Pokemon: A New Path

In the mist-covered wilds of the Hoenn region.

The fog hung thick over the hills, cloaking the terrain in an eerie stillness. Two figures, one tall and one short, made their way up a sloping path.

"Alain, hurry up!" called the girl walking ahead, not even glancing back.

Alain checked a small device in his hand. The readings confirmed what he had suspected.

"It's close," he muttered to himself.

The origin of Mega Evolution was said to lie in this very place.

Seeking the truth behind it, they had traveled all the way from the distant Kalos region to Hoenn.

"Ah!"

A surprised yelp echoed from up ahead.

Alain looked up, startled, and quickly pocketed the device. He jogged forward with concern.

"Manon?"

"Alain! My butt's stuck, I can't get out!"

"Ches…" her Chespin whined anxiously beside her, clearly distressed.

Alain: "..."

Just then, a figure emerged from the fog.

A tall young man with short silver hair stepped forward, walking calmly toward them. He extended a hand to Manon with a reassuring smile.

"Miss, are you alright?"

Manon got to her feet with the help of the stranger in the mist and gave a grateful bow.

"Thank you for helping me! I'm Manon, from the Kalos region! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"Welcome to Hoenn, Manon. I'm Steven," the man replied with a composed smile.

Just then, Alain came hurrying down the hillside.

"Manon! Are you alright?" Alain asked, concern written across his face.

"I'm fine! Mr. Steven here helped me out. Mr. Steven, this is Alain, and this is my partner Pokémon, Chespie!" she introduced cheerfully.

Steven and Alain briefly exchanged glances.

Alain's eyes suddenly locked on the brooch pinned to Steven's chest, an unmistakable Keystone, the core of Mega Evolution.

Steven also noticed the Key Stone on Alain's wrist. His smile deepened, calm and confident.

"It looks like you have one as well."

Their eyes met.

For Pokémon Trainers, that kind of look only meant one thing.

Sensing the challenge behind Steven's gaze, Alain raised his arm slightly, revealing his Keystone.

"In that case… would you care for a battle?"

Steven chuckled. "I don't appear like it, but I'm actually quite busy right now."

"It won't take long," Alain insisted. "My goal is to defeat every Trainer with Mega-Evolved Pokémon and rise to the top. And every trainer knows, when your eyes meet, it's time to battle!"

"You're not wrong," Steven said, his voice calm and even. "Let's do it."

The battle was on.

Alain sent out his trusted Charizard, the flame on its tail burning with intense determination. With a brilliant flash, he activated the Key Stone. Charizard's form twisted and surged into that of Mega Charizard X, its scales darkened and wings sharpened like blades.

Steven responded with his iconic partner, Metagross.

A calm touch to his brooch unleashed its own transformation. With a brilliant burst of energy, Metagross ascended into its formidable Mega Metagross form, floating eerily above the field with lightning-fast reflexes.

Their energy clashed like thunder and flame.

But just as both Trainers gave their opening commands, a sudden blur leapt down from the ridge.

A large Pyroar landed between them, cutting off the battle with a roar.

Startled, both Alain and Steven stepped back and looked up toward the hillside.

There, a man stood with striking red hair and a commanding presence.

"I apologize for the interruption," he said coolly. "Could we pause this battle for a moment? My name is Lysandre. I'm here investigating the origins of Mega Evolution."

...

That same afternoon, back in the Paldea region, Naoki had some free time and decided to visit the World Tree.

The Pokémon Expedition Guild that operated there was buzzing with activity. Pokémon of all shapes, sizes, and even worlds had gathered there, a growing family of explorers and friends.

Naoki spotted a few unfamiliar faces. It seemed like more Pokémon had arrived from alternate realms since his last visit.

Just as he stepped forward, a familiar presence flickered into view beside him—Mewtwo.

Naoki didn't even flinch. He simply smiled, his gaze sweeping over the scene before him.

"It's getting more and more lively here, huh?"

Mewtwo followed his line of sight and nodded silently. Despite its usual stoicism, it clearly appreciated this growing community of peaceful coexistence.

Naoki didn't say anything more. He simply stood there in silence, watching Pokémon work together, laugh together, live together.

And honestly, he could have stayed there all day.

Just then, a group of Tatsugiri rushed up the steps from the lower level in a flurry of splashing and flapping fins.

One of them cried urgently. (Something's wrong! Kyogre's gone berserk!)

Naoki and Mewtwo both froze at the same time, their eyes narrowing in concern.

They exchanged a brief glance. No words were needed. In the next instant, Mewtwo vanished in a burst of psychic energy, taking Naoki with him.

Out on the open water, Kyogre loomed like a titan.

It had entered its Primal Reversion state, becoming Primal Kyogre, its glowing body hovering just above the ocean as massive waves churned around it in a roaring ring of surging power. The skies above were dark and turbulent, as though reacting to Kyogre's presence.

Naoki stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Kyogre… What happened?"

Kyogre's calm, resonant voice echoed in his mind through telepathy.

"A boulder has appeared. It contains immense energy. If I obtain it, I will become stronger."

"A… boulder?" Naoki blinked, his breath catching for a moment.

Wait.

He suddenly remembered something.

'Could Kyogre be talking about the massive Keystone? The one that Steven, Alain, and Lysandre are investigating in Hoenn?'

There was indeed an incident where Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre fought over a mysterious, energy-laden boulder. Even Rayquaza had intervened. The battle had been catastrophic. Ultimately, neither side claimed victory.

And the worst part?

That boulder had been stolen by the vile Lysandre.

If Kyogre could sense it from here, then surely Groudon and Rayquaza had sensed it too.

Which meant that Steven, Alain, and Lysandre must currently be investigating the boulder deep within the Hoenn region.

"Are you planning to go after it?" Naoki asked carefully.

Kyogre rumbled lowly, its glowing eyes staring at the far horizon.

After a long pause, it replied,

"No. Reaching that place would burn too much of my energy. I'd rather stay here and absorb natural power from the World Tree. That will make me stronger in the long run."

Naoki exhaled slowly. He understood. "And Groudon?" he asked.

Kyogre's fins shifted slightly.

"That stubborn lizard won't leave either. He knows that if you leave the World Tree, you might never return."

With Kyogre deciding to stay, Naoki quickly turned to Mewtwo.

"Take me to Rayquaza. We need to stop it before it leaves."

Without hesitation, Mewtwo teleported them both once again, this time to the summit of the World Tree.

High above the clouds, in the sky-wrapped peak, Rayquaza stood coiled. Its golden eyes gleamed, and it was just about to launch itself into the sky.

"Wait!" Naoki called out as he stepped forward. "Rayquaza, take me with you. I want to help you get that boulder."

If left unchecked, that boulder would eventually merge with the Anistar City Sundial, triggering a massive chain reaction of destruction that could ripple across the entire Pokémon world.

Naoki knew this wasn't just a theory.

Rather than allowing it to fall into the hands of someone like Lysandre, it would be far better to seize the boulder first and feed it to Rayquaza to enable its Mega Evolution.

As soon as Naoki said this, Rayquaza spun around in the air, its golden eyes locking onto his. Without hesitation, the Sky High Pokémon descended and lowered its head before him, clearly inviting Naoki to climb aboard.

Naoki smiled.

"Mewtwo, go back to the ranch and bring me my mask," he said.

Mewtwo gave a brief nod, then vanished in an instant using Teleport. A second later, it reappeared on top of the World Tree, holding Naoki's mask in its hand.

It handed it over calmly.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Mewtwo asked.

Naoki paused to think.

Just to be safe, Naoki decided not to go alone. "Alright then. I'd be glad to have your help," he said.

Naoki stepped closer to Rayquaza and grabbed onto the two dragon-like horns on its head.

"Alright, Rayquaza. Let's move. We'll get that boulder and help you Mega Evolve!"

With Naoki secure on its head, Rayquaza reared back, let out a thunderous roar that echoed through the skies, then twisted its serpentine body and blasted off into the heavens at blinding speed.