The King's Promise

"No, this is way too disrespectful to the Crowned King." Naoki shook his head quickly, trying to banish the absurd thought from his mind. 

But despite himself, Naoki couldn't help but glance again at the massive dark green crown atop Calyrex's head, shaped like an enormous bud. Beneath the crown was Calyrex's petite, slender body, resembling a rabbit with elegant features. 

Calyrex had majestic blue eyes that shimmered with wisdom, and a small blue nose and mouth. A pair of cloak-like wings extended behind it, framing its gray-white body and legs, giving the Pokémon an otherworldly grace. 

The Crowned King floated silently just above the snow, gazing directly at Naoki. 

Then, it made a strange sound, incomprehensible to human ears. 

"Caly… moo… moo…"

Naoki: "?" 

Just then, a middle-aged farmer wearing a plush hat and carrying a hoe appeared, on his way to tend the snow-covered fields. Spotting Naoki and Koraidon standing frozen in place, the farmer was about to ask where they'd come from—when he caught sight of the glowing, floating Pokémon not far away. 

The farmer's eyes widened in shock. His jaw dropped. 

"What a huge head!" the farmer exclaimed. 

Naoki: "…" 

'He said exactly what I was thinking!' Naoki thought, barely holding back a laugh. 

The farmer's outburst caught the attention of Calyrex, who turned its gaze toward the man. 

A blue light flickered in Calyrex's eyes, and before the farmer could react, his body was enveloped in a faint glow. His feet slowly lifted off the ground, and his consciousness began to drift. 

The farmer floated in the air, suspended by Calyrex's psychic power, his body moving like a puppet under the King's control. Calyrex's voice echoed through the farmer, directed toward Naoki:

"My faithful one, you have finally arrived. I have waited for you here for a long time." 

Naoki stared at the poor, dazed farmer, his face twisted in awkward sympathy. He scratched his head. "Uh… you know, we could probably find a better way to communicate." 

Calyrex tilted its head slightly, a flicker of confusion in its radiant blue eyes. "Oh?" 

Naoki rummaged through his bag and pulled out a large package of Translation Seed Crisps.

The Crowned King's gaze was immediately drawn to the bag. "What is this?" Calyrex asked, curiosity slipping through its regal demeanor. 

Naoki smiled. "It's a human food with a bit of magic. When you eat it, it lets you understand Pokémon speech." 

Calyrex looked intrigued by the idea, though it maintained its dignified posture. 

Without hesitation, Naoki popped a few of the crisps into his mouth and grinned. "Alright, I should be able to understand you now." 

Calyrex seemed pleased. The glow around the farmer faded, and he slowly returned to the ground, blinking in confusion. 

The Crowned King, perhaps not wanting the encounter to attract further attention, used instant teleportation, leaving behind a message for Naoki: 

"I will be waiting for you on the cliff over there." 

And with that, Calyrex disappeared in a flash of light, vanishing into the snowy expanse.

The farmer, now free from Calyrex's psychic control, slowly landed back on the ground. He glanced around in confusion, scratching the back of his head. 

"What happened? Why am I here? Brr… It's freezing out here! Wait a second… who are you? Are you a tourist from out of town?" 

Naoki answered casually, "Yes, I'm here to observe the Pokémon ecology in the Crown Tundra." 

The farmer's eyes lit up in understanding. "Ah, I see! That makes sense." 

With that, the man picked up his hoe and strolled away, still muttering to himself. 

"Naoki turned to the Altaria flying beside him. 'You can head home now. I have something important to do.'"

The little bird puffed up its fluffy feathers, trying to stay warm. With a pitiful nod, it chirped softly. 

"Chirp!" (Be careful! And don't get lost again!) 

Naoki chuckled and gave a reassuring nod. "Don't worry about me!" 

With that, the Altaria flapped its wings and flew off, disappearing toward the village. Naoki watched it go for a moment, then turned to Koraidon. 

"Let's head to the cliffs," Naoki said, climbing onto Koraidon's back. The Pokémon let out a soft "Raao!" and took off into the cold sky, cutting through the frosty air. 

When they reached the cliff, Calyrex was already there, floating gracefully above the snow-covered peak. It gazed down at Freezington Village below, like a noble king watching over his domain from a castle tower. 

Hearing Naoki's arrival, Calyrex turned to face him. 

The legendary Pokémon's majestic blue eyes met Naoki's, and it spoke with calm gratitude: 

"I have sensed your kindness, and I know what you have done for me on that land." 

Naoki shifted awkwardly, suddenly feeling a bit guilty. 'Didn't I mostly come here to get my hands on one of the horses…?' 

But it was not the time for honesty. Ruining the moment would be awkward, to say the least. So, Naoki straightened up and replied sincerely, "It was the least I could do. The people of Paldea are grateful for your strength." 

At the mention of gratitude, a flicker of emotion crossed Calyrex's regal expression. The memory of past festivals, offerings, and statues crafted in its honor seemed to stir within the Pokémon. 

Calyrex's voice softened. "I know… And because of your actions, I have regained a portion of my strength." 

However, there was a lingering sadness in its tone. 

"Yet, while you have shown kindness, many others have forgotten me. I can feel my power waning, my connection to mankind slipping away." 

The King of Bountiful Harvests looked toward the horizon, a heavy sorrow clouding its gaze. It had once been the beloved protector of these lands, but now its name was slipping into obscurity. 

Scenes from the past flickered in its mind.

Long ago, when the Galar region was ruled by Calyrex, the land was prosperous, with fields yielding abundant crops and flowers blooming in every corner. 

The humans and Pokémon living under Calyrex's reign regarded him as their king, and in turn, he cherished them as his people. Out of love and respect, they built temples in his honor and offered tributes of gratitude. In return, Calyrex used all his strength to ensure bountiful harvests for his people. 

As these memories resurfaced, a wave of sadness washed over Calyrex. It pained him to think that his beloved people might have forgotten him. 

He turned toward Naoki with a solemn expression. "My believer, I must ask a favor of you." 

Naoki sensed the deep sadness in Calyrex's voice. He gave a small nod. "Of course. What do you need me to do?" 

Calyrex's gaze shifted toward the human village below. "I want you to go to the village and ask the people if they still remember me." 

Naoki thought to himself, 'The King of Bountiful Harvests still cares deeply about their faith. ' 

He looked back at Calyrex and gave a reassuring smile. "I'll go ask them for you." 

Calyrex bowed his head slightly. "Thank you. I will wait for your return here." 

With that, Naoki climbed onto Koraidon and soared toward the village of Freezington. 

As they flew toward the village, Koraidon furrowed its brow in confusion. 

"Raao…?" (He seems really sad…) 

Naoki stroked the Pokémon's head thoughtfully. "Yes… It's like if you and I were separated for a long time, and when we met again, I didn't remember you." 

Before Naoki could finish, Koraidon shook its head frantically, letting out a distressed cry. 

"Raao!" (We won't ever be apart!) 

Naoki blinked, then smiled warmly. He patted Koraidon's head. "Of course not. I was just giving an example. But think about it—wouldn't it hurt if that happened?" 

Koraidon fell silent, considering the thought carefully. Its head drooped slightly. 

"Raao…" (That would be really sad...) 

Then, with sudden determination, Koraidon straightened up and declared, "Raao!" (I'll never forget you, Naoki!) 

"I'll never forget you either," Naoki replied softly, rubbing the Pokémon's head affectionately. 

He continued, "Now, imagine that the villagers are like me, and the King of Bountiful Harvests is like you. See? It makes sense why he feels this way." 

Koraidon tilted its head thoughtfully, and after a moment, it nodded with understanding. 

"Raao!" (Then let's bring the King back home with us!) 

Naoki chuckled at Koraidon's eagerness. "Well, that depends on whether Calyrex wants to come with us or not." 

With that, Koraidon gracefully descended into Freezington Village.

Once in the village, Naoki scanned the area. Villagers were out and about, enjoying the break in the snowfall. He decided to blend in as a tourist and began asking people if they remembered the King of Bountiful Harvests. 

The first villager he approached gave him a puzzled look. 

"The King of Bountiful Harvests? What's that?" the villager asked, clearly confused. 

Naoki: "…" 

'Well, that's not a great start…'

He tried again with an elderly woman sitting nearby. After a moment of thought, her eyes lit up. 

"I think I remember my grandmother telling me a story about that when I was little," the woman said. "She told us that if a child didn't eat properly, the King would take away their body and soul, and they'd never be able to return home." 

Naoki sighed, muttering to himself, "Isn't this the kind of thing a Ghost-type Pokémon would do?" 

He approached another villager—a white-haired old man with glasses. 

The old man smiled proudly and said, "Ah, the King of Bountiful Harvests? Of course, I know about it! We use the legend to attract tourists. It helps bring business to the guesthouses and shops here in the village." 

Naoki raised an eyebrow. "How do you know so much about it?"

The old man grinned even wider. "Well, that's because I'm the village chief! I've known about the King of Bountiful Harvests since I was a child. I even have an old storybook at home that's full of tales about him!" 

Naoki: "…" 

With these replies in hand, Naoki rode Koraidon back to the cliffside, where Calyrex waited. 

After hearing Naoki's retelling, a visible sadness appeared on Calyrex's face. 

The Pokémon stood silently on the snow, looking down at the frozen village below as if reflecting on what once was. Then, with a soft sigh, it closed its eyes. 

After a long moment, Calyrex opened its eyes, regaining the dignified and majestic posture of a king. 

"It seems that they no longer remember me," Calyrex said quietly. "Humans have forgotten the bond they once shared with me." 

Naoki shifted awkwardly, unsure how to comfort the Pokémon. After a moment, he said gently, "The village chief still remembers you, though." 

Calyrex gave a small shake of his head, acknowledging the sentiment. 

"It is alright. Why should I dwell on this? I am the King of Bountiful Harvests—I am not so petty."

The king's gaze turned distant. "I can no longer depend on their belief to restore my power. If only my loyal steed were by my side... things might be different." 

As he spoke, Calyrex turned his gaze back toward Naoki. 

Naoki thought to himself, 'Here it comes!' 

Calyrex continued, "I once rode a powerful four-legged Pokémon, a companion I could command with ease. The statue in the village depicts me riding that steed. Long ago, they were my trusted partners, roaming the mountains by my side. But as my power faded, we were separated, and I do not know where they are now." 

Then, the king looked directly at Naoki, his blue eyes filled with hope. 

"I must ask for your help once more. If you can help me find my two beloved steeds, I will grant you a wish—whatever you desire. As long as it is within my power, I will make it happen." 

Naoki already anticipated this request. 

Just as in the game's storyline, the King of Bountiful Harvests needed the help of a traveler to reunite with his steed. 

In the game, the player assists Calyrex in finding one of his two companions—either Glastrier, the Ice Horse, or Spectrier, the Ghost Horse—allowing him to regain his full strength. 

Naoki pondered. 'If I help him recover both Glastrier and Spectrier… could I convince him to leave this snowy land behind and come with me to Paldea, bringing the two horses along?'

Lost in thought, Naoki glanced up at Calyrex's crown. 

"That crown is really big," he mused to himself once again. 

Then he recalled what he knew about Calyrex. 

Finding Spectrier (the Spirit Horse) or Glastrier (the Blizzard Horse) wouldn't be too difficult. As long as he could obtain carrot seeds—the preferred food of these steeds—and have Calyrex use his powers to ripen them, the horses would be drawn to the crop. 

However, reuniting Calyrex with one of the horses required more than just carrots. He also needed a special bridle—the Reins of Unity—to bind the king and the chosen steed together.

The reins were no ordinary rope but were woven from Radiant Petals and horse Pokémon manes, once crafted as an offering of gratitude from the people to Calyrex in ancient times.

After a brief moment of thought, Naoki looked at the King of Bountiful Harvests. "I promise I'll help you." 

Calyrex's eyes softened with gratitude. "Thank you. I shall remain here, waiting for your return. Though my strength has not fully recovered, if you need my assistance, come to me."

Naoki smiled and nodded. "Understood." 

Naoki remembered that the village chief had mentioned a book containing stories about the King of Bountiful Harvests. Deciding that it was the best place to start, Naoki said his farewells to Calyrex and rode off on Koraidon toward Freezington Village. 

As snowflakes began to drift down from the sky once again, Calyrex watched Naoki leave. 

"This little believer... he is a good person," Calyrex thought to himself. 

The king gazed silently at Naoki's retreating figure. A flicker of hope sparked within him—perhaps, through this human, he could rebuild the bond he had once shared with humanity. 

"This time," the king mused to himself, "I do not wish to be a ruler anymore."

---

Back in Freezington Village, Naoki met with the village chief. After explaining his purpose, the old man led Naoki to his home.

"The King of Bountiful Harvests? I haven't heard that name in ages," the chief admitted. "It would be wonderful if he truly existed. The land here has grown barren, and it's getting harder and harder to grow crops." 

Naoki tilted his head. "It's strange. If Calyrex once ruled over the Galar region, why do we hear so few stories about him now?" 

The village chief shook his head, a wistful expression crossing his face. "Perhaps it's just an old legend passed down by word of mouth." 

The chief continued thoughtfully, "It's like the stories that say humans were created by gods. If the King of Bountiful Harvests truly existed, why hasn't he shown himself after all these years?" 

Naoki furrowed his brow. 'Maybe… things only exist if people believe in them?'

The village chief shrugged. "When I was a boy, my history teacher taught us that the Galar region has always been protected by the royal family. They were the ones who defended us from the Darkest Day." 

He continued, "They say that long ago, darkness spread across Galar. Back then, two heroes wielding a sword and shield drove the darkness away and saved the region." 

"If the King of Bountiful Harvests really existed, shouldn't he have come to protect his people back then?" 

The chief gave Naoki a kind smile, then gestured toward a bookshelf in the corner of the room. 

"If you're interested in those stories, the book you're looking for is on the bottom shelf. Go ahead and take a look."

...

This is a bonus chapter for reaching 1000 Power Stones.

The next bonus chapter will be released at 1500 Power Stones.