"Yessir!!!"
The four—Nemona and the others—stiffened, nodding like pecking chicks, overwhelmed by Lucas's presence.
Not only was Lucas strong—he seemed a capable teacher, too. Even while fighting the powerful Spectrier, he could still distill key points for his students.
After a long moment, the dazed Spectrier struggled up.
Its head felt oddly sluggish, and even its usually smooth flow of energy felt clogged.
It quickly found the reason.
Energy like the one in Luxray's roar now clung to its internal energy flow like a bone-deep curse, forcibly slowing Spectrier's energy circulation and output…
Facing Luxray, whose whole body seemed devoid of openings, Spectrier hesitated to bring its hoof down.
This was tricky…
At the very least, Spectrier didn't want to eat another Snarl like that—the feeling was more miserable than the pain.
But…
Spectrier's gaze fell on Lucas behind Luxray and the black carrot in his hand—and the many more in the field. Its mouth watered; longing filled its eyes.
Just as it steeled itself for another gamble—
"Electric Terrain."
At Lucas's word, Luxray let out another intimidating bellow. Blinding currents surged and poured into the ground, and in a blink the area transformed into a crackling Electric Terrain.
Spectrier's senses were keen. It could clearly tell Luxray's aura had risen to yet another level.
"Neigh—"
Mountains will not move; rivers keep flowing.
That field wouldn't be guarded forever. Spectrier had patience to wait!
Next time, it would fight under cover of night—its home turf.
Snorting black mist from its nostrils, Spectrier scraped its forehooves, and without further hesitation, turned to flee.
Seeing it about to bolt, Luxray tensed, electricity arcing over its body, ready to explode into motion—
But a strange psychic ripple swept out, racing ahead of both the starting Luxray and the fleeing Spectrier.
A dignified voice rang out. "Thou hast done well buying time. Leave the rest to Us!"
Lucas caught the weary Victini. Calyrex floated forward, then set Cosmog gently into Lucas's arms with telekinesis, its eyes blazing blue.
Invisible psychic power shook the air. It seemed to lock onto Spectrier, threads of blue telekinetic force lashing out like unseen tentacles, binding Spectrier tight!
"Neigh!?"
Spectrier neighed in fright, struggling with its body, but to no avail.
Even the Ghost-type energy it hurled—the kind Spectrier favored as a special attacker, and that had a type advantage—was helpless against Calyrex's ever-growing telekinetic output bolstered by Victini.
Calyrex floated before its long-unseen steed, a nostalgic look in its eyes. "Our steed, fear not. It is We."
Even with dulled daylight vision, Spectrier stiffened the moment it saw Calyrex, terror written across its face.
A—A ghost?!
Spectrier clearly remembered Calyrex's slumber. It had waited so long that even the hot-tempered Glastrier left the King's Castle. Only then had Spectrier accepted that Calyrex might never wake.
It had taken a hundred years to move on and had grown used to a free life as a lone horse.
But now Calyrex had popped back from who-knows-when—restraining it with power equal to its own prime. Was it about to be shackled again and lose its freedom?
"Neigh—!" (Can we talk about this!)
Spectrier snorted, trying to negotiate.
It had once forged a deep bond with Calyrex and even merged as one, and it didn't truly dislike that feeling.
But right now, it still wanted to chase the winds of night across the tundra a while longer!
"Thou art being foolish."
Calyrex frowned, not expecting its steed to suddenly get petulant.
After hearing Spectrier's request, both Calyrex and Lucas—who heard the mental translation—were speechless.
In short, Spectrier had grown wild and hadn't had its fill of being wild.
Calyrex wavered. It could sense that Spectrier's affection for it hadn't faded despite the centuries, and its request wasn't unreasonable.
But…
Lucas came over with Luxray and Victini, Cosmog in his arms.
Reading Calyrex's face, Lucas knew what it was thinking.
He sighed. At heart, Calyrex was still the compassionate king.
It was actually considering letting Spectrier roam a while longer.
With that in mind, Lucas shared his idea with Calyrex via telepathy.
"…Will that work?"
Calyrex blinked at him.
When Lucas nodded, Calyrex thought it over and decided to try it.
It had to reclaim both steeds to regain its power—this was no time for indecision.
Seeing Spectrier staring at it expectantly, Calyrex's eyes flashed coldly. It hardened its heart, increased telekinetic output, and said coolly, "As the defeated, thou hast no right to bargain!"
Feeling the tightening pressure, Spectrier, caught between pain and fear, suddenly recalled the first time it met Calyrex.
Back then, after losing, it was lectured by Calyrex not to attack humans or their partner Pokémon and was let go.
But as the Pokémon king who once ruled the ancient Crown Tundra, it wouldn't accept defeat. It challenged Calyrex again and again, seeking revenge.
Until even the merciful Calyrex lost patience, telekinetically pinning it, coldly demanding to know what it wanted—Calyrex's expression then had been just like now.
Time had blurred the past. Spectrier couldn't remember everything, only that afterward it bowed to Calyrex, and their bond grew deeper and deeper…
While Spectrier was lost in memory, Calyrex sighed and murmured so only Spectrier could hear, "Thou lovest black carrots. These here were planted for thee by humans at Our request."
"If thou wishest to go, then go. We shall return these carrots to seeds and have humans plant for Glastrier instead."
With that, Calyrex released its telekinetic bind, shook its head, and floated toward the field, as if to revert the black carrots back to seeds.
"Neigh—!" (Wait!)
Spectrier cried out in anguish, trying to stop Calyrex.
Freedom was great—but not at the price of black carrots.
If there were black carrots to eat, and it could serve by Calyrex's side again, then, well… freedom who?
Under Spectrier's pleading gaze, Calyrex kept up the pretense to the final step, then, as if relenting out of old affection, sighed and stopped.
"Very well. Since thou art so earnest, We shall accept thy renewed fealty."
Spectrier's eyes lit up. It hastily lowered itself, bowing before Calyrex again.
Calyrex mounted, and as the familiar feeling flowed back, a surge of pride rose in its heart.
It could finally reclaim its former might!
If only it had the Reins of Unity to become one with Spectrier again…
But this was a solid step forward. Calyrex looked to Lucas, to Victini and Luxray beside him, and said gratefully, "Lucas, Luxray, and Victini—Our thanks."
"Vtini!" "Mogo!"
Cosmog and Victini flew up excitedly to Calyrex's side and, at its invitation, rode along.
Spectrier dared not complain, only shrinking its neck and keeping quiet.
Best to behave and earn those carrots.
"So this is Calyrex's steed of legend… Incredible. And now the legend is real before my eyes!"
To avoid upsetting Spectrier, Peony watched from a distance.
For him, simply seeing a legend made real was enough.
Knowing how much Peony had prepared for his legendary-chasing, Peonia didn't snipe at him for once—she just exchanged a smile with her sister Penny.
Nemona, Eri, and Arven played under a tree with Victini, Cosmog, and Vulpix. Luxray lay quietly nearby, eyes half-closed, as if resting.
You'd never guess from its calm that it had just roared Spectrier upside down.
But its ears twitched at every sound, showing it was still paying attention.
Mid-play, Arven counted on his fingers, face odd. "Isn't the number of baby Pokémon at the teacher's farm getting bigger and bigger?"
At that, Luxray cracked one eye at Arven, sharing the sentiment.
Indeed, over the last few months, it felt like countless young Pokémon had joined the farm. With Cosmog joining, chaos was sure to follow.
Especially with a perpetual-child Dragonite—he'd likely join the mischief. Just imagining it made Luxray's stomach ache.
Thankfully, Oranguru the butler was now helping out, which eased Luxray's load.
Elsewhere—
After discussing the Reins of Unity with Calyrex, Lucas noticed Spectrier's expression, nudged Calyrex with his elbow, and whispered, "Look at it."
Calyrex, contemplating the Radiant Petal, blinked and followed Lucas's gaze. Seeing Spectrier's look, it couldn't help but smile.
Spectrier was staring fixedly at the black carrots, clear drool dripping, eyes full of yearning.
Calyrex's mouth twitched. What had its steed gone through while it slept, to change from the noble image in its memory to… this?
"Our steed, canst thou finish nearly half a field of crops?"
As if waiting for that line, Spectrier neighed excitedly, indicating it could easily handle three fields' worth!
With Calyrex's permission, Spectrier trotted into the field, hooves clip-clopping in the air, and nimbly pulled up carrots with its mouth, happily devouring them.
Watching Spectrier devour the field like a storm, Lucas's mouth twitched like Calyrex's.
Good grief—Spectrier could really eat!
If Calyrex later agreed to come with him, and if Glastrier ate like this too… wouldn't the farm end up with a Four Gluttons Elite Four?
Calyrex lifted a hand. A tuft of blue mane from Spectrier detached under telekinesis and floated into Lucas's hand.
At the same time, Calyrex said, "By thy account, the Reins of Unity require Our steed's mane and a Radiant Petal."
"The mane is here. The Radiant Petal must be bloomed by Our power. As for the key crafting process—hast thou an idea?"
Lucas nodded. "Freezington should still have the tradition."
"We see."
At some point, Calyrex realized its first reaction to Lucas's words was simply to believe—but it didn't mind that feeling.
"To make the Radiant Petal bloom requires vast energy. That was beyond Us when We were weakened."
"But with Victini's power now… it can be done. Our friend—let Us bloom the Radiant Petal again in this distant age, before thine eyes!"
Calyrex's bearing turned majestic in an instant.
Drawing on the infinite energy Victini had left within it, the great green bud-like crown upon its head flared with dazzling light.
Under Calyrex's control, the light—nourishment—flowed like a small stream in the air and poured into the flower bud at its neck.
In a flash, a blossom radiating a mesmerizing blue glow opened and drifted into Lucas's hands under Calyrex's guidance.
Lucas stared, dazed for a moment at the softly glowing blue petal.
A Radiant Petal—how beautiful. If only he could plant a whole greenhouse of them—it would be stunning.
A field of luminous blue flowers shimmering under the quiet night…
"The Radiant Petal is entrusted to thee."
Having spent a great deal of energy, Calyrex's voice was tinged with weakness.
"I'll take it from here." Lucas carefully stored the Radiant Petal and Spectrier's mane, then looked at Calyrex with concern. "Can you still keep Spectrier in line?"
He worried that, after creating the petal, Calyrex might have dipped too low to suppress Spectrier.
He considered sending Mimikyu to shadow Calyrex and keep an eye on Spectrier.
Calyrex glanced at Spectrier—already halfway through the carrots—and shook its head gently. "Our friend, worry not. Having renewed its fealty, Our steed will not betray Us."
Since Calyrex said so, Lucas didn't press the issue. He asked Calyrex to wait a while at the Old Cemetery, then called Peony and the others to return to Freezington.
"The Reins of Unity crafting?"
On the way back, Peony stroked his chin, thoughtful.
"When I was drinking at the mayor's, I heard him brag that his great-grandfather knew how to make offerings for Calyrex of legend."
Lucas nodded. "That's probably it. Can you take me to the mayor's house?"
Peony nodded slightly. "No problem."
Soon, with practiced ease, Peony led them back to Freezington.
Nemona and Peonia went home to refuel and warm up with hot drinks.
Peony took Lucas to the mayor's house, where they met Freezington's white-haired mayor in black round glasses.
Judging from his hair, he was probably past sixty—the village's most senior elder.
After Peony explained, the mayor—understanding Lucas's request—looked as if an exclamation mark had popped above his head. "What?! You want me to make the Reins of Unity?"
"Do you know how?" Lucas asked.
"Ah, that's a bit tough…" The mayor looked troubled. "I dabbled a little as a child, learning for fun from my great-grandfather."
"What's more, we don't have the necessary petal and mane!"
"I have them."
Lucas produced a Radiant Petal and a bundle of Spectrier's mane sufficient for reins.
"This is…" The mayor adjusted his glasses, staring in disbelief. "If these are real, then Calyrex legend is true? No—how could that be!"
He remembered that his ancestors—and his great-grandfather—had imitated the Reins of Unity using ordinary flowers and Galarian Rapidash mane.
Could Lucas's items truly be a Radiant Petal and black mane from the legend?
He couldn't bring himself to believe it. In fact, he reflexively denied it.
No one knew the falsehood of Calyrex better than he did—the scant yields of the village fields were proof.
To keep the village alive in the harsh cold, he'd promoted Calyrex legend to attract tourists.
The weather had let up a bit today; the hauntings had ended. A few more tourist groups had arrived.
Regardless of truth, it was a great publicity opportunity.
Thinking of this, the mayor showed a mercenary smile. "You drove out the ghosts troubling Freezington—our great benefactor. Since it's your request, I must show appropriate sincerity."
"Thank you," Lucas said politely, handing over the Radiant Petal and black mane.
He could read the mayor's thoughts from his expression, but he didn't care.
If he didn't believe, let him continue as is.
Even if they believed again, Calyrex likely wouldn't accept their faith.
By then, regret would be too late.
…
A short while later—
Freezington's square.
"Did you hear? The mayor's going to publicly demonstrate crafting the Reins of Unity from Calyrex legend!"
With the villagers spreading the word, the rumor raced through the tourists.
Before long, a crowd had gathered at the village center.
The mayor, tools in hand, raised his arms and shouted, "It's time to revive the village's tradition!"
Pleased by the turnout, his eyes flashed. He began stitching at high speed with dazzling technique.
Cheers rose around him, and he grew more excited.
Perhaps the commotion was too conspicuous.
A blond, bearded man who had just bartered for supplies at the village entrance paused, looking curiously toward the square.
Then he felt a small hand tug his clothing. He looked down at the blonde girl in a white hat by his side, her face anxious, and his voice softened.
"In such a hurry to go home, Lillie?"
The girl's cheeks flushed, and she nodded slightly.
Mohn smiled helplessly, took his daughter's hand, gave up on the idea of watching the spectacle, and turned toward the tundra.
Their home was far. They had to get back before nightfall.
"Lucas, what are you looking at?"
Peony, a bit dazed by the mayor's flashy show, noticed Lucas seemed distracted.
"Do they come to Freezington often?" Lucas asked suddenly.
Peony blinked and followed his gaze toward the village outskirts, spotting the receding figure of Mohn leading someone.
"Oh, him? I heard from the mayor he's an odd fellow who lives deeper in the Crown Tundra—probably a strong trainer. He often comes to Freezington to trade goods."
"Right, his name's Mohn. He supposedly has a very cute daughter, which he often boasts about, but no one's seen her."
"Looks like today he brought his daughter along."
Peony squinted into the sunlight at what looked like a translucent parasol-like hat rimmed in white and yellow. He hesitated. "That… should be a hat, right?"