Chương 234: Arrival at Area Zero
Naoki observed Scream Tail from a safe distance.
"...Capturing Paradox Pokémon is proving to be much more difficult than I thought," he muttered.
"It's not just because they're aggressive by nature, but also because they can't communicate with people the way modern Pokémon do. They just don't understand me."
He frowned, wondering if there was any other way to handle the situation besides force.
Then, a memory popped into his mind. He had once used Giratina's Reversed World Water to create a series of special reversal dishes.
But there was a catch.
Even though the reversal dish could temporarily alter a Pokémon's personality, the change didn't last. Giratina had returned to its true nature not long after consuming the dish.
If Naoki were to bring Scream Tail back and temporarily change its temperament with the dish, what would happen if it suddenly reverted to its wild, aggressive self when he wasn't paying attention?
Naoki shuddered at the thought. It was a risk he wasn't willing to take.
After some internal debate, Naoki asked Koraidon to hold Scream Tail in place. Carefully, he stepped closer and patted the unruly Pokémon's fur with both hands, as if hoping to bond with it through sheer persistence.
After scratching behind its ears a few times to satisfy his curiosity, Naoki placed the Poké Ball against Scream Tail's body. The Paradox Pokémon was drawn back inside in a flash of red light, only to be released again with a second click of the button.
A beam of red light materialized into the shape of Scream Tail. As soon as it emerged, the Pokémon snarled and bared its sharp little teeth.
"Raaahhh!"
Koraidon growled in response, unleashing an overwhelming aura that whipped through the air like a powerful gust of wind.
Startled, Scream Tail's wild instincts kicked in. It turned tail and fled, vanishing into the distance without a second thought.
Koraidon gave a satisfied snort.
"Well, that settles that," Naoki sighed. He patted Pawmot on the head and murmured affectionately, "Modern Pokémon really are cuter."
Pawmot wiggled happily under his touch, tilting its head back to enjoy the attention.
Noticing the pampering, Dragonite waddled over, nudging Naoki with its nose.
"Alright, alright," Naoki laughed. "Everyone gets a turn."
He gave each of his Pokémon a quick massage, his hands moving expertly over their soft fur and scales. After their brief rest, Naoki packed up and prepared to continue the journey deeper into the crater.
This time, he opted not to walk. Instead, he climbed onto Koraidon's back, ready to ride it down the steep cliffs and head toward the deepest part of Area Zero.
Koraidon took off at a tremendous speed, the wind rushing past as the world blurred around them. The deeper they descended, the darker the environment became.
They passed through narrow caves and alongside jagged cliffs, where waterfalls cascaded from high above, glimmering in the faint light. For a moment, Naoki felt as if he had been transported to an entirely different world.
As they descended further, the crystals embedded in the walls and floors grew larger and more numerous, their light illuminating the otherwise shadowy depths.
Finally, Koraidon landed gracefully on a massive crystal pillar.
Standing atop the crystal pillar, Naoki gazed down at the structures nestled below.
"Those must be the research stations built by the professors—Sada and Turo—in Zone Zero," Naoki thought aloud.
"Let's head over there!" he called, striding forward with renewed determination.
Koraidon turned to glance around the cavern uneasily, its expression growing somber. It seemed restless, as if it didn't like this place at all. Yet, despite its discomfort, it faithfully followed Naoki, its heavy steps echoing behind him.
"Just like in the game," Naoki murmured, marveling at the shimmering environment around them. "There are so many crystals in Area Zero."
Without any sunlight reaching this far into the depths, it was a wonder that the area remained so brightly illuminated.
But there was no denying that the light emanated from the vibrant crystals embedded in the walls and ground. These radiant formations bathed the entire cavern in a mystical, otherworldly glow.
As they moved deeper into the cavern, Naoki noticed Pokémon rarely seen in the outside world.
Naoki and Koraidon carefully maneuvered past the Crystal Blossoms. As they brushed by, the flowers rustled softly, their petals shifting in response to the movement.
"The beautiful blossoms of Terastal energy, blooming like enchanted flowers…" Naoki shivered slightly. "They're breathtaking, but... kind of eerie."
Feeling uneasy, Naoki gave the flowers a wide berth, guiding Koraidon toward a winding cave entrance.
A sign at the mouth of the cave indicated that the passage led to the research institute.
"Alright! This should be a clear path—no more surprises!" Naoki sighed in relief.
With Koraidon at his side, he continued forward. But just as they were halfway through the passage, Naoki's eyes caught something unusual perched on a massive, solitary crystal pillar ahead.
A strange Pokémon stood there, its body encased in sleek green metal armor. Sharp, thorny spikes protruded from gaps in the plating, forming intricate chains of barbs that wrapped around its frame.
Naoki's heart skipped a beat.
"Is that… Iron Thorns?!"
He stared in awe at the futuristic variant of Tyranitar, the Paradox Pokémon known as Iron Thorns.
At the same moment Naoki noticed it, the Iron Thorns turned its gaze toward him, its cold, metallic eyes devoid of emotion.
Unlike the aggressive Scream Tail, Iron Thorns didn't attack. It simply stood still, observing Naoki in eerie silence. Its gaze followed his every step, tracking him like a machine.
"As expected," Naoki whispered. "The records were right. Iron Thorns has a calm disposition and avoids unnecessary conflict."
Just then, the soft sound of footsteps echoed from deeper within the cave.
Naoki spun around and spotted a figure approaching—a man in a white lab coat.
It was Professor Turo.
"I saw you arrive through the Area Zero surveillance system," Turo said warmly, his voice carrying a calm yet welcoming tone. "I thought I'd come meet you in person. It's good to see you, Naoki. Come on, let's get you and Koraidon to the research station."
Naoki glanced back at the Iron Thorns, still standing silently atop the pillar, its gaze never leaving him.
As Naoki joined Turo, he couldn't help but glance back again.
"It's still watching us," Naoki muttered, a little unsettled.
Noticing his curiosity, Turo offered an explanation. "That Pokémon is called Iron Thorns. Its behavioral patterns are entirely different from the Roaring Moon you encountered earlier."
"This Iron Thorns has an incredibly calm temperament and dislikes unnecessary battles. It's a highly intelligent and perceptive Pokémon," Dr. Turo explained with a small nod.
"I've found ways to peacefully coexist with it, which is why it's remained in Area Zero without any issues."
Naoki blinked in surprise. After witnessing Roaring Moon's vicious hunting, the wild behavior of Scream Tail, and Iron Moth's eerie surveillance of Raichu, the concept of peaceful coexistence with a Paradox Pokémon seemed hard to believe.
"Peaceful coexistence?" Naoki asked, his disbelief evident.
"Yes!" Dr. Turo confirmed. "But achieving this was no easy task. Before your arrival, we made great efforts to prove to Iron Thorns that humans pose no threat. We fed it regularly, day after day, until it finally accepted our presence."
Naoki raised an eyebrow, still puzzled. "Why are the ancient Paradox Pokémon so different? Why can't they be approached the same way?"
Dr. Turo paused, contemplating his response. "It's likely that ancient Paradox Pokémon are born with a primordial, untamed ferocity. This innate power makes them wild and incredibly difficult to tame."
He continued, "Future Pokémon, on the other hand, lack that wildness. But the unknown energy within them has evolved to such an extreme that their behavior is unpredictable. Their intentions and actions are full of uncertainty."
Dr. Turo sighed. "In that sense, the future Pokémon are just as dangerous as their ancient counterparts."
He offered an example. "Take Iron Bundle, for instance. It doesn't attack people directly. But it can transform the environment around it into an icy tundra, altering the landscape without warning."
Hearing this, Naoki couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. After struggling with the aggression of the ancient Pokémon, the idea of capturing future Pokémon without fearing direct attacks felt like a relief.
"So… does that mean I can safely catch future Pokémon without worrying about them attacking me?" Naoki asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Only to a degree," Dr. Turo said with a wry smile.
Then, as if recalling something troubling, his expression grew serious. "Also, if you encounter a Pokémon that looks like Gardevoir or Gallade, avoid making eye contact with it."
Naoki tilted his head. "Why?"
Dr. Turo's voice dropped to a grave tone. "For them, direct eye contact is seen as a challenge. Their temperament is fiercely brutal, and they won't hesitate to lash out with their blades if provoked."
He let out a nervous chuckle. "Thankfully, those future Pokémon don't know how to teleport. If they did… well, let's just say I wouldn't be standing here talking to you."
Naoki clicked his tongue, still processing the information. "That sounds... intense."
"We were just as surprised," Dr. Turo admitted with a sigh, a trace of frustration in his voice.
Their conversation carried on as they approached the entrance to the research institute. Naoki noticed there were more people than just Dr. Turo and Professor Sada. Several researchers in white lab coats bustled about, some holding notebooks, others peering through binoculars aimed at Iron Thorns in the distance.
Two researchers standing near the entrance chatted excitedly, one scribbling notes as they observed Iron Thorns.
"Look at the way it moves! Such precision and intelligence," one exclaimed. "You can tell it's analyzing everything around it."
The other nodded enthusiastically. "Its gaze is so focused, so rational—like it's calculating every move! Truly a marvel of the distant future."
As the two researchers heard footsteps approaching, they quickly set down their binoculars and greeted respectfully, "Doctor!"
"Yes." Dr. Turo gave a nod in acknowledgment.
The door to the research institute opened slowly, and Naoki followed Dr. Turo inside.
Just before the door closed, Naoki overheard the two researchers whispering:
"That Koraidon is the first one, right?"
"I can't believe Koraidon is so well-behaved. He really seems to like that trainer!"
"Yeah! But both Koraidon and Miraidon are unique. They're not like the other Paradox Pokémon. That's probably why the doctor was able to bond with them so quickly."
The hushed conversation faded as Naoki stepped further into the building.
For some reason, being inside the institute made Naoki feel nervous. He glanced at Koraidon, who stood beside him, and noticed it was also uneasy.
Koraidon rarely seemed this way, which made Naoki's own anxiety fade. He reached out and patted the Pokémon's head, mouthing silently, "Don't be afraid."
Koraidon nuzzled into Naoki's palm without a sound, the gesture warm and reassuring.
Dr. Turo led them into a large, open room.
The space felt like a small ecological park. Lush green vegetation filled the area, with a winding river running through the trees. Small flowers dotted the grass, their petals gently swaying in the breeze created by hidden vents.
Above them, an artificial sun hung from the ceiling, providing light and warmth for the plants below.
Naoki marveled at the room, but soon noticed a distinct dividing line ahead, marking the boundary of what seemed to be a projected space.
There, standing on a patch of grass, was Professor Sada.
In front of her rested a sleek Pokémon with a cold, mechanical elegance. Its bluish-purple body shimmered under the artificial light, and its expression remained calm and unreadable.
Naoki's eyes widened. "That's... Miraidon!"
The moment Miraidon sensed their presence, its pupils shifted slightly, locking onto Koraidon with laser focus.
Koraidon tensed immediately. The instant it spotted Miraidon, a low growl rumbled from its throat, and its posture became rigid with alertness.
"Raao!"
Koraidon snarled, glaring at Miraidon with clear hostility.
Miraidon's expression remained cold and emotionless as if it were a machine devoid of feeling. However, a spark of electricity danced along its metallic claws, revealing its readiness to engage.
Naoki's heart skipped a beat. The air grew thick with tension as the two Pokémon stared each other down.
Before the situation could escalate, Naoki stepped forward and raised his voice. "Koraidon, stop!"
Dr. Sada stepped forward, reaching out gently toward Miraidon. She spoke softly, reassuring it, "This one isn't a threat. It comes from a distant place and won't compete with you for this territory."
Miraidon's pupils shifted slightly, and the sparks dancing across its metallic claws faded away.
Hearing Naoki's voice, Koraidon gradually relaxed as well. It lowered its head, looking a bit sulky, almost like a scolded child.
Naoki couldn't help but chuckle, ruffling Koraidon's head affectionately. "It's okay, it's okay."
For some reason, the brief exchange between Koraidon and Miraidon reminded Naoki of a big, goofy golden retriever getting into a spat with a sleek, aloof cat.
Koraidon's frustration seemed to melt away under Naoki's touch, and it gave a soft grumble of contentment.
With the tension dissolved, Naoki straightened up and turned toward Dr. Sada and Dr. Turo.
Dr. Sada greeted him warmly. "Welcome to paradise, Naoki."
"Good to see you again, Doctor," Naoki replied with a polite smile.
Dr. Turo glanced at his watch and gave a small nod. "It's already 5:10. We should head to the dining area. After dinner, I'll show you to your accommodation."
"Thanks so much," Naoki said sincerely.
As they prepared to leave the ecological garden, Naoki cast one last glance back at Miraidon.
This futuristic Pokémon felt vastly different from the other Paradox Pokémon Naoki had encountered. It had an air of calm acceptance, as if it had already made peace with both humans and the world it found itself in.
Dr. Sada handed some tasks to Dr. Turo and then walked with Naoki toward the dining hall.
On the way, she spoke gently, her voice tinged with sympathy. "I'm truly sorry for the challenges you faced during your journey, Naoki. But I hope you won't judge all Paradox Pokémon too harshly based on those encounters."
Naoki blinked, taken aback by her words.
Dr. Sada continued in a soft, thoughtful tone, "They've only just arrived in this strange world. They need time to adapt to it, just like any of us would if we were suddenly thrown into a new environment."
Her gaze was warm, almost motherly. "I believe that one day, they'll find their place here and live alongside us, just as Koraidon and Miraidon have begun to."
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