The old vilge chief instinctively dismissed his initial thoughts.

  "After all, it's just a legend," he muttered under his breath. "Legends aren't real!"

  But as he looked at Naoki, standing in front of him with a hopeful expression, he couldn't help but realize the truth: regardless of whether the King of Bountiful Harvests, Calyrex, truly existed, it was the legend that brought tourists to this remote vilge. And thanks to those visitors, Freezington had started to thrive once again.

  With a smile, the old chief said, "Well, since you came all this way, I'll do my best to help you make the reins!"

  Naoki beamed and handed over the Radiant Flower and a tuft of Gstrier's mahank you so much!"

  The chief ied the materials carefully, his hands trembling slightly. "I won't lie—I'm not sure if I make something as perfect as my great-grandfather did, but it's high time we revived this old tradition!"

  The thought of rest the vilge's lost art filled the old man with renewed determination. Maybe this would attract even more tourists!

  With a burst of enthusiasm, the vilge chief dashed into another room, returning with a needle, some thread, and a determined glint in his eye. He sat down on the sofa, straightened his back, took a deep breath, and began stitg furiously.

  Naoki watched in stunned silence as the old man sewed with ued speed and iy.

  "Uh… isn't this a bit dramatiaoki muttered, blinking in disbelief.

  After what felt like hours, the chief gave a triumphant shout and held up a rough, hand-stitched rein.

  "There!" he decred proudly.

  Naoki ied the reins with a raised brow. Somethi... off. Hesitantly, he asked, "Is this… finished?"

  The chief shook his head solemnly. "No, my eyesight's not what it used to be. I couldn't sew all the details properly. We'll need someoh steadier hands to finish it."

  "Of course," Naoki thought, recalling the game's plot. In the game, it was Uncle Peony who hahe st steps.

  Still, Naoki figured it was worth trying. "Mind if I give it a shot?"

  The old chief blinked in surprise. "You know how to sew?"

  "A little," Naoki replied sheepishly. "I've had to patch up my clothes from time to time ba the ranch."

  With a nod of approval, the chief handed him the materials, shuffling aside to let Naoki take over.

  Naoki carefully studied the half-finished reins. "Okay, first like this... then that... and finally, we stitch it here," he mumbled to himself, slowly w the thread through the mane and flower petals.

  As Naoki focused, the chief leaned back, humming softly to himself. "I remember... When my grandpa taught me the story, he said that when making the Reins of Unity, the crafter had to sing a special song with gratitude in their heart. Only then would the reins be plete."

  Naoki froze mid-stitch. "A... song?"

  The old chief hen cleared his throat and hummed a familiar tune. "Something like this: 'The flowers curl up round and tight, the mane is stitched with all ht… to honor the king with gifts sht!'"

  Naoki's face flushed. "Do I really have to sing it?"

  The chief gave him an encing smile. "Of course! You 't finish the reins without the song!"

  Naoki sighed, knowing the old man wasn't going to let this go. He remembered how, in the game, Uncle Peony had to sing this song while stitg the reins—much to his own embarrassment.

  "This is just like those gy Z-move dances…" Naoki muttered under his breath. But there was n baow. He had e too far to quit. At least there wasn't a crowd watg.

  With a resigned sigh, Naoki gritted his teeth and began to sing awkwardly:

  "The flowers... curl up round and tight~"

  "The mane... stitched with all ht~"

  "Yes! That's it!" The old chief cpped his hahusiastically. "Now sing it again, with more heart!"

  Naoki's face burned with embarrassment, but this time, the words came a little more easily.

  "The flowers curl up round and tight, the mane is stitched with all ht, to honor the king with gifts sht~"

  As the final stitch was sewn, a snow-white rein sparkled uhe soft light, emitting a faint, cool breeze.

  The old vilge chief's jaw dropped in disbelief. "It's... it's dohe reins are glowing! No way! Does this mean all those stories my great-grandfather told me were true?!"

  He stared at the reins, utterly bewildered.

  The old man looked at Naoki, clutg the reins in his hands, aantly asked, "Are you… looking for the King of Bountiful Harvests?"

  Naoki gave him a small nod. "Yes."

  The old chief leaned closer, his heart rag with curiosity. "And… did you find him?"

  Naoki hesitated, unsure how to expin Calyrex's situation. After a moment of thought, he shook his head. "Not yet."

  Disappoi flickered across the chief's face. He sighed before speaking again, "If... I mean, if you really find the King of Bountiful Harvests, would you e tell me? I've always wondered if those old legends are real."

  Naoki smiled softly. "If I see him, I will."

  He thought to himself, 'That is if the King is willing.'

  ...

  Later, after leaving the old chief's house, Naoki spotted a cozy bed-and-breakfast in the heart of the vilge. He decided not to bother the Ryan family again and instead booked a room for the night.

  Koraidon trotted along beside him, while Gstrier was tied to the feside the inn.

  Since beied by Koraidon, the once-proud steed had bee unusually pliant, bowing its head in quiet submission.

  Ihe proprietress greeted them warmly and served a meal of hot soup and freshly baked bread. The room was dimly lit, with the flickering glow of nterns casting soft light across the wooden walls, creating a cozy, weling atmosphere.

  After settling in, Naoki released Cyclizar from its Poké Ball. The three panions sat cross-legged oami mat, sharing a meal and quietly enjoying the sight of snowfkes drifting zily outside the window.

  Naoki g the snow fallily beyond the eaves, w aloud, "The King hasn't returned yet. Maybe he's still searg for Spectrier."

  In the game's story, both Gstrier and Spectrier resided within the Shrine. But here, things were different—Calyrex had spent so long in hiding that even he wasn't certaihe Spirit Horse had gone.

  Still, Naoki wasn't too worried. He had faith that Calyrex, the King of Bountiful Harvests, would find his way to Spectrier eventually. All they had to do noait.

  After dihe snowfall lightened, leaving a fresh yer of powdery snow in the courtyard.

  The B&B owner smiled warmly. "It's not too cold outside now. Why don't you take your Pokémon out to py? You make snowmen or have a snowball fight!"

  Naoki opened his mouth to dee—he was in his twenties, after all. Snowball fights were for kids.

  But as he turo g his panions, he saw the eager looks in both Koraidon's and Cyclizar's eyes.

  Naoki sighed in mock defeat. "Alright, alright…"

  Before he could finish, Koraido out aed shout. "Raao!" (Let's go!)

  The Pokémon bounded into the snow, scattering fkes everywhere in its excitement.

  Meanwhile, Cyclizar cautiously poked a foot into the snow, only to recoil instantly as if the cold had stung. It looked up at Naoki with wide, pleading eyes.

  "Gah…"

  The effects of the transtion Seed Crisps, which had allowed Naoki to uand Koraidon and Gstrier, had worn off. Now, he couldn't make out what Cyclizar was saying.

  But judging by its tone and body nguage, it was clear—Cyclizar wasn't fond of the cold.

  With no fur, just smooth skin, it made sehat the Pokémon would struggle with the chilly weather.

  Naoki thought for a moment, patting Cyclizar gently. "Hang tight, buddy," he said reassuringly. Theuro Koraidon. "Wait here for a minute."

  He made his way to the B&B's kit and politely asked the proprietress if he could borrow it for a while.

  The owner smiled warmly. "Of course! Ght ahead."

  Naoki got to work, preparing several bowls of hot, clear soup with ingredients that offered some cold resistance. He dled out portions for each of his Pokémon, including Gstrier.

  Gstrier s the bowl curiously but quickly snorted and turned away, clearly unimpressed.

  Naoki just chuckled. "Figures," he murmured.

  Cyclizar, oher hand, eagerly slurped the warm soup. As it drank, a pleasant warmth spread through its body, giving it the ce to brave the snow.

  Feeling energized, Cyclizar sprinted into the snowy courtyard, leaving a trail of small cw prints behind.

  Meanwhile, Koraidon had already rolled a few snowballs together. It had somehow mao make two crude, lumpy shough no one knew where it had learned such skills.

  When Naoki stepped back outside, Koraidon turedly. "Raao!" it called, gesturing toward the snowmen.

  Naoki approached with a raised brow. "What's up?"

  Koraidon poi the smaller snowman, then at itself. "Raao!"

  Then it poi the rger snowman and back at Naoki.

  Naoki's lips twitched with amusement. "So this one is you, and the bigger one is me?"

  Koraidon gave a big, happy nod. "Raao!" (We'll always be together!)

  Cyclizar, watg nearby, became intrigued. It tilted its head and stared at the snowmen with wide, curious eyes.

  Inspired by the se, Cyclizar tried to roll its own snowball, but its paws kept slipping. After a few failed attempts, it slumped sadly.

  "Gao…"

  Seeing this, Naoki couldn't help but ugh. "That's not quite how you do it. Here, I'll show you."

  He k down, scooped up some snow, and carefully molded it into a small snowball. Then, he pced it on the ground and rolled it bad forth.

  With every roll, the snowball grew rger, gathering more snow along the way.

  Cyclizar watched is eyes sparkling with admiration.

  "See? Just like that," Naoki said as he patted the ne snowball. "Now, you give it a try."

  Determined, Cyclizar gave it another shot. It carefully shaped a snowball with its little paws, pced it on the ground, and started rolling.

  Before long, it had created a rge, smooth snowball all on its own.

  Naoki smiled. "Great job!"

  He rolled the new snowball over to join Koraidon's snowmen and then stacked a smaller one on top.

  "There," Naoki said proudly, stepping back. "This one's you."

  Cyclizar beamed with joy, practically boung on the spot. "Gao~!" (That's me!)

  Cyclizar was overjoyed. Now it could stay with Naoki just like Koraidon!

  Koraidon stood to the side, watg the pyful se unfold with glimmering eyes.

  For o didn't feel jealous.

  The moment reminded Koraidon of a time long ago—when Naoki had patiently taught it how to make a snowman, just as he was doing now with Cyclizar. Those memories filled Koraidon with warmth and nostalgia.

  "Alright, keep having fun!" Naoki called with a grin, brushing snow off his clothes. He then walked tstrier, the reins of unity in hand.

  To his surprise, Koraidon trailed behind him, curious about what was happening.

  As Naoki stood in front of Gstrier, an idea popped into his mind.

  "I remember... When Calyrex used the reins, he transferred his energy into Gstrier's body te with it," Naoki mused aloud.

  He tapped his thoughtfully. "But... what if another Pokémon tried? Could they alse with Gstrier like Calyrex did?"

  A mischievous grin spread across Naoki's face as he turo Koraidon.

  "Koraidon, wanna give it a try?"

  "Raao?" Koraidon tilted its head in fusion but waddled closer heless.

  Naoki carefully draped the glowing reins around Gstrier's nebsp;

  The moment the reiled, Gstrier's heart skipped a beat. It could feel something ominous approag.

  Befstrier could reaaoki gave the signal. "Alright, Koraidon—hop on!"

  Koraidon blinked in surprise but leaped onto Gstrier's back.

  The ice horse staggered under Koraidon's weight, struggling to stay upright. It dug its hooves deep into the snow to avoid colpsing, its legs trembling from the effort.

  Gstrier gred back at Koraidon, ready to sh out, but quickly thought better of it. This Pokémon was far too powerful, and pig a fight would only end in disaster. Relutly, it let out a defeated snort, enduring the humiliation.

  "Easy there." Naoki gently patted Gstrier's marying not to ugh. "Just bear with it for a little while, okay? We're just experimenting."

  Gstrier's face torted into a ical mix of frustration and disbelief, like a child forced to endure an ahoto session.

  Naoki, notig how much the horse was struggling, called out to Koraidon, "Try holding the reins and see if you el your energy into Gstrier!"

  Koraidon's eyes widened. "Raao?!"

  It hesitated but decided to give it a try. Koraidon focused, summoning the dragon-type energy flowing through its body.

  But nothing happened. No glow, no power surge, no transformation.

  Naoki furrowed his brow in disappoi. "Huh. I guess it only works when Calyrex does it."

  Meanwhile, Gstrier—panting heavily, eyes rolling—looked like it was teetering on the edge of a meltdown.

  Sensing that enough was enough, Naoki chuckled. "Alright, Koraido's not push it. Hop off before pstrier colpses."

  Naoki looked at Gstrier with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. When the King of Bountiful Harvests es baorrow, I'll ask him to grow you your favorite carrots."

  The once-proud, arrogant Gstrier looked utterly defeated, still processing the fact that it had been ridden like a ount by another Pokémon. However, the mention of carrots quickly caught its attention.

  Naoki noticed the ge in the ice horse's expression and seized the moment. Holding up five fingers, he said, "We'll grow 500 carrots! You eat to your heart's tent!"

  "Nieeeh!" Gstrier neighed, tossing its head.

  'Humph. Fihis human was at least useful!'

  If it couldn't outmatch that red Pokémon, Koraidon, it might as well submit to the human-bearing gifts—just like it had once obeyed Calyrex.

  Naoki couldn't help but sigh. "This horse is too easy to bribe..."

  Gstrier was clearly a survivor—submitting only when overpowered and ready to flee the moment things went south. Naoki realized this robably how it had once abandoned Calyrex when the king lost his power.

  Well, no point in dwelling on it now.

  The day had been long, and Naoki felt the fatigue of running around the snowy fields catg up with him. Deg to call it a day, he retired to his room at the inn to rest.

  ...

  The m, Naoki awoke to the light of a new day, feeling refreshed. After a hearty breakfast with Koraidon and Gstrier, he caught a glimpse of Calyrex waiting discreetly he edge of the vilge.

  Without a word, the King of Bountiful Harvests turned and floated away, expeg Naoki to follow.

  "I guess he wants to talk in private again," Naoki muttered. "Let's go!"

  He returned Cyclizar to its Poké Ball and took the reins. With Koraidon and Gstrier trotting along beside him, Naoki made his way to a cliff overlooking the snowy vilge.

  Calyrex was already there, waiting.

  Naoki pulled out some transtion seed crisps he had brought along and popped them into his mouth. Instantly, Calyrex's thoughts became clear to him.

  "I've figured out where my other steed is!" Calyrex decred, his voin.

  "It turns out that Spectrier has takehe Shrine."

  Calyrex's expression clouded as memories resurfaced. "The shrine was once a pce where we spent many joyful days together. But when I lost my strength, I avoided it to spare myself the pain of remembering. I didn't expect Spectrier to cim it for himself in my absence."

  Naoki offered a gentle smile. "Don't be upset. I finished sewing the Reins of Unity st night. Want to try them out?"

  Calyrex shook his head gently. "I am not angry... just... nostalgic."

  When Naoki revealed the glowing reins, Calyrex's eyes softened with gratitude.

  "Yes, these are the Reins of Unity. I owe you my deepest thanks, Naoki. You've done so mue already. From here on, leave everything to me."

  With a wave of telekiiergy, Calyrex lifted the reins from Naoki's hands. They floated gracefully to him, glowing brighter with each passing sed.

  Calyrex's gaze shifted to Gstrier, standing patiently beside Koraidon. The reins drifted over to the icy horse, ily around its neck.

  The moment the reiled into pce, a radiant burst of light enveloped both Calyrex and Gstrier. Their forms shimmered and merged in a brilliant dispy.