As soon as Calyrex finished speaking, a surge of Psychic energy, radiant and palpable, enveloped Pawmot standing on the grass.
In an instant, a faint blue aura surrounded Pawmot. Its eyes gently closed as its body began to float upward, appearing serene, as though lost in a deep sleep.
Watching this unfold, Naoki knew that Calyrex's illusion test had officially begun.
"I wonder what kind of trial Pawmot is facing," Naoki thought to himself.
But this was Pawmot's test alone. Naoki could neither see nor participate, leaving him to wait silently outside.
Naoki didn't fully grasp the nature of the "Power of the King." However, he did know that this sacred power had transformed Zacian and Zamazenta—brave warriors who had fought countless battles—into the Sword and Shield Kings. Their legendary forms had their base stats increased from 670 to an impressive 720.
For reference, even Arceus' total base stat was 720.
Clearly, this blessing represented an immense boon for any Pokémon.
"Combining the effects of [Lightning Bun] with Calyrex's [Power of the King]... how far could Pawmot ascend?" Naoki pondered excitedly.
"Would it reach the level of a pseudo-legendary? A mythical Pokémon? Or even stand among legendary Pokémon?"
Naoki's eyes gleamed with anticipation. He and Calyrex were, in essence, creating a god.
...
The forest was alive with vibrancy. Towering trees stretched skyward, their leafy canopies filtering sunlight into soft beams that danced on the forest floor. Moss blanketed the tree trunks, and the fertile earth sprouted lush grasses and ferns. The air carried the rich scent of soil and flora.
A lone Pawmot lay atop a sun-warmed stone, stirring as the sunlight caressed its fur. Slowly, it opened its eyes, blinking as it took in its surroundings.
"Pamo?" it murmured, its voice tinged with confusion.
'Is this... where I used to live?' it thought.
'Wait—why did I think that? Used to live?'
A peculiar sense of disconnection clouded Pawmot's mind. It gazed up at the sky, its thoughts muddled. Something about this place seemed familiar, yet distant, as though it had woken from a long, strange dream.
In that dream, Pawmot remembered being carried far away by a large bird Pokémon with an oversized beak. It had been dropped off at a human's ranch, where it was taken in and cared for. The human had trained it, teaching it how to harness its electricity and even crafting it a tiny hammer.
Determined to test this memory, Pawmot rubbed the electric sacs on its cheeks with its paws, hoping to unleash a powerful current like in the dream.
"Pamo—!"
A weak spark crackled from its claws.
So feeble...
'Was it all just a dream?'
A pang of disappointment filled Pawmot's chest.
"Pamo! Pamo?"
The calls came from the distance, pulling Pawmot from its thoughts. Turning toward the sound, it saw two familiar figures emerge from the tall grass—its parents, looking at it with relieved expressions.
"Pamo! Pamo!" (There you are! You scared us. It's time to come back and eat!)
Pawmot froze for a moment before emotion overwhelmed it. Tears welled in its eyes as it called back, "Pamo!" (Mom! Dad!)
Its mother nuzzled Pawmot affectionately, her voice soft. "Pamo~" (We're here, little one. Let's go home together.)
Sniffling, Pawmot nodded. It hopped off the stone and followed its parents back to their den beneath an ancient, gnarled tree.
The hollowed-out trunk led to a cozy underground burrow. Inside, two chambers branched off—a food storage area stocked with fruits and grains to last the winter and a spacious bedroom where the family snuggled together each night.
That evening, Pawmot nestled in its parents' warm embrace, drifting into a peaceful sleep.
The following morning, after bidding its parents farewell, Pawmot ventured into the forest to explore.
The forest was home to a magnificent tree, one so tall that its crown seemed to scrape the clouds. The elder Pokémon often spoke of its ancient origins, claiming it had stood there for centuries.
Pawmot loved this tree. Scaling its trunk and perching at its top gave it a sense of freedom as it gazed at the endless blue sky, the drifting white clouds, and the vast world beyond the forest.
Today, Pawmot found itself once again at the edge of the towering tree, gazing out at the world beyond the forest. The vast unknown filled it with both wonder and curiosity. What could it be like out there?
Suddenly, a sharp cry pierced the stillness of the forest. The sound jolted Pawmot from its thoughts.
Looking down from its perch, it spotted the source of the commotion. A small Rufflet was sprinting frantically through the dense undergrowth.
Right behind it, a menacing Pokémon pursued with relentless speed—a Mandibuzz, its piercing eyes locked on the panicked Rufflet.
Pawmot froze. It recognized Mandibuzz immediately. Its parents had warned it countless times about this predator.
Every day, it circled the skies above the forest, scanning the ground for vulnerable prey. When it found a target, it would swoop down, capture its victim with razor-sharp talons, and carry it back to its eerie bone-laden nest.
Mandibuzz was notorious, not just for its predatory instincts but also for its grim habit of adorning its body and nest with the remains of its victims. To the Pokémon of the forest, it was a living nightmare.
Pawmot's tiny heart raced as it watched the terrifying predator close in on Rufflet. Fear gripped it, paralyzing its small frame.
'What should I do?' Pawmot thought desperately. 'Should I try to help?'
But what could it possibly do? Its electricity was weak, a mere spark compared to what it had once dreamed of wielding.
And if Mandibuzz noticed it, Pawmot knew it would share the same fate as Rufflet—snatched up and devoured, leaving behind nothing but bones.
The very thought made Pawmot shudder. Its paws trembled, and its breathing quickened as fear took hold. It stood frozen, unable to move, while its mind spiraled in terror.
Meanwhile, Mandibuzz finally caught up to Rufflet. With a cruel screech, it slammed the smaller Pokémon to the ground, pinning it with its powerful claws. Rufflet cried out in pain as Mandibuzz began pecking at it with its sharp beak.
The pitiful cries broke through Pawmot's haze of fear. It snapped back to reality, its eyes wide with alarm.
'I can't just stand here and do nothing!' Pawmot thought.
It took a deep breath, mustering all the courage it could find, and grabbed a small stone from beside its perch. With all its might, it hurled the stone at Mandibuzz.
"Pamo!" (Hey, over here!)
The stone struck Mandibuzz on the wing. Though it didn't hurt the predator, it was enough to get its attention. Mandibuzz turned its sharp gaze toward Pawmot, its dark pupils narrowing in anger.
Letting out an enraged screech, Mandibuzz released Rufflet and took to the air, its powerful wings flapping as it charged straight at Pawmot's position.
Pawmot's heart pounded as it realized what it had just done. Without thinking, it turned and bolted, leaping from branch to branch as it raced through the forest canopy.
Behind it, Mandibuzz gave chase, closing the distance with frightening speed.
Pawmot ran for what felt like an eternity, its tiny limbs aching and its breath ragged. But no matter how fast it ran, Mandibuzz remained on its tail, relentless in its pursuit.
Finally, Pawmot skidded to a halt. A cliff loomed ahead, its edge dropping into a dizzying void. There was nowhere left to run.
Desperate, Pawmot turned to face Mandibuzz, which hovered in the air, its cruel eyes gleaming with triumph. The predator let out a mocking screech as if to taunt its tiny prey.
Pawmot trembled but planted its paws firmly on the ground. It began rubbing its electric sacs vigorously, trying to summon any spark of power to defend itself.
But its electricity was too weak.
Mandibuzz swooped down in a blur, ramming into Pawmot with its full weight. The force sent Pawmot hurtling backward, over the edge of the cliff.
As it plummeted, Pawmot let out a terrified scream. "Pamo—!"
Pain wracked its tiny body as it tumbled through the air. The world around it seemed to fade away, replaced by an endless void of darkness. Time and space felt frozen, and for a moment, Pawmot thought it had died.
But then, a deep, resonant voice echoed from the shadows.
"Are you afraid?"
The voice was calm yet commanding, filling the air with an almost divine presence.
Pawmot's eyes darted around in confusion, but all it could see was darkness. Its tiny voice quavered as it shouted back, trying to muster courage, "Pamo!" (Of course, I'm afraid!)
The voice spoke again, this time with a curious tone. "If you are so afraid, why did you provoke the predator?"
Pawmot hesitated, its small body trembling. "Pamo, Pamo Pamo!" (The Rufflet would've been eaten! I couldn't just stand by and let that happen!)
The voice seemed to ponder this. "Even if it meant sacrificing yourself?"
Pawmot blinked, unsure how to respond. It looked down at its paws, noticing how small and frail they seemed. For the first time, it realized it hadn't thought about its own safety at all.
Something was missing from its pink, tender pads. Something it hadn't noticed until now.
In a daze, fragments of memory began to resurface in Pawmot's mind.
It felt like someone had once handed it a hammer and said, "From now on, you are a righteous superhero! Go, use this hammer to protect the weak Pokémon!"
Recalling those words, a surge of courage welled up in Pawmot's heart. It clenched its tiny fists and declared with determination, "Pamo!" (I am a righteous superhero!)
The mysterious voice was silent for a moment, then spoke again, its tone laced with curiosity:
"But you must understand, that Mandibuzz isn't chasing you or Rufflet for sport. She hunts to provide for her children. To her, what you did is far from justice."
Pawmot froze, its resolve shaken.
"Pamo…" (What…?)
It stumbled over its thoughts. Could it be true? Was this "bad Pokémon" really hunting just to feed her young?
If Pawmot stopped her from hunting, wouldn't her children starve, waiting for their mother to bring food?
Pawmot stood still, uncertain of what to do.
The voice pressed on, patient yet probing. "What will you do now?"
Pawmot's heart felt heavy, and it lowered its head in deep thought.
It thought of its own life—how much it cherished the warmth and care of its parents. How its parents searched tirelessly through the forest to ensure it always had food. The idea of taking that away from someone else's children was heartbreaking.
But at the same time, it thought of Rufflet, terrified and helpless, about to be taken as prey.
The voice remained silent, waiting for Pawmot to find its answer.
After what felt like an eternity, Pawmot finally looked up. Its face was filled with a newfound clarity and determination.
"Pamo!" (I'll share my food with her! I'll give her fruits to feed her children so they won't starve!)
The voice paused, seemingly surprised.
"Is that your final answer?"
Pawmot nodded firmly, its small body brimming with resolve. "Pamo!" (That's right!)
The voice, now tinged with approval, replied, "Then show me how you would do it."
With those words, everything around Pawmot blurred and shifted.
When it opened its eyes again, it was back in the forest, watching the same scene play out: Mandibuzz chasing Rufflet through the dense underbrush.
But this time, Pawmot wasn't confused or afraid. It had found its answer and knew what it needed to do.
A powerful surge of energy erupted from within its tiny body, crackling like thunder. For a moment, Pawmot was stunned by the sensation, but then it embraced the newfound strength.
Leaping down from the tree, it landed firmly between Rufflet and Mandibuzz, spreading its arms wide to shield the smaller Pokémon.
"Pamo!" (Don't hurt her!)
Mandibuzz flapped her enormous wings, glaring at the small Pokémon that dared to block her path. She let out a piercing cry, her sharp eyes filled with anger and disdain.
But Pawmot stood its ground, unwavering.
Mandibuzz, infuriated by the challenge, spread her wings and launched a Brave Bird attack.
Pawmot clenched its fists, ready to defend Rufflet with all its might. Lightning surged around its small frame, forming an intense, crackling aura.
As Mandibuzz dove down with incredible speed, Pawmot charged forward, meeting her head-on. The forest lit up with a brilliant flash of light as the two Pokémon collided in mid-air.
The impact was deafening. Mandibuzz was flung backward, tumbling to the ground in defeat.
The predator struggled to her feet, her dark eyes now filled with fear as she stared at the tiny Pawmot.
Just as Mandibuzz braced herself, thinking the Pokémon might strike her down, she saw the tiny Pawmot reach into its pouch and pull out a handful of berries. Carefully, Pawmot piled the berries in front of her.
"Pamo!" (Take these back and feed them to your children!)
Mandibuzz froze, staring in disbelief at the little Pokémon. For a moment, her fierce, predatory gaze softened as she hesitated.
After a brief silence, Mandibuzz let out a quiet cry, picked up the berries with her talons, and flew off toward her nest, leaving the frightened Rufflet unharmed.
As Mandibuzz's silhouette disappeared into the sky, Pawmot let out a deep sigh of relief.
Just then, the mysterious voice spoke again, resonating gently through the air:
"It seems you have found your path."
"Pamo?!" Pawmot's eyes widened as it glanced around, searching for the source of the voice.
The forest around it began to blur, fading into a haze of light.
The voice continued, firm yet compassionate: "Even stripped of everything, reduced to the same small and powerless self as before, you still held the courage to stand against a greater foe and the compassion to help even those who threatened you. I see your resolve."
"Your heart is pure, and your intentions are true. Stay steadfast on your path, and continue to find your answers. I recognize your determination and your courage."
"You are worthy of becoming a hero. Now, Pawmot, accept the power of the king and use it to protect those in need!"
The voice faded, and Pawmot blinked as it felt a surge of energy flood through its body.
When it opened its eyes again, the illusion was gone, and it was back in the real world.
Naoki stood nearby, a warm smile on his face. Calyrex, regal and serene, watched from above, and Pawmot's friends looked on anxiously, their faces a mixture of concern and hope.
Naoki approached slowly and crouched down to Pawmot's level. "Looks like you passed the test," he said gently.
Pawmot blinked at him, then burst into tears, rushing into Naoki's arms. It clung tightly to him, crying uncontrollably.
"Pamo…" (It felt so real…)
Naoki froze for a moment, confused, then glanced up at Calyrex. "What's going on?" he asked.
Calyrex's soft, melodic voice responded, "Pawmot believed everything it experienced with you was merely a dream. It's relieved to know it wasn't."
Understanding dawned on Naoki. He smiled, gently patting Pawmot's head. "It's not a dream. How could it be a dream?"
Hearing this, Pawmot sniffled and wiped its tears, a little embarrassed. "Pamo." (I'm so glad.)
Naoki chuckled, his tone warm. "You've done amazingly well. Do you know how rare it is to pass the test of Calyrex? There are only two other Pokémon in the world who have succeeded, and they've become legendary heroes in their own regions."
Naoki leaned in conspiratorially and added with a grin, "That makes Zacian and Zamazenta your senior brothers."
Pawmot's eyes sparkled with awe, and it gasped in disbelief. "Pamo?" (Really? I'm that strong?)
Naoki nodded. "Absolutely. And now, it's time for your coronation."
Pawmotstood tall, its little face radiating determination as it turned to Calyrex.
Calyrex descended gracefully, the soft glow of its psychic energy casting a serene light over the ranch. His gaze met Pawmot's, his regal presence unwavering.
"Raise your hammer."
Pawmot held its small silver hammer tightly in both hands and presented it reverently to Calyrex.
Calyrex gazed at the hammer with solemn dignity before extending one hand, resting it gently on the surface of the weapon.
Suddenly, a radiant golden light burst forth from Calyrex's body, flowing steadily into the hammer.
The once-simple silver hammer began to change before their eyes, its surface transforming into a gleaming gold. Intricate, regal patterns appeared on the hammer, imbued with an aura of majesty and power.
"Pamo!" Pawmotcried out in amazement, its eyes wide with wonder.
Moments later, the golden light enveloped Pawmotitself, spreading across its small frame.
Pawmot felt an intense warmth coursing through its body, as if it were being immersed in a powerful, invigorating energy.
A dazzling light radiated outward, and within it, Pawmot's form began to shift and evolve.
Golden energy materialized around its head, shaping itself into a King's Helmet. The shimmering light continued to coalesce, forming sturdy, resplendent metal armor across its body.
The armor seamlessly connected to a crimson cloak draped across Pawmot's back, fluttering heroically in the energy-charged breeze.
As the transformation completed, Pawmot, now adorned in its armor, stood tall. With the radiant hammer clenched firmly in its paw, it emanated a commanding presence.
The once-familiar Pokémon now carried the poise and power of a hero. The shining gold of its armor, the vibrant red of its flowing cape, and the firm grip on its transformed hammer made Pawmot look nothing short of majestic.
Naoki and the assembled Pokémon watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with awe at the incredible sight before them.
Pawmot's transformation into the Hammer King Form was complete.
...
(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 40+ at patreon.com/Keepsmiling818
Next Bonus Chapter @800 PS