Into the Clouds

At this point, the battle on the field had reached a fever pitch.

Larry's Komala and the boy's Crocalor were both running low on energy.

With the Crocalor charging straight toward it, Larry gave his next command:

"Komala, Yawn." 

Komala lazily rolled over, letting out a massive yawn. The move hit its mark, and the drowsiness quickly overtook the Crocalor, making it stumble mid-charge, eyes drooping. 

But just as it was about to fall asleep, the boy shouted: 

"Come on, Crocalor! Stay awake!" 

The clumsy fire crocodile shook itself awake, the boy's voice reigniting its determination. Flames swirled in its mouth, and with a well-aimed Ember, Crocalor managed to knock out Komala. 

"Yes!" The boy clenched his fists in triumph. 

Larry, however, looked unbothered. With a sigh, he silently recalled Komala into its Poké Ball and said: 

"Not bad. But you've only got your Crocalor left—and it's running on fumes. I still have one Pokémon at full strength."

The boy puffed out his chest. "We're not giving up!"

The spectators, moved by the boy's determination, began cheering loudly from their seats: 

"Hang in there, kid!" 

"We're starving! Show us what you've got!" 

"Both of you, give it your all!" 

"Go, Mr. Larry!"

Larry gave an exhausted sigh. "Yeah, I know. If I drag this out any longer, my boss is gonna kill me. Let's get this over with."

With that, Larry sent out his final Pokémon: Staraptor.

The crowd gasped as the sharp-eyed, battle-hardened Staraptor took the field.

The final battle was officially underway! 

Despite facing a far superior opponent, the boy and Crocalor stood their ground, their unwavering spirit infectious. Determined to win, Crocalor summoned every ounce of strength and launched another Ember attack at Staraptor. 

Whether it was pure luck or a rare moment of weakness from Larry, the Ember connected—and to the crowd's surprise, it left Staraptor burned. 

The boy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes! That's the way, Crocalor!" 

Burned Pokémon lose health gradually, so all the boy and Crocalor had to do was outlast their opponent to have a chance at victory. 

Some of Larry's supporters in the audience were less than pleased. 

"What the heck, Larry? How could you get hit by that kid's Ember?" 

"Come on! Take this seriously—we didn't come here to see you throw the match!" 

Larry, looking thoroughly drained, stared across the field at the boy. With a weary expression, he said: 

"Mind if I use a move that adults in the real world are really good at?" 

The boy blinked in confusion. "Huh?" 

Without missing a beat, Larry gave his command: 

"Staraptor, Facade." 

After receiving the command, Staraptor glowed with a bright white light. It shot down from the sky, aiming directly at Crocalor. 

Endure wasn't just about survival; it doubled the power when the Pokémon was burned, paralyzed, or poisoned. With the burn weakening Crocalor, the boy's Pokémon had no chance—Staraptor's swooping attack landed perfectly, knocking Crocalor out of the fight. 

The boy stood frozen, mouth agape in disbelief. 

The restaurant erupted into cheers. 

"Wow! That was incredible!" 

"As expected of Larry!" 

"What a great battle! I've eaten two bowls of ramen without even realizing it!" 

Larry, unaffected by the noise, adjusted his tie and said calmly, "Sorry, kid. You didn't pass the Medali Gym challenge. No badge for you. Better luck next time." 

Without waiting for a response, Larry picked up his briefcase, stepped off the tatami, and made his way to the bar to eat, as if nothing extraordinary had just happened.

Naoki watched him with great interest. 

Even in a neatly pressed black suit, Larry looked drained. His high hairline was noticeable, and dark circles weighed heavily under his eyes—an embodiment of exhaustion. 

Naoki turned to his companions, Pawmot and Dragonite, who were lounging beside him, satisfied from their meal. 

"Are you two full?" Naoki asked with a grin. 

"Pawmot!" 

"Ooo~!" Dragonite let out a contented coo. 

Seeing they were both satisfied, Naoki returned them to their Poké Balls, then walked over to where Larry sat. He took a seat next to him, with Koraidon by his side, and ordered two bowls of red bean soup to cleanse the palate. 

Before Naoki could say anything, Larry gave him a tired glance.

"You're here," Larry said in his usual deadpan tone, as if expecting Naoki all along. 

Naoki blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, you know me?" 

'Could Geeta have shown Larry a picture of him? No, that didn't seem possible. He doubted Geeta had a photo of him to begin with.'

Noticing Naoki's confusion, Larry sighed and began to explain: "When someone important walks in—like you and that Pokémon of yours—it's hard not to notice." Larry gave Koraidon a brief glance before continuing. 

"I'm just an ordinary guy. People like me blend into the background. But people like you? No matter where you go, you stand out." 

Naoki scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "That's… a bit much, don't you think?" 

Larry shrugged with his signature calm demeanor. "So… you're really planning to go into the Great Crater? If it were me, I wouldn't even think about it. Too dangerous." 

He extended his hand lazily. "Larry. Medali Gym Leader. Pleased to meet you, though I'm not sure I'll be much help." 

"I'm Naoki." 

Larry gave a small nod. "Please wait a moment. I'll take you there after I finish eating." 

Naoki didn't have much to say. "Okay." 

Larry seemed to savor his peaceful meal, taking his time with every bite. By the time he had finished the last bit of food on his plate, Naoki and Koraidon had also finished their two bowls of red bean soup. 

Larry stood up, picked up his briefcase, and said, "Alright, let's get this over with." 

Naoki gave a simple nod. "Okay." 

The two left the Treasure Eatery, and Naoki assumed that Larry would call a taxi or perhaps drive his own car to take him to the Zero Gate. 

But, to Naoki's surprise, after stepping outside, Larry went straight to the bicycle parking area, grabbed a bike, and climbed on. 

Naoki blinked, tilting his head in confusion. "?" 

Noticing Naoki's bewildered expression, Larry glanced back and shrugged. "This is how I usually get around. Simple, isn't it?"

Naoki kept his expression neutral. "Yeah." 

Larry gave a small, weary smile. "It's… normal. Plain. Common. Unremarkable. Just like me." He adjusted his suit. "I like it this way. Ordinary is the truth." 

And with that, Larry began pedaling his bike, moving steadily down the road. 

Naoki sighed, having no choice but to follow along—riding on the back of Koraidon as the mighty Pokémon trotted casually beside Larry's modest bicycle. 

As they rode along, Larry spoke up again. "Originally, I wasn't supposed to take you to the Zero Gate. Someone else was scheduled to do it, but they had an urgent matter come up and took the day off. So here I am." 

Naoki felt a bit awkward, unsure how to respond to Larry's exhausted demeanor. He managed a polite, if stiff, reply: "Thanks for the trouble." 

Larry shrugged again. "You're too polite. It's just part of the job." 

Naoki was left speechless by the simplicity of Larry's response.

After a moment of silence, Larry stopped talking altogether, the exhaustion from balancing too many jobs showing plainly on his face. 

The Zero Gate was built along the steep cliffs surrounding the Great Crater of Paldea. To reach it, they would have to leave their bikes behind and climb the mountain on foot. 

Medali Town lay just below the Zero Gate, nestled at the base of the towering cliffs. From the town, the cliffs seemed to pierce the sky, shrouded in mist at their peaks. 

Soon, the two arrived at the base of the mountain. Larry hopped off his bike, parking it neatly on the side of the road. 

"We'll have to walk the rest of the way. No way we can ride bikes up there," Larry said, gesturing to the rugged path ahead. 

Naoki looked Larry up and down, concern creeping into his expression. Larry looked like a man running on fumes. "Do you want to rest for a bit?" 

Larry sighed deeply. "Just think of it as helping with digestion after a meal. Let's finish this quickly so I can go home and rest." 

Naoki smiled sympathetically. "Oh!"

Larry continued trudging up the path, and Naoki had no choice but to follow him. 

Fortunately, Naoki was in good shape—years of farm work kept him physically fit. 

After a while, however, Larry was clearly struggling, out of breath and slowing down with each step. 

Naoki glanced at him with concern. "Do you want to ride Koraidon with me? It'll be faster." 

Larry gave Koraidon a wary glance, then shook his head firmly. "Nah… I think I'll pass on that new experience." 

Naoki shrugged. "...Alright." 

Perhaps Larry thought some conversation would distract him from the climb, so he asked, "So, you call it Koraidon?" 

Naoki nodded. "Yes, that's the name Dr. Sada gave it."

Larry raised an eyebrow. "Dr. Sada, huh?" He recalled the unusual permission Naoki had received to enter Area Zero. "I'm surprised the League approved your application to enter the Great Crater." 

Naoki gave a modest smile. "Maybe they think I can protect myself?" 

Larry's thoughts drifted as he considered the implications. "The ability to survive in Area Zero… You must be quite the trainer—maybe even Champion-level." 

It made sense. Geeta, head of the Paldea League, was always on the lookout for talented trainers. Perhaps she saw potential in Naoki and wanted to recruit him for the League. 

Larry glanced at Naoki and asked casually, "Did Geeta offer you a position in the League?" 

Naoki blinked in surprise. "How did you know?" 

Larry gave a small, knowing grin. "Just a guess." 

He adjusted his tie. "If you accept, they'll probably make you a Gym Leader in some city. Or—" Larry gave a weary chuckle. "—you might end up stuck in the Sales Department, juggling multiple jobs just to keep up with the quotas." 

Naoki stared at him, speechless. 

Larry continued with a sigh. "If you're interested, go for it. But I wouldn't. I'm already doing enough—being the Gym Leader of Medali is one thing, but I also serve as one of the Elite Four. That's my limit." 

Naoki couldn't help but ask, "Taking me to the Zero Gate isn't exactly in the job description of a Gym Leader or Elite Four member, right?" 

Larry sighed again, clearly exhausted. "That's just how things work, kid. When you're an adult, you take on things that aren't your responsibility just to avoid upsetting your boss—and maybe score a little overtime pay." 

Naoki didn't quite know how to respond to that, so he just gave a polite nod. 

The two continued their climb in silence, the only sound being the crunch of their footsteps on the rocky trail. Eventually, they reached the halfway point of the mountain. 

They passed through a dimly lit tunnel, emerging on the other side to find a tall building with landing pads and docking stations. 

Larry stopped and gestured to the structure ahead. "We're here." 

He pointed toward the large, reinforced entrance at the base of the building. "This is the Zero Gate. From here, we can enter the Great Crater—Area Zero." 

Larry swiped his League-issued access card through the reader, unlocking the heavy metal door. He led Naoki and Koraidon into the Zero Gate. 

Naoki's eyes widened as he took in the futuristic surroundings. "Wow..." he murmured, marveling at the advanced technology all around him. 

Larry gave a half-hearted shrug. "First time here for me, too. Too dangerous down below. If it weren't for work, I wouldn't set foot in this place." 

He opened another metal door, this one leading to the helipad. "Here we are." 

Naoki stepped onto the platform, greeted by the sound of wind rushing past. 

He and Koraidon stood on the landing gear, gazing out into a sea of thick white clouds. For a moment, Naoki felt as if they had ascended into a heavenly realm, floating above the world in a dream-like fairyland. 

Even though Naoki had experienced Area Zero through games and simulations, standing at the edge of this vast crater in real life made his heart race. 

Beneath those dense clouds lay the Great Crater of Paldea—Area Zero. The thought of falling from Koraidon's back into the seemingly bottomless abyss sent a shiver down his spine. 

Koraidon shifted uneasily beside him, clearly sensing Naoki's tension. 

Naoki smiled gently, giving Koraidon a reassuring pat on the head. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. 

When Naoki glanced back, Larry was standing a few steps behind, watching him quietly. 

"Well," Larry said with his usual tired tone, "My part's done. Good luck." 

Naoki nodded. "Thanks." 

He climbed onto Koraidon's back and gave him an encouraging pat. "Let's go!" 

"Raao..." Koraidon let out a low, uncertain growl, but it lifted its front legs and leapt off the platform. 

The moment Koraidon jumped, a sharp wind howled past Naoki's ears. White clouds swirled around them, enclosing them in a cocoon of mist. 

Koraidon dove downward at high speed, and Naoki clung tightly to its neck. The sheer force of the descent made his heart race, but just as the tension reached its peak— 

The feathers on Koraidon's head spread wide, transforming into wing-like structures. Their rapid fall slowed, and the air around them began to calm. 

Naoki opened his eyes, now fully immersed in the breathtaking landscape below. 

They had passed through the cloud layer, revealing a vast, sparkling valley below. Brilliant crystal formations jutted from the ground, shimmering like waterfalls of light that cascaded from the sky. 

Even the trees, cliffs, and waterfalls were bathed in a soft, radiant glow, making the landscape feel sacred and surreal. 

Koraidon landed gracefully on a grassy cliff, vibrant with life. 

Naoki guided him toward the fence installed by the Paldea League, where he gazed out over the mesmerizing scenery. 

The air shimmered with tiny particles of crystal light, glittered like stardust. 

Far below, in the valley beneath the waterfall, a group of pokemon could be seen drinking from a sparkling stream, their leafy fur swaying gently with the wind. 

Naoki's breath hitched in awe. "It's so beautiful..." he whispered, knowing this was a sight he would never forget. 

Koraidon let out a soft, curious growl beside him. "Raao?" 

But even as he admired the view, Naoki reminded himself why he had come here. His mission lay ahead. 

He scanned the area, expecting to see signs of Paradox Pokémon, the strange creatures rumored to roam the depths of Area Zero. But, to his surprise, the area seemed quiet. 

Naoki reasoned that this might be the uppermost level of the crater, with the habitats of the Paradox Pokémon deeper down. 

Dr. Sada had mentioned that the first observation station was located just below the Zero Gate. Reaching it before nightfall would give Naoki a safe place to rest before continuing deeper into the crater. 

It had taken over two hours to climb the mountain to the gate with Larry. Judging by the position of the sun, Naoki estimated it was now around three in the afternoon. 

Rather than descending directly into the depths via the massive central hole, Naoki decided to explore the area step-by-step. 

There were two reasons: 

Safety. Dr. Sada had warned about the dangers lurking deeper within Area Zero.

Curiosity. Naoki wanted to observe and potentially capture Paradox Pokémon, creatures that might only appear on the way down. 

His goal was clear—reach the first observation station before nightfall, rest, and then continue the journey deeper into Area Zero.