Crown Shrine, noon.
Calyrex stood tall at the center of the ancient shrine hall, with Glastrier and Spectrier flanking him on either side. From time to time, the two horses exhaled frosty breath into the chilly air, creating small clouds of mist that lingered before dissipating.
The three stood in silent anticipation, gazing toward the entrance as if waiting for something. The vast, empty shrine remained eerily quiet, broken only by the occasional shift of hooves against stone.
After what felt like ages, Glastrier grew restless. Bored, it began to scrape at the shrine floor with its hooves, sending small chunks of stone skittering across the ground.
Tap, tap, tap!
The sudden noise echoed harshly in the stillness of the shrine.
Spectrier turned its head sharply, glaring at Glastrier. The ghostly horse's mane shimmered with a soft, eerie glow, and tendrils of violet mist curled from its hooves as if to emphasize its displeasure.
"Hsss!" Spectrier hissed, its eyes glowing faintly in irritation.
But Glastrier, distracted by the small hole it had scratched into the floor, completely ignored the ghostly steed's warning.
Spectrier's ghostly form began to shimmer with impatience, its mist thickening, but before things could escalate further, Calyrex intervened.
"Enough," Calyrex said gently, yet with the unmistakable weight of authority.
Immediately, both horses calmed down, standing obediently beside their king.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
"I'm back!" Naoki's cheerful voice rang through the shrine, instantly breaking the quiet stillness.
Koraidon trotted in beside him, both of them carrying large bags stuffed with supplies. The cold, solemn atmosphere of the shrine melted away as the two newcomers filled the space with lively energy.
Calyrex blinked in mild surprise. "Why have you brought so much?"
Naoki and Koraidon plopped the bags onto the floor, rubbing their hands together to warm them.
"It's not much," Naoki replied with a grin. "Just some carrot seeds for Glastrier and Spectrier, and a few supplies we picked up from the village."
Naoki knelt and began unpacking the bags, pulling out neat piles of seeds and fresh ingredients—everything from potatoes to fish, and even some steaks.
"We may have cleaned out most of the seeds from the village store," Naoki admitted with a chuckle. "And while we were there, I figured we'd stock up on food for everyone."
Calyrex floated closer, gazing thoughtfully at the assortment of supplies.
"In the past," he said quietly, "humans would offer us tributes like these. But I never needed such gifts."
The king's expression softened with nostalgia. "Over time, my followers learned the preferences of my two steeds and began bringing them only the carrots they loved most."
Naoki looked up curiously. "And what about you? Do you have a favorite food?"
Calyrex pondered for a moment, his regal demeanor relaxing. "I am different from most Pokémon. I do not need to eat to maintain my form. However, there was once a food that piqued my interest, and I found it quite enjoyable."
"Oh?" Naoki's curiosity deepened. "What was it?"
Calyrex smiled faintly, as if recalling a distant memory. "It was an orange-red vegetable, similar in appearance to the radishes my steeds enjoy. One of my followers brought it to me from a distant city as a gift. It was unlike anything that grows here on the Crown Tundra."
"An orange-red vegetable..." Naoki repeated, tilting his head in thought.
The image of a vegetable emerged in Naoki's mind.
"Isn't that just a carrot?"
However, there is one thing that is of concern. That is, the land on the Crown Snowfield can only grow ice carrots and shade root carrots.
'Is it because of the soil or the environment?'
All kinds of thoughts flashed through Naoki's mind. He thought for a moment and said to Calyrex:
"That kind of carrots only grows outside the snowfields, and there are plenty of them in the Paldea region," Naoki explained.
Calyrex tilted his head thoughtfully. "I see. It seems the land here in the snowfields is quite different."
With a puzzled expression, Calyrex glanced at his two horses, deep in thought. Meanwhile, Naoki began preparing their lunch.
He peeled and diced potatoes, tossing them into a pot along with some chopped meat to stew. There wasn't much variety in the snowfield, and the ingredients were far less diverse than those back on the ranch.
With the harsh cold biting at them, a pot of warm, fragrant stew was just what they needed. The rich aroma of tender meat and potatoes filled the air, making everyone's mouths water.
Naoki couldn't help but swallow hungrily as he set the pot over the campfire. As the stew simmered, he pulled out his needle and thread, along with Spectrier's mane and the Radiant Flower petals from his bag, and started crafting the second Reins of Unity.
Koraidon and Cyclizar lounged lazily beside Naoki, watching the process with curious eyes. On the other side of the fire, Calyrex and his two horses stood quietly, their presence serene.
The glow of the fire reflected in Calyrex's gaze, softening his once-imposing expression into something graceful and calm. His horses, Glastrier and Spectrier, exhaled small clouds of mist, watching with quiet curiosity as Naoki's hands skillfully stitched the reins together.
Piece by piece, the shimmering blue-purple strands of Spectrier's mane were woven into the rein, transforming under Naoki's hands.
Soon, most of the work was complete.
"All that's left is the final step," Naoki thought, his brow furrowing slightly. "Now I need to sing... with gratitude."
However, when Naoki glanced up, he was startled to find Calyrex watching him with an amused and elegant expression, as if patiently waiting to see how things would unfold.
Feeling embarrassed, Naoki cleared his throat and mumbled, "Well… the next part is very important. It requires absolute focus—no distractions. I need to finish it alone."
Calyrex's eyes sparkled with understanding. A soft chuckle escaped him as he gave a small nod. "I see. Then I will take my two steeds for a walk. We will return shortly."
With that, Calyrex gracefully mounted Glastrier, with Spectrier following at his side. The two horses trotted off into the snowy landscape, leaving Naoki and his companions alone in the shrine.
Naoki let out a long sigh of relief. "Phew... I thought I was going to have to sing in front of him."
With no further hesitation, Naoki began the final step—singing the tune with all his heart.
"The flowers are rolled up in a round shape~
Put up the mane and present it to my king~"
As the last note hung in the air, Naoki noticed something strange. Koraidon and Cyclizar were sitting quietly nearby, both staring at him.
Naoki froze. "...Don't tell anyone about this, okay?"
Koraidon gave a slow, understanding nod. "Ah, gah..." (Got it...)
Cyclizar bounced on its paws excitedly. "Gaao!" (I won't tell!)
Satisfied, Naoki smiled and turned back to the reins. In his hands, the reins now glowed faintly, a soft shimmer dancing along their length.
The second set of Reins of Unity was complete!
Just as Naoki finished, Calyrex returned, riding atop Glastrier, with Spectrier close behind.
Naoki stood and handed the glowing reins to the king. Calyrex accepted them with a grateful nod, his expression warm and serene. Though he said nothing, the appreciation in his gaze spoke volumes.
With a flick of telekinetic power, the reins floated from Calyrex's hands and wrapped gently around Spectrier's neck.
A radiant purple glow erupted from both Calyrex and Spectrier, the light swirling around them as if binding their energies together.
The moment the reins fused completely with Spectrier, Calyrex's regal cloak billowed, growing longer and more majestic.
Spectrier—underwent a remarkable transformation. The ethereal mist that drifted from its limbs thickened, spreading across the shrine floor. For a moment, it seemed as though Spectrier was walking on air, its hooves never quite touching the ground. The ghostly mist shimmered with a deep, enchanting purple glow, giving the Pokémon an otherworldly presence.
Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the mist receded into Spectrier's body, leaving the shrine in serene stillness.
Calyrex, seated gracefully atop Spectrier, looked every bit the majestic ruler he once was. His regal cloak swayed gently behind him, and though his expression was proud and composed, his gaze toward Naoki was filled with heartfelt gratitude.
"Thanks to you, I have regained my full strength," Calyrex said softly.
His voice carried a mix of nostalgia and warmth. "For the longest time, I believed that humanity had forgotten me. I thought I had lost my beloved steeds, and with them, my purpose. I wandered alone, lost in a deep abyss of loneliness."
He paused, his expression softening further. "But you… You pulled me from that darkness. Your faith rekindled a light I thought was extinguished."
"I can never thank you enough," Calyrex continued, his voice sincere. "There are no words to express the depth of my gratitude. If there were any way to repay you, I would."
The Pokémon King smiled warmly, his eyes shining with newfound hope. "Naoki, from this day forward, I humbly ask that you guide me. Wherever our journey takes us, I will follow your lead."
...
The next bonus chapter will be released at 2000 Power Stones.
PS: If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 280 at patreon.com/Keepsmiling818
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