Paradox Dreams

"The space inside Area Zero is massive, and the terrain is complex," Dr. Sada explained.

"While there's an observation station down there, it only has a basic bed for resting. You'll need to bring extra clothes and enough food to last."

She continued with a slight smile. "The area we're stationed in is at the bottom of the crater. Although you could ride Koraidon and drop straight in from above, I wouldn't recommend it."

Naoki tilted his head curiously. "Why not?"

"Because there are many aggressive Pokémon along the way, and they come from the same timeline as Koraidon," Dr. Sada warned. "We call them Paradox Pokémon."

Hearing this, Naoki's heart skipped a beat.

'Paradox Pokémon.' He thought of the names he had heard: Great Tusk, Scream Tail, Roaring Moon, Brute Bonnet, and Iron Thorns.

"Paradox Pokémon?" Naoki repeated aloud, trying to confirm.

Dr. Sada nodded. "They're Pokémon from alternate timelines. To put it simply, some are ancient forms of familiar Pokémon, while others are futuristic versions of them."

Naoki furrowed his brow in thought. 

He'd always wanted to visit Area Zero and see these special Pokémon with his own eyes. But until now, he'd never had the chance. 

And now...

'This might finally be the perfect opportunity.'

He could barely contain his excitement at the thought of encountering Paradox Pokémon. And if possible... maybe even capturing one or two!

Because honestly, they were just too cool! 

Take Slither Wing, the Paradox version of Volcarona—it was a giant, fluffy bug with a slightly chubby build. It looked both fierce and adorable at the same time!

Or Iron Thorns, the futuristic version of Tyranitar—a massive, metal-clad monster with both brains and brawn.

Dr. Sada noticed the glimmer in Naoki's eyes and mistook his enthusiasm for concern. She smiled kindly. "The route we'll follow is the safest one. We've carefully surveyed it, and as long as you stay on the path established by the observatory, you won't encounter too much trouble."

But Naoki wasn't worried about the dangers at all. He was already imagining his dream team of Paradox Pokémon.

Suppressing his excitement, he asked, "Doctor, can humans actually capture Paradox Pokémon?"

Dr. Sada blinked, then smiled warmly. "Of course! As long as you can subdue them, just like you did with Koraidon."

Naoki's eyes lit up instantly. 

'That settles it—I'm going for it!'

He wanted them all: Slither Wing, Iron Thorns, Scream Tail, Roaring Moon, Iron Bundle, and Iron Hands!

Dr. Sada couldn't help but smile at Naoki's eagerness. Her expression softened with a touch of nostalgia. "To be honest, Naoki," she said gently, "it has always been Dr. Turo's and my dream to see Paradox Pokémon and modern Pokémon coexist peacefully here in Paldea."

She gazed into the distance as if picturing that future. "We hope they can integrate into the world, live alongside humans, and battle and travel together—just like any other Pokémon."

"We've been working toward that dream for a long time," she added, her voice full of quiet determination.

Hearing this, Naoki's excitement slowly settled into something deeper—an understanding of the doctors' vision. 

He realized this wasn't just about catching rare Pokémon—it was about fulfilling a dream of harmony.

But in the back of his mind, a bittersweet thought lingered. 

'In the game's plot… this dream never came true.'

Because the raw, primal energy from ancient times is so ferocious, and the mysterious power evolved to the extreme from the distant future is so overwhelming, the existence of Paradox Pokémon presents a significant danger.

The paradox between ancient and future Pokémon: their immense vitality could disrupt and overwhelm the modern ecosystem.

In the game's plot, after the tragic deaths of the two professors, the AI they created was forced to activate barriers around Area Zero. These barriers were meant to contain the Paradox Pokémon, preventing them from escaping into the Paldea region and causing chaos.

But even with the barriers, some Pokémon—like Great Tusk and Iron Treads—managed to break through. Once they escaped, they claimed their own territories in Paldea, establishing themselves as rulers in those areas.

After thinking it over for a moment, Naoki nodded silently. "I get it. If it can be done, this really is an amazing dream."

Dr. Sada smiled gently. "Then we'll wait here for you and Koraidon to arrive."

After ending the call, Naoki's mind buzzed with thoughts, and he couldn't quite calm himself down. 

He thought back to a conversation with Dr. Sada, when he had jokingly warned her to be cautious about lab explosions. 

"If only they took that warning seriously..." Naoki muttered to himself. Maybe—just maybe—that would save the two professors from meeting their unfortunate fate.

'But if they survive, would they abandon their dream?'

Naoki shook his head. He didn't have the answer.

It felt like everything was slowly shifting in an unpredictable direction.

"Whatever. There'll be a way forward when the time comes," Naoki thought, brushing away his worries. "With Geeta and the other champion-level trainers the Paldea League has raised, things shouldn't get too out of control."

He exhaled, feeling lighter. After all, if something catastrophic happened, Geeta would be the one to shoulder the responsibility. Right now, Naoki only wanted to explore Area Zero and see the legendary Paradox Pokémon for himself.

Humming a little tune, he pulled out the contact number Geeta had given him and dialed her.

He wasn't interested in rewards from the League—he had enough money, and Pokémon eggs didn't excite him much either. What truly excited him was the idea of catching a Paradox Pokémon.

When the call connected, Naoki kept things simple. After exchanging greetings, he got straight to the point.

"I want to visit Area Zero," he explained. "Dr. Sada mentioned they need to do a physical check-up on Koraidon, but she said I'd need approval from the Paldea League to enter the crater."

Geeta, to Naoki's surprise, was easier to talk to than he had expected.

She listened quietly, then responded in her usual calm tone. "The interior of Area Zero is extremely dangerous. Without the strength of a champion-level trainer, it's nearly impossible to navigate safely. Are you prepared for that?"

Naoki smiled to himself, grateful for the way Geeta seemed to overestimate him. 

"Of course," he said confidently, though a playful grin tugged at his lips. 'This 'champion-level' assumption will work in my favor.'

Once he brought enough restorative items and food, he felt sure he could handle whatever Area Zero threw at him. With Koraidon by his side and some thoughtful preparation, he would be ready for anything.

"Alright," Geeta nodded. "I'll submit the application to the Paldea League. It might take some time, but I'll contact you as soon as I get a response."

"Thanks for your help," Naoki replied with a grateful smile.

Geeta grinned mischievously. "You know, I'd be even happier if you decided to join the Paldea League. We could use trainers like you."

Naoki: "…"

After ending the call, Naoki stepped out of the living room and wandered to the eaves outside. Just as he expected, Koraidon lay sprawled across the sunlit grass, basking lazily in the warmth.

The moment Koraidon picked up Naoki's scent, it opened one curious eye and tilted its head. "Raao?"

"Koraidon!" Naoki called, crouching down beside it. He reached out and gave the Pokémon a playful rub along its jaw. "Have you ever seen any Pokémon like you down there in Area Zero?"

Koraidon gave a puzzled blink, so Naoki elaborated, "I mean, Pokémon that might look like a huge elephant with giant tusks or another one that crawls around with massive wings that look like they're made of fire."

At first, Koraidon seemed confused. But as Naoki's description sank in, a spark of recognition flickered across the Pokémon's face.

"Ah gah!" Koraidon chirped enthusiastically, nodding.

Naoki grinned. "So, are they strong? Aggressive?"

Koraidon scrunched its face in deep thought for a moment, its tongue peeking out as if really concentrating. Then, it puffed out its chest proudly and exclaimed, "Raao!"

It wasn't entirely sure if the other Pokémon had fierce personalities—but one thing was certain: 'none of them were as strong as it!'