Night had fallen, and the world was silent.

  The Pokémon livihe Giant's Bed had returo their s, yawning aling down to sleep. Occasionally, noal Pokémon rustled through the tall grass, their movements barely breaking the stillness.

  From the hilltop, Naoki could see the surface of the Gar Sea shimmering uhe moonlight. Thanks to the o currents, this area was warmer than the northern snowfields, creating the perfeviro for a rid vibrant Pokémon ecosystem.

  Naoki sat in front of the campfire with his Pokémon panions and Calyrex, enjoying the peaceful evening.

  After hearing Naoki's pn to leave the Tundra the day, Calyrex cast his gaze toward the distant Gar region and spoke softly, "Before we leave, I want to visit one more pce."

  Naoki looked up in surprise. "Where do you want to go?"

  Calyrex's voice was calm but resolute. "To the pce where the Hero and the Warrior reside."

  Naoki's eyes widened in reition. "The Hero and Warrior. Do you mean Za and Zamazenta?"

  Calyrex gave a slight nod. "Yes. They were my allies during a time of great camity."

  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 Gar region faced destru, we stood together to prevent it."

  Naoki was curious. "Could you tell me what really happehe history books are vague, and most people only remember the hero with the sword and shield. The role you pyed has been fotten."

  Calyrex he flickering firelight refleg 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 ret the events of the past.

  "A long, long time ago, I lived peacefully on this nd with my beloved steeds and the humans who believed in me. One day, I saw a vision of a disaster—an overwhelming darkhat would e the Gar region.

  "To prepare, I summowo powerful beings—Za, the King of Swords, and Zamazenta, the King of Shields. They listeo my warning and vowed to prevent the impending disaster.

  "As a gesture of trust, I performed a ation for them at the Shrine, bestowing upohe 'Power of the King.' I also enlisted Melmetal, a mythical Pokémon known for its mastery over metal, te powerful ons for them—a sword and a shield, infused with the essence of kingship.

  "With these sacred artifacts, Za and Zamazenta gaihe strength o front the darkness. They went forth to face the camity, while I focused on proteg the forest Pokémon.

  "Using all of my power, I moved the Pokémon of the forest to safety. But the effort drained me pletely, 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 . "Even now, I seraces of the disaster lingering in Gar. I fear that the danger was not fully eliminated."

  Naoki furrowed his brow. "Is that why you want to visit Za and Zamazenta? To warn them?"

  Calyrex nodded. "Yes. I must tell them what I have sensed so they be prepared for what might e."

  Naoki could sehe deep care Calyrex still held for the Gar 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 Victloria and Hop, Leon's younger brother. But something else caught Naoki's attention.

  "The swords and shields used by Za and Zamazenta were actually crafted by Melmetal?" Naoki muttered in disbelief.

  That was pletely ued!

  After hearing the full story, Naoki sighed, imagining how these powerful Pokémon must have united during the a camity to froernatus 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, Za and Zamazenta successfully repelled it. But whetle was over, they went into seclusion."

  He tinued with a hint of sadness. "After the Darkest Day ehe humans started to rewrite history. They founded a kingdom and cimed the deeds of Za and Zamazenta as their own, fooling future geions into believing that the royal family was responsible for saving the Gar region."

  Calyrex remained serene, his expression calm despite the weight of Naoki's words. "I see. You seem to care more about this false reition than I do."

  Naoki blinked. "Don't you care about what happened?"

  Calyrex shook his head gently, a faint smile f on his face. "At that time, her I nor the Sword King sought fame lory. We only wao protect the Pokémon that lived on this nd. That was all that mattered."

  He closed his eyes for a moment, refleg. "Besides, the humans I onew, and those who believed in me, are long gohere 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 Koraido off from the Giant's Bed. The majestic sight of the pink blossoms o tree faded behind them as they rode southward.

  However, there was a lingering sense of disappoi in Naoki's heart.

  Despite their exploration of the a nds, there had been no sign of the Garian forms of Artio, Zapdos, or Moltres. Naoki couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

  "Why the long face?" Calyrex asked curiously, notig 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 kly what you're thinking.'

  Sure enough, Naoki fessed with a wistful sigh, "I read ohat three legendary bird Pokémon lived hat giant tree. I was really hoping to see them today."

  Calyrex immediately uood which three Pokémon Naoki was referring to.

  "They don't live here permaly," Calyrex expined. "They only stop by the tree occasionally to rest. But if all three happen to meet at ohey always end up fighting."

  "Looks like I picked the wrong time to visit." Naoki sighed with disappoi.

  Koraido out a long-suffering groan. "Ah..gah..."

  Calyrex chuckled softly. "If you'd like, I apany you to find them ime."

  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 Gstrier and Spectrier in his care—each with a strong sense of territory—he o build separate stables to keep the peabsp;

  Instead of heading back to Freezington Vilge, Naoki and Calyrex took a different route toward Snowpoint Station, where the steam train to the Gar region awaited.

  As they he edge of the snowfield, Naoki brought Koraidon to a halt and turo Calyrex.

  "We'll be traveling by train to Gar. 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 reize me anymore. It doesn't matter."

  "Good." Naoki then g Spectrier and Gstrier. "There's ohing, though. The trai alle Pokémon onboard, so I'll o keep them in their Poké Balls for the trip. Is that alright with you?"

  "Poké Balls?" Calyrex tilted his head in fusion.

  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 tinued walking, Naoki expihe various ways humans now i with Pokémon—c topics like trainers, breeders, and the bonds that people form with Pokémon partners.

  Calyrex listehoughtfully, nodding occasionally. When Naoki finished, Calyrex gave a small smile.

  "I uand. In that case, you may keep them in the Poké Balls for now."

  Naoki approached the two steeds, gently pg a hand on their heads. First, he tapped the button of ay Poké Ball against Spectrier, who dissolved into a fsh of red light and disappeared into the ball. Then, he repeated the process with Gstrier.

  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 rexed or serving energy. But holy, I don't know the full details—it's just a theory."

  Calyrex fell silent for a moment, his expression pehen, with sudden curiosity, he asked, " 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, aly aimed it toward Calyrex.

  To Naoki's surprise, the Poké Ball accepted Calyrex without even shaking. It clicked shut instantly, remaining perfectly still.

  Moments ter, Calyrex emerged from the Poké Ball on his own, an amused smile spreading across his fabsp;

  "Fasating," the former King of Gar remarked, his voice filled with wonder. "Humans truly are a clever species."

  Remembering Naoki's earlier expnation about the boween trainers and Pokémon, Calyrex turo him with a pyful grin. "So, does this mean I'm now your Pokémon? Trainer, I look forward to yuidance!"

  Naoki: "…"

  Trying to clear up any misuanding, 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 ugh before tinuing along the snowy path, making their way back to the station.

  As they he station, something unusual caught Naoki's attention. A bright red cordon stretched across the road, marking it as a restricted area. Sighe blockade bore symbols warning of extreme dahe station's doors were shut, and the lights inside flickered dimly.

  "That's odd..." Naoki muttered, furrowing his brow.

  Calyrex, riding calmly beside him orier, grew serious. "I sense something unusual. There's an ominous aura here."

  He turoward the distant mountains, where an eerie glow illumihe sky. Fmes licked the snowy peaks, casting a deep crimson hue across the horizon.

  Naoki and Koraidon both noticed the uling 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, bored panting, followed by the rapid flutter of wings.

  A moment ter, a monstrous figure desded from the sky, nding heavily in front of Naoki and Calyrex.

  The creature was unlike anything Naoki had seen before. Its grotesquely infted muscles bulged with unnatural power, and two pairs of translut, crimson wings beat rhythmically behind it. Its small, ft head housed eerie, spherical bck eyes, and below them sat a sharp, bde-like beak that gleamed ominously in the dim light.

  Naoki's heart skipped a beat. He reized the creature immediately.

  "An Ultra Beast… Buzzwole!"

  The realization hit Naoki like a thunderbolt. "But how?!"

  Ultra Beasts like Buzzwole were supposed to reside ira Spaear the Alion. How could one have found its way to the Gar 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 turo see a man in a Gar League uniform sprinting towards him, apanied by a Snorx lumbering behind.

  The man locked eyes with Naoki and called out, "Please leave this area! The Gar League has blocked off this zone, and the station is temporarily closed! You'll o find another route to Gar!"

  Before the man could finish, Buzzwole—disturbed by the otion—scowled. Its muscles infted 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 Snorx.

  Turning back, he saw the horrifying sight of Buzzwole gripping Snorx tightly. With nard for the Snorx's desperate thrashing, Buzzwole jabbed its needle-like proboscis into Snorx's nebsp;

  Snorx's massive body began to defte, its once-imposing frame colpsing 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 va coursed through them, loomed over the man, its massive frame casting a shadow.

  Naoki stood frozen, his mind rag to process the ued danger.

  Calyrex, standing nearby, frowned deeply at the sight.

  Just as Buzzwole prepared to lu the man, Calyrex's regal voice rang out with unwavering authority.

  "How dare you!"

  Buzzwole's attention so 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 fsh 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 oppos. With a guttural roar, it uself toward Calyrex and Spectrier, muscles rippling with every movement.

  Calyrex wasted no time. With a quient, he leapt gracefully onto Spectrier's babsp;

  In an instant, a powerful psychic wave surged outward from Calyrex, causing the ghostly energy surrounding Spectrier to swirl and violently.

  Suddenly, tless dark purple, phosphorest fmes flickered to life around them, like embers drawn from another world.

  With a anding sweep of his arm, Calyrex unleashed the fmes. They shot forward like falling stars, raining down on Buzzwole from every dire.

  The man, still frozen in pce, could only stare i the spectacle unfolding before him.

  "What kind of Pokémon... is that?!"