Pokemon: A New Path

Chapter 339: Horse Racing!

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March 25, 199 of the Alliance Calendar: The Horse Racing Festival Begins

The day of the horse racing competition had finally arrived. Early in the morning, Naoki arrived at the venue accompanied by several of his Pokémon and Alder.

Despite the early hours, the grassy field was already bustling with activity. Trainers from all over, including wandering adventurers resembling Ash, students donning the uniforms of Paldea Academy, and townsfolk eager to spectate, filled the area.

The field was decorated festively, with lights strung up and a vibrant energy in the air. A large ribbon at the entrance proudly displayed the words: "Kosaji Town Spring Horse Racing Festival." Nearby, a ticket booth offered passes for the races, and behind it were various prizes and props that could be exchanged for tickets.

Alder let out a whistle of admiration. "Wow! This is quite the event!"

Naoki nodded, smiling. "The Kosaji Town horse racing competition is famous. It draws trainers and spectators from far and wide every year around this time."

The festive atmosphere was reminiscent of the Bug-Catching Contests held in other small towns.

Alder looked wistfully at the participants preparing their Pokémon. "What a shame! If I had brought a horse Pokémon with me, I would've signed up in a heartbeat!"

Naoki chuckled, recalling Alder's Pokémon roster: Accelgor, Bouffalant, Druddigon, Vanilluxe, Escavalier, and Volcarona. Sadly, none of them fit the bill for this type of competition. Naoki joked silently to himself that if there were ever a bull racing competition, Alder's Bouffalant would dominate the field.

Nearby, Ogerpon clutched its mask tightly and shuffled nervously. "Pon..." it murmured, glancing around at the crowd.

Naoki gently patted its head, his voice calm and reassuring. "Don't worry, Ogerpon. No one here will think badly of you."

As if to prove his point, a group of young trainers spotted Koraidon and Ogerpon, their eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Whoa! I've never seen Pokémon like these before!"

One trainer pulled out their Pokédex, scanning the pair eagerly. But the device returned an error message: No data available.

Another trainer held up their Pokédex and scanned the red caped Pawmot, who was hovering slightly above the ground. The Pokédex beeped before providing an entry:

Pawmo, the Mouse Pokémon. Electric/Fighting type.

Pawmo's fur stores static electricity, which it releases to energize its powerful punches. Though small, it possesses remarkable agility and strength, making it a formidable opponent in battle. It is known for its electric charge, which it uses to paralyze foes before delivering finishing blows.

"Pawmot?!" the trainer exclaimed, wide-eyed.

They stared at the Pokémon in disbelief, their gaze fixed on the red-caped Pawmot with pink fur. It floated effortlessly, its demeanor calm yet imposing.

"This... this is Pawmot?" the trainer stammered, struggling to reconcile the entry in the Pokédex with the commanding presence of the Pokémon before them.

More surprisingly, Pawmot suddenly leaped into action. With a cheerful cry of "Pawmot!" it clenched its tiny fists and rocketed skyward, its cape billowing behind it like a superhero's.

"Amazing!" the trainers gasped, their excitement bubbling over. They had never seen anything like it before.

One of the young trainers turned to Naoki with wide, admiring eyes. "Excuse me, sir, are these Pokémon yours?"

Naoki nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yes. This one is Koraidon," he said, gesturing to the tall, muscular, crimson-scaled Pokémon standing nearby. "And this little one here is Ogerpon, a Grass-type Pokémon."

"K-Koraidon?" the trainer stammered, his voice tinged with awe.

The other trainer hesitated, muttering, "And Ogerpon?"

Their gazes shifted to Koraidon, whose imposing stature and fierce expression radiated raw power. The creature's strong, sinewy form seemed to exude the aura of a primordial beast.

Sensing their stares, Koraidon turned its sharp eyes toward them, its feral presence dominating the air.

The trainers froze, wide-eyed. "What... what an intimidating Pokémon!" one whispered, his voice trembling.

Naoki was momentarily puzzled as he turned to look at Koraidon. He reached out his hand toward it.

Koraidon immediately lowered its head like an eager puppy, letting out a soft, rumbling sound.

"Raao~"

Naoki smiled. "It's not scary at all."

The two boys swallowed nervously, remembering the intimidating aura Koraidon had projected just moments ago. To them, it had felt nothing like the gentle demeanor it was showing now.

Alder, standing nearby, couldn't contain himself and burst out laughing.

"Hahahaha! This Koraidon of yours is something else!"

The boys, still uneasy around Koraidon, shifted their attention to Ogerpon, who stood shyly behind Naoki.

Noticing their gaze, Ogerpon quickly hid itself further behind Naoki, peeking out hesitantly.

Naoki glanced down at the boys. "Do you think this Pokémon is scary?"

Both teenagers shook their heads vigorously. "Not scary at all!"

Naoki asked again, "You're not afraid of it, are you?"

The boys exchanged confused looks, unsure why he seemed so concerned. Finally, one of them hesitated before asking, "Why would we be afraid?"

Naoki's smile softened. "It's nothing." He then turned to Ogerpon and said gently, "See? They're not afraid of you. No one here hates you either."

"Pon..." Ogerpon's masked face brightened, and its glowing eyes darted around at the lively crowd. A wave of warmth spread through its body. Feeling reassured, it jumped twice i

excitement.

"Pon!"

The boys, growing bolder, lit up with enthusiasm. "Sir, can we have a Pokémon battle with you?"

Naoki glanced at the registration desk. The competition wouldn't begin for a while, and he figured there was time to indulge them. "Alright," he agreed with a small nod. "Which

Pokémon would you like to battle against?"

Both boys pointed eagerly at Koraidon.

"That one! It looks really strong!"

Naoki chuckled softly. "Alright then." He gestured for Koraidon to step forward. The Legendary Pokémon let out a low, amused growl, stepping into the makeshift battlefield. The boys each released their Pokémon: a Crocalor and a Floragato, both clearly evolved from their starter Pokémon. Despite their confidence, Naoki could tell these trainers had only been on their journey for a short time.

Koraidon was in a playful mood, and Naoki decided not to overwhelm them. The battle unfolded more like a friendly sparring session. Instead of pushing for a quick victory, he allowed the match to follow a slower, turn-based pace, giving the trainers a chance to strategize and enjoy the experience.

The boys gave it their all, but Koraidon's strength was undeniable. By the time their Pokémon were exhausted, they were grinning ear to ear, delighted to have battled such a powerful

opponent.

After the match ended, Naoki offered a friendly farewell. "Thank you for the battle. Train

hard, and maybe next time you'll last even longer."

The boys waved enthusiastically. "We will! Thank you, sir!"

Naoki then turned to Alder. "I'm heading to register now. Can I count on you to watch over the

others?"

"Don't worry about a thing! I'll keep Pawmot and the rest in line."

Naoki smiled and nodded before making his way to the registration desk.

On the way, he spotted Ivan weaving through the crowd, searching for him.

"There you are!" Ivan called out breathlessly, hurrying over. "Have you signed up yet?"

"Not yet. I'm on my way now," Naoki replied.

Ivan clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. "Good! I'm counting on you."

Naoki: "...How many horse racing tickets did you buy?"

Ivan chuckled sheepishly. "Not too much, just a hundred thousand Poke Dollars worth."

Naoki's expression froze. "Aren't you afraid of losing everything?"

Ivan straightened up, suddenly serious. "That's because I believe in you!" Then, with an exaggeratedly pitiful look, he added, "You wouldn't let me down, right?"

Naoki sighed, exasperated. He pushed Ivan's face away. "Stop it already!"

Ivan stepped back, laughing. "Alright, alright. Good luck!"

With that, Ivan bounded off, leaving Naoki to shake his head in exasperation.

This guy...

Naoki sighed, then turned and entered the registration office.

The white-bearded official behind the counter looked up.

"Name?"

"Naoki."

"The Pokémon you'll be racing with?"

"Spectrier."

The old man paused mid-note, raising an eyebrow. "Spectrier. Never heard of it. What kind of

Pokémon is that?"

Naoki hesitated for a moment, then replied, "It's a Ghost-type horse Pokémon from the Galar

region."

Recognition flickered across the man's face. "Ah, from another region! Can I have a look at

it?"

"Of course." Naoki nodded, pulling out Spectrier's Poké Ball. A flash of white light later, and the sleek, spectral form of Spectrier stood before them. Its obsidian-black body gleamed, accented by its ethereal, flowing blue mane and the ghostly mist swirling around its legs.

The old man's eyes widened, and he quickly stepped closer, marveling at the sight. "Such a majestic build! Such a striking coat! And those glowing eyes... This is no ordinary horse Pokémon. I've been around horses my entire life, but I've never seen one as extraordinary as

this!"

Naoki chuckled inwardly. Of course, Spectrier was no ordinary Pokémon-it had once been the royal steed of Calyrex, the ruler of the Crown Tundra. It was a being of immense power and

grace, leagues beyond the average horse Pokémon.

"It's called Spectrier," Naoki clarified.

The old man nodded, clearly memorizing the name. "I see. Spectrier... I won't forget it.

There's still about an hour before the race begins. Go on and prepare. I hope you'll ride it to victory and show us all something unforgettable!"

He gestured to the back of the building. "The waiting area for contestants is straight ahead.

Pick up your uniform and track number there."

"Thank you," Naoki said politely. With Spectrier following close behind, he headed toward

the contestant area.

As they passed through the tiered seating of the spectator stands, Naoki caught glimpses of the bustling preparations. Vendors sold snacks and memorabilia, and a festive energy filled the air. A large banner reading "Spring Horse Racing Festival - Kosaji Town" fluttered

proudly at the entrance, framing the vibrant scene. Eventually, Naoki emerged onto an expansive grassland, where several other contestants and their Pokémon had already gathered. The area buzzed with activity as trainers brushed their Pokémon's coats, fed them treats, and whispered words of encouragement.

Naoki approached the desk to pick up his uniform and number. Both items were labeled with

"Track 6," indicating his assigned lane in the race. He thanked the staff and led Spectrier to a quieter corner of the field, allowing them both to observe the competition.

From his vantage point, Naoki surveyed the other participants. Including himself, there were eight contestants. Their Pokémon were as varied as their trainers.

One contestant handled a proud Rapidash, its fiery mane blazing like a torch in the sunlight. Another had a Zebstrika, its black-and-white stripes crackling faintly with static electricity. Further down the line, a Mudsdale. Beside it was a Hippowdon, its earthy tones blending into

the ground as it exhaled clouds of dust.

What surprised Naoki even more was the sight of a slightly immature Ponyta among the

competitors.

Its trainer, a young boy, stood proudly beside it. Compared to the towering and powerful

horse Pokémon around them, Ponyta seemed out of place. Its small frame and youthful energy made it stand out against the more seasoned competitors.

But then again, compared to an actual Hippowdon, Ponyta at least still looked like a proper

horse Pokémon.

Still, the scarcity of horse-like Pokémon in the Pokémon world meant that trainers sometimes had to make unconventional choices. It was already a relief that no one had shown

up riding a Horsea or Seadra!

As the minutes ticked by, the energy in the arena continued to grow. The once-empty seats in the grandstands were now packed with spectators, and the sound of fireworks exploding overhead signaled the start of the event. Cheers swept across the venue like a tidal wave, filling the air with excitement.

Naoki couldn't help but feel a little surprised. The popularity of this year's horse racing festival was far greater than last year's. He distinctly remembered empty sections in the audience back then, but this time, every seat was occupied.

'Kosaji Town really is becoming more prosperous,' he thought, marveling at the change. Many spectators were likely drawn by the legend of the Calyrex, whose stories had spread far

and wide. Just as Kitakami Township had successfully turned its ghostly folklore into a

tourism draw, Kosaji Town seemed to be benefiting from its association with the regal Pokémon.

Spectrier, standing nearby, seemed to sense the rising energy in the crowd. Normally calm and composed, its eyes now glinted with excitement as it surveyed the bustling scene. The mist surrounding its hooves thickened slightly, responding to its heightened spirit.

'So many humans... so many Pokémon...' Spectrier thought. Soon, it would seize the opportunity

to prove itself the king of horses before them all.

Naoki adjusted his protective gear and turned toward Spectrier. "Are you ready?" he asked. Spectrier neighed in acknowledgment.

"Then, let's go!" Naoki said, mounting Spectrier. Together, they entered the arena alongside

the other contestants.

"Welcome, everyone, to Kosaji Town for this year's horse racing competition!" boomed the

voice of the announcer. "I'm Ren, your commentator for today's event!" "Now, let's dive into this thrilling competition!" Renping exclaimed. "Our contestants are making their way to their starting positions. First up is contestant number one!"

"Contestant number one is riding a Rapidash! Just look at its fiery mane and graceful form! The flames seem to burn as brightly as the crowd's enthusiasm!" Once contestant number one took their position, contestant number two followed. "Next, we have contestant number two," Ren continued. "This one's an interesting choice-a

Mudsdale! It might be a slower-moving Pokémon, but Mudsdale's power and stamina are unmatched. Let's see how they perform!"

A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd. It was clear they weren't expecting much from the

slow and steady Mudsdale.

After that, contestant number three, number four, and number five entered the arena, each riding a unique horse Pokémon.

Finally, it was Naoki's turn. Riding Spectrier, he approached the starting area.

"And now, we have contestant number six," Ren announced, before pausing. "Wait a second...

what kind of Pokémon is that?"

The audience leaned forward, their attention fixated on the mysterious Pokémon emerging

from the passage. A sleek black horse strode confidently into the arena, its mane glowing a luminous blue and a

faint mist swirling around its legs. Most striking of all were its closed eyes, which gave it an enigmatic, otherworldly aura. Despite not opening its eyes, the horse moved with precision and purpose, as if it could sense everything around it.

Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd. "What kind of Pokémon is that?" someone whispered.

"Is it blind?" another voice wondered aloud. "How does it know where it's going?"

"It's so cool!" someone else exclaimed. "That mist around its legs makes it look like it's

floating!"

Ren scrambled to check the contestant information. After a moment, he found Naoki's registration details.

"This is truly incredible!" the commentator declared. "Contestant number six is riding a Pokémon we've never seen before!"

"A newly discovered?!" the crowd buzzed with excitement, their curiosity growing by the

second. "That's right!" Ren confirmed. "According to the information provided by contestant number six, this Pokémon is called Spectrier, a Ghost-type Pokemon!"

...

Bonus Chapter.

...

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