. "Ever since this tree fully matured, all traces of negative energy have vanished. I believe it is the power radiating from the World Tree that has healed the ecosystem."

It spoke with an unusual softness as if still wrapping its mind around the discovery.

Naoki, however, wasn't particularly surprised.

The World Tree was already known to possess unique properties, its very existence had reshaped the land.

If it had also cleansed the ecosystem, that was merely another of its incredible gifts.

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Naoki said lightly.

Z2, however, did not immediately agree.

After a brief pause, it lowered its head slightly. "Regardless, I must thank you."

Naoki was momentarily caught off guard.

He stared at Z2 for a moment, as if reevaluating the Pokémon before him. Its way of thinking was unlike other Pokémon.

It wasn't simply a powerful creature, it was an overseer. A guardian of balance.

"You're the one who raised this World Tree, aren't you?" Z2 continued.

"It chose you."

Naoki exhaled slightly, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Do you want to stay here?" he asked.

It wasn't an unusual suggestion.

Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, and even Ho-Oh had all chosen to remain here.

But Z2 shook its head.

"No, I have more important duties to fulfill."

There was a firmness in its tone.

"The ecosystem may have been restored temporarily, but as long as humans exist, destruction will come again. Sooner or later, the balance will be disturbed once more."

It turned its sharp gaze back to Naoki.

"I must continue my mission."

Naoki sighed. "...Isn't that a bit extreme?"

If Z2's words were to be taken literally, then humans were the root of all ecological disasters.

"Humans are complex and diverse," Z2 replied, shaking its head. "You are different. You do not disturb the balance of nature. But there will always be those who destroy the equilibrium and trigger the birth of negative energy cores."

Naoki fell silent.

Because... Z2 wasn't wrong. There were indeed those who protected nature. But there were also those who exploited it.

Among all the threats to the balance of nature, one of the most concerning was a man from the Kalos region, Lysandre.

A man shrouded in contradictions.

Once, in his youth, he had led Team Flare on noble missions, rescuing the poor and striving to make Kalos a better place.

But the very people he helped soon took his kindness for granted.

They demanded more. More charity. More aid. More of his efforts.

And slowly, resentment took root in Lysandre's heart.

Disillusioned, he began to believe that the world itself was flawed beyond repair.

That no matter how much good one did, greed and selfishness would always win.

And so, his ideals twisted.

He became convinced that the only solution was to destroy the current world and rebuild it as a utopia, one where only the "worthy" could thrive.

But that dark chapter of Kalos' history had yet to unfold. For now, Z2 had no concerns about Kalos.

It had come here to observe the balance of nature in Paldea.

After fully understanding the source of the World Tree's energy, it left the World Tree and returned to the land below.

However, Z2 did not leave the ranch. It had taken on a new role to monitor and maintain order in Paldea.

As Naoki watched green lights scatter from Z2's body, soaring into the distance, a thought crossed his mind.

"For you, are these cells like surveillance drones?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Hearing this unfamiliar term, Z2 now back in its Core Form turned its glowing blue eye toward him.

"Surveillance?" it asked, its voice tinged with confusion.

Naoki elaborated, "I mean, you send them out to observe different areas, right? To check on the state of the ecosystem?"

Z2 gave a small nod. "That is correct."

Naoki's curiosity deepened. "Then most of your kind... they're still in Kalos, aren't they?"

Zygarde was unique among Pokémon.

It wasn't a single entity, it was a collection of countless cells and cores, scattered across the world. And its form changed depending on how many of those cells were gathered together.

In its 10% Form, it resembled a Doberman, specializing in close combat with its sharp fangs.

Its 50% Form was the serpent-like Zygarde, typically found deep underground, where it monitored the ecosystem from the shadows.

And when all of its cells combined...

Zygarde reached its true, 100% Form—an overwhelming force of nature, wielding power rivaling even the strongest Legendary Pokémon.

Hearing Naoki's question, Z2 confirmed his suspicions.

"Yes. The main body remains deep within the caves of Kalos, overseeing the ecosystem."

Naoki nodded to himself. "Just as I expected."

His mind wandered to the events of the Kalos crisis, remembering how Team Flare had ventured deep into the Terminus Cave, attempting to capture Zygarde for their own purposes.

A dark premonition stirred within him.

He hesitated for only a moment before voicing his thoughts.

"I think you should warn the main body." His voice was serious now. "Or better yet, have it relocate to another cave. I have a feeling that some humans are already plotting to capture it."

Z2 was momentarily taken aback.

"How did you know that?" it asked cautiously.

Naoki smirked. "Because I used Future Sight."

Z2: "…"

For a moment, it seemed unsure whether Naoki was joking or not.

But before it could probe further, Naoki stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes.

"Alright, that's enough talking. I've got things to do."

He turned to his Pokémon. "If you want to stay at the ranch, suit yourself. But for now, I've got a mission to complete."

Then, he called out, "Let's go, Koraidon!"

"Raao!"

Koraidon, who had been patiently waiting, responded eagerly. It cast a quick glance at Z2, then at Naoki, before swiftly following its trainer.

Now, only Z2 remained, perched on a nearby rock.

It tried to reach out telepathically to the main Zygarde Core, but the distance was too great, there was no way to make contact.

...

This time, Naoki had chosen six Pokémon to accompany him:

Koraidon, Cyclizar, Dragonite, Pawmot, Flutter Mane, Ogerpon

Their destination? Groundblight Shrine.

The shrine wasn't too far from the ranch, just beyond Casseroya Lake, near Fury Falls.

With the guidance of his Rotom Phone's navigation and the location provided by Raifort, Naoki managed to find the exact site of the Groundblight Shrine in just twenty minutes.

The shrine was hidden deep within a secluded island surrounded by cascading waterfalls. Streams of water merged into a small river, forming a natural moat around the shrine's rocky terrain.

The island itself was rugged and uneven, with sharp cliffs making it nearly inaccessible by foot.

And at the heart of this island stood Groundblight Shrine, its entrance sealed shut by four massive iron chains.

Naoki approached the entrance and gave one of the chains a firm tug.

It didn't budge.

"As expected… it's completely locked down."

Naoki took out his Rotom Phone, snapped a picture of the shrine, and sent it to Raifort.

Her response came almost instantly.

[Raifort: You found it?! Amazing! That confirms my research was accurate!]

[Naoki: So the next step is to find the stakes and pull them out, right?]

[Raifort: Exactly! If my research is correct, there should be eight stakes scattered throughout the mountain. Once all eight are removed, the seal will automatically break!]

[Raifort: Oh, and one more thing, don't try to force the shrine open. If you do, you might trigger an energy backlash strong enough to collapse the entire mountain.]

Naoki: "…Well, that's good to know."

He glanced at the shrine, which was faintly glowing with an eerie green aura, and sighed.

"The ancient civilizations in the Pokémon world really were something else."

This was no ordinary shrine.

If he remembered correctly, these stakes weren't just regular objects. They were imbued with special energies, likely made by powerful mystics of the past.

In the games, removing the stakes would cause them to disintegrate into dust, and the shrine's chains would unlock automatically.

[Naoki: Got it. I'll start looking for the stakes now.]

[Raifort: Good luck! Oh, and a warning, the Pokémon sealed inside is Ting-Lu. Ancient texts describe it as a Pokémon that can trigger massive earthquakes. If it's been sealed for centuries, it's likely to be very, very angry.]

Naoki put away his phone and turned to Koraidon.

"Alright, let's get started. First, we'll circle the mountain and scan for the stakes from above."

"Raao!"

Koraidon flared its wings and took off, soaring into the sky with Naoki on its back.

Naoki peered down, scanning the rocky terrain below.

At the foot of the mountain lay the forest trail, a serene path lined with towering pine trees, their branches heavy with evergreen needles. The dense forest provided shelter for a variety of wild Pokémon.

Sawsbuck, its antlers shifting with the seasons, gracefully roamed through the underbrush, while Deerling playfully followed behind. High in the treetops, Forretress clung tightly to the sturdy bark, while Heracross wrestled among themselves, competing for dominance.

To the north stretched the North Paldean Sea, its deep blue waters reflecting the morning sun. To the south, the vast Casseroya Lake shimmered under the clear sky. With no towns nearby, the region remained largely untouched, a haven for Pokémon and nature alike.

Just then, Koraidon beneath him let out a sudden, sharp cry.

"Raao!"

Naoki's gaze snapped forward. There, nestled beside a massive boulder, was a faintly glowing stake, pulsing softly with blue light.

Patting Koraidon's shoulder, Naoki signaled for it to land. Koraidon understood instantly, lowering its altitude before touching down on the soft earth.

Stepping forward, Naoki examined the stake curiously. He retrieved his Rotom Phone, snapping a quick photo before gripping the stake firmly and pulling.

The moment the stake was fully removed, it crumbled into dust, vanishing into the wind.

"That's one down. Seven more to go."

Finding the remaining stakes on his own would take too long. He needed more eyes scanning the area.

Without hesitation, Naoki reached for his belt, plucking three Poké Balls from his pouch.

With a series of flashes, three Pokémon materialized before him—Pawmot, Dragonite, and Flutter Mane.

Naoki held up his Rotom Phone, displaying the image of the glowing stake.

"Alright, everyone. Spread out and help me find more of these!"

Understanding the task, the Pokémon quickly sprang into action.