Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 275: Enter: Thundergod Pawmot!



"Pamo, Pamo!" (I am Pawmot, the god of thunder, for the glory of the ranch!)

Five minutes later, Pawmot was zipping around the ranch, hammer in hand, gleefully flying through the air like a kid with a new toy.

Naoki and Tinkatuff stood below, watching with smiles.

After his initial surprise, Pawmot had quickly fallen in love with the hammer. To fully embrace the role of the superhero Thor, whom Naoki had just described, Pawmot had even gone back to his room to put on a red cape.

Now, he was the spitting image of the legendary thunder god.

Naoki's thoughts drifted back to the moment Pawmot had electrified the hammer, and he mused, 'Judging by how the hammer conducted electricity, the Corviknight feathers used in its making are excellent conductors. They match Pawmot's electric abilities perfectly.'

'With the electricity coursing through it, the hammer's power is amplified. And from what I can see, Pawmot has instinctively learned to swing it like a pro without any instruction. Could this be a self-made move? Thor's Hammer?'

'I wonder if the Paldea League's battle rules would allow Pawmot to use a weapon like this in a battle,' he pondered.

'But it should be allowed, right?' he thought with a grin.

After all, Pokémon like Tinkaton enter battles wielding hammers, and even Pokémon like Tandemaus and Dragapult bring their entire families along for support. In that sense, this hammer could be considered Pawmot's signature weapon.

From this day forward, Pawmot wouldn't just be an ordinary Pawmot but a unique individual in his species, one that the ranch would proudly call "Thundergod Pawmot."

Naoki felt a deep sense of satisfaction, realizing he was helping to create a new legend. He was excited to see just how far Pawmot, who had now embraced his "thunder god" persona, would go in the future.

At that moment, sister Indeedee stepped out of the house and called to him, "Ai-ai!"

Naoki realized she needed something, so he turned to Pawmot and Tinkatuff.

"You two play here. Pawmot, Tinkatuff's family has a natural talent with weapons like hammers. If you ever need guidance, feel free to ask her for advice!"

Pawmot's eyes sparkled with excitement. Turning to Tinkatuff, he asked eagerly, "Pamo?"

Tinkatuff, caught a bit off guard by Pawmot's admiration, looked shy but nodded confidently. "Wooo!" Tinkatuff responded with a proud grin.

Naoki was right-Tinkatuff and her kind had an instinctive mastery of hammers as if the skills were embedded in their very nature.

Seeing Tinkatuff's response, Pawmot eagerly asked his friend to teach him the art of hammer-wielding.

The little blacksmith, Tinkatuff, was thrilled to finally be of help. Since being rescued, she'd been living at the ranch, enjoying meals and care. Now, she had the chance to use her talents, and she couldn't have been happier. Without hesitation, Tinkatuff agreed.

With their hammers in hand, Pawmot and Tinkatuff clasped paws and made their way to an open area to practice their hammer skills together.

Meanwhile, Naoki turned and headed back inside.

As soon as he entered the living room, he heard the sound of the video phone ringing.

'Hmm? Who could be calling at this hour?'

Naoki wondered, a bit surprised. He stepped over to the phone and answered, and the screen lit up with the familiar face of Professor Sada.

"It's been a while, Naoki," Professor Sada greeted him with a smile.

After a brief moment of surprise, Naoki quickly collected himself. "It's good to see you again, Professor. Koraidon's outside. I can call him in if you'd like."

But Professor Sada shook her head with a gentle smile. "No, I'm not calling for Koraidon this time. I actually need to ask a personal favor."

'Hmm?' Naoki blinked, taken aback for a moment, then said, "Of course. Go ahead."

"It's about Arven." As she mentioned her son, a look of guilt crossed Professor Sada's face.

"The research in Area Zero is at a crucial stage. Professor Turo and I can't leave here for long periods."

"Arven's had to live on his own for most of his childhood. We owe him a lot. When we spoke yesterday, he looked so alone, sitting in that dim room. Compared to kids his age, he's far too solitary, far too mature."

"Turo and I always wanted him to experience more of the world, to find things that make him happy. But he's been withdrawn, uninterested in most things."

"When I mentioned your ranch yesterday, though, he seemed intrigued. So I'm calling to ask if you'd be willing to host Arven for a few days, to give him a chance to experience something

new and refreshing."

"As a thank-you..."

At this point, Professor Sada paused, then smiled, adding:n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"The last time you visited Area Zero, I know you didn't get the opportunity to capture one of the Paradox Pokémon you were hoping for. Recently, the Paradox Pokémon Research Institute has made some significant advancements. If a Paradox Pokémon suited for this era is successfully integrated, Turo and I will do our best to make sure you have the chance to look after it."

Naoki: "..."

He let out a sigh, a small smile tinged with sympathy appearing on his face. "Of course, I'd be glad to help. But, Professor, as you know... this might only be a temporary fix, not a

permanent solution."

Professor Sada sighed. "I know... we've failed Arven as parents, but it feels like there's nothing we can do right now..."

Naoki let out a quiet sigh, feeling the weight of her words.

'So be it.'

If Arven was destined for a challenging future, Naoki wanted to give him some cherished childhood memories to carry with him.

Without saying anything further, he silently accepted Professor Sada's request.

"Thank you so much," Professor Sada said gratefully. "In a week, the institute will have a break, and Turo and I will return to Paldea to pick up Arven from your place."

"Understood," Naoki replied with a nod.

After the call ended, Naoki stood thoughtfully for a moment before heading upstairs to prepare a guest room for Arven.

"A guest will be arriving at the ranch in a few days," Naoki said to the Indeedee siblings as he made the bed. "He's the son of two doctors. His name is Arven."

"Ai-ai~!"

The elder Indeedee nodded cheerfully, promising that they'd take excellent care of their

guest.

Naoki smiled. He'd met Arven before; he was a sensible and polite child, mature for his age.

According to Professor Sada, if Arven took the Squawkabilly Flying Taxi from Mesagoza, he'd likely arrive at the ranch by tomorrow afternoon.

With this in mind, Naoki tidied the room, ensuring it was cozy and welcoming, then waited with his Pokémon for Arven's arrival.

The next day, at around three in the afternoon, Naoki was down in the wine cellar checking on

a batch of fruit wine when he heard a commotion outside.

'Arven must be here,' he thought, stopping his work to go out and greet him.

But when he stepped outside, he was surprised to see a sleek, black luxury car pulling up in

front of the ranch.

'Hmm?' Naoki blinked in confusion.

Under his curious gaze, two people stepped out of the car.

The first was an elderly man with silver hair, dressed sharply in a black suit over a white shirt

-a distinguished butler.

The second was a small girl with a ponytail, bright-eyed and full of energy.

As soon as the girl stepped out, her eyes locked onto Naoki.

With a determined look, she pulled a red-and-white Poké Ball from her pocket, raising it with

a spirited grin. "Battle me!"

Naoki: "???"

The old butler beside her gave an exasperated sigh. "Miss Nemona, please, you're far too

eager."

'Ne...Nemona?!'

Naoki's mind reeled. Was this spirited young girl really Nemona? 'But why would she be

here?'

At that moment, the old butler approached Naoki with a polite bow.

"My apologies, Mr. Rancher. This is Miss Nemona. After seeing you and your Dragonite on TV,

Miss Nemona insisted on coming here to challenge you to a Pokémon battle."

Hearing these words, Naoki quickly pieced together what was happening.

He glanced at the spirited young girl before him and thought, 'She is indeed Nemona-always

following her heart and doing what she wants!'

But...

Just as Naoki opened his mouth to explain that he wasn't a trainer, a pink figure suddenly

soared over the ranch.

The figure was wearing a bold red cape and descended majestically, hammer in hand, with the

wind making its cape billow.

That Pokémon is...

Nemona's attention was immediately captured.

The elderly butler beside her looked stunned, his mouth dropping open.

'A flying Pawmot?!' He blinked, wondering if age was playing tricks on his vision.

And it was a rare pink Pawmot!

Completely unaware of the two guests watching, Pawmot landed proudly in front of Naoki.

"Pamo!" (I've mastered using the hammer!)

Eager to demonstrate, Pawmot didn't wait for a reply. With a surge of energy, blue electricity

burst from its body, covering it in crackling energy and casting a light blue glow in its eyes.

The powerful electric energy funneled into Pawmot's hammer, and with a mighty swing,

Pawmot hurled it high into the air. The hammer spun rapidly, gaining speed and finally bursting into a blaze of lightning and sparks.

At its peak, Pawmot let out a triumphant, "Pamo!" before diving from the sky, smashing down with its thunder-charged hammer.

For a moment, bright electric sparks erupted in all directions, and the once-flat ground now

had

a sizable crater left from the impact.

Naoki's eyes widened, astonished by the display.

'What kind of move is this? And how is it so powerful?!'

The sheer force and spectacle of it all were beyond anything Naoki could have anticipated.

The old butler stood in shock, utterly speechless as he stared at the unusual Pawmot before

him.

'That move... what was that?' He couldn't recall seeing anything like it before. And this pink, delicate-looking Pokémon... could this really be the familiar Pawmot?

Nemona, standing beside him, was practically glowing with excitement as she watched Pawmot from a short distance away.

She clenched her fists eagerly, eyes sparkling. "That was incredible!"

"Pamo?"

Only then did Pawmot notice the visitors. He turned around, his gaze landing on the old butler

and Nemona. Nemona wasted no time; with a flash of white light, she released her small, fuzzy Sprigatito

from a Poké Ball, her battling spirit blazing. "Mr. Rancher, please have a Pokémon battle with

me!"

Hearing this, Naoki glanced down at Pawmot, who also looked over at the tiny Sprigatito. The Sprigatito looked up at the towering Pawmot with wide eyes, visibly surprised to see such

a powerful Pokémon that could even fly. "Pamo?" Pawmot tilted his head, confused, and looked back at Naoki.

Naoki turned to Nemona and said, "...Isn't this a bit too much?"

Nemona paused, slightly taken aback.

Naoki continued, "If there's a significant difference in strength, forcing a battle could be

harmful. A qualified trainer knows not to push their Pokémon into situations like that." Nemona's expression softened, understanding the reasoning. She looked at her Pokémon, then back at her Poké Ball, and finally returned Sprigatito.

The old butler, having finally recovered from his shock, glanced around at the other Pokémon

gathering due to the commotion. He quickly realized this ranch was no ordinary place.

And the man before him wasn't just any rancher-he was likely a powerful trainer living quietly in seclusion.

Thanks to his years of experience, the old butler composed himself. Seeing that Nemona had given up on her battle request, he addressed her gently:

"Miss Nemona, perhaps you could have a Pokémon battle with this trainer when you're a bit

older."

Nemona's eyes lit up, her previous disappointment melting away.

The old butler, smiling, turned to Naoki and politely asked, "Mr. Rancher, may we take a look

around your ranch? We've never seen so many Dragonites before. Miss Nemona and I would be happy to pay an entrance fee."

Naoki blinked, then quickly understood their purpose. They wanted Nemona to experience powerful Pokémon like Dragonite firsthand, likely to inspire and enrich her training. 'As expected of a young lady from a wealthy family!'

With a friendly shake of his head, Naoki said, "No need for a fee. If you'd like to take a tour,

please follow me."

The old butler bowed slightly. "Thank you very much."

Naoki was about to start the tour when he suddenly heard a voice from behind.

"Um... excuse me!"

Turning, Naoki spotted Arven, who had apparently just arrived. He stood a short distance

away, raising a hand awkwardly in greeting.

Naoki raised an eyebrow, amused.

'What timing! First Nemona, and now Arven... All that's missing is Penny, and the trio will be

complete.'