Night had fallen, and the world was silent.
The Pokémon living near the Giant's Bed had returned to their nests, yawning and settling down to sleep. Occasionally, nocturnal Pokémon rustled through the tall grass, their movements barely breaking the stillness.
From the hilltop, Naoki could see the surface of the Galar Sea shimmering under the moonlight. Thanks to the ocean currents, this area was warmer than the northern snowfields, creating the perfect environment for a rich and vibrant Pokémon ecosystem.
Naoki sat in front of the campfire with his Pokémon companions and Calyrex, enjoying the peaceful evening.
After hearing Naoki's plan to leave the Crown Tundra the next day, Calyrex cast his gaze toward the distant Galar region and spoke softly, "Before we leave, I want to visit one more place."
Naoki looked up in surprise. "Where do you want to go?"
Calyrex's voice was calm but resolute. "To the place where the Hero and the Warrior reside."
Naoki's eyes widened in recognition. "The Hero and Warrior. Do you mean Zacian and Zamazenta?"
Calyrex gave a slight nod. "Yes. They were my allies during a time of great calamity."
Naoki's heart skipped a beat. "Do you mean the Darkest Day? The disaster caused by Eternatus?"
Calyrex's expression grew solemn. "Yes. When the Galar region faced destruction, we stood together to prevent it."
Naoki was curious. "Could you tell me what really happened? The history books are vague, and most people only remember the hero with the sword and shield. The role you played has been forgotten."
Calyrex nodded, the flickering firelight reflecting in his eyes. "I will tell you everything."
Naoki scooted closer to the campfire, eager to hear the story. With his Pokémon listening quietly, Calyrex began to recount the events of the past.
"A long, long time ago, I lived peacefully on this land with my beloved steeds and the humans who believed in me. One day, I saw a vision of a disaster—an overwhelming darkness that would consume the Galar region.
"To prepare, I summoned two powerful beings—Zacian, the King of Swords, and Zamazenta, the King of Shields. They listened to my warning and vowed to prevent the impending disaster.
"As a gesture of trust, I performed a coronation for them at the Crown Shrine, bestowing upon them the 'Power of the King.' I also enlisted Melmetal, a mythical Pokémon known for its mastery over metal, to forge powerful weapons for them—a sword and a shield, infused with the essence of kingship.
"With these sacred artifacts, Zacian and Zamazenta gained the strength needed to confront the darkness. They went forth to face the calamity, while I focused on protecting the forest Pokémon.
"Using all of my power, I moved the Pokémon of the forest to safety. But the effort drained me completely, and I fell into a deep slumber. What happened afterward, I do not know."
Naoki listened, captivated by the tale. "So that's the truth..." he murmured.
Calyrex gazed into the fire, his voice tinged with concern. "Even now, I sense traces of the disaster lingering in Galar. I fear that the danger was not fully eliminated."
Naoki furrowed his brow. "Is that why you want to visit Zacian and Zamazenta? To warn them?"
Calyrex nodded. "Yes. I must tell them what I have sensed so they can be prepared for what might come."
Naoki could sense the deep care Calyrex still held for the Galar region. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Why not stay here and fight alongside them? They could use your help."
Calyrex shook his head, his expression calm but resolute. "I am no longer needed here. When my power was fully restored, I glimpsed the future.
"This time, I saw that the King of Sword and the King of Shield will successfully repel the source of disaster with the help of two humans," Calyrex said with quiet certainty.
"I see." Naoki nodded, realization dawning on him.
The two humans Calyrex mentioned were most likely Victor/Gloria and Hop, Leon's younger brother. But something else caught Naoki's attention.
"The swords and shields used by Zacian and Zamazenta were actually crafted by Melmetal?" Naoki muttered in disbelief.
That was completely unexpected!
After hearing the full story, Naoki sighed, imagining how these powerful Pokémon must have united during the ancient calamity to confront Eternatus together.
Calyrex tilted his head slightly, curious. "Why do you sigh?"
Naoki gave him a small smile. "The disaster you're talking about is what humans now call the 'Darkest Day.' After you fell asleep, Zacian and Zamazenta successfully repelled it. But when the battle was over, they went into seclusion."
He continued with a hint of sadness. "After the Darkest Day ended, the humans started to rewrite history. They founded a kingdom and claimed the deeds of Zacian and Zamazenta as their own, fooling future generations into believing that the royal family was responsible for saving the Galar region."
Calyrex remained serene, his expression calm despite the weight of Naoki's words. "I see. You seem to care more about this false recognition than I do."
Naoki blinked. "Don't you care about what happened?"
Calyrex shook his head gently, a faint smile forming on his face. "At that time, neither I nor the Sword King sought fame or glory. We only wanted to protect the Pokémon that lived on this land. That was all that mattered."
He closed his eyes for a moment, reflecting. "Besides, the humans I once knew, and those who believed in me, are long gone. There is no use dwelling on what has been lost."
Naoki felt a pang of sympathy but nodded in agreement. "You're right. It's just... a little sad."
...
With the first light of dawn, Naoki, Calyrex, and Koraidon set off from the Giant's Bed. The majestic sight of the pink blossoms on the towering tree faded behind them as they rode southward.
However, there was a lingering sense of disappointment in Naoki's heart.
Despite their exploration of the ancient lands, there had been no sign of the Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos, or Moltres. Naoki couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.
"Why the long face?" Calyrex asked curiously, noticing Naoki's distracted expression.
Before Naoki could answer, Koraidon, ever perceptive, gave Naoki a knowing look—no one knew him better. The Pokémon tilted its head, seemingly exasperated by Naoki's thoughts.
Koraidon's expression clearly said, 'I know exactly what you're thinking.'
Sure enough, Naoki confessed with a wistful sigh, "I read once that three legendary bird Pokémon lived near that giant tree. I was really hoping to see them today."
Calyrex immediately understood which three Pokémon Naoki was referring to.
"They don't live here permanently," Calyrex explained. "They only stop by the tree occasionally to rest. But if all three happen to meet at once, they always end up fighting."
"Looks like I picked the wrong time to visit." Naoki sighed with disappointment.
Koraidon let out a long-suffering groan. "Ah..gah..."
Calyrex chuckled softly. "If you'd like, I can accompany you to find them next time."
Naoki smiled but shook his head. "Let's leave it for now. There's a lot to do once we're back."
For one, Naoki had to ask Kelly to help build stables for the horses and prepare for the forest restoration in spring.
With both Glastrier and Spectrier in his care—each with a strong sense of territory—he needed to build separate stables to keep the peace.
Instead of heading back to Freezington Village, Naoki and Calyrex took a different route toward Snowpoint Station, where the steam train to the Galar region awaited.
As they neared the edge of the snowfield, Naoki brought Koraidon to a halt and turned to Calyrex.
"We'll be traveling by train to Galar. You might meet other humans there. Do you mind that?"
Calyrex thought for a moment, his gaze distant. "I suppose the humans of this era wouldn't recognize me anymore. It doesn't matter."
"Good." Naoki then glanced at Spectrier and Glastrier. "There's one thing, though. The train doesn't allow large Pokémon onboard, so I'll need to keep them in their Poké Balls for the trip. Is that alright with you?"
"Poké Balls?" Calyrex tilted his head in confusion.
Naoki pulled out a standard red-and-white Poké Ball, holding it up for Calyrex to see.
"It's a tool developed by humans to carry Pokémon. When you press the button, it stores the Pokémon inside, letting you take them anywhere."
As they continued walking, Naoki explained the various ways humans now interact with Pokémon—covering topics like trainers, breeders, and the bonds that people form with Pokémon partners.
Calyrex listened thoughtfully, nodding occasionally. When Naoki finished, Calyrex gave a small smile.
"I understand. In that case, you may keep them in the Poké Balls for now."
Naoki approached the two steeds, gently placing a hand on their heads. First, he tapped the button of an empty Poké Ball against Spectrier, who dissolved into a flash of red light and disappeared into the ball. Then, he repeated the process with Glastrier.
Both Poké Balls shook briefly before settling with a soft click, signaling the capture's success.
Calyrex watched the entire process with wide eyes, clearly astonished by what he had just witnessed.
"How is this possible?" Calyrex asked, his tone filled with wonder.
"Uh..." Naoki scratched his head, a bit sheepishly. "I've heard it has something to do with Pokémon being able to temporarily shrink their size when they're relaxed or conserving energy. But honestly, I don't know the full details—it's just a theory."
Calyrex fell silent for a moment, his expression pensive. Then, with sudden curiosity, he asked, "Can I enter a Poké Ball too? After all, to you humans, I am also a Pokémon."
Naoki: "Is that okay?"
The King of Bountiful Harvests looked genuinely eager to try.
With a sigh, Naoki pulled out a third Poké Ball, pressed the button, and gently aimed it toward Calyrex.
To Naoki's surprise, the Poké Ball accepted Calyrex without even shaking. It clicked shut instantly, remaining perfectly still.
Moments later, Calyrex emerged from the Poké Ball on his own, an amused smile spreading across his face.
"Fascinating," the former King of Galar remarked, his voice filled with wonder. "Humans truly are a clever species."
Remembering Naoki's earlier explanation about the bond between trainers and Pokémon, Calyrex turned to him with a playful grin. "So, does this mean I'm now your Pokémon? Trainer, I look forward to your guidance!"
Naoki: "…"
Trying to clear up any misunderstanding, Naoki waved his hands nervously. "I-I'm not really a trainer! I'm just a farmer, like you!"
Calyrex chuckled warmly. "Hahaha! You're right. I'm no longer a king—just a humble farmer. From now on, we are fellow farmers!"
Naoki: "…"
The two shared a lighthearted laugh before continuing along the snowy path, making their way back to the station.
As they neared the station, something unusual caught Naoki's attention. A bright red cordon stretched across the road, marking it as a restricted area. Signs near the blockade bore symbols warning of extreme danger. The station's doors were shut, and the lights inside flickered dimly.
"That's odd..." Naoki muttered, furrowing his brow.
Calyrex, riding calmly beside him on Spectrier, grew serious. "I sense something unusual. There's an ominous aura here."
He turned toward the distant mountains, where an eerie glow illuminated the sky. Flames licked the snowy peaks, casting a deep crimson hue across the horizon.
Naoki and Koraidon both noticed the unsettling sight.
"A fire? In subzero temperatures?" Naoki whispered in disbelief. "That doesn't make any sense."
Just then, a strange noise echoed through the air—a low, labored panting, followed by the rapid flutter of wings.
A moment later, a monstrous figure descended from the sky, landing heavily in front of Naoki and Calyrex.
The creature was unlike anything Naoki had seen before. Its grotesquely inflated muscles bulged with unnatural power, and two pairs of translucent, crimson wings beat rhythmically behind it. Its small, flat head housed eerie, spherical black eyes, and below them sat a sharp, blade-like beak that gleamed ominously in the dim light.
Naoki's heart skipped a beat. He recognized the creature immediately.
"An Ultra Beast… Buzzwole!"
The realization hit Naoki like a thunderbolt. "But how?!"
Ultra Beasts like Buzzwole were supposed to reside in the Ultra Space near the Alola region. How could one have found its way to the Galar region?
Just as Naoki stood frozen in disbelief, Buzzwole—the hulking Ultra Beast—flexed its enormous arms and performed a textbook bodybuilding pose.
With every muscle bulging, it was clear that Buzzwole was showing off its incredible strength.
"Danger!"
A sharp, urgent voice came from nearby.
Naoki turned to see a man in a Galar League uniform sprinting towards him, accompanied by a Snorlax lumbering behind.
The man locked eyes with Naoki and called out, "Please leave this area! The Galar League has blocked off this zone, and the station is temporarily closed! You'll need to find another route to Galar!"
Before the man could finish, Buzzwole—disturbed by the commotion—scowled. Its muscles inflated rapidly, and a deep, ominous buzzing echoed from its abdomen. In an instant, the Ultra Beast shot forward like lightning, the gust from its speed blowing the man's hat off.
The man barely had time to react before he heard a pained bellow from his Snorlax.
Turning back, he saw the horrifying sight of Buzzwole gripping Snorlax tightly. With no regard for the Snorlax's desperate thrashing, Buzzwole jabbed its needle-like proboscis into Snorlax's neck.
Snorlax's massive body began to deflate, its once-imposing frame collapsing like a punctured balloon. In a matter of moments, the Pokémon was reduced to nothing more than loose skin lying limp in the snow.
The man's eyes widened, filling with rage and disbelief.
Buzzwole, its muscles now pulsating as though molten lava coursed through them, loomed over the man, its massive frame casting a shadow.
Naoki stood frozen, his mind racing to process the unexpected danger.
Calyrex, standing nearby, frowned deeply at the sight.
Just as Buzzwole prepared to lunge at the man, Calyrex's regal voice rang out with unwavering authority.
"How dare you!"
Buzzwole's attention snapped to the voice. The Ultra Beast's aggressive stance shifted toward Calyrex, intrigued by the challenge.
Naoki, snapping out of his shock, saw Calyrex preparing to engage. Without hesitation, he grabbed a Poké Ball and hurled it, releasing a Pokémon to assist.
A flash of white light erupted from the ball, revealing Spectrier—the ghostly steed—standing tall beside Calyrex.
Buzzwole's aura intensified as it locked eyes with its new opponents. With a guttural roar, it launched itself toward Calyrex and Spectrier, muscles rippling with every movement.
Calyrex wasted no time. With a quick movement, he leapt gracefully onto Spectrier's back.
In an instant, a powerful psychic wave surged outward from Calyrex, causing the ghostly energy surrounding Spectrier to swirl and churn violently.
Suddenly, countless dark purple, phosphorescent flames flickered to life around them, like embers drawn from another world.
With a commanding sweep of his arm, Calyrex unleashed the flames. They shot forward like falling stars, raining down on Buzzwole from every direction.
The man, still frozen in place, could only stare in awe at the spectacle unfolding before him.
"What kind of Pokémon... is that?!"
...
This is a bonus chapter for reaching 2500 Power Stones.
The next bonus chapter will be released at 3000 Power Stones.